The Cullman County Commission met Tuesday morning. (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – The Cullman County Commission Tuesday morning settled with transportation and logistics company Werner Enterprises over the damages caused by one of the company’s drivers to a bridge on County Road 821.
At the commission’s last meeting, on June 12, Cullman County Attorney Chad Floyd was authorized to file civil action against Werner Enterprises and its driver, Dontie Latray Huff, for damage done to the bridge on County Road 821. According to Floyd, Werner Enterprises truck driver Huff crossed the bridge earlier this year carrying far more weight than the maximum weight allowed posted on the bridge, causing irreparable damage to the structure. Floyd said that based on the opinion of the county engineer, Werner Enterprises’ settlement offer was significantly lower than what it will cost to repair the bridge. Floyd said then he didn’t believe the County would get any further with Werner without filing the action.
Tuesday morning, Chairman Kenneth Walker was given authorization to sign a property damage release for Werner Enterprises, which has now agreed to the County’s terms. “They have met our demand for the price of the damage to the bridge and they have sent along a property damage release,” Floyd said. “This releases them from any further liability and says they have met the price that we asked for and I would recommend your signature.”
In other new business:
Two bids were awarded, one for lawn care and one for jail supplies. Prolawn Services was awarded the bid over one other vendor at $21,900 and the jail supplies bid was split between two companies. In order to get the required materials and supplies, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office divided the bid between North Alabama Chemical Co. and Central Paper Co. in the amount of $103,420.90. The commission also extended Bid No. 1238 with American Termite and Pest Control for pest control services.
The commission passed Resolutions 2018-24 and 2018-27 in order to apply for a pair of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants for a restroom/bathhouse facility and car wash at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. The project estimates exceed what the original grant would be able to provide, so the second grant is being applied for to help cover the cost of the car wash.
Resolution 2018-28 was also passed, allowing CARTS to enter into third-party service contracts. It is annual requirement from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and allows CARTS to work with organizations like the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled (CCCDD), Commission on Aging and several others.
Walker was authorized to sign a location release agreement with Magilla Entertainment, LLC. Magilla produces the HGTV show “Lakefront Bargain Hunt,” and the show plans to come to Cullman to shoot different properties on Smith Lake and at Smith Lake Park.
The commission also:
–Approved insolvents, errors and taxes for litigation in 2017.
–Approved the purchase of two single axle 2001 Kenworth dump trucks from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for the road department pending negotiations.
–Approved the appointment of Walker as an Association of County Commissions of Alabama Legislative Committee nominee.
–Approved the replacement of a two-ton air handling unit for the Cullman County Board of Education building from Richard Electric at the cost of $6,000.
–Approved the payment of all incoming invoices related to the March 19 hail damage.
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