Madison City Council Regular Meeting - June 08, 2026

The Madison City Council held its regular meeting on June 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting focused on recognizing retiring officials, promoting police officers, honoring life-saving actions by fire and rescue crews, approving a consent agenda, and advancing several department-level resolutions. An amendment to the agenda moved a railway grant application (Agenda Item 13C) to the June 22 meeting.

Retirements, Promotions, and Life-Saving Awards

• Dr. Ed Nichols (Superintendent, Madison City Schools): Received a City Coin for his 6 years of service as superintendent and 37.5 years in public education. He praised the school district staff and community.
• Kim Lindsey (Senior Executive Assistant to the Mayor): Received a City Coin for 35 years of service, including 34 years directly serving the Mayor's office. Former mayors Jan Wells, Sandy Kirkendahl, Troy Trulock, and Paul Finley joined Mayor Ranae Bartlett in expressing gratitude for her dedication.
• Captain Terrell Cook (Madison Police Department): Retired after 27 years. Chief Gandy awarded him the Public Service Medal for his work on CALEA accreditation, noting he helped the department achieve a perfect score on reaccreditation.
• Police Promotions: Chief Gandy promoted Sergeant Justin Walker, Sergeant Jeremy McKinney, Lieutenant Russell Owens, and Captain Tanner Ward, highlighting their varied experience and community service records.
• Madison Fire & Rescue Awards: Chief Williams presented:
  • Star of Life Awards to Captain Eddie Richardson, Driver Cody Nowakowski, Firefighter Chris Barnes, Logan Sims, Logan Sizemore (March 10 cardiac arrest); and Driver Tyler Drew, Firefighter Matt Fetner, Leslie-Brook Smith (March 27 cardiac arrest).
  • Maltese Cross Award and Unit Citation for the March 31 house fire rescue of a bedbound victim, noting this was only the second such award in the department's history. Recognized firefighters included Adam Greenlee, Chris Weis, Drake Gavcus, Brett Dannemiller, and others.

Consent Calendar

• Acceptance of a $2,500 grant from The Citizenship Trust for America 250AL Fireworks.
• Acceptance of a $350 donation from Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary for Safe Haven Baby Box fees.
• Acceptance of a $40,000 donation from Commissioner Steve Haraway for fire hose replacement.
• The consent agenda and finance committee report were unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rod Matthews (District 3, Main Street Madison Economic Vitality Committee): Presented a community survey launching June 9 to gauge public opinion on downtown retail, dining, entertainment, and improvements. He asked the Council to amplify the survey to residents. Councilmembers encouraged participation.

Department Reports & Discussion Items

• Public Hearing (La Finka Mexican Restaurant): The Council approved Resolution 2026-209-R for a Restaurant Retail Liquor License at 8994 Madison Boulevard (the former Logan's location). An opening date was not provided.
• Building: Proposed Ordinance 2026-210, amending Certificate of Occupancy fees, was introduced as a first reading.
• Engineering: Approved Resolution 2026-205-R authorizing a $10,000 amendment with OHM Advisors for wetland services on the Garner Street Extension.
• Facilities and Grounds:
  • Approved Resolution 2026-192-R for a $33,860 architectural design contract with Brown O'Dell & Partners for a new outdoor restroom at Sunshine Oaks. Councilmember Bier inquired about the project history, confirming the city would put the construction out for bid.
  • Approved Resolution 2026-183-R for a ~$90,000 percentage-based contract with Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC for the renovation of the municipal court complex and Council chambers.
• Fire & Rescue: Approved Resolution 2026-212-R authorizing an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for $546,000 to replace 60 radios. The required city match is ~$49,636. Chief Williams confirmed the grant covers radios for truck seating, not the entire fleet of 95.
• Information Technology: Proposed Ordinance 2026-217, adding Computer and AI Use Policies to the personnel manual, was introduced as a first reading.
• Planning:
  • Approved Resolution 2026-202-R, setting a public hearing for July 13, 2026, on the zoning of 167 Brentwood Lane.
  • Introduced Proposed Ordinance 2026-204 as a first reading, consenting to the annexation of 167 Brentwood Lane.
  • Approved Resolution 2026-207-R, amending the development agreement with Tennessee Valley Communities for the Three Park Subdivision. The amendment permits simultaneous grading and infrastructure work for Phases 4 and 5, while home construction remains phased. No tree mitigation was required.
• Police:
  • Approved Resolution 2026-213-R, awarding a bid for duty pistols to GT Distributors for $96,135.84, offset by a $47,910 trade-in credit paid from the Police Department budget.
  • Approved Resolution 2026-219-R, authorizing a professional services agreement with Wellstone, Inc. for first responder mental wellness services at $120 per appointment from the HR budget. Chief Gandy recused himself from the vote.
• Recreation: Approved two professional services agreements at no cost to the city: Resolution 2026-214-R with Ashley Bailey for creative literacy instruction, and Resolution 2026-215-R with Michelle Thao for "Mommy & Me" fitness instruction.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All resolutions and ordinances on the consent agenda, public hearing, and department reports were passed unanimously by the City Council with no dissenting votes.
• Budget Impact: The city authorized a $49,636 local match conditional on a $546,000 federal grant for fire radios. Donations and grants totaling $42,850 were accepted via the consent agenda.
• Next Steps: First-reading ordinances (Building fees, IT policies, Annexation) will return for second readings on June 22, 2026. The public hearing for the Brentwood Lane zoning is set for July 13, 2026. A joint work session with the Madison City Schools Board is scheduled for the following Tuesday.