Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting – September 22, 2025
Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting – September 22, 2025
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) met on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Vice Mayor Gibson presided in the absence of Mayor Palazzolo. All five aldermen were present. The agenda included special recognitions, a Beer Board session for three temporary beer permit public hearings, a consent agenda, and two ordinances on first reading. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda (items 9A–9K) was approved unanimously. Item 9G was corrected to "Professional Services Agreement." Alderman Salvaggio successfully moved item 12 (Revised Final Plan – TraVure PD, Phase 4) from the regular agenda to the consent agenda as 9K. The consent agenda included:
- Agreement for video streaming and software services and upgrade
- Authorization for competitive sealed proposal for comprehensive long-range planning, group life, and long-term disability services
- Contract with TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security for SRO Grant
- Donations to Germantown Performing Arts Center (FY25)
- Grant and Memorandum of Understanding for Germantown Education Foundation
- Professional Services Agreement for on-call engineering services (stormwater)
- Purchase of media room projection system
- Purchase of vehicles
- Sport provider agreements with Germantown Baseball League, Germantown Legends, 901 Rugby Club, and Germantown Municipal School District Lacrosse
- Revised Final Plan for TraVure PD, Phase 4 (retail and office, no apartments, with minor design exceptions)
During the consent agenda, Alderman Hicks recognized the Germantown Education Foundation. Board member Mary Yenzer spoke briefly, thanking the city for support. A check was presented to the foundation.
Special Recognition
Alderman Hicks, liaison to the Education Commission, presented two awards:
- Teacher of the Month – September 2025: Nikki Benzing, third grade ELA and social studies teacher at Farmington Elementary School, with 28 years of experience. Recognized for patience, kindness, inclusion, and hands-on learning (e.g., Shark Week, squid dissections, theater sponsorship).
- Youth Excellence Award – September 2025: Addison Abney, senior at Evangelical Christian School. Founder of Drip Company (DRIP – Dear Random Important Person), a mental health awareness initiative that raised funds for Daybreak and expanded chapters nationally. Also serves as Service Perfect, board member of Community Service Club and National Honor Society, shift leader at Sugar Ghost, and a lector/altar server.
Beer Board
The BMA recessed and convened as the Germantown Beer Board for three public hearings on temporary beer permits for on-premise consumption. Each was unanimously approved after testimony and verification of nonprofit status.
8A. Forest Hill Elementary PTO – Temporary permit for their Foxtail Fling fundraiser on October 3, 2025, 6:30–9:30 PM at Pike and West Art Gallery & Venue (2277 West Street). Anna Moore, PTO president, testified that it is an adult-only event raising funds for the school. Alderman Sanders confirmed nonprofit status, state license, and stringent venue contract. Motion carried unanimously.
8B. Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce – Temporary permit for Taste of the Town on September 27, 2025, 6:00–11:00 PM at the Great Hall and Conference Center. Janie Day, Chamber president, testified that the event (adult-only, casino night) has run since 2001, with 250 registrants, and beer provided by Hamp Line. Alderman Sanders noted 501(c)(6) status and six licensed servers. Motion carried unanimously.
8C. Thistle & Bee Enterprises, Inc. – Temporary permit for their Honey Harvest on September 28, 2025, 6:00–11:00 PM at the Bobby Lanier Farm Park Harvest Moon Pavilion (2660 Cross Country Drive). Kathy Simonetti, board member and event chair, testified that Thistle & Bee is a two-year residential program for women who have been trafficked or prostituted. This year beer and wine will be served instead of mixed drinks. Alderman Sanders verified nonprofit status via Form 990, state special events license, and two licensed servers. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Items
Ordinance 2025-7 – Amendment to Chapter 2, Article V, Division 16, Section 2 (Germantown Education Commission) – First Reading and Set Public Hearing Jessica Komas, Marketing & Communications Manager, presented the ordinance. The purpose statement of the Education Commission was last revised in 2002; the revised language broadens the commission's focus to include all sources of education in Germantown and aligns with the city's 2035 strategic plan. The Education Commission unanimously approved the update at its August 19, 2025 meeting. The board approved the ordinance on first reading, setting the second reading and public hearing for October 27, 2025. Alderman Hicks, the commission liaison, noted the changes reflect the addition of the library and municipal school district.
Ordinance 2025-8 – Amendment to Chapter 2, Division 9, Section 2-202 (Stormwater Advisory Commission) Membership – First Reading and Set Public Hearing Jennifer Johnson Allen, Director of Engineering, presented the ordinance. The Stormwater Advisory Commission (established 2021) recommended three changes: (1) replace the Engineering Director as chairman/voting member with a citizen appointee, (2) designate the Alderman Liaison as non-voting, and (3) add a non-voting liaison from the Technology Commission. The mayor will annually designate an appointed member as chair. These changes take effect with 2026 appointments. The commission and staff recommended approval. Alderman Salvaggio, who serves on both the Stormwater and Technology commissions, supported the citizen-led chair and the addition of a technology liaison to leverage expertise. Alderman Ulicky noted the commission's origins and the importance of sensor technology. The board approved the ordinance on first reading, setting the second reading and public hearing for October 27, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- All motions (agenda approval, minutes approval, consent agenda, three beer permits, two ordinances on first reading) passed unanimously by the five aldermen.
- The next regular BMA meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2025; the October 13 meeting was canceled due to fall break.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting for Monday, September 22nd, 2025. We welcome all of those who are here with us in chambers as well as those watching from home. Mayor Palazzolo is away doing the city's business this evening, and as vice mayor, I will be serving as chair tonight. For the record, all five aldermen are president present. Just to share a few highlights, we'll be presenting the September Teacher of the Month and Youth Excellence Awards, and we will convene as the Germantown Beer Board prior to our consent and regular agendas. Before we begin, I'd like to bring your attention to item number six on our agenda, citizens to be heard. If you'd like to speak to your neighbors and to the board, you'll need to complete the sheet on People Street just outside of these chamber doors and give it to one of our officers. We'll recognize you during agenda item number six, citizens to be heard. This evening, our invocation will be led by Assistant City Administrator Andy Sanders. Our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Alderman Sherry Hicks. Please rise. Heavenly Father God, we gather here this evening in gratitude for the opportunity to serve our community. We thank you, Lord, for the blessings of peace, safety, and fellowship in our city. Father, we ask for your wisdom for our board of mayor and aldermen and all who serve here tonight. May their decisions be guided by fairness, compassion, and a commitment to the common good. Bless the residents of our community, Lord. May they continue to thrive in health, harmony, and mutual respect. Finally, we ask for clarity in all of the decisions made tonight. Unity in our purpose, integrity in our actions, so that all we do, we may strengthen the future of the city in this wonderful community. In your son's name we pray. Amen. Thank you, A.C. Sanders, for your thoughtful invocation, and Alderman Hicks for leading us in the pledge this evening. That brings us to item number four on the agenda, 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. Are there any changes or modifications that any board member would like to bring forward at this time? Seeing no modifications, is there a motion to approve the September 22nd, 2025 agenda? Move to approve. Alderman Sanders with the motion. Second. Alderman Ulaki second. Please call the roll. Alderman Sanders. Yes. Vice Mayor Gibson? Yes. Alderman Hicks? Yes. Alderman Uliki? Yes. Alderman Silvaggio? Yes. Motion carries. That moves us to the agenda being set and agenda item number five, the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held September 8th, 2025. Board upon receiving your packets last week. You've had time to review the minutes as presented. Administration has no adjustments at this time. Does any board member have a change or modification? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the minutes of the board of mayor and alderman regular meeting held September 8th, 2025? Move to approve.
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