The Cullman City Council Monday is expected to consider for passage two ordinances — one dealing with animal control issues and the other increasing the city’s lodgings tax to help pay for one of the most aggressive capital improvement projects ever undertaken by city officials.

Representatives of the hotel/motel owners and managers in Cullman this week spoke in support of a 2.25 percent increase in the tax, a portion of which would be earmarked specifically for the recruitment of regional and national sports tournaments, and recreation and leisure-related events and activities that have the potential of boosting the local occupancy rate.

Under a new proposal expected to be considered by the council during Monday’s special called meeting (due to the Christmas holiday), a portion of the lodgings tax would be set aside specifically for the recruitment of sports tournaments and events that would require teams and fans to spend a minimum of two nights at area hotels.

It’s a concept that has the support of some council members, parks and recreation officials and local hotel representatives, but Mayor Don Green says he is not yet sold on the idea.

“I’m not saying I’m opposed to it. I’m just saying I’m not yet sold on it,” Green said earlier this week. “We’re talking about raising the lodgings tax from 10 percent to 12 1/4 percent. For the past month, hospitality folks have been telling us a 2 percent increase in the lodgings tax would have a negative impact on their business. Now they’re willing to boost that another quarter of a percent.”

If approved, the ordinance would set aside one-half of one percent from the lodgings tax (roughly $42,000 annually) for promotion and recruitment. That will leave 1.75 percent, or roughly $150,000 annually, to be used to help retire the debt service on a $23 million bond that among other things will be used to fund construction of the Field of Miracles youth baseball/softball complex, as well as a new aquatics/wellness center at Ingle Park.

There is already a 5 percent state tax and 5 percent countywide tax for lodging in the city and county for a total tax of 10 percent. Motels and other lodgings in the city would face a 12.25 percent lodging tax if the proposed ordinance passes.

Hotel representatives had argued the additional tax would be devastating to the local hotel industry because it would give Cullman a higher lodgings tax than surrounding towns and communities.

The council is also expected to consider on second reading Monday an ordinance revising the city’s 40-year-old animal control ordinance.

The proposed ordinance covers a wide-range of issues ranging from a definition of what constitutes a dangerous animal to defining the responsibility of the pet’s owner when it comes to the removal and disposal of animal waste.

The proposed ordinance defines a potentially dangerous animal as any animal that being unprovoked bites a human or domestic animal, either on public or private property; unprovoked chases or approaches a person or domestic animal upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public or private property in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack; is known to have a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, or has been declared potentially dangerous by any law enforcement agency or authority.

The ordinance also defines the authority of the animal control officer, makes it unlawful for anyone to own, keep or harbor a potentially dangerous or dangerous/vicious animal within the city limits, sets requirements for rabies vaccinations and licensing of the animal, sets fees for tags and certificates, sets delinquent fees, establishes guidelines for impoundment of unlicensed animals, as well as enforcement and penalties.

The current animal control ordinance has not been revised since its adoption in the late 1950s or early 1960s.