Large crowds gathered before city councils typically do not signal good news for councilmembers, but the several groups of Cullman High School athletes set to appear before the city of Cullman Monday, Dec. 9, arrived on friendly terms to be recognized for their recent accomplishments.

“I can tell you when we come out of the council chambers and we see a group like this we’re like, ‘Uh oh, who is upset about something?’ But, tonight we knew this was a friendly crowd, so I’d like to thank everyone for being here,” mayor Woody Jacobs said.

First on the list to be recognized was Coach Trent Dean and the boys cross country team, who finished as the runner-up at the Alabama State track meet. Runners recognized on Monday included:

— Andrue Barnett

— Henry Crocker

— Connor Robinson

— Cy Dawsey

— Jacob Taylor

— Benjamin Stidham

— Dawson Helton

— Mason Gobble

— Thatcher Lucas

— Avin Dempsey

— Noah Casey

— Brayden White

As a parent to two former CHS cheerleaders himself, councilmember David Moss had kind words for the varsity-gameday cheer squad who was also named runner-up in their state competition.

“I appreciate and know all of the effort and commitment and everything that goes into being successful in that,” Moss said.

Cheerleaders recognized Monday included:

— Addi Dyer

— Alayna Alldredge

— Ashlyn Danecker

— Ava Claire Floyd

— Blaire Troutman

— Callie Smith

— Clancy Ayers

— Emery Peed

— KaraLynn Kalhoff

— Kaybri Patterson

— KayTi Murillo

— Rachel Dueland

— Savannah Stone

— Brilee Carter

— Darcy Hall

— Emma Jacobson

— Jada Flanigan

— KiAhna Coronado

— Kylee Brooks

— Logan Schuman

— Sloan Nobinger

— Wakely Bush

— Camden Grobe

— Aynsley Plant

— Brooklyn Cooper

— Josie Miller

Last, but not least on the list of student recognitions, were the CHS girls volleyball team whose placement in the “Elite 8,” after a fairly shaky start to the season, was the best finish in the school’s history.

“Honestly, y’all were a little hard to watch there early in the year,” councilmember Clint Hollingsworth — whose daughter, Clementine, was a part of the team — said. “Us parents definitely had some heart problems during some of those games. But, we’re very proud of you guys and y’all have had an excellent season.”

Volleyball players recognized included:

— Syndi Bagwell

— Blakely Brannon

— Walsh Britt

— Josie Cabri

— Ainsley Cameron

— Olivia Dover

— Jerrie Sue Goodbye

— LK Granger

— Karina Harris

— Clementine Hollingsworth

— Millie Jenkins

— Addison Johnson

— Lily Nixon

— Ava Ray

— Daily Scott

— Livi Smith

— Sophia Helms

— Kaylee Johnson

— Jaylee Jones

Each player received a certificate to commemorate their accomplishment as well as a voucher to ride one of the several attractions currently set up at the Cullman Christkindmarkt.

To show their continued support of the Cullman City School system, the council presented superintendent Kyle Kallhoff with its fourth of 10 installments of $600,000 to benefit the district’s capital improvement projects.

In other business the council:

— Approved a special event request from Brad Brooks of Backstage Productions for a New Years Eve celebration at Traditions Bank on Dec. 31 pending final approval from police and fire departments.

— Four recent Cullman Fire and Rescue recruits, Kane Yates, Javier Torres, Jade Blocker and Nick Wood, were also recognized for completing their 10-week training program at the Alabama Fire Academy.

— Approved its meeting schedule for 2025.

— Approved to enter into a professional services agreement with CDG Engineers and Associates, Inc. for construction, engineering and inspection services on the 4th Ave. SW downtown streetscape project.

— Approved change orders for the Omniplex Civic Center which reduced the project cost by a little over $406,000.

— Approved a new water supply agreement with the Utilities Board of the city of Cullman to reflect lower costs of operation based on more favorable bond conditions.

Patrick Camp can be reached at pcamp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.