CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council at its Nov. 9 meeting held the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-56. The ordinance, a revision of City of Cullman Source Water Ordinance No. 2008-05, updates restrictions and preventative measures for properties surrounding the city’s public water supplies, including Lake Catoma and the Duck River Reservoir, in order to prevent pollution and ensure water quality.
Section 20-166, for use of adjacent property of the bodies of water, notes that the Utilities Board of the City of Cullman is to own property surrounding these bodies of water. For Lake Catoma, Utilities Board property limits will extend 50 feet outside this region and 100 feet outside of Duck River Reservoir.
The revised ordinance states that any disposal of wastes, building, foundation or structures such as wells and other storage facilities must be located 25 feet beyond Utilities Board property limits. In addition to building, restrictions are to apply to docks and mooring systems for watercraft.
The revision says no lots, real estate or tracts of land adjoining, adjacent to or bordering any waters of the public water supply shall be used for anything beyond residential purpose, keeping animals that produce waste or are in violation of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Section 20-167 establishes water buffer zones for City of Cullman’s water supply lakes. A buffer of 35 feet for Lake Catoma and 100 feet for Duck River Reservoir will go into effect in efforts to prevent and reduce pollution from properties bordering the lakes.
It states that it is unlawful to use public courtesy docks for operating a boat, overnight docking, picnicking, camping, waste dumping, cleaning fish or swimming activities such as jumping, diving or wading.
Section 20-187 states that discharge of sewage from a treatment facility into any of the water supply lakes is unlawful. This also applies to drainage of a privy, septic tank and any prohibited emptying into Lake Catoma or other water supply lakes.
It reads, “In accordance with the Alabama Department of Public Health, it shall be unlawful to establish or maintain an Onsite Sewer System (OSS) or Effluent Disposal Field (EFD) closer than 50 feet from a full pool level surface water supply source and outside Utility Board Property Limits.”
Museum grant
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-161, authorizing Mayor Woody Jacobs to apply for grant funding for the Cullman County Museum.
Museum Director Molly Bloom submitted a request regarding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Inspire Grants for Small Museums program.
The grant funding would total $25,000.
Bloom noted, “Since taking on the role of museum director, I have identified several areas where improvements are necessary to ensure that the artifacts entrusted to our care are properly protected for future generations. Many of our collections, including historic textiles, period clothing, quilts, hats, photographs and archival documents, are currently housed in storage conditions that do not meet recommended museum preservation standards.”
The funds would go toward preservation and storage, as well as possible digitization and documentation of the museum’s historical collections.
Other business
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 2026-55, which replaces Section 183 of the city’s Administrative Code governing appointed officers. The proposal addresses department head titles and procedures for appointing, supervising and removing officers. These changes are intended to align removal procedures with Alabama law.
The Council held first readings of annexation ordinances that received favorable recommendations from the City of Cullman Planning Commission at its most recent meeting.
- On Alabama Highway 157 NE, 39 acres just east of Northbrook Baptist Church are currently under contract for retail. The property owner, Billy Jackson, addressed the Commission and requested the property be annexed. Ordinance No. 2026-57 requests the annexation of the property into the city limits as B-2 Business District.
- On U.S. Highway 278 E, Two Brothers LLC requested property be annexed into the corporate city of Cullman. The request letter read that the purpose is to facilitate the future development of the 5.7-acre site into a service station. Ordinance No. 2026-58 requests the property be annexed into the city limits of Cullman as B-2 Business District.
The Council approved a rezoning request, Ordinance No. 2026-54, rezoning 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.
Resolution No. 2026-166 was adopted and aims to offer joint financing for the Cullman Regional Airport hangar construction project for the city and county. The project is expected to amount to $2.39 million.
The Council also adopted Resolution No. 2026-164, which awarded the delivery and purchase of sulphur diesel fuel to the highest bidder, Davison Fuel & Oil LLC.
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-165, allowing the mayor to enter into an agreement with AFLAC Group for additional supplemental insurance to be provided for the City of Cullman employees.
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-163, setting meeting dates for 2027, all at 6 p.m.:
- Monday, Jan. 11
- Monday, Jan. 25
- Monday, Feb. 8
- Monday, Feb. 22
- Monday, March 8
- Monday, March 22
- Monday, April 5
- Monday, April 19
- Monday, May 3
- Tuesday, May 17
- Monday, June 7
- Monday, June 28
- Thursday, July 8
- Monday, July 19
- Monday, Aug. 9
- Monday, Aug. 23
- Monday, Sept. 13
- Monday, Sept. 27
- Monday, Oct. 11
- Monday, Oct. 25
- Monday, Nov. 8
- Monday, Nov. 22
- Monday, Dec. 6
- Monday, Dec. 13
Upcoming special events
- Annual Christmas Open House on First Avenue in the Warehouse District Nov. 13-15, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Christkindlmarkt Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. and Tree Lighting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, in the Special Events District and Depot Park
- Christkindlmarkt from Thursday, Nov. 19, until Wed. Dec. 23, in the Special Events District and Depot Park. Thursday-Saturday the events will 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon-8 p.m.
The next Cullman City Council meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. in the city hall auditorium following a work session at 5:30.
