City Council - Regular Meeting

You're missing next week. I've got for You're just over it, huh?

I'm sure it's really important for her for you to be there. She's been on my new house yet. So, you're picking next Tuesday? Usually done. It's her birthday. Usually I know her birthday. I remember it. It was a scary day.

Good evening everyone. It's 6 o'clock on December 2nd, 2025. We're going to call to order this meeting of the Gallatin City Council. Um we begin each of our meetings with an invocation and a pledge of allegiance. this evening. Councilman Alexander will offer our prayer and then Councilman Jones will lead us in the pledge. I'd invite you to stand with me, please. Thank you, Mayor. Let's pray. God, we are so thankful for the opportunity to be together. We're thankful for this season, Father, and and the opportunities to give and to be a blessing to others. And so, we just ask you, Lord, that you would lead and guide us. May our decisions uh be uh right in your eyes and uh uh may you continue to bless our great city. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all. Miss Kit, if you would call the role, please. Vice Mayor Hayes, present. Councilman Alexander, present. Councilman Carter, present. Councilman Fan, here. Councilman Fenel here. Councilman Jones here. And Councilman Juvants, Mayor, we have a quorum.

Thank you. I appreciate everyone being with us tonight. Um, full house. So, thank you. You have the minutes from the November 18th, 2025 meeting to consider for approval. Entertain motion to approve by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Fenel. There any additions, subtractions, corrections? Seeing none, all in favor of approving the minutes from November 18th, 2025, please say I.

Oppose say no. Minutes are unanimously approved. We'll move now to public recognition on agenda related items. This is the time of the meeting where the public is invited to speak to any item that is on the evening's agenda. There's also a period of time at the end of the meeting where you can speak to items that aren't on the agenda. Whether you speak at the beginning of the meeting or the end of the meeting each time you would have five minutes and we need your name and your address for the public record. With that um public recognition on agenda related items is now open and you may come forward if you'd wish to speak. Seeing no one indicating that they wish to speak, I'll declare public recognition on agenda related items closed. Move now to mayor's comments. Um I do hope um that most everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and that those who were not have able to have a happy Thanksgiving um are doing okay with the holidays because I know it's a tough time of year for some people. I certainly want to recognize that we missed Brian Rose's birthday, which was over the holiday. It was last Friday. So, happy birthday to Mr. Rose. And I want to share with you a really cool thing that we got to do this afternoon. Mr. Brown and I did. We had four people from the Gallatin Civic Center recognized for um saving someone's life. And so, that is a perfect um perfect thing to celebrate, of course. But the Red Cross was there. are some pretty significant awards and recognition. Um, four young ladies from the Tommy Garrett aquatics facility were given. Priscilla Claros Ring, Paige Wolf, and Lisa Pettit were all um, actually Lis Lisa was off duty, but the other two were on duty as lifeguards. There was a young man having medical issue after coming off the slide, and Priscilla and Paige jumped into action. Um and then Lisa and um aquatic supervisor at the time, Seth

Terrell, and also Jamie Morris, who was the assistant supervisor at the time, all assisted, and the young man was okay. And so they were all recognized. And so we were over there this afternoon for special recognition from the Red Cross. They were also given proclamations from the city along with keys to the city. And so that was very, very nice. Um, of course, we are in the midst of all the Christmas stuff and I think this is the busiest week of the season for some of us, but um going over some events so that you don't miss anything that you'll be sad you missed. I'll go through a few things. There is um a Christmas celebration at Shalom Zone tomorrow after school at 5. Tuba Christmas is happening at First Baptist, not tomorrow, Thursday. Um, Tuba Christmas is happening at First Baptist Church um, down the street at 205 East Maine. That's at 7 o'clock. Tuba Christmas is um, a most interesting Christmas celebration. It's an entire Tuba presentation of Christmas music. Um, the Tennessee Tech Tuba players who are well known for being particularly excellent, I guess, come every year. And then we also have some I guess you'd say maybe amateur players from the community that also participate. It's a great time and it is always a full house. So if you want to attend, try to get to the church a little bit early. If you want to get a seat, um the Christmas lunchon is this Friday. Um council, if you've not let Angela know whether or not you're attending, please do so. There is a grand opening happening at 2 p.m. on that day at the new Gallatin Daycare on Small Street. The Christmas tree lighting is that afternoon. It is at 5:00 p.m. It's up on the L on the square. And of course, we'll have some schools performing and Santa Claus is supposed to be there and then we will light the Christmas tree. The fire department has recruit graduation

