Germantown Board of Mayor and Alderman Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
Germantown Board of Mayor and Alderman Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026
The Board of Mayor and Alderman met on Monday, August 24, 2026, for a regular scheduled meeting. The agenda included citizens to be heard regarding the Bowdoin School expansion, special recognition for a beautification award and a police dispatch lifesaving award, a public hearing for a temporary beer permit, approval of the consent agenda, appointment to the Germantown Board of Education, and authorization of bond resolutions. The meeting also acknowledged the city's response to a recent windstorm.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rand Bolden (2422 Yester Oaks Drive) spoke in favor of Bowdoin School's success but raised concerns about the proposed $10 million, 23,000 square foot addition that would increase enrollment from approximately 100 to 140 students (with no future capacity for growth). He requested that the city ensure full compliance with zoning code regulations, require correction of existing violations (landscape buffers, dumpster screening, parking lot lights), specifically state maximum enrollment, and enforce noise ordinances regarding megaphones. He emphasized that safety should be a priority for both the neighborhood and the school.
- Laurie Gott (2439 Windy Oaks Drive) expressed safety concerns regarding potential placement of the school's car line on Windy Oaks Drive, which lacks sidewalks. She noted that even without that change, the existing car line on Dogwood makes it difficult to exit her street safely. She requested that a parent or safety officer direct traffic during car line hours.
- The planning commission will meet on September 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the council chambers, with a public hearing on the Bowdoin site plan.
Special Recognition
- Beautification Award for August: Presented to REI Nation for their corporate landscape on Exeter Road, featuring lush greenery, crepe myrtles, boxwood hedges, and seasonal impatiens. Alderman Scott Sanders and Commissioner Larry Coley presented the award.
- Dispatch Life Saving Award: Presented to Public Safety Dispatcher Jailer Kimberly Hope Brown for her actions on May 31, 2026, when she guided CPR instructions via phone for a 10-year-old drowning victim. Her recognition of agonal breathing and clear instructions led to the child's survival. Chief Fisher, Captain Pierski, and the child's father, Brian McCormick, spoke in appreciation. The award was approved unanimously.
Beer Board Public Hearing
- A temporary beer permit for on-premise consumption was granted to St. George's Episcopal Church for their “A Night Under the Stars” event on September 26, 2026, from 6:00–10:00 PM on church property. The application, proof of not-for-profit status, and public hearing notice were included in the board packet. Alderman Sanders spoke in favor. The permit was approved unanimously (Alderman Hicks, Ulicky, Salvaggio, Sanders, Vice Mayor Gibson all yes).
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda (Items 9A–9G) was approved unanimously with no items pulled. Key items included:
- 9A: Public Education Governmental Disbursement to GMSD for the fourth quarter (~$18,593, pass-through).
- 9B: PSA for Southern Avenue Water Treatment Plant Filter Bay Refurbishment Phase 3 design (~$46,000).
- 9C: Purchase for fire hydrant service program (not to exceed $150,000).
- 9D: Purchase for a police working dog (~$26,600).
- 9E: Purchase for various vehicles (~$692,864).
- 9F: Recognition of donations to Parks and Recreation ($3,922).
- 9G: Resolution 26R-10, TDOT State Partnership Grant Program ($1.59 million, no local funds). Alderman Hicks highlighted that staff successfully negotiated state funding for all phases, avoiding local cost.
Appointment to the Germantown Board of Education
- Following the resignation of Scottie Hendrix (effective June 15, 2026), the board declared the seat vacant on July 13, 2026. Six applications were received; three candidates (Stephen Chalmers, Dr. Heather Fisher, and Morgan Havner) were interviewed on August 10, 2026.
- Vice Mayor Gibson moved to appoint Dr. Heather Fisher to fill Position 2. The nomination was seconded by Alderman Hicks. No further nominations were made. Discussion included praise for all candidates and recognition that Dr. Fisher had also filed a petition to run for the seat in November (having received ~5,000 votes in the Republican primary with no opposition). Alderman Sanders noted the timing made it logical to appoint her. The vote was unanimous (Aldermen Salvaggio, Sanders, Gibson, Hicks, Ulicky all yes).
