City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone. It is August 4th, 2026. It is 6 o'clock p.m., and time to call to order this meeting of the Gallatin City Council. Each of our meetings, we begin with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. I would invite you to stand with me. Councilman Alexander will lead us in the invocation, or he will offer the invocation, and Councilman Givance will lead us in the pledge.

Thank you, Mayor. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for your presence here tonight. And I'm thankful for your word that says no matter where we go, either the heights or the depths, that you are there with us. And we just stop and thank you for that. Ask tonight, Lord, that you would be in our midst through this meeting. And the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart would be acceptable in your sight. Oh, Lord, my strength and my redeemer, the psalmist wrote. And, Father, I pray that we could do what the writer of Hebrews said, that we could come and reason together tonight, Lord. So may that be our heart tonight in this meeting. I ask in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

Thank you all. Ms. Kittrell, if you would call the roll for us, please. Vice Mayor Hayes.

Present.

Councilman Alexander.

Present.

Councilman Carter.

Present.

Councilman Phan. Here. Councilman Fennell is absent. Councilman Jones. Here. And Councilman DuVance.

Here we have a quorum. Thank you so much. This evening you have before you the minutes from the City Council meeting on July 21st of 2026. So moved. Motion to approve by Vice Mayor Hayes. Second. Second by Councilman Alexander. Are there any deletions, corrections, or additions requested? Seeing none, all in favor of approving the July 21, 2026 City Council minutes, please say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Minutes are unanimously approved. We'll now move to public recognition on agenda-related items. There are actually three opportunities to speak tonight. The first is the item that is coming up now, and that is for public recognition on agenda-related items. There's also a public hearing for the Plenary Master Development Plan for Kinsley, a residential development south of Long Hollow and west of Greenlee. And then at the end of the meeting, there will be a period for public recognition on non-agenda related items. So select accordingly if you're interested in speaking. When you do speak, you would come to the podium in the center of the room. We need your name and your address for the record, and you have five minutes to speak, and I am the timekeeper. But with that, public recognition on agenda related items is now open, and I would welcome you forward if you'd like to speak to an item on tonight's agenda. Seeing no one indicating that they wish to speak, I'll declare public recognition on agenda-related items closed and move on to Mayor's comments. This evening, I just have some things to inform you of that are upcoming. The first is happening on tomorrow, which is the 5th of August. From 10 to 2 p.m., Shalom Zone will be hosting a hygiene pantry, particularly for those students going back to school. This Saturday is the Airplanes, Appetites, and Automobiles Pancake Breakfast at the Music City Executive Airport. That goes from 8 until 10. It's also Market Day at the Gallatin Farmer's Market, as is each Saturday through the end of the growing season. The Sumner County Dare Talent Show is happening at Gallatin High School. That starts at 10 a.m. on that day. There is the Pokefest Trading Card Show at the Gallatin Civic Center. That is both on Saturday and Sunday. And then that afternoon, Saturday afternoon, there is a downtown Gallatin car cruise-in from 5.30 to 7.30 in the City Hall parking lot. I mentioned last week the importance of collecting blood for the Red Cross this time of year. They have had quite the serious shortage. There have been several blood drives around the community, but I will continue to remind you of those. There is one coming up on the 10th at the Civic Center. It is from 12 until 4. There's a legal aid clinic also at the Civic Center coming up on the 11th of August from 4 until 8. Coming up on next Thursday night is the Gallatin pep rally on the square. This is all of the Gallatin high schools will be together on the square celebrating their spirit for their schools. So we welcome you to attend that. It was a big event last year. None of us got to go because it was the same night as the city council meeting, but next week we should be able to. And then another amazing opportunity that I'm excited to share with you, I'm sure that someone listening has actually participated in this, but Northfield Church regularly hosts a free dental day. And this is an event that happens at their church from 7 a.m. until noon on the 15th of August. And dental care is so important to people, but it's also very expensive. So Northfield opens their church with lots of professional dentists that come in and volunteer their time to provide dental services for people who need help and can't get to see a regular dentist or pay to see a regular dentist. So please spread the word about that. This is a really generous ministry of that church, and I think they reach a lot of people through it. There's also a unique opportunity to interact with the Amazing volunteers that work that event each time they have it. Also on the 15th of August, that Saturday, is Prince Street Pizzas, annual festival that runs from 2 until 10 p.m. on Prince Street. And the American Red Cross is having another blood drive that Monday, the 17th, again, 12 to 4. Thursday on the Square is coming up later this month on the 20th. Caroline Owens is the artist performing that night. And then I'll jump down to the end of August and tell you about an event coming up for the Union High School Museum. Happens on Friday and Saturday night. Friday night is a fish fry presented by Union High School Museum Council and Union High alumni at the Shalom Zone. That Saturday evening, they are having a fundraiser called Motown Glam, presented again by the museum council and the high school alumni. And then on that night is also Historic Downtown Gallatin's speakeasy on the square happening at Emerald Union. So that's my list of events for this evening. I hope that you will enjoy the rest of what summer has to bring to our community. We were just at the... uh... national night out with the police department earlier tonight and we were talking about how it's it's so interesting how things have changed and we have events conflicting left right upside down and sideways but at the end of the day it's lots of great opportunities for residents of gallatin and the surrounding areas to participate in lots of things for them and their families. So we are blessed in that regard. That concludes the mayor's comments. I'm going to move on to the regular agenda. And item number one is that public hearing on Ordinance 02606-51. And Councilman Chufantz will introduce.

