CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday took on a huge slate of business and recognitions packed into its last meeting of 2025.
Achievements recognized
Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chair Chuck Shikle recognized:
- Cullman Police Department School Resource Officer of the Year Daniel Palisay
- CPD Patrol Officer of the Year Olivia Corder
- CPD Investigator of the Year Max Bartlett
- Cullman Fire Rescue Alabama Fire Academy graduates Emerson Schaeffer (Valedictorian), Cory Shadden (720 Award – Most Outstanding), Ace Taylor, Steven Prologo, L.J. Turner and Andrew Durhan
Councilman and Utilities Committee Chair Paul Schaffer offered a resolution to honor TImmy Denson for almost 19 years of service, since 2007, at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Council President Kim Hall offered three resolutions to:
- Recognize Cullman High School’s Junior Varsity Gameday and Traditional Cheerleading Teams for taking the 6A state championship at the AHSAA State Competition. Team members: Alexis Nearen, Aaliyah Taylor, Anna Claire Kallhoff, Brooklyn Eddy, Cailyn Harland, Charlee Chambers, Elizabeth Hunt, Emma Parker, Jillian Key, Jocie Robertson, Jordyn Black, Josie Miller, Kennedi Bonds, Kinley Grimes, Laci Butts, Lexi Brannon, Maci Smith, Macie McAlpin, Reese Stinson, Sarah Cofield, Ava Brewer, Dinah Langley, Gracie Foxx, Harper Robertson, Kamryn Sanderson, and Marlie McAlpin, plus coaches Ashley Wilbanks, Elizabeth Pylant, Kristy Patterson and Savanna Ball.
- Recognize Cullman High School’s Traditional Cheerleading Team for taking the 6A state championship at the AHSAA State Competition, and the Varsity Gameday Cheerleading Team for a third-place state finish. Traditional team members: Adalynn Joiner, Aynsley Pylant, Bentlie Bullard, Brilee Carter, Brindley Cooper, Brittlee Hopper, Brooklyn Cooper, Cailey Cammack, Camden Grobe, Darcy Hall, Ella Flanigan, Emma Jacobson, EmmaKaragan Tokar, Emmaline Richter, Jada Flanigan, KiAhna Coronado, Kinslee Harbison, Kylee Brooks, Logan Schuman, Samantha Miller, Sloan Nobinger and Wakely Bush. Varsity Gameday Team members include all Traditional Team members plus Ava Brewer, Dinah Langley, Gracie Foxx, Harper Robertson, Kamryn Sanderson, and Marlie McAlpin. Coaches: Ashley Wilbanks, Elizabeth Pylant, Kristy Patterson and Savanna Ball.
- Honor City Treasurer Sherry Compton for almost 20 years of service, since 2006, to the City of Cullman
Mayor Woody Jacobs took time to recognize CPD officers Chad Ashworth and Aaron Brolsma for their rapid apprehension of a shoplifter at the Christkindlmarkt.
In unfinished business from the last meeting, the council passed:
- Ordinance No. 2026-14 to update Chapter 2 Administration: Section 342 Meetings. The ordinance will now read, “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.”
- Ordinance No. 2026-15 to update Chapter 46 Solid Waste. The updating changes read:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
In new business, the council passed resolutions:
- Resolution No. 2026-45 to enter into a contract with ClearGov for transparency and budgeting software, in an amount not to exceed $15,995 with a one-time implementation fee of $6,885
- Resolution No. 2026-46 to amend position control to remove a community relations officer and add one investigator for police, changing the position due to a recent increase in crimes of fraud in the area
- Resolution No. 2026-47 to continue supporting the Cullman City Schools capital improvement plan with its typical $600,000 contribution
- Resolution No. 2026-48 recognizing Cullman High School as an A+ College Ready School of Excellence, saying in the resolution that “the A+ College Ready program – in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education – enhances academic rigor across Alabama by expanding access to advanced coursework and providing high-quality professional development for teachers,” and that “Cullman High School has demonstrated exceptional commitment to these goals by increasing participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, strengthening instructional practices, and fostering a culture that encourages students to excel.”
- Resolution No. 2026-49 to enter into a contract with Warren Averett for an IT security audit, in an amount not to exceed $30,600
- Resolution No. 2026-50 to award the bid for two Police Pursuit 4WD Crew Trucks to low bidder Long Lewis of Cullman in the amount of $95,881.12
- Resolution No. 2026-51 to award the bid for a lowboy equipment trailer to Equipment Logistics, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $112,975.22
- Resolution No. 2026-52 to approve change orders no. 1 and 2 for the Wildwater Lazy River reducing the contract amount by $303,889.79. The order increases the amount for survey, but includes a larger deduction for hardware.
- Resolution No. 2026-53 to appoint Kayla Johnson as the City Treasurer effective Jan. 1, 2026
- Resolution No. 2026-54 to enter into contract with The Lollar Group for public relations and communications support, at a cost of $3,800 per month
The council held a first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-17 to annex property located on County Road 1466 as M-1 Manufacturing and AG-1 Agricultural District, and set public meetings at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, for:
- Ordinance No. 2026-18 to rezone property located at 2211 Second Avenue NW from R-1 Residential to B-3 Business District
- Ordinance No. 2026-19 to rezone property located on Ellsworth Drive SW from AG-1 Agricultural to R-3 Residential District
- Ordinance No. 2026-20 to update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 32 – “Lots, yards and open spaces”
- Ordinance No. 2026-21update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 163 – “Nonconforming Lots”
The council reappointed J. Morgan to the Tree Commission for a term that will expire on Nov. 9, 2028.
The Cullman City Council will meet next on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
