CPD patrol officer Brandon Patterson with his wife Candace, daughter Katie, and Chief Culpepper / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN – On Monday evening, the Cullman City Council approved the largest collection of property annexations in recent history. The list of more than 60 properties, in five sections includes:
- Properties owned by William G. and Elizabeth St. John located on County Road 590 and County Road 488, zoned as agricultural.
- Shadow Lakes Subdivision (excluding lots 7, 11, 30) on County Roads 450, 485 and 499 on Cullman’s extreme south side, zoned residential
- Southwood Estates Subdivision (excluding lot 12) on County Road 482 on Cullman’s extreme south side, zoned residential
- Property owned by the Schaffer family on County Road 1170/Lincoln Avenue Southwest on Cullman’s west side, zoned agricultural.
- Wynn Haven Subdivision (excluding lot 12) on County Roads 1162 and 1169 on Cullman’s west side, zoned residential.
Property annexation requires a request from the property owner. Mayor Woody Jacobs and the council emphasized that each annexation was initiated by the owners.
Cullman High School Fishing Team
The council took time to issue a resolution recognizing the Cullman High School six-man fishing team for winning the state team championship at Lake Eufaula this summer. Team members include David Dueland, Cameron Glasscock, Lawson Graves, Keaton Kinney, Cy Lambert and Houston Smith; the team is coached by Kyle Morris. Councilman Clint Hollingsworth presented the team a copy of the resolution signed by the mayor, clerk and all council members.
Glasscock and Graves finished fourth overall in the Lake Eufaula tournament, and qualified to compete in the national championship. Morris noted that all six members were underclassmen, and will be fishing again this year.
Cullman Police Department honors
The council, represented by Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chairman Andy Page, took time to honor four Cullman Police Department officers:
Patrol officer Brandon Patterson, a five-year department veteran with previous sheriff’s office service, was off duty when he heard about the robbery at the Traditions Bank on Highway 31 Friday. After getting a description of the suspect and vehicle by radio, Patterson located the suspect, following a previous traffic stop, and brought on-duty officers to his location to place the suspect under arrest.
Investigator Justin Craft has been with the department full-time since 2012, after a year of service as a reserve and animal control officer. Graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy in 2013, he served as a patrol officer until 2015, when he became a narcotics investigator. He is also an instructor in defensive tactics and sniper operations, and is a member of the CPD tactical team. Craft received his five-year service pin.
Assistant Chief Craig Montgomery is a 25-year department veteran, with 35 years of military service in U.S. Army active duty and reserve posts. He also commands the Criminal Investigation Division of the 378th Military Police Detachment in Louisville, Kentucky. Montgomery served as a member of the FBI task force that investigated the 2009 Ft. Hood mass shooting. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Montgomery received his 25-year service pin.
Patrol Capt. John “J.P.” White is a 30-year department veteran, who came through the ranks, starting as a patrolman in 1988, rising to dergeant before moving into the Investigation Division as lieutenant. He returned to patrol as a lieutenant, and was promoted to captain. White received his 30-year service pin.
Other council business
The council also approved permit requests for four upcoming special events:
- Cullman First Baptist Church to hold the annual “First Fest” which include a trunk or treat and fall carnival on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m.
- The Warehouse District to hold a Block Party and Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4-9 p.m. in the 100 block of First Avenue Northeast.
- The Warehouse District to hold Christmas Open House with Santa in the 100 block of First Avenue Northeast Nov. 10-12 from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day.
- The Cullman Moose Lodge to hold the annual Turkey Shoot in November and December from 8- 11 a.m. each Saturday and Thanksgiving Day.
Depot Park
The council also voted to apply for a TIGER grant in the amount of $5 million, with a local match of $3,179,711 for improvements to Second Avenue Northeast and the Depot Park Restoration project. The proposed project was presented at a council meeting in late August and includes the development of between 17 and 18 acres of land; that would necessitate relocation of the Cullman Police Department and other nearby City facilities. The final design could include an amphitheater, 40-plus unit RV parking, a pump track for off-road bicyclists, bike path along Second Avenue, multiple water features and splash pads, a large playground, and a centrally-located skate park that could be developed early in the northward expansion. Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants are intended to improve infrastructure and reduce environmental problems. The council approved Community Consultants, Inc. to provide grant management services.
The Cullman City Council meets in the Cullman City Hall auditorium on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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