The City of Cullman’s ordinance that governs the condition of buildings will soon change to be compatible with state regulations.

A first reading of the ordinance was announced by the Cullman City Council on Monday, which sets up the ordinance to likely be passed at the next meeting in May.

“There are a few structures in the city that we have concerns about for the public’s safety,” City Council President Garlan Gudger Jr. said. “To address those, we need to update our ordinance, which will match what the state outlines.”

The proposed ordinance defines dangerous buildings through a series of specific descriptions, such as:

— those with interior walls or other vertical structures that list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside the middle third of its base.

— those which, exclusive of the foundation, show 33 percent or more of damage or deterioration of one or more supporting members, or 50 percent of damage or deterioration of the non-supporting enclosing or outside walls or covering.

— those which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors or roofs, or in which the same are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used.

The ordinance lists several more factors that define unsafe structures and includes commercial buildings, houses, garages and other structures on properties.

In other business, the City Council and mayor recognized outgoing Fire Chief Edward Reinhardt Jr. with a certificate of retirement and commended his 40 years of service to the city.

Gudger and Councilman Andy Page talked about Reinhardt’s commitment to training, quality and cooperation during his years of service. Billy Atchison of Sunbelt Fire, an equipment company, presented Reinhardt with a firefighter figurine and fishing equipment for his retirement.

“I just want to say thanks,” Reinhardt said. “Over 40 years I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. When times got hard we always pulled together. We always do.”

Incumbent Cullman County Circuit Judge Martha Williams was also given time to speak before the council as she seeks re-election to the post.

“What I do as a judge isn’t always pleasant. I have to ask myself where else should I be and I can’t think of a better way to serve the community I love,” Williams said. “I promised when I was elected to this office I would be fair and honest, and I’ve kept that promise.”

Williams, who is facing challenger Melvin Hasting, said she makes it a priority to conduct court with respect to anyone who is there for a hearing or trial. The primary election is June 5.

Council President Pro-Tem Jenny Folsom also gave a brief report on the city’s financial condition, noting that sales taxes and business licenses have both increased more tjam $787,000.

“We also expect to get some expenses back from FEMA after the storm damage,” Folsom said. “The unemployment rate in March, the latest figures, was 3.2 percent making us the second lowest in the state.”

The council also approved:

— a request from Waid Harbison of Cullman Parks & Recreation for a special permit to hold Dinner On First on May 18 from 6-11 p.m.

— a request from Water Superintendent Chris Freeman to purchase from the state bid list a Ventrac Rough Cut Mowing Machines with accessories from Coblentz Equipment & Co. Inc. for the budgeted amount of $49,055.

— a resolution to submit the 2019 TAP grant application for the City of Cullman to assist with additional streetscaping.

— Andrea Walker Talley’s appointment to the board for Cullman County Developmentally Disabled.