[0:47] I will call the football city council

[0:48] meeting for Thursday, August 20th to

[0:50] order. May I have a roll call, please?

[0:51] >> Councilman Baji,

[0:52] >> here. Councilman Walker,

[0:54] >> here. Mayor Weaten,

[0:55] >> here.

[0:55] >> Vice Mayor Eldridge,

[0:56] >> here. Councilman Gilbert,

[0:57] >> here. Five present.

[0:58] >> Thank you. At this time, I would like to

[1:00] ask those that wish to do so stand for

[1:02] the invitation given tonight by Philip

[1:03] Baker, followed by the pledge of

[1:04] allegiance.

[1:06] >> Yes.

[1:08] Right.

[1:10] >> Let's pray together.

[1:12] >> Father, I thank you for this day. Uh I

[1:14] thank you for the blessing of being able

[1:16] to uh to acknowledge you tonight in this

[1:19] uh meeting and on this occasion. Father,

[1:21] we know that it pleases you when we show

[1:24] honor and respect to our leaders. We

[1:26] know that uh it pleases you when our

[1:29] leaders show honor and respect to you.

[1:31] Tonight, I thank you uh for these

[1:33] leaders. I thank you for this council as

[1:36] they conclude their service. I thank you

[1:38] for the way they have sacrificed for our

[1:40] community. I thank you specifically for

[1:42] Mayor Weaten and Councilman Walker as

[1:44] they conclude their service tonight and

[1:46] for their your blessings on them in the

[1:49] next season of their life. Uh Father,

[1:51] for the new council as they take office

[1:54] tonight, I pray that their time is

[1:56] marked by godly wisdom, uh by care, by

[1:59] compassion, by grace, uh and a desire to

[2:02] glorify you in their service. Father,

[2:05] you are the giver of every good and

[2:07] perfect gift, including the blessing of

[2:10] living in a community where you can be

[2:13] acknowledged in this setting. Father,

[2:15] may your blessing be on this meeting

[2:17] tonight. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

[2:20] >> Amen.

[2:23] to the flag of the United States of

[2:25] America.

[2:40] » Item three, consider approval of agenda

[2:42] as presented. Are there any changes?

[2:44] >> No changes. Mayor

[2:45] >> motion approved.

[2:46] >> Motion made by Councilman Walker,

[2:47] seconded by Vice Mayor Elders. Any

[2:49] discussion from the council? Thanks for

[2:51] vote on that.

[2:59] » All votes correct 5. Yes. Motion

[3:02] carries.

[3:02] >> Thank you. All business. 5A. Consider

[3:04] approval of minutes of council meeting

[3:05] held on August 6, 2026. Is there a

[3:07] motion?

[3:07] >> So move.

[3:08] >> Motion made by Vice Mayor Eldridge. Is

[3:09] there a second? Second. Second by

[3:11] Councilman Bachi. Any discussion? I'll

[3:14] vote on that.

[3:22] Although it's correct.

[3:24] 5. Yes. Motion carries.

[3:26] >> Thank you. 5B. Consider on second final

[3:27] reading ordinance 0260813 amending the

[3:30] equipable municipal code title 9

[3:32] business pedler solicitors etc. Chapter

[3:34] 12 mobile food vendors. Mr.

[3:36] >> Mayor and council. This is the second

[3:38] reading on ordinance uh 026813.

[3:42] It's the housekeeping ordinance uh

[3:44] relating to mobile food vendors. Uh

[3:46] there have been no changes and we've

[3:47] received no comments. I recommend

[3:50] approval.

[3:51] >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[3:52] >> So moved.

[3:52] >> Motion made by Vice Mayor Elders. Is

[3:54] there a second?

[3:55] >> Second by Councilman Vaji. Any

[3:56] discussion from the public on this

[3:58] agenda item? Discussion from council.

[4:08] » All votes correct. Yes. Motion carries.

[4:11] >> Thank you for the consent agenda. 6A

[4:13] changed the date of public hearing from

[4:14] 9326 to 91726 on ordinance 026 0814

[4:19] reszoning properties located within the

[4:20] newly annexed Dodson branch road

[4:22] annexation area. 6B consider awarding

[4:25] bids for annual and semianual paving

[4:26] asphalt mix milling rocking and pavement

[4:29] marking concrete pipe and capping

[4:31] services. 6 C consider awarding bid for

[4:34] 325 KVA con transformers.

[4:38] 16. Consider approval to purchase two

[4:40] 2026 Ford F-150 pickups for the energy

[4:42] department electric division and one

[4:44] 2026 Ford F-150 pickup for the Energy

[4:46] Department gas division utilizing

[4:48] statewide contract number 209. 6E

[4:51] consider approval to purchase one 2026

[4:52] Ford F250 utilizing statewide contract

[4:55] 209. And 6F, consider approval for the

[4:57] city manager to enter into a one-year

[4:59] contract with MA waste management for

[5:01] biohazard waste removal. Is there a

[5:03] motion on the consent agenda?