Bond Resolutions (26R12, 26R13, 26R14)
- Director Royals presented three resolutions to initiate a $13.5 million General Obligation Improvement Bond (Series 2026A) and an $11.8 million General Obligation Refunding Bond (Series 2026B).
- 2026A (new money): $13.5 million — $10 million for GMSD (Houston High School improvements) and $3.5 million for the Germantown Athletic Club (GAC) natatorium. Debt service for the GAC portion will be paid by the athletic club, not property taxes, and does not affect the city's debt capacity.
- 2026B (refunding): Up to $11.8 million to refund the 2016A and 2016B bonds, projected to save the city approximately $170,000 in interest costs. The refunding plan must be approved by the state Office of Local Finance.
- Both bond sales will be competitive public sales to secure the lowest true interest cost.
- The three resolutions were approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved (all items 9A–9G).
- Appointment of Dr. Heather Fisher to the Germantown Board of Education (Position 2) effective immediately, serving until the November election.
- Bond resolutions adopted authorizing $13.5 million in new bonds (2026A) and $11.8 million in refunding bonds (2026B).
- Temporary beer permit granted to St. George's Episcopal Church.
- Special recognitions awarded (REI Nation beautification award and dispatcher Hope Brown lifesaving award).
- The mayor thanked public works, police, and fire for their response to the weekend windstorm.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:05 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, the regular scheduled meeting for Monday, August 24th. We welcome all those that are in attendance this evening. We also welcome those that are viewing on GMTV and those that are streaming as well. A few highlights about our meeting this evening. We always have a portion of the agenda reserved for our community residents and visitors that come to our meeting to be able to speak to their fellow neighbors and to the board. That is item six on the agenda, known as citizens to be heard. If you'd like to speak tonight, you'll just need to pick up a sheet out in People Street, right through the double doors on the table on the right if you're facing the council chambers and pick up one of those, get that to Officer Daler and to Inspector Wallace, and they'll get that to the clerk and we'll recognize you so you have time. That's item six on the agenda. We have a couple of uh submissions so far this evening. We also have on the agenda this evening uh special recognition. We have a beautification award and we have a special recognition from our police department this evening. We will take a short recess as the German Town Board of Mayor and Alderman and we'll meet for one application for a temporary beer permit and we'll meet as German town's beer board. That's item eight this evening. That'll be a public hearing as well. And uh finally, we have the pleasure of being able to appoint the German town board of education vacant position two uh slot this evening. We do appreciate all those that applied for that position and those that interviewed with the board of mayor and alderman. Also like to uh recognize uh school board member Ryan Strain. I think I saw Ryan in here somewhere. He's back in the back. Thank you for being here this evening as well. This evening our invocation will be led by assistant city administrator Andy Sanders, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Alderman Tony Salvaggio. Please rise. Holy Father, gracious God, thank you for this day you have created. May we rejoice and be glad in it. As we gather here this evening, we lift up those in our city still navigating the aftermath of the recent windstorm for every neighbor enduring the challenge of being without power, and for every family working to clear away the debris, we ask for your comfort and strength. We offer our deepest thanks for our first responders, MLGW utility crews and the volunteers who have been working tirelessly during this event. May they feel your protection as they restore power and clean up our community, and may restoration come quickly to every home. We also offer our gratitude for the members of this board and the city staff that supports them this evening. Help us to align who we are, our aspirations, and our actions with a purpose that reaches well beyond ourselves. 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. Please be seated. Thank you, City Administrator Sanders, for your invocation this evening, and thank you, Alderman Salvaggio, for leading us in the pledge. We've reached item number four on our agenda, setting the agenda. The agenda is sent to the community. It's generally released on Wednesdays a little bit after noon. It is sent to the community and to the board. City administration at this time sees no item that it would like to pull or add to the agenda. Are there any modifications or adjustments that any board member would like to bring forward this evening? Hearing and seeing none, is there a motion to approve the August 24th, 2026 agenda as presented? Move to approve. There is a motion by the Vice Mayor. Is there a second? Second. Second by Alderman Sanders. Any discussion on the matter? Please call the roll. Alderman Sanders. Yes.
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