happening at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, the breakfast of the American Legion happens this week. There is a CASA breakfast with Santa happening at the gathering place. That's from 8:30 till 12. There's the Merry Little Christmas Market on the Square put on by historic downtown Gallatton. Great opportunity to shop some special vendors on the square, but also all of the existing local retailers that are around the square. Fire department's having their Christmas party that night. On the 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Um there's an open house at uh volunteer equin advocates. There's a chamber of commerce lunchon happening on the 8th. Lydia Simsat from Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking will be the speaker and that will be across the street at Gallatton First United Methodist. Gallatton Police Department's Christmas Party is on the 11th. The Wreaths Across America is happening on the 13th followed by the Gallatin Christmas Parade. Wreaths happens at 10:00 a.m. and then the parade happens at noon. So, um, that's just kind of a sampling of some of the events that are coming up and wanted to make sure that you have the opportunity not to miss them if you so desire. So, with that, we'll move on to the regular agenda. We'll start with item one, which is second reading on ordinance 02510-58. Councilman Jones, you're recognized for that.

Thank you, mayor. Ordinance to amend the city of Gallatan, Tennessee municipal code, chapter 18 storm water to meet the intent of Tennessee Route 0400-4- 04. Motion to move second. Motion by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Fenel. Are there any questions? Is there any discussion? This is second reading on ordinance 02510-58. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Oppose say no. Okay, it passes. Second reading unanimously. Item two is the first reading on amended ordinance 02510-59. Councilman Fenel.

Thank you, mayor. This is amending ordinance of the city of Gallatton, Tennessee, adopting by reference state traffic offenses and rules of the road. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Councilman Penel. Second. Thank you. [laughter] I'm going blank here this morning, this evening. That's bad. Um, second by Councilman Carter. This is first reading on amended ordinance 02510-59. Are there questions, comments? All in favor, vote I. Oppose say no. First reading does pass unanimously. Item three is first reading on ordinance 02510-60. Councilman Fan.

Thank you, mayor. This is an ordinance to amend chapter six of the Gout and Municipal Code regarding mun municipal courts and I so move. Second. Motion by Councilman Van, second by Councilman Carter. Are there any questions? Is there any discussion? Councilman Jibanchi recognized.

Thank you, mayor. Uh the ordinance say that um that's going to apply uh January 1st, 2026. Um, and it's removing the city recorder and talk about installing a judge. Uh, that means are we going to apply that on January 26 or that's going to be pushed at 27?

The ordinance will go into effect, but as long as uh, Miss Kitrol remains the municipal judge during her term. Um, this is just there in case something were to happen. and she could not fulfill her term but she will remain in her term until that term has ended. Thank you ma'am. Questions discussion. Okay. This is first reading on ordinance 02510-60. All in favor say I. I. Post say no. Unanimously passes first reading. Item four is resolution R2511-87. Councilman Carter.

Thank you mayor. This is a resolution authorizing the Gallton Police Department to apply for the keep Tennessee beautiful law enforcement grant and I so move. A motion by Councilman Carter, second by Alexander Jivants. Okay. Second by Councilman Jivants. Any questions? Any discussion? Okay. This is resolution R2511-87. All in favor say I. Oppos say no. Passes. Um, item five is the discussion and approval of the 2026 city council meeting schedule. Vice Mayor Hayes. Yes. Open for discussion and approval. I'll make a motion that we approve. Questions, comments, concerns.

