Portland Board of Mayor and Alderman Meeting Summary - August 3, 2026

The Portland Board of Mayor and Alderman met on August 3, 2026, in Council Chambers at Portland City Hall. Mayor Mike Callis presided. Roll call showed Aldermen Vince Ellis, Mike Hall, Drew Jennings, Jody McDowell, Brian Woodall, and Vice Mayor Megann Thompson present. The board approved the agenda, heard public comment, and acted on a certificate of compliance, resolutions, ordinances, and reports. No meeting minutes were available; this summary is based on the agenda and transcript.

Presentation

• Mayor Callis presented a proclamation to Mason Pearson and Blaine Gregory recognizing their accomplishments as a fishing team.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Danielle Elks, attorney for applicant Shabana Lalani, spoke in support of Resolution 26-63, a Certificate of Compliance for Royal Wine & Spirit at 6074 Highway 31W. She stated it was a business transfer/purchase, the applicant had completed required training, and the certificate was needed for the state liquor license.
• Robin Reeves, property owner, spoke in support of the rezoning of property at or around 0 South Broadway. He said there are five parcels, two residential and three business, and he wants all of them zoned business so the property can be marketed.
• Stephanie Hubbard, during public comment on a non-agenda item, asked the council to read a 90-day homelessness, addiction, and public safety assessment proposal and place it on a future agenda. She said the proposal did not request funding or a shelter, but would help document need and qualify for grants. She cited concerns about deaths under a bridge, children sleeping in cars, and limited shelter resources. Council suspended the rules to allow her to finish.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the June 15, 2026 council meeting minutes and the Department Report for June 2026 by voice vote.

Public Hearing

• Resolution 26-63, the Certificate of Compliance for Shabana Lalani of Royal Wine & Spirit, was opened for public hearing. No opposition was heard; Danielle Elks answered questions.

Mayor's Report

• America 250 events remain upcoming, including a Freedom Fitness celebration, a 9/11 memorial installation, fall festival, veterans breakfast, and a time capsule project.
• The 17th annual Back to School Bash gave out 788 backpacks and school supplies; all items were donated.
• White House Utility District exploratory discussions are continuing. Legal counsel met, system modeling and data sharing are underway, and next steps include bond refunding options, asset lists, a draft asset purchase agreement, and future presentations to council. All decisions are contingent on a fully executed document by both the White House Utility District Board and this council.
• ARPA projects: three projects must be complete by September 30, totaling over $52 million in water infrastructure grants. Work at the water treatment plant included divers cutting away the old intake and preparations for a new intake and pumps.
• Mass notification is moving from Code Red to Everbridge; citizens can sign up through Sumner County or the city website.
• City Lake was stocked with 1,000 largemouth bass and 2,500 catfish are expected.
• Consolidated dispatch: Portland pays 9% of operational costs; this year's portion is $620,000. In the first six months, there were over 170,000 service calls and 148,000 other calls. Portland had almost 18,000 police calls and over 1,100 fire calls.
• ADA website compliance must be complete by April 26, 2028, under a new unfunded state law.
• Certified population data: Portland's certified population increased by 502 people over six years, a 3.8% growth rate, and Portland ranks approximately 155th among Tennessee cities.

Alcohol Beverage Board

• Resolution 26-63 was approved. The chairman noted this was a transfer of an existing business, not a new liquor store, and background checks raised no red flags.

Discussion Items

• Finance: Ordinance 26-43, first reading, amending Budget Ordinance 26-28. Finance Director Rachel explained that no revenues or expenses change; the amendment corrects schedule presentation for the gas payment-in-lieu-of-taxes and water/sewer debt principal and interest. Approved.
• Legislative: Resolution 26-62 honoring America's 250th anniversary was approved.
• Legislative: Resolution 26-66, allowing the City Recorder or Mayor to cancel a public meeting when a quorum is known to be absent, was approved by voice vote with one abstention. Council debate included concerns about concentrating power in one person and whether cancellation should be a council decision, balanced by the need to avoid citizens traveling to a meeting that cannot act.
• Parks & Recreation: Resolution 26-60, accepting the best proposal for engineering and architectural services for the 2026 Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant Project, contingent on grant award, was approved.
• Parks & Recreation: Resolution 26-61, accepting the best proposal for administrative services for the 2026 Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant Project, contingent on grant award, was approved.
• Planning & Codes: Resolution 26-65, a design review standards appeal for 809 North Broadway, was approved with one abstention. The appeal allows metal siding on a new accessory building for Big Papa Corns; the existing building already has metal siding on its sides and rear.
• Planning & Codes: Ordinance 26-38, first reading, rezoning 840 South Broadway from RS-20 to OPS, was approved. Staff said citizens in the area had spoken against it; some council members questioned whether the lot could meet OPS requirements and noted rezoning is a privilege, while others said the corridor is already commercial.
• Planning & Codes: Ordinance 26-42, first reading, rezoning 0 South Broadway from RS-20 to GCS, was approved. The property is at the 109/Highway 76 corner, surrounded by commercial zoning, and has never had a residence on it.
• Planning & Codes Discussion: Staff asked whether conditional uses should remain in Industrial Restrictive zoning. Council did not act, instead asking planning staff to review the list and bring back a recommendation.
• Planning & Codes: Ordinance 26-25, second reading, to deem a public alley surplus, was amended in discussion to abandon rather than sell the alley due to deed and easement issues. Council deferred action to the August 17 meeting so the local contractor buying the lots could explain intentions and possible plat restrictions could be considered.
• Police: The chief discussed animal fostering in residential areas after one complaint. There is no current ordinance limiting foster animals. Council asked planning to review zoning and kennel definitions; some members opposed new rules as overreach after a single incident.
• Utility Infrastructure: Ordinance 26-39, first reading, authorizing an agreement with OHM Engineering for stream bank stabilization at the Shaub Road Natural Gas Station, was approved. The site has extreme erosion undermining the pump station foundation.
• Utility Infrastructure: Ordinance 26-40, first reading, replacing Ordinance 22-78 and adopting the latest TDEC Drought Management Plan, was approved. Changes include population-based averages, average daily demand, census updates, and adding the fire chief to the drought management group.
• Utility Infrastructure: Resolution 26-67, a second boat ramp at Portland City Lake, was deferred to September after council questions about the lake's future, access, and unconfirmed rumors about White House Utility District fencing and a walking trail.
• Utility Infrastructure: The Jet Vac Truck discussion confirmed a cost of $393,575, up about $3,500 from the prior quote, with a 180-day lead time. Council directed staff to proceed with the purchase since funds are already budgeted.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolution 26-63, the Certificate of Compliance for Royal Wine & Spirit.
• Approved the consent calendar: June 15, 2026 minutes and June 2026 department report.
• Approved Ordinance 26-43 on first reading.
• Approved Resolution 26-62.
• Approved Resolution 26-66 with one abstention.
• Approved Resolutions 26-60 and 26-61, contingent on grant funding.
• Approved Resolution 26-65 with one abstention.
• Approved Ordinance 26-38 and Ordinance 26-42 on first reading.
• Deferred Ordinance 26-25 to August 17, 2026, after discussion of abandonment rather than sale.
• Referred the animal fostering issue to planning commission for zoning review.
• Approved Ordinance 26-39 and Ordinance 26-40 on first reading.
• Deferred Resolution 26-67 to a September meeting.
• Directed staff to purchase the Jet Vac Truck.
• Heard Stephanie Hubbard's request to place the homelessness, addiction, and public safety assessment on a future agenda; no vote was taken before adjournment.