Cullman City Council approves 10-year tax abatement for automotive expansion; OKs sidewalk preaching permit and reappoints utilities member

The Cullman City Council on Sept. 8 adopted a resolution granting a 10-year tax abatement to an automotive industry project that the council said involves an $8,000,000 capital investment and 25 new jobs. The council also approved a special-event permit for sidewalk preaching on Oct. 10 and reappointed Steve Murphy to the utilities board.

The tax-abatement resolution was presented on the council agenda as a major addition to an existing automotive facility that would qualify as the project’s class. Meeting staff told the council the abatement would run 10 years and said education taxes would not be abated. Council members voted by voice; no roll-call vote or named tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The special-event permit was requested by Glenn Hurley for street preaching on the sidewalk at the intersection of Third Street and Second Avenue Southwest (near state routes 278 and 31). The request covers the sidewalk only from 2:45 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 10. The council motion to approve the permit passed by voice vote after members confirmed the event requester had previously held similar activities and understood to remain on the sidewalk.

On appointments, the council reappointed Steve Murphy to the utilities board. The reappointment was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

There were no public hearings on the agenda and no members of the public signed up to speak during the meeting. The council approved minutes from the Aug. 29 meeting and then adjourned.