Gary Owen, architect with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, shows the Cullman City Council Monday night renderings of the new water and sewer department facility to be built on Eva Road.

The Cullman City Council voted to solicit bids for the construction of a new water and sewer department facility on Eva Road. 

The 20,830-square-foot project is estimated to cost between $2.52 million and $2.6 million. The new facility will include three separate buildings: one for administration, an enclosed truck bay/maintenance shop and truck bay.

Gary Owen, architect for Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, unveiled renderings of the project to the city council and Mayor Max Townson Monday night during the council’s work session. With bidding underway for a new fire station on Alabama Highway 157, the city plans to hold off on putting the water and sewer building until it can award the contract to build the fire station.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Chris Freeman said the design for the new facility is ideal.

“The parts room is three times what we have, which is really what we needed,” he told the council.

Council President Garlan Gudger suggested the city makes sure any signs for the new building match the branding on other city buildings.

“We’re excited to get it going,” said David Parker with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. “We’ve been working with Chris to make sure every little thing is just right.”

In an unrelated matter, the council approved applying for a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Brunner Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase II. The project will be a continuation of a similar project to replace more than 3,000 feet of sewer lines, 2,800 feet of water lines, storm drains and sidewalks and install new fire hydrants.

“If you haven’t been down Brunner Street lately, it looks good,” Gudger said.

If awarded the grant, the city would be required to come up with $284,810.61 in matching funds and another $30,888 in in-kind work.

In other business, the Cullman City Council:

* Approved minutes from June 3 meeting.

* Set public hearing for 7 p.m. August 8 to consider request to vacate a right-of-way at 1409 Main Ave. N.E. which received a favorable recommendation from the planning commission.

* Approved special event permit for Suzette Kendall to hold “Hands on the Wheel” meeting 5-9 p.m. July 24 on the sidewalks around the Cullman County Courthouse.

* Approved Sanitation Superintendent Larry Jones’ request to purchase various containers from Wastequip, LLC on the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) bid list for $40,403.75.

* Approved Garage Superintendent Mason Kugler’s request to purchase a polar cool machine from Stewart’s Auto Parts for $2,529.

* Approved entering into contract with Otis Elevator for repairs to pedestrian walkway elevator at the parking deck in the budgeted amount not to exceed $5,764.40.

* Approved adopting new job description for division chief of emergency medical services (EMS) which was recommended by the City of Cullman Personnel Board.

* Approved annexation of the following properties and for the following zones: 585 County Road 473 owned by John and Janice Greco, R-1 Residential District; 262 County Road 1320 owned by Gregory and Pamela Ivey, R-1 Residential District; 341 County Road 1320 owned by Justin and Cassie Ward, R-1 Residential District; 369 County Road 1320 owned by Brian Corliss, as R-1 Residential District and land beside 27 U.S. 278 East, B-2 Business District.

* Appointed Danny McAfee to the Industrial Development Board to finish the term of David Moss Sr. who resigned citing his health. His term will expire in 2020.