[5:04] >> Move to approve. Motion by Councilman

[5:06] Walker, second by Councilman Gilbert.

[5:08] Um, any discussion with the council?

[5:10] >> Right. We'll vote on that.

[5:19] » All those correct?

[5:21] >> Yes. Motion carries.

[5:22] >> Thank you. 7A. Consider resolution

[5:23] R260815 authorizing the receipt of a

[5:26] direct appropriation grant from the

[5:27] state of Tennessee and the distribution

[5:29] of said grant to the Tennessee Valley

[5:30] Authority for the purpose of relocating

[5:32] a power transmission structure located

[5:34] at the southeast intersection of South

[5:36] Jefferson Avenue and Neil Street. Mr.

[5:38] Mayor, council members, um, as we

[5:40] discussed on Monday, the Tennessee State

[5:43] Legislature approved through public

[5:45] chapter 1142 a special appropriation um,

[5:49] to the Department of Finance and

[5:50] Administration in the amount of $750,000

[5:54] for the purpose of making a grant to the

[5:56] city of Kill to be used for the

[5:57] relocation and replacement of the TVA

[5:59] tower at Nil Street in South Jefferson.

[6:02] This resolution authorizes us to receive

[6:04] that $750,000 appropriation and to

[6:07] distribute it to the Tennessee Valley

[6:09] Authority to relocate the tower. Back in

[6:11] July, you approved an agreement with TVA

[6:14] for the relocation of the tower. The

[6:16] agreement says that the cost estimate

[6:18] for the project is $789,187.

[6:22] We're required to pay this upfront. The

[6:25] city's already uh given or deposited

[6:27] 30,000 with TVA. So the total payment to

[6:30] TVA under the agreement is $759,187.

[6:35] So my point being we're still going to

[6:36] have to come up with $9,187

[6:38] to and this will come from the electric

[6:40] division of the energy department to pay

[6:42] for this relocation of the tower. Now

[6:44] the tower relocation could cost more, it

[6:47] could cost less. If it costs less, we'll

[6:49] get refund. If it costs more, I'll be

[6:51] back before you asking for more money to

[6:53] get this tower relocated. But I would

[6:56] ask your approval of this resolution.

[6:58] Thank you. Is there a motion?

[7:00] >> Motion made by Vice Mayor Elder,

[7:02] seconded by Councilman Walker. Any

[7:03] discussion from the public on this

[7:04] agenda item?

[7:06] >> Discussion from council.

[7:08] >> This is a big deal.

[7:09] >> Yeah.

[7:11] >> It's not just any TVA tower, everybody.

[7:13] It's it's on Jefferson next to Longhorn.

[7:16] It's the one that has the big concrete

[7:17] wall that gets busted down by tractor

[7:19] trailers. And we're going to get a

[7:20] hopefully get a new turn lane out of

[7:22] this that works. Um, and so that whole

[7:24] area we've tried to improve and this

[7:26] will be the final step of trying to make

[7:28] that better.

[7:30] >> Uh, he's just gonna move it back.

[7:31] They're going to go with single post is

[7:33] what I understand.

[7:34] >> Yeah.

[7:35] >> Little smaller footprint, too.

[7:38] >> Any other discussion?

[7:40] >> Uh, I think we need to thank our state

[7:42] representatives, Ryan Williams and Paul

[7:44] Bailey, who were instrumental in helping

[7:46] us get this done and getting us the

[7:47] funds to do it.

[7:50] >> One more comment. All right. Seeing

[7:52] none, we will take it over.

[7:58] » All is correct. Yes. Motion carries.

[8:01] >> Thank you. 7B. Consider resolution

[8:03] R260816

[8:04] authorizing the submitt of a street

[8:06] improvement project at South Jefferson

[8:07] Avenue SR136 to the Tennessee Department

[8:10] of Transportation Statewide Partnership.

[8:12] Mr. Award.

[8:13] >> Mr. Yes. Billings. So, sorry.

