Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting – January 27, 2025
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Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting – January 27, 2025
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in regular session on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing of the Beer Board, approval of a consent agenda, and a key appointment to fill a vacant seat on the Germantown Board of Education. The board had met in closed legal session from approximately 5:00 PM to just before 6:00 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda unanimously, which included:
- a. Agreement for pension investment consulting services with CBI Z Investment Advisory
- b. Appointment to the Education Commission: Stacey Johnson
- c. Appointment to the Senior Advisory Commission: Dr. R. A. Pilotzolo
- d. Appointment to the Shelby County Ground Water Quality Control Board: Jet Riz Ryzen Hoover
- e. Donation: Chairs for Police Communications Center from Shelby County 911 board
- f. Donation: Germantown Education Foundation – Friend of the Foundation 2nd Quarter
- g. Donations to Parks and Recreation: $1,000 from Germantown Legends, $4,000 from Bobby Lanier Farm Park Board
- h. Purchase: Axon Vehicle Camera Program
- i. Purchase: Chiller Control Panel Replacement
- j. Purchase: Vehicle (heavy work truck)
- Alderman Ulicky thanked the group that reviewed pension advisory services, noting the extensive process and contributions of Chairman Jeff Lewis, Director Royals, Director Fisher, and Administrator Heisman.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ryan Strain (address: 8750 Pinpoint Cove, Germantown 38139) expressed thanks to all applicants for the school board position and to the board for their time. He encouraged any applicant not selected to contact him for other service opportunities. He also noted that the General Assembly was beginning a special session on school vouchers and encouraged citizens to contact legislators regarding the proposal. He referenced a joint resolution passed by the board and Board of Education last year opposing a similar program.
Discussion Items
Beer Board Public Hearing – Beer Permit for Asaderos Mexican Grill
- The board convened as the Beer Board for a public hearing on an on-premise beer permit application submitted by Abraham Venezuela for Asaderos Mexican Grill located at 3165 Forest Hill Road. The restaurant is in a C1 zoning district where on-premise beer consumption is permitted. The background check found nothing discrediting the applicant. No public speakers came forward. Alderman Sanders questioned the applicant about other restaurants with beer permits (Rancho Grande at Hacks Cross) and training procedures. The applicant stated employees will have licenses and checks for IDs. The beer permit was approved unanimously (5-0). Mayor Palazzolo noted the restaurant had just opened and sold liquor that day, and jokingly said they might have a third James Beard semifinalist.
Appointment to Germantown Board of Education Position 2
- Deputy City Administrator Lisa Hefer presented the process: following the resignation of Dr. Daniel Chatham, the city declared the position vacant on November 25, 2024. Applications were posted on December 3, 2024, with a deadline of December 20, 2024. Fourteen applications were received. The board held a special meeting on January 6, 2025, to publicly interview seven applicants. Names of the seven interviewed: Kyle Eaton, Scotty Hendrick, Dr. Seth Carroll, Dr. Mancheek Carr, Beth Robbins, Dr. John Sensel, and Joy Williams.
- Vice Mayor Gibson nominated Scotty Hendrick, citing his proven leadership and skill set needed for the district’s big projects. She noted the role of school board in overseeing decisions and moving big projects forward. The nomination was seconded by Alderman Hicks.
- Alderman Hicks seconded, saying Hendricks would help lead the district in achieving its goals. He also encouraged the other 13 applicants to continue serving, sharing his personal story of not being appointed to an alderman position in 2015 but later being elected to that same seat.
- Alderman Ulicky said this was one of the hardest decisions, thanking all applicants.
- Alderman Sanders supported the nomination, noting Hendricks can help garner community partnerships for the redesign at Houston High School.
- Alderman Salvaggio echoed support, stating Hendricks showed enthusiasm and willingness to do hard work.
- The vote was unanimous (5-0) to appoint Scotty Hendrick to the Board of Education Position 2. He will be sworn in by the Germantown Board of Education at a later date.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Beer permit for Asaderos Mexican Grill (on-premise) approved unanimously by the Beer Board.
- Scotty Hendrick appointed to the Germantown Board of Education Position 2 by a unanimous vote (5-0) to fill the unexpired term until the next general election in 2026.
- Mayor Palazzolo encouraged all applicants to remain involved in the community.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, folks. Welcome to the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, the regularly scheduled meeting for Monday, January 27th. We welcome all those that are in attendance this evening. We're glad that you're here with us. We're glad that you're watching on TV or streaming as well. A few quick announcements and highlights. First of all, welcome to Troop 241 from Christ Church Memphis. Uh Scout Master John Cameron. John, are you here? Scoutmaster. Um we're welcome you here to tonight and we're glad that you're here. And uh hopefully you'll learn a lot this evening. Um there'll be a test later. I'm just just kidding. Uh also I'd like to welcome uh school board uh chair Angela Griffiths here and school board member Ryan Strange here as well. I'm not sure if there are other school board members that I may or may not have missed. Um we're glad to have you here as well. Some highlights uh for our meeting. Uh we have citizens to be heard. If you'd like to speak to the community, speak to your neighbor, those in attendance to the board. You have an opportunity to do that. It's item six on the regular agenda. Just go out to People Street and pick up a sheet, and it has uh some of the guidelines. If you fill out that sheet and bring it to one of the officers here or to Clerk Betty, we'll recognize you uh during item six. So if you'd like to speak tonight on any subject matter, please fill that out and do so and bring that forward at your convenience. Uh also this evening we will take a short recess as the board of Mayor and Alderman and we will convene as German town's beer board. We have one public hearing for a beer permit for on-premise application at Isideros, Mexican Grill. We look forward to hearing that. And also uh that will be the only business for the beer board. We would conclude that and then we would come back as the board of Mayor and Alderman. We have uh fairly lengthy consent agenda. Um we only have one item on the regular agenda, and that is appointment to the school board vacancy, and that will be done this evening. This evening, our invocation will be led by assistant city administrator Andy Sanders. Our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Vice Mayor Mary Ann Gibson. Please rise. Holy God, we come to you today asking for your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. May our approach to this meeting be in humility, counting others more significant than ourselves. In this approach, allow us to grow closer as a group and nurture the bonds of service to this community. Be with us in our discussions of this board, so they always do what is right and just please grant them the clarity of thought, unity of purpose, and wisdom in their decisions. Overall, may our service bring you glory. You are loving God and glorious king. Amen. My pleasure 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. Please be seated. Thank you, Administrator Sanders and Vice Mayor Gibson for the invocation and the pledge this evening. That brings us to item number four on the agenda this evening, setting and adopting the agenda. The agenda is sent to the community and to the board generally around noon each Wednesday prior to the regular scheduled board meeting. At this time, city administration does not recommend any changes in the agenda or any changes or modifications that any board member would like to bring forward. Seeing none come forward, is there a motion to approve the January 27th, 2025 agenda as presented to the community?
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