Thank you, Mayor. It's a public hearing regarding an ordinance of the city of Gallatin approving a preliminary master development plan for Kensley, a residential development on 21.94 acres, portion of a parcel located south of Longolo Park and west of Greenleaf Boulevard, authorizing the revision to be indicated on the official zoning atlas, repeating conflicting ordinances, providing for severability and providing for an effective date. And this public hearing is open.

You'd like to speak, I'd welcome you to the podium. Seeing no one wishing to speak, public hearing on Ordinance 02606-51 is closed. Item 2 is first reading on Ordinance 02607-57. Vice Mayor Hayes.

Thank you. This is an ordinance awarding bid and authorizing funds in a total amount of $970,000 from water sewer reserves for the Lakeshore Drive lift station replacement project. Motion to approve. Second.

Motion by Vice Mayor Hayes, second by Councilman Juventz. Opening the floor for questions or discussion. Anyone? Okay, this is first reading on Ordinance O2607-57. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. First reading is passed unanimously. Item 3 is first reading on Ordinance 02607-58. Councilman Jones is recognized.

Thank you, Mayor. Ordinance appropriating $13,064 for repairs to the 2022 Pierce Aerial Platform Apparatus. Motion to approve. Second.

I have a motion by Councilman Jones, second by Vice Mayor Hayes. Questions or discussion on this? It's first reading on Ordinance O2607-58. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. First reading does pass unanimously. Item number four is first reading on Ordinance O2607-59, Vice Mayor Hayes.

Thank you. This is an ordinance appropriating $100,000 from the Occupancy Tax Reserve to Christmas Decoration Fund. Motion to approve.

I have a motion by Vice Mayor Hayes, a second by Councilman Carter. Opening the floor for questions, discussion. Councilman Chivance.

Thank you, Mayor. We already spent $125,000 this year. I don't see the need to spend $100,000 more. I remember when the soccer people came here and were requesting money with that got turned on where we could have used that money for that. So I will be voting no for it.

Okay. Councilman Alexander.

Mayor. Only slight jet lag now. I missed last week. I was in Spain on a missions trip, so jet lag is real. I'll say that first. Second, I've had a number of compliments after we updated our Christmas decorations. Did not ask for them. They were merely people that were coming into Gallatin to visit around the holiday season. And every single one of them that came to visit us said, wow, we drove by downtown and it looks amazing. And so, uh, I had shared that, uh, uh, last year with the mayor that I had had nothing but positive comments, uh, from, from our guests that were there and presented an idea that, uh, uh, I just passed a picture around everybody, um, moved here from Savannah, Tennessee in 2008. And they do a huge Main Street Christmas celebration. And they have an area decorated. It says Christmas on Main, Savannah, Tennessee. And I thought, how cool would it be if we had Christmas on the square? as kind of our brand the square Christmas on the square Gallatin Tennessee and I don't know if Jeff they can pick up on that but it kind of shows It's not a real model. It's my little brother, so I don't want to give him too much credit. But a couple of Christmas trees, this lighted sign, a backdrop. And I said something to him about it. I said, every year, this is what we get from him as well as from my son and his family. Their Christmas card is this photo. I asked him about it, and he said, you know, it's really simple. It's not neon. It's LED light that is made there. A couple of lit Christmas trees and a backdrop. And he said, we have met people as far away as Memphis that came in for special nights, lighting of the tree, carols on Main Street, these kind of events that Savannah has. Savannah's a small town, 9,000 or 10,000 people. And he said, it is every time we go down there and hang out, get some coffee, some hot chocolate, there's people from Jackson, there's people from Corinth, Mississippi, that all drive in. This becomes an event to get your picture taken at this place. And so I present it as a possibility and it would be in favor. I think it would help our downtown merchants. I can envision some folks dressed in period costumes, maybe caroling on certain nights. I could see our downtown merchants maybe having a special night where they stayed open until 8 or 9 and people coming through. I'm thinking the great crowds we have at our Christmas tree lighting, how cool would it be if they kind of went right around the corner and got their picture taken at this place that kind of is our brand and so I'm in favor of the tourism dollars. I think it will build. I don't have numbers. I can't tell you percentages, but I can tell you from family that live in Savannah, this has been a win. And so I just presented it as an opportunity, and I'm in favor. We didn't throw away last year's. We're obviously adding to it. And since it's tourism dollars from tourists who have come in and stayed in our city, this isn't taxpayer money. I am all for it. I think it will bolster tourism. the business.

Great way to welcome them back. I didn't even think... I said it's a great way to welcome them back. I hadn't even thought about the Christmas card aspect of it, but that gives me another marketing idea. I have an idea. I reached out to you last year to see where you thought it would be a good place, and this has been circulated internally, and we're all looking. I think I have an idea, but I want to get with you and see what you think of it.

I think I do, too. I talked with Jenna today, and I talked with Rosemary, and kind of have a place... Because you have to be... Would love to get it on the L, where they actually get down in. And so... Yeah.

