CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening voted to extend a 10-year tax abatement granted to automotive component manufacturer REHAU last year. The abatement will cover ad valorem and construction transaction taxes, except any taxes earmarked for education.
When the abatement was first approved last July, the company was planning an expansion that would involve a $12,485,375 capital investment and create 70 new jobs. REHAU has amended that amount to $24,849,000, and Council President Jenny Folsom reported the increased facility expansion is expected to add 42 additional jobs.
Cullman High School paving
The council amended the City’s 2019/20 general fund budget from $37,389,367 to $37,529,376, adding $140,000 that will be used to repave the back parking lot at Cullman High School. That area is the largest parking lot at the school, and accesses the band room, theater department, auditorium and athletic fields, and provides overflow parking for the City tennis courts between Cullman High School and Cullman City Primary School; the lot sees substantial public use in addition to school parking. The originally proposed resolution called for a budget increase of more than $1 million, but was lowered prior to the meeting.
Cullman High Principal Kim Hall and members of the city school board were present for the vote.
Cherokee Avenue/24th Street project
The council authorized Mayor Woody Jacobs to work with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to modify the radius of the right turn lane from Cherokee Avenue onto 24th Street Southwest, to make the turn easier for large trucks and trailers headed into the city industrial park on 24th Street. This project is in conjunction with another project planned to place a traffic signal at the intersection.
Other council business
The council passed resolutions:
- to award a bid for vending services to the lowest responsible bidder, Cullman Coca Cola
- to award a bid for concrete finishing to the lowest responsible bidder, Ortiz Concrete
- to enter into an agreement with ALDOT for Hwy. 69 and 24th Street project right-of-way
- to award federal grant engineering and design services to St. John and Associates
- to award CDBG grant application and administration services to Community Consultants, Inc.
- to authorize an ALDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant application for handicapped accessible sidewalks along Second Avenue Northeast from Clark Street to Oak Drive Northeast
The council also appointed Amy Hasenbein Leonard to serve on the city’s Tree Commission.
Jacobs presented a council resolution of appreciation to outgoing Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals Chairman Ed Henke, reading:
WHEREAS, Charles E. (Ed) Henke has served the City of Cullman as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals in various capacities since 1986, most recently serving as Chairman of the Board, and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Henke has always served with dedication, distinction, and outstanding leadership, and he has handled the duties and responsibilities of his position in an exceptional manner throughout his thirty-four years of service; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Henke has announced his resignation as a member of this board, and it is both fitting and proper that he receive special public recognition for his many years of service to the City of Cullman as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Mayor and Council of the City of Cullman, do hereby present this RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION to CHARLES E. (ED) HENKE and publicly go on record commending him for his distinguished service and outstanding leadership throughout his time serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals., and wishing him the very best in all of his future endeavors.
The council also got a visit from the mayor’s daughter, Hannah Jacobs, and members and guests wished her a happy 29th birthday ahead of her celebration this Saturday.
The Cullman City Council meets next at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2020 in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend, but seating is limited by COVID-19 restrictions.
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