Committee advances water line bid and parks insurance appropriation, approves event street closures and Lowe's grant applications

The Gallatin City Council Committee on Jan. 28, 2025, took several formal actions on capital and operational items, moving ordinances and event requests forward to the full council or approving them directly.

Water transmission main: The committee advanced Ordinance 02501-7, awarding the bid for the Sumner County regional water transmission main project (Line Z). David Kellogg, superintendent of public utilities, told the committee the project is the second of five in the Sumner County regional water regionalization effort and is ARPA-funded. "This line will serve the city of Westmoreland, runs from Mount Vernon Road up about 3,000 feet, ties into some existing lines that they've got," Kellogg said. He added the pipe is 12 inches and that the low bid was $572,000. The committee voted unanimously to move the ordinance forward.

Parks insurance appropriation: The committee moved Ordinance 02501-8 forward. The item appropriates $4,044.71 to Parks and Recreation from insurance recoveries for vehicle repairs. The parks director summarized the item: "We had an accident and this is a insurance monitor repair the truck." The motion to advance the ordinance passed unanimously.

Event street closures: The committee approved multiple street closures requested by the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce and other event organizers. - Shamrock Run (March 8): Closure of Main Street and adjacent segments from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; motion to approve carried by the committee. - Galatin Farms Table dinner (Sept. 20): Closure of the back side of the courthouse from Friday 10 p.m. until Sunday 2 p.m.; motion approved. - Gallatin Christmas Parade (Dec. 13): Parade route and closures approved for a noon start and 2 p.m. end, ending at Gallatin High School parking lot; motion approved. A planned pep rally request for Aug. 12 was held for clarification about requested hours before the committee acted on it.

Lowe's grant applications: Parks staff asked for the committee's permission to apply for multiple Lowe's grant awards, each offering up to $1,000,000 per project. The parks director outlined candidate projects (Thompson Park concession stand, basketball and pickleball courts; Municipal Park skate park; East Main Park playgrounds and restrooms; Langley Hall cross-country trail and parking; Clearview ball field and court renovations; Langley Hall house renovations and outbuildings). Staff said Lowe's requires a 501(c)(3) to receive and administer the grant funds; two local organizations have expressed willingness to serve. The committee approved staff to apply; the parks director said the application deadlines could be in mid-February and that staff may prioritize which projects to pursue.

Each ordinance was moved and seconded on the committee floor and advanced as noted. The approvals are procedural advances; final funding allocations and any grant awards will require subsequent steps by the city and partner organizations.

Ending: Items advanced at the committee will appear on the full council agenda or be handled administratively as appropriate; staff will notify the council and public of next steps, grant outcomes and any required council approvals for awarded funding.