CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday took steps to improve multiple aspects of city residents’ lives, from the airport to sewers under the streets.
The council passed resolutions to:
- Enter into a contract with St. John & Associates for sanitary sewer collection system improvements
- Update the policy for Police Traffic Homicide Investigators, adding one more investigator to a unit that boasts a 15% reduction in the worst traffic incidents since its start
- Apply for state and federal funds for airport improvement projects for Cullman Regional Airport in the next year, plus another resolution to approve the airport hangar local match for ARC Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding requirement in the amount of $734,760. This project will add another hangar to the airport, housing a turbine repair facility to accompany the existing prop repair facility.
The council passed ordinances to rezone two pieces of property to allow the development of small retail businesses:
- The Nguyen & Ha property located on Miller Street, rezoned from residential to business
- Industrial Development Board property located at Alabama Highway 69 and Alabama Highway 157 (near Yutaka), rezoned from manufacturing to business
The council approved multiple special event permit requests for the summer and fall:
- From BreeAna Nelson of Desperation Church to host a family night event on July 23, 2025, from 4-8:30 p.m. at Depot Park
- From Tommy Warhurst of Good Samaritan Health Clinic to host a Caring for Cullman Health and Wellness Fun Day on Sept. 13, 2025, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 118 Veterans Dr. SW
- From Taylor Johnson of United Way of Cullman County to host a pickleball tournament on Oct. 4, 2025, beginning at 8 a.m. at Ingle Park
The council presented a check for $6,807.62 to Steve Edelman of World Changers to reimburse the organization for expenses related to recent construction projects around town carried out by the charitable construction mission organization.
During the public comment period of the meeting, the council heard from three local residents:
- Tammy Caldwell expressed concern about speeders on Veigl Street, noting that a handicapped neighbor was almost run over recently. She told the council that efforts to involve the police department and schedule a meeting with the mayor have been fruitless.
- Elizabeth McDowell offered suggestions for safer city infrastructure including speed bumps or humps around city parks like Ingle Park, traffic roundabouts near Publix and the new Love’s Travel Stop and a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 278 at West Elementary.
- Gloria Ramos, a recent arrival from out of state, expressed concern about “illegals” and fears of a takeover of the city. She said that she had seen “questionable” cars around town, and children “marching” on a local street, chanting something she could not understand.
The Cullman City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, in the Cullman City Hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
