CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance to establish procedures for the City’s Annual Street and Transportation Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan.
The ordinance maintains the City’s compliance with Alabama Code § 23-8-8, which – according to the ordinance – “requires municipalities receiving state transportation funds to adopt an annual transportation plan identifying projects for the next fiscal year.”
The ordinance requires the submission of a detailed plan by June 1 each year, with city council approval by Aug. 31, prior to the mayor’s proposed budget submission. The plan must include a list of proposed projects, prioritization methodology (including safety and traffic volume concerns), timelines, cost estimates, funding sources, five-year projections and a map exhibit, along with a detailed report of the previous year’s expenditures. The ordinance also makes provisions for emergency repairs to transportation infrastructure.
Hemp product sale regulations
The council also approved an ordinance governing the retail sale of consumable hemp products. Under the ordinance, retailers must be licensed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board). Age restrictions require purchasers to be 21 or older, and prohibitions are enacted for smokable hemp products and online/direct delivery sales. Retailers must get approval from the Cullman City Council or its Alcohol Review Committee before selling hemp products including proof of ABC Board application and zoning compliance. Under the ordinance, retail sales are allowed only in specific business districts with restrictions:
- Pharmacies can sell in all districts; liquor stores can sell only in B-2 business districts
- Minimum distance of 1,000 feet from schools, churches and similar locations
- Minimum distance of 1,500 feet between retailers (except pharmacies)
- No drive-through sales or visible exterior displays
- Compliance with state THC limits, packaging, labeling and age restrictions
The council approved a resolution detailing 19 job descriptions for existing positions in the Water and Sewer Department, and adding the following positions: GIS technician, compliance officer, inventory specialist, line locator, mechanical technician and utilities inspector. In the same ordinance, the council approved a pay plan for the Municipal Court.
The council also approved resolutions:
- to approve a change order with Jim Cooper Construction for the Cullman OmniPlex construction project, reducing the project cost by $107,649.34 for a total amount of $19,149,834.59
- to enter into a traffic calming study on Bolte Road Southwest with Sain Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $2,500
- to enter into a research agreement with Auburn University for stream monitoring and training in an amount not to exceed $12,230
The council approved a slate of special events for April and May:
- The 1A-3A AHSAA State Track Meet at Cullman High School from Thursday, April 30 to Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Restoring Women Outreach’s Cullman Microthon in the Arts District on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1-5 p.m.
- Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism’s annual Dinner on First in the Warehouse District on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 6-11 p.m.
- CPRST’s annual Alabama Strawberry Festival in the Special Events District on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, 2026
The council held first readings of ordinances
- to rezone property owned by Rodney Hawkins located at 701 Main Ave. SW from R-4 Residential to B-2 Business District (PIN 5161). The council also held a public hearing, with no one speaking for or against the measure.
- to annex property owned by Joseph and William Culpepper located at County Road 1269 as AG-1 Agricultural District
- to rezone property owned by William and Jenna Culpepper located at 960 County Road 1269 as R-1 Residential District
These proposals can be acted upon at the next council meeting.
The Cullman City Council meets next on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