Second. Okay. Motion by Vice Mayor Hayes, second by Councilman Fenel. We've tried to look at something. I'm sure we will get somewhere into the year and say, "Oh, why do we have a meeting scheduled on this week?" But hopefully not. List out the dates that we

Oh, I'll read it for the purpose of the public. Um the um the council meetings will be on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in 2026 with the exception of December 15th. The council will hold council committee meetings on the 2nd and fourth Tuesdays of each month in 2026 with the exception of November 24th and December 22nd. All meetings will begin at 6 PM in these chambers. Um so basically that is the schedule to continue as we have. We don't meet on fifth Tuesdays [clears throat] and certain holiday weeks. Okay. All in favor of approving the meeting schedule for 26 please say I.

Post say no. Passes unanimously. That concludes the regular agenda. It moves us now to other business. I would ask any member of this body has other business. Councilman Jans.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, after the last discussion we had on the veteran arm, uh, because I don't like the idea of having no solution. I think we need to fix the issue. So, I ask um our fire chief. I was driving there, saw a couple of options. uh asking to look at it and we actually found couple of options were uh will be valid and acceptable. So we [snorts] don't have to do a minion domain on the church. Um so I have uh the option we can put on a screen uh to see what it is and talk about it and see if we can move forward with

has engineering weighed in. Um, no. Councilman Councilman Jones and I went out there and looked over. We've got an ideal we'd like to discuss. Microphone. Councilman Jones and I went out and looked at it. We've got an ideal that we want to toss around with Nick. See if you think probably the same idea. Huh?

Probably the same idea. Talking about the access on near the tire shop or whatever it is back there. Has anybody talked to the engineer about this?

Well, it I'm thinking exactly I think what you're thinking and it's what I said last time that if we start trying to engineer projects, we'll never get anything done. And I think engineering would be the first logical stock with the ideas as alternate solutions because I do agree that we want to help create a solution but engineering is going to help us know whether it's a potential solution or not. The older was to have an access for emergency vehicle to serve. That was the older. So um we found uh two possible solutions uh will work perfectly at uh limited cost. uh I think the second one was probably be the cheapest because I will be entering an agreement um to the owner and just repave that section uh of cut through and uh we would have at that point our emergency access. That's why uh I have the picture were given to me by Chief Bman. So you're not going to see anything weird. Uh Jeff saw them. There is nothing weird. So at least we can see what we're talking about.

It's the will of this body. I mean I I I agree with Vice Mayor Hayes that I think we're not going to put that we're not going to get an answer from the engineer tonight for certain, but um No. Yeah. I don't mind. I don't care if we see it, but I think I think everything So yeah, but at least we have an idea. uh if we push forward or not and instead of saying we don't have any solution cuz again I don't want to go on an imminent domain with the church that's that's a no no go for me so

I don't think we've ever said that we don't have a solution we're all just saying I think we're all in agreement that it needs to go through our city engineer none of us sitting on this panel are engineers none of us should be trying to engineer a plan for the city it should be through Mr. total respectfully. I'd just like for um Nick to meet Councilman Jones and I out there one day and see what we've talked about. U we agree. We think it'll work. I think it'll benefit the city in the end. And that's what I told you when you called me about it, right? [laughter]

I would prefer that we not have two council members meeting together outside of an open meeting. um might be violating sunshine law. So we can't consult with him. It is my preference that when you are discussing matters that you're going to be voting on it could lead to something and so you should be should do it in open meeting. One of you could one of you could go with Mr. Ch. One of us can go with Okay. I said something to Nick last the last last meeting about what I was Do you have your microphone? Yeah.

The last meeting I said something to Nick about it when we looked at it on the on the screen the last meeting we had. So I ain't you know we can't I ain't trying to step on your toes at all feet. I want to see what you have to to say. I'm interested because I think we're on a time crunch. So um give me give me your idea. I I want to hear it. We're on a discussion. So, please go. You want me to tell you what I was? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That that open lot that's right there at the the car [clears throat] lot beside the church on the north side of the church. I mean, if it's for sale, I mean, if you could ditch that water down to that and have it and I know Nick said it's got a a sinkhole there, but I mean, you know, that's that was my thought.

That was actually one one of the auction uh propos what we talked about is oh, it's for sale. We'll try to purchase that lot, but that lot's big enough it could have a retention pond and then we could sell the front of the lot off. There's enough room to do there and the city would gain that way and if it work. But, uh, I think it's the easiest. It doesn't affect the church near as bad. Plus, we got a lot if it could potentially work. Again, an engineering question, not a council decision. Say that again. I said this would be an engineering analysis, not a council decision.