I think we have a good place, and I bet we're thinking the same thing, but we'll talk about that further. I drive through the square every single night, and last year, it was so fun to drive by at night and see people out here getting their pictures made on the lawn or up by the train at the square. And we do actually have data that supports that there was growth in downtown visitors last year at Christmas, and we're able to track that. I'm sorry, did I interrupt you? No. I thought you said something. Did you want to say something? No, I was just...

I was mentioning maybe that back corner area where the barbershop is. I think that would have been a great spot for this, and I think that's a great idea.

I bet we're all on the same page. I was looking for a wall originally, and then I was thinking an arch over that street with the backdrop of the seventh building, but that's hard to execute with large trucks and stuff, so I think y'all are both right. So, Councilman Giovanni?

I like the idea, you know, two trees and the neon light and give me $25,000, I'll do it for that.

I don't know how much. Obviously, that's not $100,000.

That's just one idea. That's some expensive trees.

Anyone else? Okay, this is first reading on Ordinance 026-07-59. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. No. Passes 5-1. Item 5 is Resolution R2606-47. Councilman Alexander.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a resolution of the City of Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, adopting a plan of services for the annexation of a 5.73 plus or minus acre parcel located north of Peach Valley Road and east of Woods Ferry Road and providing for an effective date. I'd give a motion to discuss.

Motion to discuss. Second to discuss. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Item is open for discussion at this time. Councilman Chiuat.

Thank you, Mayor. As always, we're still in default of plan of service of previous annexation, and the Tennessee law is clear that the city cannot annex any more land until all the plan of services are completed. So I cannot vote yes for that. I will be voting no for five and six.

Anyone else?

I don't really want to discuss. I'm not in favor of it, but I feel like I should not make a motion to approve and then vote no against it. Maybe Ms. High-McCauley has got a better way for me to do that. So that's why I did the motion to discuss, but I'm not in favor of this.

Motion to approve.

I have a motion to approve by Vice Mayor Hayes. Second. Second by Councilman Carter. Is there any further discussion? This is resolution R2606-48. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no.

No.

Motion passes 4-2. Or resolution passes 4-2. Item 7 is resolution R2607-56. Councilman Carter.

We're going to do number six.

I am so sorry. I just marked the wrong one. Resolution 42606-47 passes 4-2. We are now ready for Resolution R2606-48, and that is also you, Councilman Alexander.

Councilman Carter, if you really want to read it.

Sorry, y'all.

This is a resolution of the City of Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, annexing a 5.73 plus or minus acre parcel. located north of Peach Valley Road and east of Woods Ferry Road into the city of Gallatin. Authorizing the annexed property to be indicated on the official zoning atlas, assigning the annexed area to a council district, repealing conflicting ordinances, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. I present it with no motion, no recommendation.

Motion to approve.

I have a motion by Vice Mayor Hayes, second by Councilman Carter. I do like that better. I really do. It just seems kind of silly the other way, so I like that. Thank you both. Further discussion or questions? Okay, it's Resolution R2606-48. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no.

No.

Resolution passes 4-2. Item 7 is Resolution R2607-56. Councilman Carter.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a resolution approving a waiver of city fees to construction of a new fire station, fire administrative offices, and fire training center located at 1246 Hartsville Pike. Motion to approve.

Motion by Councilman Carter. Second by Councilman Jones. Are there questions? Discussion? Discussion. Okay, it's Resolution R2607-56. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no. Passes unanimously. Item 8 is Resolution R2607-62. Councilman Fann.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a resolution approving and adopting a drought management plan for the City of Gallatin. I so move. Second.

Motion by Councilman Fann, second by Councilman Duvall. Are there questions? Is there discussion? Okay, this is Resolution R2607-62. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. R2607-62 passes unanimously. Item 9 is Resolution R2607-63. Councilman Carter, will you take this?

Yes, ma'am. This is a resolution approving and adopting the Senior Rate Assistance Program. Motion to approve.

Second. Question by Councilman Carter, second by Councilman Jones. Questions, discussion on this? All right, it's Resolution R26. Councilman Duvance.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm all for the program, but looking at the way our rates went up and the cost of living is going up, I appreciate the 10%, but I think we could probably do a little more for our seniors. So I think we could at least push a couple of points to make sure we keep with inflation. So I'm going to make a motion to amend the discount to 12% instead of 10%.

Have you ran that by Mr. Kellogg yet? No. Don't you think you need to do that to get some numbers from him?

There's a motion on the floor right now. Second.

Do you think you need to run that by him?

I do think that we probably need to have them do whatever calculations related to that.

I think so.

I Sorry. I like that idea, Councilman Juvenz, but I would like for there to be some discussion with Mr. Kellogg before we make that decision to do so. I'm going to rephrase. It did come from him, and he's already ran the numbers. I'm going to rephrase.

I will make a motion to postpone to the next council and Mr. Kellogg come with a number, give us a difference between 12 and 10%. What will be the difference income from the city between 12 and 10%?

Can we do it at the committee meeting? Can he bring it to the next committee meeting and then we can take it to the next council meeting?

Sure.

That'd be all right. Okay.

I think the proper action would be to withdraw the second in the motion and then make a motion to send it back to committee. Can I just say the next committee meeting, that's a really quick turnaround for Mr. Kellogg. No? Are you good with that? Okay.

I understand.

Like one day. One day to get everything ready.

