CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday heard from residents of the Arbor East subdivision on the city’s southeast side, asking for the City to take charge of an abandoned property containing a severely deteriorated structure at 1509 Bower Dr. in their neighborhood.
Next-door neighbor Bobby Bowden spoke for the group and told the council, “This property has been abandoned and vacant since 2019. The owner of the property walked out and left in 2019 and has not made any effort to maintain the property since.”
Bowden contended that neighbors have to deal with pests coming from the property, and noted that “on many occasions, juveniles have been seen going in and out of this residence.” He said that the property has become a safety issue for the whole neighborhood, and that it is impacting local property values.
City Attorney Luke Satterfield responded, informing the residents and council of steps that have already been taken, including warning letters and a citation to the owner. When the owner did not appear in court, she was tracked down and arrested. Satterfield agreed that the house is in “terrible shape,” and laid out a step by step procedure the city is currently undertaking to get the property cleaned by the owner, or to take control of the property.
In other business, the council approved a list of upcoming community events:
- From Blake Harbison of “Blake Photo and Video” to record a music video on Sept. 22, 2024, at the Skate Park
- From Katherine Anderson for a “Les Dames” Witches Ride fundraising parade on Oct. 20, 2024
- From Mary Talley of “The Sanctuary” for a Vendor Fair on Sept. 10, 2024, at Heritage Park
- From April Borden of “Bearcat Buddies” to hold the first annual Pickleball Extravaganza fundraiser on Nov. 2, 2024, at the Cullman Adult Center
- From Kelly Pulliam of CPRST for the annual Oktoberfest event on Oct. 3-5, 2024
- From Summer Shaddix of “3Sixty Jeep Club” for the annual Nightmare at Depot Park event at the Festhalle on Oct. 26, 2024.
- From Karen Speegle of Seventh Street Baptist Church for the annual Fall Fest event on Oct. 30, 2024
The council passed a resolution to award a bid for excavation and utility work to Manning Construction, LLC, and eld a first reading of an ordinance to annex the Cornett property located at 24 County Road 1188 into the city limits as a business district.
The council also set a public hearing on Oct. 21, 2024, at 7 p.m. for an ordinance to rezone property located at 916 Parker Ave. SW from R-3 to R-2 residential district.
The Cullman City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Cullman City Hall. The public is invited to attend.
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