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April 8, 2010

City OKs county info request

Duck River data, water contract info sought

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

The City of Cullman officially responded to an information request from the Cullman County Commission Wednesday, noting they will make all requested data available.

Associate commissioners Wayne Willingham and Doug Williams sent a letter to the city on Monday requesting numerous documents related to the proposed Duck River Dam. The commissioners also asked for every financial statement from the past 12 years pertaining to the city, county and Cullman Utilities Board. All minutes, notes or summaries of any meeting of any council, board, committee, subcommittee or other meeting relating to Duck River was also requested.

“I am in receipt of your letter ... requesting a lengthy review of all documents and records concerning the Duck River Reservoir Project,” Cullman Mayor Max Townson said in response. “I am instructing the appropriate City of Cullman employees to begin accumulating the records to be reviewed by your representative.”

The commissioners are seeking detailed information on the city’s proposal to dam Duck River and use it as a secondary water option. The city plans to create a 640-acre lake and a six-mile pipeline with a 32-million-gallon-per-day capacity. The reservoir would be similar to the one at Lake Catoma, the area’s sole water source.

Both associate commissioners said the informational query was done so they can make a fully informed decision on whether or not to support the project.

The commissioners had initially requested the data be made available from April 19-23, though Townson said an extra week is needed to gather the information. He said city hall staff would work with county employee Stephanie Mullins from April 26-30 to gather the documents.

“That week would be better for us due to the large volume of documents requested,” Townson said. “She may use our copier and paper, but we will expect a small reimbursement to replace the materials used.”

Williams said the later date shouldn’t be a problem, and added he was grateful for the city’s quick response.

“That was a very nice letter and I appreciate it very much,” he said.

With the commissioners’ showing a renewed interest in Duck River, Townson said he hopes it is a positive sign that both sides might eventually come together for the project.

“I truly believe that the Duck River Reservoir Project is the best water supply alternative for our community,” he wrote. “The goal of the City of Cullman is, and always has been, to meet the current and future water needs of all of our citizens, businesses, and farms at the lowest possible cost. We still remain hopeful that the Cullman County Commission will join us in this project.”

The county commission is currently the Cullman Utilities Board’s largest water customer, under a contract which runs until 2030.

Every wholesale city water customer — except for the commission — has already signed a new contract in support of the Duck River plan.

Though Willingham and Williams are undecided on the project, county commission chairman James Graves has been a proponent of Duck River ever since he was elected.

All of the documents requested are public information under the Alabama Open Records Act.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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