We draw my motion to rephrase. postpone to the next work session with where we can see the difference between the 12% discount and the 10% discount on our 62 years old and older population. Second. Actually, I would like to have 10, 12, and 15, please.

I have orders, Mr. Katalog. There's a motion and a second. Any further questions, discussion? All in favor of moving Resolution R2607-63 to the next work session, say aye.

Aye.

Opposed? It is moved to the next work session, which would be next 11th. Item 10 is Resolution R2607-64. Councilman Phan.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a resolution to authorize the City of Gallatin to partner with Historic Downtown Gallatin, Inc. to apply for a downtown improvement grant. And I so move. Second.

Motion by Councilman Phan. Second by Councilman Carter. Questions? Discussion on this? Seeing none, this is Resolution R2607-64. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed say no. It does pass unanimously. Item 11 is Resolution R2607-65. Councilman Givans.

Thank you, Mayor. It's a resolution of City of Gallatin establishing a temporary suspension on the acceptance, processing, and approval of application related to data center development. Will the City Council consider a comprehensive data center moratorium? And that's a move.

Second. Question by Councilman Givant. Second by Councilman Alexander. Any questions? Any discussion? This is Resolution R26. Councilman Givant. Is this a yes, no, what?

That's okay. I'm good.

Resolution R2607-65. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Resolution R2607-65 passes unanimously. Moves us now to other business. I'd ask if any member of this body does have other business this evening. Councilman Givans.

Thank you, Mayor. We just pushed that resolution to partner with historic downtown for that grant. I still think we should not wait. We just, you know, approve $100,000 for Christmas decoration. I think there's plenty of money on the account there we could use because I think we should... put that money right there. That's going to help the business. That's going to bring people downtown. So I'm pretty sure we can use the tourism account in there. And if we get the grant, great. If we don't get the grant, at least we did something to improve the downtown. So I would like to put that on the next work session.

Do you have some direction for what your recommendation is? Because the grant is far and wide and provides opportunities for independent business, which legally we could not do. And I do not think the next work session is fair to the staff that would be asked to prepare whatever it is you're going to seek.

Oh, and not the next, the one after C. 25th. uh... discuss how we can uh... following following the idea of that grant uh... because i've seen that there's plenty of cities uh... see how we can same amount, $300,000, if there is a way to using the same model and the grant to partner with downtown Gallatin or businesses to make sure we improve our square and give them an option to do that. That money is sitting in a bank account doing not really nothing. So I would like that.

I would submit that that's exactly what we're doing with the Christmas decorations. And again, I would say that there needs to be some request rather than improve downtown. We need to have a vision or a direction because we could come from a whole lot of different directions on that. Um, the grant, it would be, I would think, um, short-sighted to take what the requests are within the grant and do that because then if we were to get the grant and we wouldn't have that to spend the money on and we would be in violation of, or we wouldn't be able to use the grant dollars. And so I don't know, um, I don't know if you know the turnaround on the grant, Ms. Bates, when the, when the, um, when the award is supposed to be announced. I don't know. You may not either. I believe it's later.

Oops, sorry. Sorry, y'all. In the fall. But also, too, the DIG grant is for private building improvements. I don't know that tourism occupancy tax money can be used on private business properties that then would sell it and gain from that.

There was a discussion a few weeks ago about potential investment in signage and the like, but We know that those dollars can be spent there. We just are going a lot of different directions on things at the moment.

And the DIG grant, the last conversation that I recall, Rachel Nichols may be able to address this more, but with Rachel Russell, our grant coordinator, my understanding is downtown Gallatin will apply. We'll just be the filter. So it really, I hate to tell them, no, you can't do what you're asking. If they've already worked with their business owners and building owners, I would rather them apply for what they think is going to be successful. Will they get it? We still don't know. It's a chance they won't. And then revisit this idea and look at what some other cities may or may not be doing. Yeah.

But there were discussions in there about public improvements and to just give you an idea of some of the things that they are thinking about that I think are very, very valuable. But again, I don't, I mean, I think it needs to be a partnership.

The initial conversations that we've had with Amy are primarily allowing a private property and her private business owner. An example would be someone who wants to turn an upstairs into an apartment, which is done downtown. and needing to add sprinklers because of codes. So that would all be, facade improvement is also a possibility. And yes, there was some discussion about signage, but my understanding is there's another path that Jenna Landstrom is working with public works on.

But just to kind of give this council an indication of some of the discussions they've been having and the partnership that needs to happen before we arbitrarily go make decisions without their input is we have talked about, of course, wayfinding signage. We talked about irrigation because, as you know, we have people that go around in water every single day. We have talked about music, which I think would be very, very valuable. Yes. to be able to put speakers and pay the royalties to have that music playing downtown and have some speaker capabilities.

And those kinds of discussions are... Those are improvements that would help every business, not just businesses who may be struggling with improving their building. When you start using public funds like that and there's city dollars, then you have... It has to be for public improvement. Well, yeah, but also like, well, you know, Earth First has a great building and they may not need improvements, but yet you give their next, I'm not saying it would be the next or someone down the street, the money and they're like, well, what about me? I'm bringing tax revenue too. So you have to balance what you're doing with where the money's coming from and how it's also understood from the public because they don't always... Like the tourism, the occupancy tax can't be used for police radios. Right. And they don't understand. I had that conversation with someone today, as a matter of fact, and she was appreciative that we were trying to explain.

