Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026
Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026
The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen met on March 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included an invocation, pledge, approval of agenda and minutes, citizens to be heard, special recognitions, a beer board public hearing, consent agenda, and regular agenda items. All items were approved, most unanimously.
Special Recognition
- Jonah Little: Houston High School junior, 165 lb state wrestling champion.
- Houston High School JV Cheerleading Team: Won UCA National and World Championships in JV non-tumbling division one.
- Houston High School Swim Team: State champions with individual titles by Eva Rottink (100 fly, 100 backstroke) and Roos Rottink (50 free, 100 free), plus 200 medley relay victory.
- Houston Middle School Cheerleading Team: National champions.
- Proclamation – Blue & Green Day: Declared April 10, 2026 as Blue & Green Day in Germantown to promote organ donation awareness. Read by Alderman Ulicky.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Scott Ballantyne (7446 Weeping Willow Road): Expressed concern about the previous vote on the Standard TIFF, worrying the developer might pull out, causing a multi-year delay and loss of property tax revenue that could lead to residential property tax increases.
- Rocky Yonda (1761 Trun Cove): Criticized the aldermen for voting against the TIFF despite unanimous approvals from citizen boards and four years of review. He argued the city needs tax revenue to offset costs, and the stalled project will delay tax rolls by seven years, potentially leading to another property tax increase. He characterized the vote as either incompetence or politics.
Beer Board Public Hearing
- Temporary Beer Permit – Bobby Lanier Farm Park, Inc.: Public hearing for a permit to serve beer at the Bluebird Fest & Crawfish Boil on April 11, 2026 from 12:00-3:00 PM at Bobby Lanier Farm Park (2660 Cross Country Road). The application included proof of nonprofit status and a TABC-trained server. No opposition was voiced. The board voted unanimously to approve. Vice Mayor Gibson recused himself due to his board membership with the nonprofit.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda was approved unanimously (5-0) and included:
- a. Authorization for Competitive Sealed Proposals – Annual Audit Services (no fiscal note)
- b. Contract – July 4th Fireworks ($34,912)
- c. Contract – Rehabilitation of Stormwater Pipeline Cured-in-Place Pipe ($265,000)
- d. Contract – TN Department of Health Ambulance Equipment Grant ($30,303 grant to city)
- e. Contract Extensions – Emergency Debris Removal Services (no fiscal note)
- f. Donations – 100 Club of Memphis ($1,987)
- g. Donations – Library ($2,500)
- h. Lease Agreement – Cardio Equipment ($249,318)
- i. Preliminary & Final Site Plan – Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Germantown Village Lot 2)
- j. Preliminary & Final Site Plan – New Wireless Transmission Facility (MLGW Co-Locate, 9713 Wolf River Blvd.)
- k. Purchase – Court Software Annual Subscription Fees ($65,786)
- l. Purchase – Fire Vehicle Emergency Warning Equipment ($29,807)
- m. Purchase – Firefighter Turnout Clothing ($70,430)
- n. Resolution 26R02 – TDEC Public Recreation Grant Match Commitment (no fiscal note) Total fiscal notes for items with costs: approximately $750,000.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26R03 – Renaming of Riverdale Park Athletic Field: Director Ruffin presented the recommendation to rename the field to Will Drennan Field in honor of the GFL football coach who drowned at Riverdale Park on August 9, 2022 while trying to save a child. The Parks Commission approved on January 22, 2026. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. Vice Mayor Gibson delivered an emotional tribute, and a framed resolution was presented to the family.
- Resolution 26R06 – Adoption of 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update: Director Ruffin presented the update, highlighting 30 years of continuous CAPRA accreditation, key priorities including the Cameron Brown reinvestment project, Pickering Center upgrades, and pedestrian connectivity. Demographic shifts show 65+ population at 23.6% and 5-14 age group at 15.5%. Three public engagement sessions were held. The plan is organized in three tiers. The board voted unanimously to adopt.
- Ordinance 2026-6 – Amendments to Division 2, Occupational Safety and Health Program (Third Reading): Director Purdue presented minor updates to Sections 2-66 and 2-68 to comply with TOSHA. No changes since first reading on February 23, 2026. Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26R04 – City of Germantown OSHA Program Plan Revisions: Director Purdue presented updates to the safety plan, including 24-hour reporting of hospitalizations, amputations, eye loss, updated contact information, and clarification of notification guidelines. Last formal adoption was October 28, 2013. Approved unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26R03 (Will Drennan Field): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26R06 (Parks Master Plan): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Ordinance 2026-6 (OSHA amendments): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Resolution 26R04 (OSHA program plan): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Beer Board Temporary Permit: Approved unanimously (4-0, with Vice Mayor Gibson recused).
The meeting adjourned following the conclusion of all agenda items.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. It's six o'clock. We'll start our Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, our regularly scheduled meeting for Monday, March the 23rd. We welcome uh all those that are in attendance this evening. We've got uh many dignitaries here that we're going to honor some very special students, um, athletes, uh, performers, cheer, dance. Um, and so uh we welcome all those that are in attendance uh this evening. A few highlights uh about our meeting tonight. We always have a portion of the meeting known as citizens to be heard that comes as item six on the agenda, and if you'd like to speak to the community and to the board, you can do so at that time. You do have to fill out a sheet, they're out in the area we call People Street, uh just on the other side of the double doors. We have three people that have submitted so far. You have time until we get to that item to submit a sheet to one of the uh officers that are here, and they'll bring that um form forward and we'll recognize you during citizens to be heard. Uh we do have uh several other items this evening. As I mentioned, we've got uh a total of five items on special recognition this evening, and so that will be honored as item number seven A through E. Uh, this evening we'll take a brief recess and meet as Germantown's Beer Board for a public hearing for a temporary beer permit for on premise applications specifically for the Bobby Lanier Farm Park Incorporated. You'll have an opportunity if you're here this evening to speak on that particular item as item eight, and then we do have a lengthy consent agenda. We have several items on the regular agenda, including three resolutions and a third reading on a third and final reading on several ordinance changes. This evening our invocation will be led by Parks and Rec Director Natalie Ruffin, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Alderman Scott Sanders. Please rise. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we gather before you this evening, grateful for the opportunity to come together and serve the city of Germantown. We humbly seek your presence and your blessings upon the agenda set before us for each member of this governing body and all who have gathered here tonight. Lord grant us the wisdom and patience needed for our discussions and the unity required for our decisions. May a spirit of service and selflessness guide our actions. That we are always remembering the trust our fellow citizens have placed in us. Help us to work together with respect, fairness, and compassion, bringing forth abundant blessings upon every individual who calls Germantown home. We're thankful for our continued prosperity and for the well-being of this community and its people now and in the years to come. Now may our words and our actions be guided by your love and your grace. And it is in your mighty name that we pray. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with leadership of Justice Frost. Please be seated. Thank you, Director Ruffin, for leading us in prayer this evening. And thank you, Alderman Sanders, for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. We now move to item four on the agenda setting and adopting the agenda for this evening. Board of Mayor and Alderman and the community received the agenda generally on Wednesdays around midday. At this particular time, administration plans no adjustments to the agenda. Is there any alderman who would like to make an adjustment or a modification at this time? See no one come forward. Is there a motion to approve the March 23rd, 2026 agenda as presented to the community? Move to approve. It's a motion by the Vice Mayor. Is there a second? Second. Second by Alderman Sanders. Any discussion on the item? Clerk, please call the roll. Alderman Sanders. Yes. Vice Mayor Gibson.
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