CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Council met on Monday night at City Hall opening with the swearing in on newest council member, Brad Smith.
Smith has big shoes to fill in the Place No. 1 position. The seat was formerly held by Andy Page, or “Coach” to everyone who knew him. Coach’s love for people and for the community of Cullman were unsurpassed and the council was left with a gaping hole when he passed on January 5 of this year.
Smith was appointed to the Cullman Jefferson Gas Board as well as his new duties in Place 1 and as the chair of the Public Safety Committee.
Council member Clint Hollingsworth was happy to have Smith join, sharing, “We love that Brad is on board with us. We’re excited to be a complete team on council again. Obviously, Coach Page dedicated so much time and service over the years and we loved him. I have no doubt that Brad is going to do a great job with us.”
Smith’s mother and Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center President and CEO Peggy Smith said with joy, “We’re very proud that Brad wants to serve and we’re very excited. He has a great group of leaders in place to serve with and we’re looking forward to seeing our community grow and prosper. Our family is proud that he wants to serve his community and we’re happy that he has a great community to serve.”
After Smith was joined by his family and sworn in by Judge Martha Williams, the council moved on to the public hearings. Two hearings were held with the first to rezone two lots on 3rd Avenue SE from M-1 Manufacturing to Central Business District; the second was to rezone the former House of Shoes property on 8th Street to B-2 Business District.
Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Executive Director gave an update on its new water park, WildWater. During the park’s soft opening, thousands of guests have already been welcomed. The grand opening will be on Friday, June 17.
Special Event Requests were granted for the following:
- Tesha Brewer State Farm on Fisher Street to hold a celebration on Saturday, June 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
- Dr. Wilda Hameen of Law Mortuary to hold a scholarship fundraiser on Morning Drive NE on Saturday, June 18 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Garlan Gudger of Southern Accents Architectural Antiques for an annual customer appreciation party to be held behind the business on Saturday, July 9 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Sheila Haynes to promote voter turnout for the runoff election during the 2nd Friday event held on 1st Avenue on Friday, June 10 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
- Sheila Haynes to hold an event on the eve of the runoff election, Monday, June 20, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Jericho Walk will take place on the city sidewalk at the Cullman County Courthouse
Cathi Bradford, an organizer for the Jericho Walk, explained, “We plan to help get out the vote. We just read a report where our Secretary of State John Merrill said that he was predicting a 28-32% turnout in the primary and we only had a 23% turnout in Cullman County. He’s predicting only 10-15% for the runoff. As a result, we’re trying to get out the vote. We want to pray over it and hold the Jericho Walk to get the word out.”
In other business, the council passed the following ordinances:
- Appointment of officers and committees of council
- Lease with CSX for property – this is a renewal of a standing agreement
- One-time bonus for retirees of the City of Cullman
- Reaffirming existing property taxes – this is not a new tax but a yearly renewal of the standing property tax system in the city
- Property annexation on 390 County Road 1320 into the city as a R-1 Residential property
The City of Cullman Council meets on the second and fourth Monday night of each month at 7:0 p.m. at City Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for June 27. The public is invited to attend.
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