Cullman council to update waste and zoning ordinances, approves loan for airport improvements

CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening, Dec. 8, took on multiple tasks including property annexations, money for airport improvements, updating City ordinances and setting meeting times for 2026.

In old business, the council approved ordinances:

• to annex property owned by Unconquered Homes, LLC located on County Road 490 (20 acres and PIN 27491) as a residential district
• to annex property owned by Eric and Erin Goodrich located on Loch Avenue Northeast (Lot 15 and PIN 45645) as a residential district

In new business, the council approved the following resolutions:

• to approve the 2026 Cullman City Council Meeting Schedule, at 7 p.m. mostly on Mondays: Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, Mar. 9, Mar. 23, Apr. 6, Apr. 20, May 11, (Tuesday) May 26, June 15, June 22, July 6, July 20,  Aug. 10,  Aug.31,  Sep. 14, Sep. 28,  Oct. 12, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14
• to appropriate additional funds and/or in-kind services to the Cullman County Library up to $15,000
• to approve a loan in the amount of $2.5 million for airport improvements from Peoples Bank of Alabama
• to update job descriptions for the following positions: treasurer, economic development director and marketing and communications coordinator
• to enter into a contract with CivicPlus for website development and hosting, a branded mobile app, a mass notification system, community engagement tools, a Chatbot, social media archiving and hosting the City’s municipal code, in the amount not to exceed $69,791.96

The council held first readings, without taking action, of two ordinances:

• to update City Code Chapter 2 Administration: Section 342 Meetings, to change the meeting times of the Planning Commission so the City Council can hold public work sessions. Wording of the proposed update:
  • The following section of the City of Cullman’s Municipal Code, Chapter 2, “Administration,” Section 342, “Meetings” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows:  Sec. 2-342. Meetings. The planning commission shall meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the city hall unless otherwise provided by the commission or the city council from time to time. 
• to update multiple sections of the Solid Waste ordinance, including Section 2 Definitions, Section 23 Proper rubbish placement; fee for additional removal, Section 25 Preparation and collection rules, Section 56 Residential, Section 57 Commercial, and Section 81 Violations. Wording of the proposed update:
  • Section 46-2, “Definitions,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: Sec. 46-2. – Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Garbage means putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food, including wastes from markets, storage facilities, handling and sale of produce and other food products, and the wrappings and containers thereof; excepting such materials that may be serviced by garbage grinders and handled as household sewage, and excepting sewage and livestock and poultry waste. Garbage and trash containers mean watertight containers which hold not less than sixty-five (65) gallons nor more than ninety-six (96) gallons, with tightfitting lids or tops, not to be fastened in such a manner that the containers may not be easily emptied, and with two handles. Garbage shall be placed in plastic bags and is required in all containers.  Landfill means the place designated by the city for dumping and disposing of garbage and trash. Rubbish means nonputrescible solid wastes, consisting of both combustible and noncombustible wastes, except such wastes as are included within the term “garbage.”
    • (1) The term “combustible rubbish” includes: a) Paper; b) Rags; c) Cartons; d) Wood; e) Furniture; f) Rubber; g) Plastics; h) Yard trimmings; i) Leaves; j) Similar materials; and k) Construction and demolition debris.
    • (2) The term “noncombustible rubbish” includes: a) Glass; b) Crockery; c) Metal cans; d) Metal furniture; and e) Like materials which will not burn at ordinary incinerator temperatures, not less than 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit (excluding hazardous waste and ashes). Sanitation department means the city sanitation department and includes all officers and employees engaged in solid waste pickup for the city. Solid wastes means all putrescible and nonputrescible discarded materials, except household sewage and livestock and poultry wastes including, but not limited to: (1) Garbage; (2) Rubbish; (3) Ashes; (4) Street and highway cleanings; (5) Abandoned vehicles; and (6) Such industrial wastes as are not controlled by other departments or agencies. Trash includes garbage and rubbish.  
• Section 46-23, “Proper rubbish placement; fee for additional removal,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: Sec. 46-23. – Proper rubbish placement; fee for additional removal. Rubbish, which shall include trash (other than garbage), limbs, brush, and leaves, shall be placed within five (5) feet of the curbline or in an accessible place approved by the sanitation division. All such waste shall be placed in an orderly, neat manner adjacent to that portion of the street right-of-way, and as nearly as practicable to the property line of the parcel of property in question where said line intersects the right-of-way line of the public street or roadway, but not in the street, ditches or gutters for removal by the city without additional charge. However, not more than three (3) cubic yards per cycle shall be moved without charge in any one month. Amounts over three cubic yards per cycle will be subject to a fee as provided in the city fee schedule.
• Section 46-25, “Preparation and collection rules,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: Sec. 46-25. Preparation and collection rules. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) All garbage, before deposit in the container as provided in this article, shall be drained free of water and bagged in such manner as to prevent moisture, as nearly as possible, from such garbage from coming in contact with the sides or bottom of the container. It shall be the duty of every person in possession, charge or control of any premises where paper cartons, shipping cases, cardboard, newspapers, or other like combustible material accumulates as wastes for disposal, to bundle and securely tie the bundle, and place such material in a location accessible for collection. Scrap lumber, plaster, roofing, brick, sawdust and other building debris will be picked up by the city through roll-off services for fees established by the city council. Rocks and dirt will not be picked up by the city. Tree limbs shall not exceed six feet in length or seventy-five (75) pounds in weight. Tree stumps shall not exceed two hundred and fifty (250) pounds in weight.  Leaves and grass clippings shall be separated from all other material and placed along the curbline or street line, where they can be collected by the sanitation department. Fireplace ashes must be separated and cooled properly before placing for collection. Cat litter must be bagged before placing for collection. Needles, knives, broken glass, or other sharp objects shall be placed in a sealed hard plastic container before placing in a receptacle. 
• Section 46-56, “Residential,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: Sec. 46-56. Residential. Each householder in the city shall utilize the trash containers supplied by the City to dispose of garbage and trash to be taken up from time to time by the city. Such containers shall be kept on the premises of the householder at a place that will be accessible to the sanitation employees. Such householder(s) shall place in containers all garbage and trash, except as otherwise provided in this article, from the residence and premises connected therewith so that the same may be taken up by the city. All containers should be placed within three (3) feet of the curbline but not in the street. 
• Section 46-57, “Commercial,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:  Sec. 46-57. Commercial. The owner, operator or manager of each store, hotel, boardinghouse or rooming house or any other place of business shall provide garbage and trash containers, except as otherwise provided in this article, arising from the operation of such store, hotel, rooming house or boardinghouse or other place of business, and shall place in such containers that are supplied by the City for the garbage and trash, except as otherwise provided in this article, arising from the premises, so that the same may be taken up and carried away by the city.   
