CULLMAN, Ala. – The City of Cullman is limiting social interaction at the government level in reaction to COVID-19 and is encouraging the conducting of business by phone or online whenever possible.
“We are not limiting most city services at this time, but we continue to monitor the situation,” Mayor Woody Jacobs said.
Police and fire service will continue their public safety role and respond to calls. Garbage collection services will run normally scheduled routes and other city service needs will be met.
Business at Cullman City Hall will be conducted at the right (south) side of the lobby at the Municipal Court office, through the glass partitions for the protection of the public and the employees. Most other city offices have limited public access, as well.
Jacobs noted the Cullman County Commission has declared a State of Emergency for all of Cullman County.
“This is an unprecedented health crisis,” he said. “Experts are asking everyone to use common sense and limit social interaction when possible.”
The mayor said police, fire, first responders, EMA, hospital officials and others are communicating on a continual basis.
Cullman Regional has established a call center at the hospital to answer questions from citizens concerned about the coronavirus. The phone number is 256-735-5530. Hospital officials are asking the general public to call instead of coming to the hospital, unless the situation is a true emergency. Hospital personal will direct the calls on appropriate action.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER RESETTING CURRENT COURT PROCEEDINGS
The President of the United States having declared a national emergency and the Governor of Alabama having declared a state of emergency and the Supreme Court of Alabama having declared a state of emergency for the entire Judicial Branch of the State of Alabama amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID- 19”) pandemic, the Municipal Court of Cullman, Alabama hereby suspends all court dates beginning March 16, 2020, through April 16, 2020, pursuant to the Administrative Order 2020-02.
Under the authority of the Municipal Court of Cullman, Alabama, we adopt the following provisions:
- All court cases set March 18, 2020, are reset for April 29, 2020.
- All court cases set March 19, 2020, are reset for April 30, 2020.
- All court cases set April 15, 2020, are reset for May 6, 2020.
- All court cases set April 16, 2020, are reset for May 7, 2020.
- All defendants ordered to pay their balance in full by one of the cancelled court dates shall have an extension to the reset court date. Defendants unable to pay their balance must appear at the reset court date for a show cause hearing.
- Incarcerated defendants shall receive court hearings via video conferencing without in-person contact.
- Any defendant currently required to make monthly payments shall have until May 10th, 2020, to submit their payment.
- All defendants remitting money to the court are highly encouraged, but not required, to send their payment through the mail in the form of a check or money order.
This order is subject to modification, revision, or rescission by the Municipal Court of Cullman, Alabama at any time during the time periods stated herein.
Done and Ordered this the 16th day of March, 2020.
Judge Jason Knight
Cullman Municipal Court
