The Cullman City Council welcome its first female president Monday night when Garlan Gudger relinquished the role to Jenny Folsom as he prepares to move the Alabama Senate.

Gudger, who has served as council president 10 of the 14 years he has been on the governing body, recommended the move and for Folsom to take his place effective at the end of the meeting. Folsom was serving as president pro-tem of the council.

The move was approved unanimously, marking a historic moment for city government leadership.

Johnny Cook was unanimously elected to step in as pro-tem of the council.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of this council for 14 years. We’ve matured along the way and worked well together, helping each other out and keeping the city and its citizens first,” Gudger said. “Jenny has been here serving faithfully and has been a leader all along.”

Gudger will officially leave the City Council Nov. 5 at midnight.

He also recommended that the opening on the City Council go to David Moss Jr., a businessman and grandson of the Moss Service Funeral Home founder. The council will vote on that recommendation in November.

“We appreciate the leadership you have given on the council and for the city for 14 years, and 10 of those as president,” Folsom said.

In other business, the council:

• approved a request from Terry Harbin of Cullman Oktoberfest for a special event permit to hold the annual German Festival (Oktoberfest) on beginning on October 3 and ending October 6.
• approved a request from Louise Cole of Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation, Inc. for a special event permit to hold the annual charity motorcycle ride starting at Cullman Regional Medical Center on Sept. 29 from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
• approved  resolution No. 2018-70 to apply for fiscal year 2018-19 grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the State of Alabama to make improvements at the Cullman Regional Airport.
• approved resolution No. 2018-71 to enter into contract with Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and Cullman City Schools to host the 2019 and 2020 Alabama State Track and Field Championships for Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A at Cullman High School.
• approved resolution No. 2018-72 to accept a TAP funding agreement for Streetscape Improvements on First Avenue NE from Arnold Street to Second Street.
• approved resolution No. 2018-73 to accept an ARC funding agreement for Sewer System Improvements.
• approved resolution No. 2018-74 to amend position control detail and adopt job descriptions for the City of Cullman, Alabama.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-37 to annex property owned by Joshua and Sara Brown located at 191 County Road 1305 into the city limits of Cullman, Alabama as R-1 Residential District.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-38 to annex property owned by Cecelia Brown (Funderburke) located at 1555 County Road 1303 into the city limits of Cullman, Alabama as R-1 Residential District.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-39 to vacate and surplus easements to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Cullman.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-40 to rezone property owned by Rusken Packaging, Inc. located at Brantley Avenue from B-2 Business District to M-1 Manufacturing District and to set a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on September 10th, 2018.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-41 to rezone property owned by Industrial Development Board located at Industrial Park V from B-2 Business District to M-1 Manufacturing District and to set a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on September 10th, 2018.
• approved First Reading of Ordinance No. 2018-42 to rezone property owned by Industrial Development Board located at Brantley Avenue from B-2 Business District to M-1 Manufacturing District and set to a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on September 10th, 2018.