And another example... of just something that's been discussed and contemplated and tourism dollars could be used for is like a marquee on the side of a building on the main street that could direct people to upcoming events rather than us continuing to try and tack up banners here, there, and yonder and put posters in windows. So, anyway, that's just kind of some background on that, and I think that's a great direction to try and go, but I think that we have some work and some partnerships that we have to navigate before we go making those decisions on downtown's behalf.

Thank you, Mayor. I like what I hear, but we've been talking about sign for more than a year now, and... I've been talking improvement for a long time, and I think it's time to do something. you know uh not just for one season not just for christmas you know it's great that we put decoration for christmas but i think there's plenty of things we can do downtown to improve the downtown so i think we need a discussion and we need to figure out what we can do and the sign the sign for me is that the easier stuff to do and that should have been done already uh where people walk downtown and get assigned to see there is a restaurant that way and that the name of the restaurant and um i understand you know tourism is working in a qr code but again it exists yeah but that's you know i don't want to be glued my phone all the time i like to

We're probably not going to spend money for signage for individual businesses. It would more be along the lines of retail and restaurants, parking, courthouse, that kind of thing. Remember that we are going to do the courthouse downtown. And we have put up lay finding signs in recent years. And we've done other things as needed downtown. Public Works has to maintain the trash. They have to update the receptacles, the benches, the flower baskets, the landscaping. There's a lot that goes into downtown on a regular basis that is just part of the regular road. And so a lot of investment does happen down there. But I do think that any investment outside what is the... expectation at this point really needs to be via a partnership not via uh... us saying this is what y'all need downtown because they have a very robust merchants association and really they should be they should be creating the ask and the request. And I know they've been having discussions because all the things that I mentioned to you are great ideas and would make great investments. And some of that, as I understand, is included in this grant request. But I cannot give you the particulars off the top of my head because it's been weeks since we discussed it.

So while we send an invitation to the CEO, the French CEO of Downtown Gallatin, I don't know the exact title. I don't know exactly.

I believe her title is executive director.

Yeah. And offer to come talk to us in couple of weeks or in three weeks. In three weeks, put that on the agenda, invite her, come talk to us, see what the needs are because she's probably the one who know exactly what the needs are and we can move from there.

If y'all make a motion to do that, and we'll be happy to bring that. I do want to remind you that in the past 20 years that I've been here, and we've spent a lot of money on downtown, what you're going to hear, too, and I think it's a fair criticism, there are areas of town that are actually blighted. that are not the best looking, South Water, sections of South Water, for example, you are then hurting your, yes, it's good for your downtown, but you are going to get complaints from businesses in areas who really need improvement. like their signs are even, you can't even read them right now on their businesses, but it's not fair to other communities and areas of the town that would thrive more if we paid more attention and invested more of this idea, if it's even legal to do.

I'm not suggesting independent business signage. That is not something that we can do.

No, I just meant there are improvements that could be made.

She's talking about, because you were here when I was here, when we did the downtown, the whole area. Oh, yeah. And remember, these independent businesses, everybody else were just raising cane because why are y'all spending money for them but you're not spending money for me?

Why aren't you adding landscaping that'll make my business more attractive?

People patronize my business, too, not just downtown. And that's what you get in other parts of town.

I mean, I do think the case exists for the square because it is a tourism draw and it is a unique, historic... artifact, if you will, that people like to visit and participate in.

And new people to our community don't realize the millions of dollars, millions we have spent primarily, I think we were still working on a project when you became mayor, part of the, I can't, Remember which one it was? The Greenway? The Greenway, yeah. But we spent millions of dollars on downtown and nothing on other parts of town.

And she emphasized millions, which it's true. Millions.

And continuously with that.

But they were all grants. They're all grants. The only thing that I would push back on your suggestion to invite the CEO, I feel like asking her to appear in three weeks with a laundry list of ideas is probably not considerate of her because I feel like she needs to have the opportunity to fit it into her schedule. And I know that I certainly don't want to put that kind of pressure on an outside organization like regularly happens within the city because that's just...

And she doesn't, I think she has someone, a part-time staff person, maybe? It's just her, basically.

And she has Main Street Festival coming up and a couple of other festivals happening in this fall. So I think we need to... I'm sure she would attend.

What I was going to say was, you know, offer in three weeks. And if she can't, we can move it around. Okay.

I would prefer that... The council direct me. I hear what you're saying. I think it's a good idea. What is the best time to do it?

But I would prefer you all direct us if that's what you choose to do. You making a motion? Make a motion to extend. Let's make it simple. Make a motion to extend the invitation and let us choose a date with two weeks, you know. Be put on the work session. Two weeks notice to be put on the work session.

Second.

And if you know someone from Southwater who can... I do know someone from Southwater. Who can represent, let the same invitation to that person, because I agree with you, we have been, you know, Southwater need a big lift.

about north water and then you've got i mean you could go on and on motion a second to invite miss nixon to a future work session with proper notice that summarized correctly question i like the idea but i mean if we can't spend the tourism dollars or we don't have the dollars to designate i don't see the point in inviting them and giving like a false sense of hope that i think There may be tourism dollars that you can use, yes, depending on what you're wanting to do.

