Cullman City Council elects Kim Hall council president, installs leadership and dozens of appointments at organizational meeting

Kim Hall was elected council president and David Moss approved as president pro tem as Cullman City completed its organizational business and sworn-in ceremonies at a packed meeting.

The council opened with ceremonial presentations and oaths of office. Judges Emily Neazer Johnston and Rusty Turner administered oaths to newly sworn officials; several council members and city employees were recorded present during roll call.

At the start of formal business, the council nominated and approved Kim Hall as council president by voice vote. "Thank you to my fellow councilman for this honor," Hall said, adding it is a privilege to serve Cullman and the council looks forward to working together. The council then approved David Moss as president pro tem after a roll-call vote in which Moss abstained and four members voted aye.

Council moved quickly through a slate of resolutions to staff city government. Resolutions approved by voice vote included Resolution 26-26 (appointing council committees), Resolution 26-27 (appointing Wesley Moore as city clerk), Resolution 26-28 (appointing Sherry Compton as city treasurer), Resolution 26-29 (appointing Joey Duncan as chief of police), Resolution 26-30 (appointing Darren Peoples as fire chief), Resolution 26-31 (appointing Brandy Lee of Lee Law Firm as city attorney), Resolution 26-32 (appointing Jason Knott as municipal judge), Resolution 26-33 (appointing Jeremy Klein as city prosecutor), Resolution 26-34 (designating depositories for city funds) and Resolution 26-35 (appointing department heads and other officers). Several motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

The council also considered and adopted two administrative ordinances updating the city code’s order of business. Council suspended the rules to consider Ordinance 26-07 (amending a provision related to council-appointed board members) and approved the ordinance on roll-call votes recorded as unanimous 'aye.' The council likewise suspended the rules and adopted Ordinance 26-08 updating Section 2-85 (order of business and agenda procedures); the roll-call votes recorded unanimous 'aye' and the amended ordinance was adopted.

Following ordinance adoption, the council confirmed a series of board appointments. Appointments included multiple seats on what the meeting transcript identified as the Coleman Jefferson Gas Board (appointments of Chuck Shackle, David Moss, Mayor Woody Jacobs and Paul Schafer were approved), the city Utilities Board (Kim Hall, Paul Schafer and Jason Willoughby), two appointees to the regional airport board (Mayor Woody Jacobs and Dr. Vincent Karlowitz), an appointment to the Peg Access Television board (CATS-55) for Kim Hall, and an appointment of David Moss to the county tourism bureau. Votes on appointments were generally by voice; several recorded abstentions were noted in the transcript for individual motions.

Mayor Woody Jacobs thanked attendees and performers, reflected on the transition to the new council and urged members to begin their work, concluding, "let's get to work." The meeting closed with routine announcements — including that City Hall will be closed for Veterans Day (Nov. 11) while public safety and sanitation services operate as normal — and a motion to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: Kim Hall elected council president (voice vote); David Moss elected president pro tem (roll-call: 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain); Ordinance 26-07 adopted (roll-call unanimous); Ordinance 26-08 adopted (roll-call unanimous); Resolutions 26-26 through 26-35 approved by voice vote; multiple board/commission appointments approved (voice votes with occasional abstentions).