City Councilman David Moss, left, and Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Jeff Adams, right, congratulate treatment plant operator Shannon Calloway on receiving his Class IV certification. The stack of books are books Calloway studied in order to receive the certification.

The Cullman City Council recognized Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Shannon Calloway Monday night for receiving his Waste Water Treatment Plant Grade IV Certification, a designation held by only 14 percent of water treatment plant operators in Alabama.

Treatment Plant Supervisor Jeff Adams said, “I’ve been superintendent for 9 years and this is the second guy that’s passed this test.” 

City Councilman David Moss, chair of the Utilities Standing Committee noted that Calloway’s certification is “quite an achievement.”

The council on Monday also approved a 10-year tax abatement to Rusken Packaging, Inc. for an expansion with a capital investment of $7.8 million. The abatement does not include city school taxes.

In other business, the council:

Approved the 2020 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday beginning on Friday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 23.

Rezoned the Burrow property located at 1315 County Road 222 from R-1 to AG-1.

Vacated a utility easement on Lot 466 located at 4th St. SE.

Set the fees for water and sewer connections for 2020.

Annexed property located at County Road 1402 and Eva Road NE in to the city limits as R-2.

Awarded the bid for traffic installation on First Avenue SE and Second Ave SE to Shoals Electric Company, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $199,989.

The council also praised the city’s street department for the holiday decorations around town. Council President Jeannie Folsom noted that city looks like a town in “a Hallmark movie,” a sentiment echoed by other council members.