Updated 11-26-19 at 4:10 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Engineering Department will look a little different at the start of the new year. At Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Cullman County Commission, it was announced that Cullman County Engineer John Lang has resigned and Engineer Assistant Keith Creel is retiring.
Lang who has been with Cullman County for seven years, has taken a position with the City of Huntsville.
Lang explained, “I will work for the General Services Department that’s over the fleet management and their parks and vertical construction of their city facilities. My title is going to be general services administrator. It’s not a straight up engineering job; it’s a hybrid and not roads! I’m looking forward to it.”
Lang’s last day with Cullman County will be Jan. 3, 2020.
Creel is retiring after 20 years with Cullman County. His last day will be Dec. 31, and he already has plans.
“I like old cars and old trucks, can’t get them out of my blood, so I plan on fixing around on those,” he smiled. “I’ll do a little carpenter and electrician stuff. I think my daughter and son are already lining up jobs for me to do.”
Cullman County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments
Chairman Kenneth Walker cast the deciding vote approving an additional $65,000 in appropriations for upgrades to the Cullman County Volunteer Fire Department Training Center.
Commissioner Garry Marchman was opposed to the request saying, “I think our volunteer fire departments are unmatched throughout the state in what they do. They do a fantastic job and their response time and professionalism is noteworthy to say the least. We have so many things that we have to appropriate monies to that right now, I don’t think it would be a good idea to give them $65,000 for upgrades to a training a center when I’ve got miles and miles of road that needs $65,000 worth of chip seal on it. That would only do a small amount, I know that, but we can take care of a small amount.”
Commissioner Kerry Watson gave a different perspective, saying, “The way I look at this is we will have kids going over to train and be firemen when we have a shortage of fire personnel and volunteers.”
Walker added, “It’s the volunteer fire department training center in Vinemont that all the volunteer fire departments use. Mr. Joe Golden is over the volunteer fire department association and he’s working with the trade school across the road (CATA). They already have an EMS class over there for high school students and he’s working with the trade school and the Alabama Fire College to get together and this is going to be a training facility for high school kids. We’ve got a shortage in volunteer fire departments now and this is going to maybe help get that shortage up.”
Marchman replied, “That’s a good point and I was unaware that Mr. Golden was trying to coordinate anything with our high schools until this morning.”
Animal adoption rates
The commission also approved a small increase in the adoption fees for dogs and cats at the Cullman County Animal Shelter. For the past 20 years, adoption fees have remained unchanged, although the services and vetting included in an adoption have increased. Cat adoptions will increase from $65 to $75. Dog fees will change from $90 to $100.
In other business, the commission approved the following items:
- Resolution to vacate a portion of County Road 319
- Resolution to vacate a portion of County Road 597/Nancy Street in the Gillyville Subdivision
- Purchase of additional security cameras for the exterior of the courthouse for $6,241. Cameras will cover areas of the main parking lot, north parking lot and steps.
- Termination of the employment contract of County Engineer John Lang per employee’s request
- Authorized Walker to accept an offer made by Leonard Design in the amount of $137,500 to purchase old health department building located at 304 Fourth Ave. NE. Walker was also authorized to sign the sales agreement on behalf of the Cullman County Commission, as well as to sign all documents related to the sale and transfer of the building.
- Purchase of six Kenworth dump trucks for the road department from the ACCA Joint County bid- $149,257 each
- Purchase of a four-ton split heat pump for sanitation from Hawkins Heating and Air for $7,800
- Authorized payment to the City of Hanceville for Mud Creek cleanup in the amount of $15,000
- Contract with the Alabama Department of Examiners to audit federal awards received in FY-2018. Estimated cost is $15,824.
- Renewal of property insurance with Travelers for $511,497, a 10% increase, and purchase an additional policy through Lloyd’s of London for wind and hail damage for $58,459 which will reduce the deductible from $500,000 to $25,000. Smith and Gray is the local agent the policies.
- Relocation of voting precinct 27 from White City Community Center to Johnson’s Crossing VFD No. 1
- Request from State of Alabama DOT to sell excess right of way to abutting landowner at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 278 and County Road 1602. Authorized county attorney to respond by letter.
- Approved Walker’s reappointment of Barry Slatton to the E-911 Board for a four-year term expiring on 9/1/2023
- Approved Watson’s appointment of Keith Creel to the E-911 Board to fill the expired term of J.L. Parker expiring 9/1/2021
- Surplus of a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze from the County Commission to be sold on GovDeals
- Surplus of a 2005 Cavalier mobile home from the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office to be sold on GovDeals
- Surplus of a 2013 Chevy Tahoe from the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office to be sold on GovDeals
- Proposed plat for Radford Place II, located in District 1 on County Roads 1269 and 1251
- Proposed plat for Smith Lake RV Resort Addition to Phase II, located in District 2 on County Road 2030
- Bid for Directional Boring Contract for 222 Waterline Replacement Project to Apel Machine and Supply Co., Inc for $360,930
- Bid extension for traffic signs to Traffic Signs, Inc.
- Bid extension for traffic striping to J.C. Cheek Contractors, Inc.
The Cullman County Commission will meet again Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in the commission meeting room.
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