CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Commission voted Tuesday morning to reopen the courthouse beginning Wednesday, May 13. The commission was in full agreement to reopen the courthouse and county offices, but said social distancing guidelines and other safety protocols must be adhered to at all times.
Said Chairman Kenneth Walker, “We are going to be required for the public safety and by the requirements of the State of Alabama, so that means everybody’s going to have to keep a social distance of 6 feet. That’s what we’ve decided to do. We just ask everybody to be patient with all the departments because of the 6-foot social distancing and just everybody be safe and abide by the laws.”
Revenue Commissioner Barry Willingham explained his department’s plans, saying, “I’m going to put somebody out front to coordinate and only let so many people in and communicate with walking talkies how many people are in the office.”
The probate and driver’s license offices will be open, but the courts have not yet been given the OK to resume. Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas told the commission an order to reopen the courts is anticipated soon.
Senior centers are not expected to reopen until at least June 1; however, Cullman County Commission on Aging Director Dusty Baker announced that drive-thru meal services will resume at full-time centers Monday, May 18.
Cullman Sheriff Matt Gentry said the sheriff’s office recently negotiated a new contract with the federal government regarding federal prisoners.
Gentry explained, “Since 2007, the contract for the federal inmates has not been renegotiated. Chief Deputy (Brett) Holmes contacted the attorneys in Washington that renegotiate those contracts for the federal government and we were able to renegotiate our contract with the feds.”
Holmes reported that under the new contract, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will receive $50 per day per federal inmate. It was receiving $40.26 per day. Gentry asked the commission to adjust the current 60-40 split of the funds received between the CCSO and the commission to an even 50-50 split.
Holmes added, “They agreed to raise our capacity to where we could have up to 90. Right now, they aren’t currently moving federal inmates, so we house in the 30s.”
The commission approved Gentry’s request.
The City of Hanceville and the White City community will each be receiving $25,000 from the Cullman County Commission to help with the construction of new senior centers. The City of Hanceville requested the help and Commissioner Kerry Watson reminded everyone that the White City community lost its senior center to a tornado in 2019.
Walker said, “In the past we have given $25,000 to senior centers, so I am OK with giving them $25,000.”
In other business, the commission:
- Ratified the City of Cullman abatement for BBLU, Inc. and RCHK Partners, LLC. in the amount of $615,000 for a major addition to the existing facility
- Ratified the City of Cullman abatement for Royal Technologies Corporation in the amount of $2 million for major addition to the existing facility.
- Passed Resolution 2020-23 changing the speed limit on County Road 437 from 45 mph to 35 mph
- Authorized a request by Cullman County Human Resources to resume normal personnel procedures
- Authorized Walker to sign a deed in favor of Randy Graves for an easement for ingress/egress to property
- Authorized Cullman County EMA Director Phyllis Little to sign the State Local Disaster Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Cullman County Commission
- Authorized Willingham to sign a contract with GovEase Auction, LLC. on behalf of the Cullman County Commission
- Authorized the removal of a warning siren located at the old Logan Fire Station 3 that is now private property
- Authorized St. John & Associates to let bid for the sewer grinder pump at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center
- Approved acceptance of an appropriation from the City of Cullman to Commission on Aging and EMA and authorized Baker to enter into a service agreement to receive the appropriation
- Approved purchase of mobile radios for the CCSO from Decatur Electronics Communications, LLC. in the amount of $8,857
- Approve purchase of two vehicle video camera systems for the CCSO from Kustom Signals, Inc. in the amount of $10,916
- Approved purchase of software for all parks for online reservations and transactions
- Accepted a donation of a 2008 Silver Ford Expedition from Cullman County e911
- Ratified the payment of $20,964 to Mobile Communications America for the Radio Communications Agreement with Cullman County Association for Volunteer Fire Departments
- Ratified payment for purchase of HVAC for Cullman Caring for Kids in the amount of $6,700
- Ratified rental of a 324EL Excavator and H140 Hammer from Thompson CAT Rental in the amount of $5650.20 for the road department. The road department has requested reimbursement from FEMA.
- Ratified the purchase of an Extreme Duty Root Grapple from KA Fabrications, LLC. in the amount of $9,400 for the road department. The road department has requested reimbursement from FEMA.
- Approved plat for Deer Valley Estates subdivision (resurvey of Lot 5 of Valley View Subdivision), a minor subdivision with 7-10 lots located in District 3 off County Road 1329
- Approved plat for Grand Vista Pointe subdivision, a minor subdivision with 23 lots located in District 2 off County Road 51
- Approved plat revision of Shady Cove subdivision (removal of Lot 8, splitting Lot 1 and adjusting Lots 2-4) located in District 2 off County Road 51
- Surplussed miscellaneous electronics from EMA to be disposed
- Accepted bid no. 1324- hauling of aggregate, asphalt and other various materials- award to all bidders
A public hearing scheduled for Tuesday’s commission meeting to discuss Cullman Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) operations for FY2021 was postponed and rescheduled for the next commission meeting May 27, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the commission conference room. Commission meetings will resume being open to the public at that time.
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