Okay, that makes sense.

But that's more Ms. Nichols' purview than mine, but I do think there are some projects that you could use the tourism dollars for.

Okay, yeah, I'm good with that.

All right, anyone else? Whew, a whole lot. Okay, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Got it. Hey, give me just a second. Councilman Carter.

Thank you. I just wanted to say great job to the Sheriff's Office and GPD and First Horizon Bank. They put on a national night out event today and there were a bunch of families that came with their children to get hot dogs and ice cream and school supplies. So thank you all for putting on that event and for inviting us. I was there. Councilman Alexander and his wife was there and the mayor. We were all able to attend. So great job, folks.

Councilman Carter, Councilman Schvatz again.

Thank you, Mayor. I'm going to say a word. Everybody is waiting to see me say Phoenix. I had the MOU on my desk, and I was cleaning my desk, so I like to read regularly stuff we approved a lot of time ago. And I think I brought that the last time we brought Phoenix, but that was not... That was kind of brushed aside. In the design phase, it says the final proposed development plan shall include all that stuff, blah, blah, blah, construction schedule, stacking plan recommendation, request for zoning change, project budget, and a financing plan, and shall be submitted to the city by March 6, 2026. It's August 4. And I don't recall seeing anything of that coming to the council. So I would like to see where we are with that. And if we are not going to follow the dates, there is clause in the contract that we can change the date by written notice. And if nothing's going to happen, they say that we can terminate this agreement with notice.

I'm going to remind this body that it is helpful to give heads up to department heads if you're going to ask about something, because I'm sitting here thinking, I can't recall. And I don't know if you can, Ms. Bates, or not, but I have asked and asked and asked to please be considerate of our department heads. And if there's something you want to bring up under other business, give them a chance to be prepared.

My recollection, and I would have to go back and look at the last vote on this, that you delayed or extended the deadlines till after November. I was thinking it was October or November. After the November election.

No, we delayed only the exclusivity clause.

We're not going to argue when she doesn't have whatever she wants to look at to verify exclusivity.

I'm not arguing. I'm just telling you what we did.

You can state your opinion, but do not expect her to engage back because we don't know off the top of our heads.

I'm just asking a question.

And she's not going to have an answer, obviously, that suits you.

It's a comment to say that was not submitted to us by the day that was submitted. What are we going to do about it?

As she said... you'll have to check. We can't recall the dates off the top of our heads. You disagree. We can't answer that because we don't know if what you're saying is accurate until we go back and look at the votes that were taken. So had you given us a heads up, we could have been prepared, but we didn't know and I don't recall. I have absolutely no recollection at this point.

I'm putting everything out like that because I like debts and numbers. So please look into it and see where we go with that. Thank you, ma'am.

Okay, we'll move now to public recognition on non-agenda related items. Time of the meeting, you can speak to items not on this evening's agenda. Again, you have five minutes. We need your name and your address for the record, and I will keep time. You're welcome to the podium if you'd like to speak. Dr. Sanders.

Good evening. It's nice to be back. I wanted to give a couple of things. Still need your name and address. Oh, of course. 2092 Rodman Boulevard. Your name. Sorry. I know I introduced you, but introduce yourself. I'm so sorry. Renee Saunders, 2092 Rodman Boulevard. Sorry, I'm so excited about being back. I wanted to say... Thank you to, of course, the golf course and their staff for the wonderful treasure that we have in Gallatin. It is looking really nice. I'm trying to stay out of the rough, and so it's working out really well. It's working out a little better these days. I also wanted to say thank you to I think the Department of Environmental Services maybe who comes around after we had the storm a month or so ago. And we had a couple of downed tree branches and stuff in our neighborhood. And they were Johnny on the spot with that cleanup. And it was very nice and refreshing to have had that taken care of. And then finally, of course, thank you to all of you for being here. But my final question, I think, is there have been light poles for a traffic light at Kendra and Water. And I know that you all had this discussion, but I feel like it's been a really long time ago, and I don't remember what the resolution was. But my grandchildren live in the crossings. And they shop in, you know, their mother shops at Publix and wants to allow them to be able to walk. It's a walkable neighborhood. I think that was the whole idea. But they cannot get across water at that distance. Kendra intersection because there's so much traffic. There's not a crosswalk and those traffic light arms are there, but there are no, there's not a light up there. And then my daughter tells me that there's some new construction happening somewhere in that area, maybe for a new housing project. I don't know what it is exactly, but my interest is in getting a light and a crosswalk there. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to speak?

