CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening approved a 10-year tax abatement for a yet-unnamed industrial development project currently termed “Project York.” According to a source at Cullman City Hall, the project is still in the planning stages between the City and company, and the company cannot be identified until the plan is completed and a contract is finalized. The project is predicted to represent a $24.25 million capital investment by the company and will bring up to 130 new jobs to the Cullman area.
Provisional votes counted, certificates of election issued
The council opened and counted provisional ballots from last Tuesday’s Municipal Election, which totaled only five additional votes and could not affect the outcome of any race. Afterward, certificates of election were issued to the elected officials: Mayor Woody Jacobs, Councilman Andy Page, Councilman David Moss, Councilman Johnny Cook and Councilman Clint Hollingsworth.
Bid awarded for traffic light at dangerous Cherokee Avenue intersection
The council approved a resolution awarding the bid for a traffic signal at the intersection of Alabama Highway 69/Cherokee Avenue and 24th Street on Cullman’s southwest side to Stone and Sons in the amount of $246,260.
The Cherokee Avenue/24th Street intersection is known to be quite busy at various times, and was the scene of a December 2018 wreck that claimed the life of Hanceville resident April Dawn Landinger, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles. Both drivers were charged with criminally negligent homicide, with additional individual charges of failure to yield right of way and exceeding reasonable and prudent speed.
The light is also needed for industrial development projects.
The placement of the signal has been a cooperative effort between the Cullman Economic Development Agency, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on the placement of a traffic signal in a busy industrial area along a state thoroughfare.
Cullman County Fair Parade is on
The council approved a request from President Javon Daniel of the Cullman Lions Club to hold the 2020 Cullman County Fair Parade. The request was supported by the Cullman Police Department, Cullman Fire Rescue and Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism, contingent on a signed agreement from the Lions to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
The fair parade will take place Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. along U.S. Highway 31 in downtown Cullman.
Other council business
- The council had a first reading of Ordinance No. 2020-41 to amend regulations for small cell technology facilities. The ordinance will facilitate and govern the placement of small cell phone antennas within the city to improve wireless communication and data reception.
- The council passed Resolution No. 2020-121 to apply for Fiscal Year 2021 Airport Improvement Program funds from the Alabama Department of Transportation for unspecified improvements at the Cullman Regional Airport.
- The council passed Resolution No. 2020-131 to award the bid for tree removal and stump grinding at Heritage Park to the lowest responsible bidder, Michael’s Tree Service, in an amount not to exceed $4,700.
- The council appointed Leslie Echolls to the WellStone Behavioral Health Board of Directors.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, the council welcomed Renee Welsh and Amy Leonard of the Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County, who were promoting the group’s upcoming “Book It” virtual 5K run Sept. 25-30, 2020. For more information or to register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2020/33358/1st-annual-book-it-virtual-5k.
The Cullman City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Cullman City Hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend, subject to COVID-19 occupancy restrictions.
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