Portland Board of Mayor and Alderman Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Portland, Tennessee held a regular meeting on December 1, 2025, at City Hall. Key agenda items included a second reading of the ordinance for a half-penny sales tax referendum, significant discussion on duplex and multi-family zoning regulations, approval of a Parks improvement plan costing an estimated $3.5 million, and updates on road and utility infrastructure projects. Several resolutions and ordinances were approved with votes, and directions were given for further studies.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance No. 25-60 (Second Reading): Approved to amend the pay-in-lieu of fee for capital projects and maintenance fees for water, sewer, natural gas, and capacity letters.
• Minutes from Work Study and City Council Meeting (November 3, 2025): Approved.
• Department Reports: Accepted.

Discussion Items

Mayor's Report (Mayor Mike Callis)

• Provided updates on the $89 million state-funded bypass project (expected completion spring 2028), the $2.6 million splash pad (47% grant-funded, opening Memorial Day 2026), and the Hometown Heroes banner program.
• Highlighted owner-occupied homeownership statistics, showing higher rates in Sumner/Robertson counties compared to Davidson/Shelby.
• Announced the budget process beginning January 2025 and the May 5, 2025 sales tax referendum (half-penny per dollar) estimated to generate $1.3 million annually.
• Noted the penny phase-out and holiday sanitation schedule adjustments.

Community Development (Vice-Mayor Megann Thompson)

• Resolution No. 25-80: Approved to adopt a new PILOT schedule for industrial development. The schedule includes a pilot for a hotel and Moes restaurant. Passed unanimously.

Finance (Alderman Vince Ellis)

• Resolution No. 25-81: Approved appropriations for nonprofit charitable organizations totaling $85,000. A discussion followed about potential restructuring of donations, but no action was taken.
• Resolution No. 25-86: Approved to dissolve the Industrial Provision Fund from city books. Passed unanimously.

Human Resources (Alderman Vince Ellis)

• Resolution No. 25-82: Approved an agreement with Paypoint HR, LLC for a compensation study review at $2,500. Passed unanimously.

Legislative (Mayor Mike Callis)

• Ordinance No. 25-25 (Second Reading): Approved to call a referendum for a half-penny local option sales tax increase. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-84: Approved a petition to the Tennessee Legislature for legislative changes. Passed unanimously.

Parks & Recreation (Alderman Brian Woodall)

• Discussion on Parks Improvements: Presented a $3.5 million package including bathroom renovations ($1M), soccer field lighting ($850K), parking lot repaving ($675K-$700K), walking trails, and back access road. Council agreed to explore financing options.

Planning & Codes (Vice-Mayor Megann Thompson)

• Ordinance No. 25-58 (Second Reading): After extensive debate, the council approved an amendment to remove duplex permitted uses from all zones except RM1, effective two years after adoption of a new Minor PUD (MPUD) ordinance. The amendment and the amended ordinance both passed 4-2 (Aldermen Cole and Ellis opposed).
• Ordinance No. 25-61 (First Reading): Approved to increase off-street parking requirements for duplexes to 2 spaces per unit plus guest parking. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution No. 25-87: Approved to require digital submissions for permits. Passed unanimously.

Police Department (Alderman Drew Jennings)

• Resolution No. 25-83: Approved an updated towing policy with primary and secondary response groups. Passed unanimously.

Public Works (Alderman Brian Woodall)

• Ordinance No. 25-62 (First Reading): Approved a contract with UDP for roll-off dumpster hauling and services. Passed unanimously.
• Transfer Station Discussion: UDP representative Bill Beal addressed the council.
• Strawberry Street / Jackson Road Traffic Study: Engineer Jason presented findings recommending speed tables and turning restrictions. Council directed further data collection from adjacent signals before final decisions.
• Lindsay Kyla Road Emergency: Carlton reported urgent road replacement needed. Cost estimates range from $125,000 plus crane to over $200,000 if contracted. Nine homes affected. Council informed of urgent need.

Utility Infrastructure (Alderman Charles Cole)

• Resolution No. 25-85: Approved change order for $23,901 for the Sumner County Regional Transmission Main. Passed unanimously.
• Water Meter Replacement Project: Discussion postponed pending White House utility district decisions.

Key Outcomes

• Sales Tax Referendum: Ordinance 25-25 approved to place a half-penny sales tax increase on the May 5, 2025 ballot.
• Duplex Zoning Reform: Ordinance 25-58 amended and approved, removing duplex permitted uses from most zones and requiring a new Minor PUD process for developments under two acres.
• Parks Funding: Staff directed to explore financing for a $3.5 million package of park improvements.
• Nonprofit Donations: Resolution 25-81 approved at $85,000; further discussion on budget structure deferred.
• Towing Policy: Updated policy adopted to improve response times.
• Traffic Study: Further data collection ordered before implementing changes on Strawberry Street and Jackson Road.
• Emergency Road Repair: Lindsay Kyla road repair prioritized; cost estimates to be presented soon.
• Compensation Study: Agreement with Paypoint HR approved.
• Industrial Fund: Dissolved from city books.