CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday sat down before an audience, composed mainly of residents from Katherine Street Northwest on the city’s west side, and got an earful about conditions on the street when the floor was opened to public comment.
Delitha Marchman, a Katherine Street resident, laid out the complaints of the others present by showing the council photos of run-down houses and cluttered yards, and setting forth the claim that drugs are a growing problem in the area. She noted increasing numbers of people on bicycles wearing backpacks going from house to house along the street.
Marchman asked if the City could possibly condemn certain properties which, according to her, are most run-down or seem to be the centers of activities.
Resident Kim Smith complained about the amount of traffic that travels the road “all day long, all night long,” as well as echoing Marchman’s comments about the number of backpacks and bicycles seen moving between houses.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs and the council assured her and the other residents that the City and the City Planning Department will look into the issues raised and work toward a cleanup of the street.
Railroad crossing safety improvements
In its regular business, the council passed Resolution 2020-02 to apply for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant, to improve the railroad crossings at the Old Depot and near Cullman Middle School with upgraded signal equipment that is intended to eliminate the need for trains to blow their horns while passing through that part of town.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “Congress authorized this grant program for the Secretary to invest in a wide range of projects within the United States to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger and freight rail chokepoints; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors. Rail safety projects include, but are not limited to, grade crossing enhancements, rail line Relocations and Improvements, and deployment of railroad safety technology. Eligible work also includes: regional rail and corridor Planning, environmental analyses, and research, workforce development, and training.”
Special events coming up
The council also approved special event requests:
- From Reyford Parker of Outlaw DJ Services to hold a benefit fundraiser to help a family with a 9-month-old girl with cancer on First Avenue between the Festhalle and U.S. Highway 278 Oct. 19, 2019 from 3-10 p.m. The council did not specifically approve the permit request, since not all local merchants have agreed to the closure yet, but it did authorize Jacobs and Police Chief Kenny Culpepper to work out the terms of the permit with Parker.
- From Shannon Witcher of Grace Chapel / If the Shoe Fits for a trunk or treat on the Warehouse District block of First Avenue Northeast Oct. 30, 2019 from 3-9 p.m.
- From Nathanial Hutchinson of the Cullman Moose Lodge for a turkey shoot competition behind the Moose Lodge on Eva Road every Saturday in November and December, 2019 from 8 a.m.-noon
- From Daniel Lloyd of East Side Baptist Church for a “Hot Chocolate 5K” and Fun Run fundraiser benefiting the Kids Side Children’s Ministry with the route being Convent Road, Third Street and Oak Street Nov. 2, 2019 from 8:15-10:30 a.m.
The council also passed Resolution 2020-01 to enter into an agreement with Lincoln Insurance Company to provide life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage for City employees, through The Prewitt Group.
Additionally, the council passed Resolution 2020-03 to enter into a contract with St. John & Associates for engineering services for sewer system improvements.
Public hearings set
The council set public hearings for Nov. 25, 2019 for ordinances to rezone property at 1315 County Road 222 from residential to agricultural, and to vacate and surplus a utility easement on lot 466 in the city.
The Cullman City Council meets next Monday, Oct. 28, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
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