CULLMAN, Ala. – At its August meeting, the Cullman County Commission ended months of discussions surrounding the Cullman County Road Department and its aged and deteriorating equipment.
As discussed at its July meeting , the road department has been in need of major equipment upgrades including shoulder machines, tractors and other various machinery. At that time, the commission chose to table the needs until further discussion and research could be done.
In the July meeting, Cullman County Engineer Philip Widner said, “Some of the equipment we have is 25, some of it is 30 years old. So, they’re getting to the end of their life and its starting to be a hindrance in the roads we need done.”
Previously, County Administrator John Bullard advised the commission the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds must be allocated or spent before Dec. 31, 2024. The money was formerly earmarked for the renovation of the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center, now set to begin in 2025.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the commission agreed to officially allocate nearly $1 million in ARPA funds to securing the needed equipment.
The commission approved Resolutions 2024-37, 2024-38 and 2024-39, allocating ARPA funds for the purchase of a paving machine, a shoulder widener and three tractors.
In other business, the commission:
- Approved Resolution 2024-36: Apply for matching ALDOT grant funds for the airport hangar taxi lane rehabilitation project
- Authorized Chairman to sign change order from Stateline Mechanical for the Cullman County Courthouse HVAC upgrades in the amount of $12,583
- Authorized JMB Holding, LLC to finalize grading for sod and top dress for the Pandemic Response Center in the amount of $19,715
- Authorized the purchase of a 2019 John Deere Compact Loader from Ft. Payne Water Authority for the Road Department in the amount of $58,000
- Approved FY 2025 County Transportation Plan
- Approved to buy-out of CAT Financial leases for two hydraulic excavators in the amount of $81,901.29
- Approved outdoor light agreement and right-of way easement with Cullman Electric Cooperative for power supply at Smith Lake Park and authorized Chairman to sign all related paperwork
- Approved Vector Security for services to existing fire alarm system at the Economic Development and Sales Tax building in the amount of $13,975
- Approved payment to ServPro for remediation at the County Board of Education building in the amount of $ 19,144.18
- Approved Commissioner Watson and Commission Duke’s nominee, Terry Bentley, for reappointment to the E-911 Board for four-year term to expire 9/1/28
- Approved Commissioner Marchman and Commissioner Freeman’s nominee, Samuel Tucker, for reappointment to the E-911 Board for a four-year term to expire 9/1/28
- Approved City of Cullman’s nominee, Brian Bradberry, to the E-911 Board to replace Dana Phillips for a four-year term to expire 9/1/28
- Approved Commission’s nominee, Kenneth Cornelius, to the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association for a two-year term to expire 9/30/26
- Approved the renewal of stop-loss insurance with Lloyd’s of London and increasing Specific deductible to $150,000; renewal effective Oct. 1, 2024. Estimated annual premium is $685,318, a 1% increase in annual costs
- Approved the renewal of air ambulance service with AirMedCare which covers all active Cullman County employees eligible for employee benefits. Renewal effective Oct. 1, 2024. Estimated annual premium is $32,500 for FY 2025
- Ratified the purchase of a Ford F600 Super Duty Sanitation Truck from Sourcewell Bid for sanitation in the amount of $164,601
- Approved the surplus of the following items from the Road Department to be auctioned on Gov Deals or by any means necessary
- 2006 Massey Ferguson Model MF5465 2019 Wacker Neuson ST31
- Approved the surplus of the following items from Cullman County Parks to be auctioned on Gov Deals or by any means necessary
- One Green Bridge-36 ft X7 ft
- One Yellow Bridge-36 ft X 7 ft
- One Yellow Bridge-36 ft X5 ft
- 13 7-foot aluminum ladders
- Approved proposed preliminary plat resubdivide of Broadway/Eva Subdivision. A minor subdivision containing two Lots in Commission District one. The subdivision is located on County Road 1435, a quarter mile north of the intersection of Highway 157 and County Road 1435
- Approved preliminary plat Catalina Crest Subdivision. A major subdivision containing 12 Lots in Commission District four. The subdivision is located on County Road 287, approximately 1.5 miles West of the intersection of County Road 437 and County Road 287
- Approved preliminary plat resubdivide of Green Acres Subdivision. A minor subdivision containing six lots in Commission District Two. The subdivision is located on County Road 1223 at the Morgan County Line
- Approved preliminary plat The Reserve Retirement Village Subdivision. A major subdivision containing 12 Lots in Commission District three. The subdivision is located on County Road 717, approximately 800 feet West of the entrance to Stonebridge Farms Event Venue
- Approved preliminary plat Chaney Branch Farms Subdivision. A major subdivision containing 18 Lots in Commission District 2. The subdivision is located on the corner of County Road 1191 and County Road 1196, a quarter mile East of Missionary Grove Church on County Road 119
- Approved to extend Bid #1443: Jail Supplies – jail supplies and chemicals to North Alabama Chemical. Central Paper for the laundry and kitchen chemicals and to Apeiro Solutions for the Fogging Machine Chemicals for one year
- Approved to Bid # 1444: Service of the Sheriff’s Office and other various County Vehicles to Berco Inc; DBA Havoline Express Lube for one year
- Approved to award Bid # 1468: for Pest Control to Wayne’s Pest Control
- Approved request from Attorney for Executive Session Under Section seven of Act No. 2005-40
The next commission work session will be Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. in the commission meeting room with the meeting beginning at 6.
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