Gallatin City Council unanimously approves stormwater code update, advances traffic and court code changes and authorizes police grant application

The Gallatin City Council on Dec. 2 unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 02510‑58, updating Chapter 18 of the municipal code on stormwater to conform with Tennessee Rule 0400‑40‑04, and advanced two other city code amendments on first reading.

Councilman Jones introduced the stormwater ordinance, which he moved and Councilman Fennell seconded. Mayor (unnamed) called for the vote and said the ordinance passed second reading unanimously. Council members did not debate the measure on the floor after the reading. The ordinance updates local stormwater regulations to meet the state rule’s intent; specific technical changes were not read into the record during the meeting.

Also on the agenda, Councilman Fennell presented an amended ordinance (02510‑59) to adopt state traffic offenses and rules of the road by reference; Councilman Carter seconded and the first reading passed unanimously. Councilman Fan introduced Ordinance 02510‑60, which amends Chapter 6 of the Gallatin Municipal Code related to municipal courts and includes provisions about installing a judge; Miss Kitchell clarified that the ordinance would take effect but that Miss Kitchell would remain municipal judge for the remainder of her current term unless she could not fulfill it. That first reading also passed unanimously.

Councilman Carter moved Resolution R2511‑87 authorizing the Gallatin Police Department to apply for a Keep Tennessee Beautiful law‑enforcement grant; the motion passed with members voting “aye.”

Votes at a glance: - Minutes from Nov. 18, 2025: approved (motion: Councilman Jones; second: Councilman Fennell; outcome: unanimous). - Ordinance 02510‑58 (stormwater) — second reading: approved unanimously (mover: Councilman Jones; second: Councilman Fennell). - Ordinance 02510‑59 (traffic offenses) — first reading: advanced unanimously (mover: Councilman Fennell; second: Councilman Carter). - Ordinance 02510‑60 (municipal court code) — first reading: advanced unanimously (mover: Councilman Fan; second: Councilman Carter). - Resolution R2511‑87 (police grant application): approved (mover: Councilman Carter; second: Councilman Alexander/Chuvance per transcript); outcome: passed. - 2026 council meeting schedule: approved unanimously (mover: Vice Mayor Hayes; second: Councilman Fennell).

During "other business," council members discussed a recurring access problem near a church property that staff described as needing an emergency access solution. Council members described two possible options: (1) create a repaired cut‑through on privately owned property under an agreement with the owner; or (2) acquire an adjacent lot to construct a retention pond and sell part of that lot. Members emphasized that these are conceptual options and said the city engineer must perform technical review. One council member noted that two members meeting informally about matters they might later vote on could raise concerns under the state open‑meetings ("sunshine") law; the group agreed engineering analysis by Mr. Tuttle should be pursued in an open forum or work session.

The mayor recognized four individuals from the Tommy Garrett Aquatics facility — lifeguards Priscilla Clarus Ring and Paige Wolf and staff Lisa Pettit, supervisor Seth Terrell, and assistant supervisor Jamie Morris — who were honored by the Red Cross and given proclamations and keys to the city for assisting in a life‑saving incident.

During non‑agenda public comment, resident Rosemary Bates thanked the council for funding downtown Christmas decorations, calling them “pretty stunning at night” and saying the display will help attract visitors to the square. The mayor and council praised public‑works staff, volunteers and local partners for the holiday lighting work and reminded residents of upcoming seasonal events and the tree lighting.

The meeting was adjourned following a unanimous motion to adjourn. The council did not take final votes on the other business access proposals; those remain contingent on engineering review and possible future action.