CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 27, after a lengthy closed-door executive session, voted to terminate the employment of Cullman Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Shannon “Jake” Calloway, 38, of Arley, following his arrest on Dec. 17, 2025, for allegedly placing cameras in restrooms at the facility.
Calloway has been charged with two counts of aggravated criminal surveillance, a felony, charging that he twice – with separate victims – “installed a video camera in the men’s restroom and recorded the intimate areas of an individual’s body.” Council President Kim Hall reported that Mayor Woody Jacobs, absent from Tuesday’s meeting, had met with Calloway and subsequently recommended the termination.
See a full, separate story at www.cullmantribune.com/2026/01/27/cullman-city-council-terminates-wastewater-plant-head-jake-calloway-following-arrest.
In its regular business, the council approved resolutions to:
- Award the bid for one or more four wheel drive regular cab trucks to Long Lewis Automotive, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $37,206.50
- Award the bid for the 24th Street Southwest water line extension project to Willoughby Contracting, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $1,233,535
- Reject a change order for Jim Cooper Construction Company, Inc. on the OmniPlex, which will not change the amount of the contract
- Approve a change order for Synagro-WWT, Inc. on the WWTP Anaerobic Digester Maintenance project, which will increase the amount of the contract by $293,865.05
- Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with DDB Capital, LLC, for the development of a subdivision located on County Road 1466
- Enter into a contract with DaleRain Consulting, LLC, for professional services including but not limited to communications and government affairs
Following a scheduled second reading, the council passed Ordinance No. 2026-22 to rezone property located at 1803 Beech Ave. SE from M-1 Manufacturing Residential to B-3 Business District.
The council held first readings of the following ordinances:
- No. 2026-24 update Chapter 10-363 Authority of Building Department; Duties
- No. 2026-25 to vacate and surplus properties (portions of PIN 6648, 6915, 9003, and 77318) not needed for any public or municipal purpose for their fair market values
- No. 2026-26 to annex property (52.66 acres; PIN 200273) owned by Brock Miracle Egg, LLC, located on County Road 1466 as R-3 Residential District – According to the council, this property will be developed as a subdivision with a variety of housing, including both large single family homes and small townhouses.
The council approved two special event requests:
- Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Mardi Gras parade along Third Avenue Southwest, Fourth Street Southwest, to Sixth Avenue Southwest beginning at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2026
- Zachary Jones to hold free speech demonstrations on the sidewalks around the courthouse beginning on Jan. 27, 2026, and ending on Feb. 28, 2026. According to Hall, the permit is contingent on Jones giving police 24 hours’ notice of his planned days on-site during that extended period.
The council recognized achievements of two City employees:
- Canaan Lipsey completed level 4 certification as a wastewater treatment operator, the highest level of certification in Alabama
- City Magistrate Jenny Perkins completed her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, bringing the City’s entire Magistrate’s Office staff to at least bachelor’s degrees in the field
The council had planned a number of public hearings, but due to the weather-related shift in this week’s meeting, rescheduled the following for the first February meeting:
- Ordinance No. 2026-16 to update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 165 Reconstruction of damaged buildings or structure
- Ordinance No. 2026-18 to rezone property located at 2211 Second Ave. NW from R-1 Residential to B-3 Business District
- Ordinance No. 2026-20 update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 32 Lots, yards and open spaces
- Ordinance No. 2026-21 update Chapter 62 Zoning: Section 163 Nonconforming Lots
- Ordinance No. 2026-23 to create a neighborhood enhancement program within the city of Cullman
The council made the following board appointments:
- Gary Hollingsworth to the Alcohol Review Committee for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2029
- Police Chief Joey Duncan to the Alcohol Review Committee for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2029
- Rita Nielson to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term expiring Feb. 14, 2029
- Michael Sullins to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term expiring Feb. 14, 2029
- Scott Graham to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term expiring Feb. 14, 2029
- Karla Brauer to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term expiring Feb. 14, 2027
- Trey Tidwell to the Tree Commission for a term expiring Nov. 9, 2028
- Rob Werner to the Tree Commission for a term expiring Nov. 9, 2027
- Sheila Phillips to the Personnel Board for a term expiring July 12, 2031
The Cullman City Council will meet next on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
