The Cullman city council and mayor held a series of work shops — dubbed “training sessions” — last week to discuss a proposed alcohol ordinance that has been in the works since the wet/dry referendum passed on Nov. 2.
The meetings were reportedly announced via a bulletin board posting at city hall; as well as on a bulletin board at the Cullman Economic Development Agency, where the assemblies were held. The meetings were dubbed “training sessions” on the bulletin announcements, and no further details were listed.
Work shops were held Nov. 17, 18 and 19, and followed two public forums used to discuss the proposed ordinance earlier that week.
The meetings were not listed on the city’s online calendar, and The Times was not notified of the dates.
“I really don’t know why that is,” Cullman Mayor Max Townson said, when asked why the meetings were not listed on the website. “It’s probably been scheduled for a while, and just posted at economic development because it’s an economic issue.”
The Alabama Open Meetings Act, passed in 2005, technically only requires notice be posted in city hall, or at a place convenient to the public in addition to city hall. Any resident, or local media group, can submit a written request to the city to be notified of any and all meetings.
The Times placed two verbal requests earlier this month with the mayor’s office for notification when the meeting dates were set, though no notification was given.
Council president Garlan Gudger, Jr. said the council met the requirements of the Alabama Open Meetings Act by posting the meetings at city hall — since no written request was technically filed, he argued notification was not required.
“No one has contacted us in written form, and we did meet state law and did abide by the rules,” he said. “As far as having any hidden meetings, we have not had any that did not meet state law. With the two forums we’ve had for the public, we’ve tried to make this as open a process as possible.”
An Alabama Press Association attorney agreed with the city’s interpretation regarding notifications, but argued the listing of “training sessions” could be too vague.
“With regards to the second issue on the substance of the notice, the time, place, and agenda shall be posted,” Jessica S. Pitts, with the APA, said via e-mail. “I would argue that ‘training sessions’ is too vague and more substance is needed. For instance, what is being trained?”
When asked what was discussed at the meeting, Gudger said the council eyed some basic elements that will be included in the final ordinance.
“As far as our draft, we’ve tried to pull together an ordinance, and we’ll bring that information back out to the public again,” he said. “We’re more than happy to answer questions and take recommendations from the public.”
A work session previously scheduled for Tuesday night was canceled late that afternoon, as it was not posted with 24 hours notice as required by the Alabama Open Meetings Act.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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Related Photos
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Cullman Mayor Max Townson listens to speakers last week at one of two public forums held to discuss a proposed ordinance to regulate the sale of alcohol in the City of Cullman. City officials held three work shops — called “training sessions” — on the matter last week. Amanda Shavers-Davis
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Cullman City Council President Garlan Gudger addresses those attending last Monday's public forums held to discuss a proposed ordinance to regulate the sale of alcohol in the City of Cullman. Amanda Shavers-Davis
Discussion
Alcohol ordinance: ‘Training sessions’
City met three times last week to discuss sales; public notice questioned
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