CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County EMA Director Phyllis Little updated the Cullman County Commission Tuesday evening on the implementation of the county’s mass notification system. Residents will be able to visit the county’s website and select the types and times of notifications they receive. The hope is to have the system available by the second week in July.
Little explained, “Unless they have unchecked the 24/7 alerts- thunderstorm warning, tornado warning, hazmat warning or shelter in place warning, those will be automatic.” Adjustments and additional alerts are also available if residents so choose.
The service will be free for all Cullman County residents and Little added, “I think it will be a wonderful thing for our county to receive.” The website has been reconstructed for easier navigation to users.
EMA will begin testing the system in-house during the first week of July to help them work out any problems. Little asked those participating in the test to be forthcoming about any and all issues or suggestions to help ensure that the system has a smooth rollout to the public.
The Cullman County Commission approved three abatements at Tuesday’s meeting. The first for Goat Island Brewing LLC in the amount of $39,690. Cullman Economic Development Agency’s Stanley Kennedy shared, “They are increasing capacity at their facility. They are going to hire five new employees with an average pay of $20 an hour.” The total investment by Goat Island is $659,000.
The second abatement is for Aegis Fence Company. Kennedy explained, “They are actually moving into town over by GoldenRod. They are going to renovate some buildings and are actually producing their own fence product now.” The abatement is for $84,825 with a $1.4 million investment with 15-20 new jobs.
The third abatement is for J.E. Lortie in the amount of $23,400. “Jelco is how everyone will know them. They bought Elk River over in Industrial Park II. They are investing $408,000 into the facility for new equipment.” This investment will also create 25 new jobs.
In other business, the commission took the following actions:
- Proclamation: Alabama Historic Colony Cemetery
- Ratified insolvents, errors and taxes in litigation for 2020 and uncollected insolvents and taxes in litigation for previous years for Cullman County Revenue Office and authorized Chairman to sign.
- Passed Resolution 2021-21 allowing TVA to purchase supplemental easement for installation and use of fiber optic on two parcels and authorize Chairman Clemons to sign.
- Passed Resolution 2021-22 making speed limit 15 mph on County Road 1301 east of Eva Road.
- Passed Resolution 2021-23 to condemn property for aviation easements for flight safety at the Cullman Regional Airport and authorize Chairman Clemons to sign
- Passed Resolution 2021-24 allowing the applying for a CDBG competitive grant from ADECA’s Community Block Grant Program to reconstruct and resurface County Road 18 and authorize Chairman Clemons to sign all related documents.
- A public hearing was conducted regarding CARTS operations for FY 2022
- Passed Resolution 2021-25 authorizing local matching funds for CARTS FY2022 and authorizing Chairman Clemons to sign related documents.
- Passed Resolution 2021-26 authorizing the filing of 5311 grant application and authorizing Chairman Clemons to sign all related documents.
- Passed Resolution 2021-27 authorizing the filing of the CARES Ace grant application and authorizing Chairman Clemons to sign all related documents.
- Authorized Chairman Clemons to sign monthly service plan for ADS security upgrade at the Cullman County Water Department Shop (Installation- $3,327.50/ Monthly- $32.35)
- Approved low bid and awarded contract based on recommendation from GMC Engineers to Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc pending FAA grant offer for the Cullman Regional Airport runway.
- Approved the access plan for County Roads associated with the Rock the South event.
- Approved allowing the Town of Berlin to participate in the County’s joint bid program.
- Amended budget for airport for fiber optic cable and camera system in the amount of $30,500.
- Appointed Chairman Clemons to the Cullman County Tourism Bureau
- Appointed Travis Kress to the Cullman County Tourism Bureau
- Approved the surplus of office equipment to be sold on GovDeals
- 20 metal file cabinets
- 20 office chairs
- 1 Rapiscan (1498)
- 2 wooden desks
- 3 misc. cabinets
- 1 wet-vac
- 6 floor scrubbers
- 2 vacuum cleaners
- 8 misc. tables, bookshelves and desk
- Approved the purchase of Sensus drive-by read system (to include transceiver box or reading system, antenna and laptop) in the amount of $14,138.90 for the Cullman County Water Department and authorize Chairman Clemons to sign related documents.
- Postponed consideration in participating in the ACCA’s Investing Alabama Counties Program to allow time for more research
- Approved change in employee handbook regarding political action of county employees. Policy is now the same as the State’s.
- Approved charging fees related to request for public records
- Approved $50,000 payment to the Cullman County Cemetery Board for purchase of Memory Gardens Cemetery in accordance with criteria set out Alabama Code Section 45-22-30
- Approved moving monthly work session meeting to 4 p.m. starting July 20, 2021
- Approved Cullman County Regional Medical Center use of the south parking lot of the courthouse on June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, and July 29 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to offer free COVID vaccines to the community.
- Designated Dr. James Thomas office located at 1908 Cherokee Avenue SW Cullman, AL 35055 as the collection site for the drug and alcohol testing. (Commissioner Marchman abstained)
- Approved 2015-2016 water revenue warrants refinance- Series 2021 warrants
- Approved proposed plat Oakview Subdivisions, a minor subdivision containing five lots located on County Road 1435 in District 3.
- Approved proposed plat Magnolia Ridge, a major subdivision containing nine lots off County Road 71 in District 2.
- Approved proposed plat Serenity Pointe, a minor subdivision containing eight lots off County Road 338 in District 2.
- Award bid #1349: lease of two new rubber-tired excavators to Warrior Tractor.
- Rescind bid #1354: One used road bed processor awarded to 4M Iron LLC on June 1, 2021, contingent on inspection. Equipment did not pass inspection. Award bid to Scott’s Excavating & Hauling Inc., the second lowest bidder.
- Reject and negotiate bid #1350 for lawn care and maintenance at various county locations (Commissioner Marchman abstained).
The next Cullman County Commission meeting will be Tuesday July 20, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room. The public is invited to attend.
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