CULLMAN, Ala. — The Cullman City Council, on Monday, Oct. 15, adopted Resolution No. 2026-155 which authorizes Mayor Woody Jacobs to enter into professional services contract with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood for the development of a comprehensive strategic plan for the city.
At the City of Cullman Planning Commission’s meeting in April 2026, Chairman Michael Sullins advised that the Commission would be recommending the city start the process of updating the plan.
Statute 11-52-8 of the Code of Alabama requires a planning commission to adopt a master plan for the physical development of the municipality. These plans generally need to be updated every 5-10 years.
Section 3 of the resolution adopted by the Council reads: “City Council’s role. Development of this comprehensive strategic plan does not delegate the City Council’s legislative authority. The City Council retains responsibility for the vision of the City, for the long-range planning, and for every appropriation of public funds by the City of Cullman, Alabama. The completed plan shall be presented to the City Council for review. The City Council shall be responsible for adopting the comprehensive strategic plan. The plan, once approved by the City Council, shall serve as a guide for subsequent budgets, capital investments, projects, programs, and policy decisions. The plan may be amended by the Council as necessary.”
The comprehensive strategic plan, or master plan, is essential for long-range planning and determining the appropriate use of public funds by the City of Cullman.
Cullman City Council President Kim Hall advised that the plan will be developed by the mayor, all city department heads, council members, departments within city hall and, most importantly, residents.
“We need a lot of engagement for this to be your plan,” Hall said.
The Council called on Sullins to speak about the plan. He reflected on his recent Oktoberfest walking tours, during which he spoke of Colonel John Cullmann. Sullins said Cullmann’s planning for the city included the historic downtown grid-system and wide streets.
“It is important that the citizenry not only take the time to engage us with the guidance from Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, but they also need to educate themselves,” Sullins said. “We’re going to provide those tools for the citizenry so they can educate themselves and be a part of this plan.”
He stated this plan will involve “the city departments, economic development, chamber of commerce, and I would also like to encourage the small businesses with subject matter experts, engineers, architects and so on. They need to be a part of this.”
Sullins said the more input given, the better it will be for the city and for guidance for the City Council and Jacobs.
“This will outlast most of us,” he emphasized. “This is something that is very important – maybe one of the most important things in our lifetime – because it will guide our city for many years to come.”
First reading, no action
The Council held the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-53, a request to annex multiple properties along County Road 616 in Hanceville into the city of Cullman as R-2 Residential District. This received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Public hearing
The Council set a public hearing for Ordinance No. 2026-54, which would rezone 98.13 acres at 455 County Road 587 in Hanceville from AG-1 Agricultural District to R-2 Residential District. This request also received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
This public hearing will be held on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Special events
The Council approved a special event permit for the Cullman High School Soccer Booster Club to have their Santa Chase 5K, 10K and 1-mile Fun Run to benefit the soccer program. This will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8 a.m. at 510 13th St. NE.
The Council also approved a special event permit for Cullman Moose Lodge to hold its annual turkey shoots. They will be held at 1729 Eva Road NE every Saturday in November through Dec. 12, beginning at 8 a.m.
Up next
The next Cullman City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. at Cullman City Hall.