JOHN BOONE, 1137 Woodvale Drive. And I just need some clarification. I don't know if this is why I know we get to comment and talk, but I don't know if we get answers. I'd really like to know a couple of things. One, the differences between resolution, because we had a resolution about the partnership, but then it still seems like that's up in the air. whether we're going to partner with downtown gallatin or not because i was going to speak on that at the beginning it's passed it is passed so now you're talking about whether so when there's a resolution and it's voted on it's actually passed but now you want her to come in and for future opportunity okay all right cool um because i just didn't understand why we were while we were creating a partnership, because that was actually creating an obligation on the city to come with upfront money to pay for it before we get reimbursed. And that would have been what I was saying at the beginning. Now, we had a great my wife's family reunion at the new Clearview Park. We had a great time. Building looks good. Of course, it's pretty new. So I hope it stays that way. However, I was kind of disappointed because there were some things. One, it's supposed to be a community center. It's like a big room. So that wasn't, I remember, was it one or two years ago when we were here, we were discussing it and trying to get it passed and get the monies for it and things like that. I thought we were talking about places where people could come and have meetings and do tutoring and do, you know, break out things. And I know you've got Shalom Zone who does some of those same things. But I remember the discussion for that was centered around it being a, quote, community center for that area. And it certainly... fall short on that. The other place that falls short, I guess it's just limited. And I don't know what codes say about numbers. Maybe it's just supposed to be for a limited number of people. There's like three bathrooms, individual bathrooms, as opposed to something where you could have more people coming into the restroom at one time. And the other disappointment was the kitchen area, which was more like a concession area, since you've got the concession window, but there's no real concessions to be giving out because there's no activities, outside activities that are going on there, as far as I know, where you would open it up for concessions. I would just say that... we can look at some improvements there. There's no refrigeration for like when you bring in food that you pay, you bring in the food and stuff like that. There's no refrigeration if you come in for food. So you have to bring in ice to keep things cold. There's no microwave. There's no cooking equipment. It's less than what it was before. Before there was cooking, there was refrigeration. Now, I wouldn't necessarily say stoves, because then you've got to do hood vents and all that. It becomes pretty expensive. But I would look at definitely refrigeration and possibly altar shams, you know, the warmers where you could put food, the electric, and you could put food into the altar shams and keep them warm while you're preparing for your events and things like that. But that could be something done. Also, just programming. You've got a building, and is there going to be any programming there? It's a community center. There needs to be programming, whether it comes through the Parks Department or through community development or where. But we need programming in the building. We've got the building. Let's utilize it and make it worthwhile. Then going back to the – oh, you mentioned something about parking. Is there going to be parking? I know we've got a garage here. Are we going to allow a contractor to come in and start charging for parking so we can get revenues in the city? It happens everywhere. I don't know if that's on the plan anywhere. In 96, I came first time. Well, second. iteration in Nashville. I actually started a parking company in Hillsborough Village. So if you're going to open it up, I would love to be able to bid for it. But if it's not, then that's probably good because people hated me when I opened up. They hated me. But it is actually something that probably will happen at some point.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak?

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Angela Boone. I reside at 1137 Woodford Drive. I'm here to speak on the Clearview Park. I was very disappointed. I was trying to figure out what whose bright idea was it to put a concession, the little short window, because over there they don't have any basketball, soccer, whatever they do to open up concessions like they do on the other side of the gymnasium over there. And so I saw three bathrooms, and to my knowledge, I don't think they were specified as concessions. women, men are handicapped. I think it was just a sign that says, bear from them. You can correct me if I'm not. But when we went out in 2019 during COVID to get signatures to petition for a building to be there when John D. Alexander sat on the bench here, that building that y'all put there, that's not the building that we come up here and spoke about. It's like y'all shortcut. Y'all shortcut us out. You should have just left the building that was there there if you weren't going to put a stove or refrigerator. You got the space for it, and you went up on the price. You went up $50 for a half hour or something. Anyway, over at the Civic Center, you have one... I say the major room, it has a refrigerator. And I think it has a microwave or a stove, because I've been there. Why not put that over there in the building that you tore down and said, heck with it, we're just going to give them a building, and then we're going to give them a sink, and that's all they're going to get. I spoke to Josh Stephen Carter about it. I don't know if he brought it up or not. But if you're going to be a councilman in the 5th District, you got to be for your constituents. You just can't come up here and just act like things over on that side of town don't exist. So here we were, didn't have enough room for the people that we had tables. We had to take the coolers outside and put drinks, and the kids would have to run outside. But you got this little bitty kitchen, and you're charging $250 for a day. It don't cost that much over at the Civic Center. So I don't know if y'all thought that if we do this, they just gonna let it sit there. They're not gonna have the money to rent it. That's not the case. If it doesn't get rented as often as you all think, that's because there's not a stove and a refrigerator and a microwave. It's just like y'all took away what we had and gave less, even though it's a big, nice, beautiful building, but it's not accomplishing anything because you don't have like the meeting rooms. Y'all just throw it over there and just say, here's what they're going to get. But we appreciate the building, but now we're looking to see. I even had a lady that called me and said, what do we have to do? Do we have to raise money to get a stove and a refrigerator and a microwave? I said, you've got to go before the city council. And I went to Paige Brown's office, and your secretary told me, have you talked to David Brown? I talked to David Brown. I caught him coming out of Publix. Poor guy. And I said, screw it. I said, David Brown, come here. I said, y'all ought to be ashamed of y'allself putting that building over there like that. We want a stove, if not a stove, we want a microwave, and we want a refrigerator. And Josh, I'm going to leave you responsible for getting that done. Thank you.

Anyone else wishing to speak tonight?

Mayor Brown, members of the council. Councilman Hayes, your reaction to my letter complimenting Councilman Pascal DeVos.

Name and address, please.

I'm sorry.

Name and address.

