CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening voted to seek its part of the 25-million-dollar settlement of a state lawsuit against opioid manufacturer Endo Pharmaceuticals. Of the money awarded, 60% will go to the state, and 40% – $10 million – will be distributed to local governments.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cullman City is set to receive $71,352 ($53,514 after 25% attorney fees) while the remainder of Cullman County was granted a total of $118,547 ($88,910 after attorney fees) using a formula based on U.S. Census Bureau data on local government spending for education, public welfare, hospitals, health, law enforcement and fire services, corrections, housing and community development and judicial/legal services.
According to the agreement, money received must be used for programs or expenses related to opioid abuse prevention, treatment or recovery, including but not limited to: treatment facilities, drug task forces, emergency responders, training for physicians to prevent overprescribing, early intervention programs, assistance for children displaced because of drug abuse in the home, school-based and faith-based prevention and recovery programs and housing and employment programs for those recovering.
New speed limit ordinance passed
The council suspended its regular procedures to pass on its first reading an ordinance to update Cullman’s speed limit code, which reportedly had not been updated since the 1970s.
The ordinance establishes the following limits:
55 miles per hour
- On Alabama #157 from the west most City limits to the east most City limits
- On US Highway 31 from the southern city limit and extending north for 1.1 miles to .1 miles South of Beech Avenue
- On US Highway 31 at intersection of Grape Street and extending north for .65 miles to the North city limit
50 miles per hour
- On US Highway 31 from .1-mile South of Beech Avenue and extending north for .9 miles to Sheraton Road
- On US Highway 31 at the intersection with Loring Street Northwest/8th Street Northwest and extending north for 1.9 miles to the intersection of Grape Street
- On US Highway 278 from its intersection with Richard Avenue Northeast and extending easterly for .9 miles to the east city limit.
45 miles per hour
- On US Highway 278 from the western city limit and extending east for 1.6 miles to the intersection of Hickory Avenue Southwest
- On Alabama Highway 69 from its intersection with U.S. Highway 31 and extending south for 2.5 miles to the south city limit
40 miles per hour
- On US Highway 31 from the intersection with Sheraton Road and extending north for 2.2 miles to Loring Street Northwest/8th Street Northwest
- On US Highway 278 from its intersection with 4th Avenue Northeast and extending easterly for 1.2 miles to the intersection of Richard Ave Northeast
35 miles per hour
- On US Highway 278 from its intersection with Hickory Avenue Southwest and extending east for .25 miles to the intersection of 5th Avenue Southwest
30 miles per hour
- On US Highway 278 from its intersection with 5th Avenue Southwest and extending east for .5 miles to the intersection of 4th Avenue Northeast
25 miles per hour
- On other streets not previously mentioned or unposted.
The full ordinance can be viewed at http://cullmanal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/o4-01242022.pdf.
The council awarded a bid for the construction of a new parking lot adjacent to the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center and upcoming civic center complex to the lowest responsible bidder, Carcel & G Construction LLC in the amount of $1,912,495.75.
The council also passed a resolution to award the bid for general excavation and utility work to the lowest responsible bidder, Manning Construction LLC.
The Cullman City Council meets at 7:00 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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