Gallatin swears in three council members; Craig Hayes elected vice mayor 6–1; multiple ordinances and resolutions move forward

Gallatin’s Jan. 7 council meeting opened with ceremonial swearing-ins and concluded with a package of routine legislative items and appointments.

General Sessions Judge Ron Blanton administered the oaths of office to Councilmembers Sean Fennell, Paul Jones (District 1) and Todd Alexander. Each took the standard oath to support the federal and state constitutions and the city charter.

Following the swearing-in, the council elected Craig Hayes as vice mayor. After nominations and a short discussion, the council voted; the motion to elect Hayes passed 6–1. Mayor Paige Brown announced the result and welcomed Vice Mayor Hayes to the role.

The meeting also covered several ordinances and resolutions, most of which passed on first reading or were approved as routine business:

- An amended ordinance to allow the city to levy impact fees (second reading) passed unanimously. - A first-reading appropriation of $425,000 for the Hunt Club Boulevard traffic mast-arm project passed on first reading. - Several appropriations and capital projects received first-reading approval, including funding for water-coverage work and the Longoria Park Corridor improvement project. - The council accepted public improvements for new subdivisions (Cumberland Point Phase 2; Newman’s Crossing phases) and authorized participation in a public-entity grant program. - The council adopted a neighborhood traffic management policy and approved a waiver of permitting fees for Sumner County’s recovery court facilities.

Votes at a glance (selected actions): - Approval of Dec. 3, 2024 minutes — approved (voice vote). - Election of vice mayor (Craig Hayes) — approved 6 yes, 1 no. - Ordinance: charter amendment to allow impact fees (02411-71) — approved (second reading, unanimous). - Various first-reading ordinances (mast-arm appropriation, rezoning and development plan amendments, water and park appropriations) — approved on first reading. - Resolutions accepting public improvements (multiple phases) — approved.

Why it matters: The swearing-in completes council membership following recent elections and appointments; the vice mayor election sets council leadership for the term. The impact-fee charter amendment signals the city’s intent to seek new funding tools to manage growth, while the approved appropriations and accepted improvements advance planned capital work around the city.

What’s next: Newly sworn councilmembers assumed their seats immediately. The council scheduled follow-up work sessions and will consider the deferred Twin Ponds rezoning at a later meeting. The mayor and staff said they will coordinate appointments (including a Department of Electricity appointment and a planning-commission confirmation) at the next work session or council meeting.