Michael Zinsser, 914 Farrington Way, 49-year resident of Gallatin. Sorry about that. I always forget that when I come. Your reaction to my letter complimenting Councilman Pascal Javons and his article published in the Gallatin News was unprofessional, disrespectful, and unbecoming of my elected representative on the Gallatin City Council. You wrote in an email, and this is a quote, Mike, why don't you go back into the tree you crawled out of? Please take me off your email list. I don't want to read your BS. Thanks, Craig. End of the quote.

Sure did.

As a council member, you're free to disagree with a constituent and to reject a constituent's position. What's not acceptable is responding to a citizen with personal ridicule and vulgarity merely because the citizen expressed approval of another council member. Your message did not address the substance of anything I wrote. Instead, it substituted insult for reasoned discussion. Such a response reflects poorly upon the office you hold and undermines the respectful civic discourse that citizens are entitled to expect from their elected representatives. Public office does not place an official above criticism, disagreement, or expressions of support for a colleague. Citizens are not subjects who must remain silent unless their views please those in power. We are free and independent citizens to speak, to petition our government, and to instruct and criticize our representatives. Article 1, Section 23 of the Tennessee Constitution recognizes the right of citizens in a peaceable manner to assemble for the common good, to instruct their representatives, and to seek redress of grievances by address or remonstrance. The First Amendment likewise protects the right of citizens to speak about the conduct and decisions of government. Although your email does not deprive me of those rights, its tone displays an alarming disregard for the values of open government, the First Amendment, and respectful public participation that those protections embody. I'm also reminded of the question I raised in opposing the Marina Project? Are the citizens of Gallatin mere subjects to be ruled by an elite group of elected officials and developers? Or are we citizens whose government exists by the consent of we the people? Your recent message unfortunately reinforces the concern behind that question. For purposes of clarity and truth, I have never accused you or other council members of being on the take from Bob Goodall in connection with the Marina Project. I have expressed admiration for Mr. Goodall's success as a home builder. I did tell you, in substance, that you appeared willing to vote to pave or develop every square inch of Gallatin. Rather than engage or respond, you walked away. I will not be deterred in exercising my United States and Tennessee constitutional rights. I will not be intimidated by the insulting way you reacted to my compliments to Councilman Givance. It will not deter me from exercising my rights as a citizen to comment upon matters of public concern and the performance of elected officials. I strongly urge you to reflect upon the obligations of your office and to communicate with citizens, even those with whom you disagree, with the professionalism, restraint, and respect that the people of Gallatin deserve. Can I say something?

No. What? Anyone else wishing to speak? Seeing no one, public recognition on non-agenda related items is closed. I'll get to you in one minute. I do want to address a couple of things. Ms. Saunders, Nick Tuttle, I think you know who he is. He can update you on the status of those signal bars. There is a whole south water redevelopment plan in motion, which will further change how that works. But thank you for bringing it to our attention, Mr. Boone. The resolution that was passed tonight was about... Sorry, I've got to figure out how to cut that off. Was basically asked to be the pass-through funds for the grant application, so that did pass. The additional discussion was if there's an opportunity to work with downtown Gallatin on... additional funds for investment in downtown that would benefit all of the businesses. Related to the Clearview Community Center, Mr. Carter has brought it up to this body a few weeks ago about a refrigerator. Mr. Brown and I have spoken about a refrigerator and an ice maker. There will be no cooking facilities in that facility because of our insurance limitations. We will not be putting a stove or any heating elements in there, but we are talking about a refrigerator, a freezer, and an ice maker. And the concession window is there because that was something that was wanted. It has been used. There are events in that park where the concession stand is used not necessarily to sell but to be able to deliver food So stuff from inside to outside for some events. So appreciate the suggestions about programming. But that's kind of that. And that's what I wanted to respond to. Did you want to add anything on the Clearview Community Center?

Also, just to add that there are restrooms inside and outside. And I have been in contact with Ms. Bates about the ice machine. It is ordered and we are waiting for it to be delivered and installed.

I think, did you want to say something?

Yeah, I was going to say something too. According to Mr. Zinger, I was going to respond to that. Yes, I did get a little heated, but any time, four months ago I was at dinner at Foxland Restaurant with my wife. I walked up to talk to some friends of mine, Dr. King, his wife, Chris Charlton, his wife. They were sitting there. Sid asked me, he said, how's Bob doing? I said, good. He said, I miss those days going snow skiing. I said, I do too. Mr. Zinser, in a roundabout way, says, y'all are just on that take about the marina, referring to all of us on this city council, not just me. He said that. There's witnesses. My wife, everybody. At that time, yes, I probably blew up and called him a name at that time too. But, I don't appreciate anybody sitting there saying that I'm on the take for anything. Because I've been on here 30 years. I'm not taking a dime from anybody. And yes, I would do that email again to you. I sure would. Because of what you said to me that night. And I've got six witnesses. Six. And they all called me and apologized for what you said. So that's the way I'm going to end it.

I would submit that we all can recommit ourselves to better attempts at civility, consideration, respect, and as I say each week, kindness for others. I think that COVID and social media has created a world in which a lot of people feel real free to hurt others, and there is no good that comes from that. We are a kind, good, loving community, and divisiveness does not help any of us. So with that, I would entertain a motion. Motion by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Alexander. All in favor, say aye.

Aye.

All right. We are adjourned. Ladies and gentlemen, have a good night. Be kind to one another. Love your neighbors. Good night.