CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council approved a County Road 616 annexation, a contract for artificial intelligence services and applications for two emergency communications grants at its meeting Monday, Oct. 26.
The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2026-53 following its second reading. The ordinance annexes five parcels owned by Wesley and Sherry Moore along County Road 616 into Cullman as R-2 Residential District. The parcels are part of Bella’s Ridge subdivision.
The annexation received a favorable recommendation from the City of Cullman Planning Commission at its Oct. 6 meeting. The Council held the first reading Oct. 12. Councilman Jason Willoughby moved to approve the ordinance, and Councilman David Moss seconded the motion.
Turning to new business, the Council held the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-55, which would replace Section 183 of the city’s administrative code governing appointed officers. No action was taken on the ordinance.
The proposal addresses department head titles and procedures for appointing, supervising and removing officers. During the work session, City Attorney Brandy Lee said the changes were intended to align removal procedures with Alabama law.
“We had a few procedures that didn’t follow the Alabama Code with when an officer is to be removed or terminated. So we have fixed that so it aligns with the code,” Lee said.
The proposal also requires appointed officers to report to their designated Council committee chairs at least monthly and establish employee conduct procedures consistent with Council policies.
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-156, authorizing an agreement with Principal Life Insurance Co. for supplemental dental coverage for city employees. According to the human resources request, the previous plan was administered by Canopy and sold to Principal. The agreement allows employees enrolled in that coverage to transfer to the Principal plan.
For the city’s information technology department, the Council approved Resolution No. 2026-157, authorizing a contract with Carahsoft for an amount not to exceed $14,504.
The accompanying quote identifies the purchase as Anthropic’s Claude Enterprise artificial intelligence services. It includes 20 user licenses totaling $4,704 and a pooled usage allocation costing $9,800.
The Council also adopted Resolution No. 2026-158, authorizing a one-year agreement with Docusign for electronic signature services at a cost not to exceed $6,739.20. Council President Kim Hall said the service improves efficiency and would save the city approximately $600.
For emergency communications, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-160, authorizing the mayor to apply for two grants from the Cullman County E-911 Board of Commissioners. The applications seek funding for an additional dispatch desk console and a sixth radio system.
According to the communications department’s request, the additional console would provide another workstation for dispatchers and help maintain radio communications during high call volumes, emergencies and equipment maintenance.
The Council also approved Resolution No. 2026-159, declaring three portable radios and their chargers surplus and authorizing their donation to the local office of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles at no charge.
Special event requests on the agenda included a free New Year’s Eve celebration planned at Traditions Bank, 109 Second Ave. NW, from 5-11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. The application describes a family-friendly event with bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, music, a drone show and a ball drop.
Glenn Hurley requested a street preaching event from 2:45-5:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the northeast corner of Third Street Southwest and Second Avenue Southwest.
A proposed jail agreement with Cullman County was removed from the meeting agenda.
The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at City Hall, following a 5:30 p.m. work session. People wishing to speak during public comments can submit a request through the city’s website.
