Darrell Skipper, of Skipper Consulting Inc. of Birmingham, spoke at the Monday Cullman City Council meeting, which was packed by residents of Deer Trace subdivision who have concerns about traffic and safety during the event.

A consultant specializing in traffic and safety plans for large events will provide a report to the public in about a month concerning Rock the South’s intended relocation to a 140-acre site.

Darrell Skipper, of Skipper Consulting Inc. of Birmingham, spoke at the Monday Cullman City Council meeting, which was packed by residents of Deer Trace subdivision who have concerns about traffic and safety during the event.

Skipper said his company works with Auburn University for planning during football season, as well as with Birmingham officials for large events at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, the Birmingham Barons and others.

“We look for roads that can carry large traffic to get to a venue, and knowing you have to try to maintain traffic for residents who live in the area, and that they can be accommodated,” Skipper said.

As he left the podium, a resident asked if it would be two weeks, and he replied it would be at least a month.

Rock the South, which in past years has been at Heritage Park, is scheduled for May 31-June 1.

The meeting, in which City Council President Jenny Folsom limited speakers to three minutes each, produced some terse moments.

In a prepared statement, David Brown, of Deer Trace, said residents were blind-sided a week ago by RTS’s announcement it was moving to the land near the subdivision. He questioned what plans the city leaders had been presented for an emergency evacuation during a storm, medical problems and other issues that could arise.

When his time ran out, Emily Brown finished reading the statement for him.

“I looked at the pay scale for a City Council member, which is not much at $13,000. I hope you would be here to do more than pander to someone like Shane Quick,” Emily Brown said.

At that point, Folsom stopped her and said personal attacks would not be allowed at the podium.

Emily Brown went on to say that 13 deaths in seven years have been reported at Bonaroo in Tennessee, a concert event that RTS founder Shane Quick had mentioned a week before because of its size and the area.

Emily Brown said the area where Bonaroo is located is known for human trafficking.

“I don’t think we want Cullman to become Bonaroo,” she said.

RTS has been hosted in Cullman seven years without any reports of death or violent acts toward concert-goers.

Steven Speciale, also of Deer Trace, said it was important for all stakeholders to be heard from concerning RTS before the City Council approves an event license.

Speciale, also noting Bonaroo, said concerns about drugs and terrorist acts needed to be considered before a decision is made.

Also in attendance was Cullman County Associate Commissioner Garry Marchman, who did not speak against RTS but pointed out the concerns over traffic and the impact on the roads and area.

Quick said a full plan for traffic and safety will be presented, and noted that he and partner Nathan Baugh have always worked with law enforcement and medical personnel well in advance of the music festival.

“The reality is we are not here to apply for a permit tonight. We are doing diligence,” Quick said. “I’ve heard so many negative things about the patrons of Rock the South. They are not trash, they are good people.”

RTS started in 2012 and has grown to more than 60,000 in attendance over the two-day period. The festival has grown significantly each year with a lineup of top country music starts headlining the stage.

Announcements are expected to begin today for this year’s stars booked to appear.

Quick and Baugh have said publicly for several years that they want a larger area to host the growing venue. Plans for this year include adding a campground as well as an RV area for those who attend.

The proposed site this year rests on more than 140 acres along County Road 469 on land once owned by the city for industrial development. Much of the surrounding land is in the county, but Deer Trace is part of the city.

After the first portion of the meeting, Quick, Baugh and Skipper went to the lobby to meet with any residents who wanted to continue the discussion.