BMA in Brief – July 22, 2019

To help you stay informed we will do our best to provide high level summaries for the bi-monthly Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) meetings. These summaries will be fact based with a focus on key items covered in the meetings and summaries of the votes taken. Where needed we will cover important discussions individually.

The supporting documents provided to the Aldermen can be found by clicking here.

The full video of the meeting can be found on YouTube by clicking here.

6. Citizens to be Heard – No citizens came forward to address the Board

9. Beer Board (13:30) There were two sub items presented to the Beer Board.

A. Germantown Festival – The first was the request for a temporary beer permit for Germantown Festival. The permit was approved (4-1).

B. Let it Fly – Request for a permit for on premise consumption at Let it Fly. The permit was approved (5-0)

11. Ordinance 2019-10 Rezoning 15 Acres Fulmer Property – Third Reading (21:03) This is final reading of the rezoning of this land for office use.  The site proposal includes three medical office buildings and parking.  There was no discussion by the board and the motion Passed (5-0).

11b. Warrant – TraVure Planned Development Sign Policy (24:15) The policy was reviewed and approved by the Design Review Commission in June.  The request covers the entire project including future phases.  The request includes a project directory, limited wall signage with specific space on buildings and color requirements and directional/hanging signs.   The request also sets requirements for signs associated with the new hotel currently under construction.  The warrant was approved (5-0)

12. Ordinance 2019-11 Amendment to Fire Prevention Ordinance – Second Reading & Public Hearing (39:47) The public hearing had no one come forward to address the board for this item. The ordinance to adopt a new fire code based on the 2015 international fire code. The state of TN currently uses the 2012 international fire code.  The proposed code added requirements for sprinklers on dead end streets over 750 feet.  There are also additional items to address safety of food trucks. It includes the ability for the BMA to establish a board of appeals for rulings of the Fire Marshal.  Approved (5-0)

13. Ordinance 2019-12 Amendment to Fire Prevention Ordinance (Residential Sprinklers) – Second Reading & Public Hearing (49:16) In the public hearing two people came forward to address the board.  A representative of the Home Builders Association spoke against adoption of the code. The second individual spoke in favor of the proposed change. This item supports the adoption of the 2015 fire code.  The code requires sprinklers for new homes over 5,000 square feet vs. the current requirement of 7,500 square feet. It would require sprinkler systems in zero lot line homes with distances of less than 20 feet between homes.  Approved (4-0)

14. Ordinance 2019-13 Amendment to Subdivision Ordinance (Streets) – Second Reading & Public Hearing (1:08:57) In the public hearing two people came forward. The first spoke about sprinklers. The second spoke against the roads due to concerns over too much asphalt. This amendment brings the design standards up to those required in the fire code. This changed the length of dead ends from 1,200 foot to 750 feet and allowing for a depth of cover of 150 feet vs. 400 and the paved cul-de-sac radius should be 96 feet vs. current standard of 90 feet. This does not remove the ability for exemptions to be requested.   The vote for second reading was postponed.

15. Contract Emergency Sanitary Sewer Repair (1:35:26) The sewer line serving the sink hole on Farmingdale formed on July 3 over a sanitary sewer line that drakes the north east section of the city.  The city of Memphis is responsible for the maintenance of these lines but declined to repair the failure. An emergency was declared to allow Germantown Public Works to address this immediate need. The total costs of this project are estimated $384,908 however there are anticipated changes coming due to additional work needed.  This approval is required to address the work immediately. The City of Germantown will be working to seek reimbursement form Memphis for the work done. Passed (5-0)

17. Reimbursement Payment No. 4 (1:45:33) – GMSD Riverdale Boiler/Chiller Renovation Project – The City of Germantown budgeted $1.5M in FY20 to assist GMSD with the Boiler and Chiller system at Riverdale.  There was no discussion, the payment was approved (5-0)