• Section 46-81, “Violations; procedure,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:   Sec. 46-81. Violations; procedure. a) Upon discovery of a violation of this section, the designated city official shall cause to be served upon the violator and, if the violator is not the owner or occupant of the property, upon the owner and the occupant, a notice of violation. The notice shall include a description of the violation and an order to remove the violation in not less than seven days from the date of the notice.   b) The notice provided for in this section shall be given by either personal delivery, U.S. mail or electronic mail and also by posting a copy of the notice on the container found to be in violation of this article.   c) If the container found to be in violation of this article is not removed within one (1) day from the date of the notice of violation and order to remove, the container shall be deemed to be a public nuisance and shall be removed by the designated city official and stored at an appropriate facility.   d) The container owner, the property owner, and the property occupant shall be jointly and severally liable for costs of removal and storage of the container. The costs of abatement, including removal and storage costs, shall be enforceable and collectible by the city in the same manner as other nuisance abatement costs.  e) The penalties and costs provided in this section shall be in addition to all applicable penalties for violation of this article as provided in section 1-19.  f) Containers impounded pursuant to this section may be disposed of by the city in the same manner as provided for confiscated and abandoned property. 
• to update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 165 Reconstruction of damaged buildings or structures. According to the Building Department, this update will encourage the reconstruction of blighted and dilapidated properties in the city. Wording of the ordinance:
  • The following section of the City of Cullman Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 62, “Zoning,” Section 165, “Reconstruction of damaged buildings or structures.,” of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows: Sec. 62-165. – Reconstruction of damaged buildings or structures.
    • a) Any nonconforming dwelling damaged by fire, wind, flood, or other causes, may be repaired or rebuilt within the footprint and square footage of the nonconforming dwelling. The repairs or reconstruction must be initiated within one hundred and eighty (180) days and completed within three hundred and sixty-five (365) days of such damage. Other nonconforming structures damaged by fire, wind, flood or other causes up to sixty (60) percent of their value prior to the damage, may be repaired or rebuilt within the existing footprint and square footage. If the damage exceeds sixty (60) percent of the value of the structure, the structure must be made to conform to applicable zoning regulations, if repaired or rebuilt. 
    • b) Any accessory structures such as storage buildings, detached garages, and similar buildings which have been damaged by fire, wind, flood, or other causes, must be brought into compliance with the requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. 
    • c) Any single-family dwelling that has been declared a dangerous structure under Section 10-335 of the Code of Ordinances City of Cullman, Alabama, by the Building Official may be rebuilt within the same footprint provided that setbacks comply with the International Residential Code.  
    • d) In order to promote economic vitality, community well-being and public safety, any Blighted Property, as determined by the Building Official, that is residential may be demolished and rebuilt within the same footprint provided that setbacks comply with the International Residential Code. Blighted Property is defined as any property and/or structure that exhibits one or more of the following conditions: 1) Structures that are unsafe, uninhabitable, or deteriorated, 2) Abandoned, vacant, or boarded buildings, 3) Repeated criminal activity or nuisance behavior involving said property, 4) Presence of mold, vermin, stagnant water, fire hazards, or other conditions harmful to health or safety, 5) Neglected, run-down and/or unsightly structures, 6) Accumulation of trash, debris, or overgrown vegetation, or 7) Conditions that pose a threat to public health or safety. 
    • e) NOTICE.  The Building Department shall notify all Adjacent Property Owners upon application of the Property Owner for approval of a non-conforming use.  Adjacent Property Owners are defined as any property contiguous to the subject property, including properties directly across from said subject property.  Said notice shall be given by certified mail or hand delivery within seven (7) business days from the submission of the application. The Building Official shall notify the Property Owner and Adjacent Property Owner of decisions regarding applications for non-conforming use. Said notice shall be given by certified mail or hand delivery within seven (7) business days of the decision. 
    • f) APPEAL.  The Property Owner shall have the right to appeal any decision of the Building Official.  Said appeal shall be made in accordance with Ordinance 2-380, Ordinance 2-381 and Ordinance 62-181 et. seq.  Any Adjacent Property Owner shall have the right to appeal any decision of the Building Official decision within fourteen (14) days of said decision and shall be in accordance with Ordinance 2-380, Ordinance 2381, and Ordinance 62-181 et. seq. 

The council approved a special event request from Zach Jones of Alabama Justice Watchdogs to hold a protest on Jan. 13, 2026, around the Cullman County Courthouse located at 500 Second Ave. SW

The council heard from Josh Veres of Augusta’s regarding the effects of road construction on small businesses. Veres claimed a business loss of over $10,000 per week due to road construction around his business, begun without prior notification, and asked the council to consider a tax abatement to offset his losses.

Realtor and Bolte Crossings resident Mackenzie Screws also spoke to the council about continued flooding problems in the southeast Cullman neighborhood. According to Council President Kim Hall, City Engineer Erica York would meet with Screws and other attending Bolte Crossings residents after the council meeting.

The council also appointed Jason Willoughby to the Solid Waste Disposal Authority Board for a term that will expire on July 24, 2031.

The Cullman City Council meets next week on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.