Kathy Johnson, former director of the Alabama Broadband Initiative, speaks at the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce's May Community Luncheon. 

The Cullman City Council is calling in some IT help as it prepares for the installation of a new fiber optic cable funded with a $200,000 federal grant.

On Monday, the city council approved entering into a professional services contract with former director of the state’s broadband development initiative Kathy Johnson to help with the Gigabit City Project. Mayor Woody Jacobs said Johnson is going to help the city develop a plan to take advantage of the new fiber optic line which will form the “backbone” of the city’s upgraded internet infrastructure.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded Cullman the grant in May. The money will fund 12 miles of fiber optic cable to provide high-capacity broadband internet service to downtown businesses, City Hall, the water and sewer plant, the County Courthouse, an industrial park and other “anchor” institutions in the city. Matching funds of $587,000 have been committed to the project, according to a press release.

In other business Monday, the Cullman City Council:

Approved July 31 meeting minutes.

Held a first reading and approved ordinance to annex property located at 94 County Road 701 owned by Raul and Kimberly Organista into the city limits of Cullman as R-1 Residential District. The annexation request received a favorable recommendation from the Cullman Planning Commission, subject to limited city services.

Awarded for a milling machine to the lowest responsible bidder, Robert Ingram, in the budgeted amount of $49,995.

Awarded bid for a sweeper broom to the lowest responsible bidder, Bobcat of Huntsville, in the budgeted amount of $3,647.

Awarded bid for pipe fusing equipment to the lowest responsible bidder, Consolidated Pipe & Supply, in the budgeted amount of $63,555.

Authorized a one-time payment to city retirees through the Employees’ Retirement System of Alabama. The pay raise was enacted by the Alabama Legislature and will be calculated at $24 for each year of service. The payments will go out in December.

Amended city employee job classifications and pay scales.