Well, okay. Because it has to work. Have to work for the engineering department. Right. Right. And that's where we need to start these discussions. Can we send everything to engineering and then at a work session, Nick can bring those in and present all the

Well, I think just individually too. I mean, if you have questions of any of the department heads at any point, they're always happy to help. Just reach out and say, "Hey, I had this idea. I've looked at this. Do you think this could potentially work?" He'll say, "Yes, it could," or, "No, it couldn't." And he'll tell you why. And if it could potentially, then he would tell you the process by which to um to verify that it could work. Because I think a lot of times we think, I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've asked Mr. tuttle if something would work and gotten shot way down because of [laughter] especially understanding the watersheds and which water goes to which waterhed and all the creeks they that they don't always go where you think they should be going. So is it

all right Paul can you uh get with Nick this week? Yeah. Yeah. I will I will I I will send him my staff too and uh I make a motion we bring that at the next week of the work session. I can put on the agenda for the next work session, but I can't guarantee you that Mr. Tuttle can be prepared by the next work session. It's already on there. Oh, it is. Oh, that's right. That's right. From the last meeting. Yeah. [clears throat] They always been good. Everybody department head I've talked to has always been nice to me. So I don't Of course they're nice, but they're extremely helpful. They all good. Yeah, I brag about them all the time.

They are amazing. Any other other business? Anyone? All right. Go now to public recognition on non-aggenda related items. Anybody that's in the audience that wants to speak to something that's not on this evening's agenda, this would be your opportunity. Hey, it's Rosemary Bates, 395 Devon Chase Hill. I'm here tonight as a citizen to thank you all for your vote to add Christmas uh decorations to the city this year. They're pretty stunning at night. They're fabulous. Uh it's not completely finished yet. I know there's a train coming. Literally a train coming. Um, but I just want to thank you because being involved in that and seeing it come together really makes a huge difference and it's the first big investment in something like this in the downtown in a long time for attracting visitors and tourists and speaks a lot to how you value your community and what you're offering. So, thank you very much for that. If you haven't seen them all, please take time during the day and at night. Some of them light up, some of them don't. But thank you again for voting to spend that money.

Who picked them out? Oh, well, well. We're still in public comment. We can ask questions after. I'm done. Anyone else wishing to speak under public comment on non-aggenda related items? Okay. Public recognition on non-aggenda related items is now closed and I can address the public comment. Don't want Miss High Maui getting mad at me. Councilman. Um so I was going to um after what she said made me think. I have gotten so much positive feedback on the lighting. um public works. You guys did a great job doing all that you all do, putting up all the banners and the wreaths and the garlands and the arch in front of the city hall. Thank you folks for all the hard hard work that

in the rain in the rain, Miss Alakoli said. But um um but we have received just really positive feedback, more than I would have expected. But the people who picked that out were Miss Bates and Miss Landstöm and Kim from the chamber and Amy from historic downtown Gallatin. Was there anyone else who helped? Richard.

Richard. Mr. Deprease. Um, but they I mean they really they looked at prices, they looked at companies, they looked at options. We tried to figure out what things would give us the most bang for our buck. Um, we don't have everything exactly as it should be. Um the white white presents have me perplexed, but they look good at night. They just don't look good in the daytime. And um I think it's a good good foundation to continue to kind of grow our Christmas display. And so it's been fun um fun to see the responses. And then we'll have the tree lighting on s uh Friday. So that'll be fun. All right. Motion to journ. Motion by Councilman Fenel. Second by Councilman Alexander. All in favor say I.

Oppos say no. Ladies and gentlemen, we're adjourned. Have a lovely evening. Enjoy your night. Enjoy [laughter] this Christmas celebration season and be somebody and be kind to somebody this week. Oh, it's giving Tuesday. Don't forget. Yes, sir. Come on.

Hi, buddy. How are you? Is that a chicken? It won't be the first. [laughter]

You let your hair down, buddy. I was like, could have decided. Do you have like a 134. Richfield [laughter] pictures and everything. Now 30.