[8:15] >> Thank you, Mayor and Council. The

[8:16] southbound lanes of South Jefferson

[8:18] Avenue at Interstate Drive has long been

[8:20] one of the most congested sections of

[8:21] State Route 136. Continued growth and

[8:24] development in the area have made the

[8:25] problem worse with traffic often backing

[8:27] up nearly a third of a mile to East

[8:28] Veterans Drive. Tott's SP, the statewide

[8:31] partnership program, gives communities

[8:32] an opportunity to identify priorities

[8:34] for future improvements along state

[8:36] routes. By committing local funding, the

[8:38] city can make its projects more

[8:40] competitive for additional state and

[8:41] federal funding. If T dot approves the

[8:44] partnership, state and federal funds may

[8:45] then be applied to the project,

[8:47] providing a more direct path toward

[8:49] completion. This resolution requests

[8:51] that the construction of a turn lane and

[8:53] pedestrian improvements at South

[8:54] Jefferson Avenue and Interstate Drive be

[8:56] submitted for consideration by T DOT to

[8:58] be included in a statewide partnership

[9:00] program with the city committing up to

[9:02] $500,000 in local funding to assist with

[9:04] the project. Previously, the city

[9:06] submitted for the northbound turn lane

[9:08] project at Willow and Interstate Drive

[9:10] for SP SP and is receiving funding for

[9:12] an additional $4 million in state and

[9:14] federal money to complete the project. I

[9:17] respectfully recommend council's

[9:18] approval of this resolution authorizing

[9:19] the South Jefferson Avenue project to be

[9:21] submitted for inclusion in TOD statewide

[9:23] partnership program.

[9:25] >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[9:26] >> So moved.

[9:27] >> Motion made by Vice Mayor Elders,

[9:28] seconded by Council Walker. Any

[9:30] discussion from the public on this

[9:31] agenda item? Discussion from council.

[9:35] All right, seeing none, we'll go and

[9:36] take a vote.

[9:44] » All votes correct by yes, motion

[9:46] carries.

[9:47] >> Thank you. 7C, consider approval of 26

[9:49] spirit in place site project. Mr.

[9:52] Turner,

[9:54] >> sorry we kicked you out of the main

[9:55] roof.

[9:57] >> Thank you, mayor and members of the

[9:58] council. This is a sewer rehab project.

[10:01] Um, this map shows the area that we'll

[10:04] be uh rehabbing. We'll be rehabbing

[10:06] 7,294

[10:07] feet of sewer line with cured in place

[10:10] pipe and replacing, 1100 ft that we are

[10:14] unable to line.

[10:16] It's got switches.

[10:19] Okay. Uh, we received uh seven bids. Low

[10:23] bid being John T. Hall Construction at

[10:26] 1,14,512.

[10:30] and I'd recommend your approval.

[10:32] >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[10:33] >> So move.

[10:34] >> Motion made by Vis, seconded by

[10:35] Councilman Gilbert. Any discussion from

[10:37] the public on this discussion from

[10:39] council? Okay. All vote.

[10:49] » Correct.

[10:50] >> 5. Yes. Motion carries.

[10:51] >> Thank you. 7D. Consider awarding bid for

[10:53] an annual maintenance contract for water

[10:54] and sewer line installation. Mr. Turner.

[10:57] Um,

[10:59] this is a yearly contract for water sew

[11:01] improvements and this is a one-year

[11:04] contract. After uh discussions after

[11:06] meeting Monday and then meeting with the

[11:08] city manager, we're uh going to come

[11:11] back for any task order that's uh 25,000

[11:14] or greater to get get council approval.

[11:16] Uh in this contract, the contractor is

[11:19] required to furnish all labor,

[11:21] equipment, and tools. And the city's

[11:24] going to furnish the parts.

[11:26] Um, we received one bid.

[11:29] >> Yes.

[11:30] >> Uh, unit prices for each of the items

[11:33] were in the packets Monday. So, they're shown. They're not in the slides

[11:37] here today, but u recommend approval to

[11:40] John T. Hall instruction.

[11:42] >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[11:43] >> So, move.

[11:44] >> Motion made by Councilman Gilbert. Is

[11:45] there a second? Second. Second by

[11:47] Council Bachi. Any discussion from the

[11:49] public? Discussion from council.

[11:51] >> I just want to make sure this is just

[11:53] for one year. We'll rebid it next year.

[11:55] >> Yes.

[11:56] And uh anytime there's a project that's

[11:59] greater than $25,000,

[12:02] it still over to the council to get a

[12:06] rece.

[12:07] >> Yeah, that needs to be included in the

[12:08] motion. Just like that,

[12:10] >> right?

[12:10] >> So, do we need to amend the motion?

[12:13] >> I thought he he already mentioned

[12:14] >> Yeah,

[12:16] >> but we still on the slide to

[12:18] >> We're good then.

[12:19] >> Yeah, if he mentioned it shouldn't be.

[12:20] >> We're good.

[12:21] >> Okay, it's right here.

[12:22] >> Don't confuse me on my last day.

[12:26] this out in four years. Eight years.

[12:28] >> All right, we're good.

[12:30] >> Yes. Okay. So, we got a motion in a

[12:32] second. We've had the discussion. We're

[12:33] good with how it's written.

[12:35] >> Yeah.

[12:37] >> Okay. Any more discussion?

[12:39] >> All right. Go ahead and take a vote

[12:41] then.

[12:48] » Correct. Yes. Motion carries.

[12:51] >> Thank you.

[12:51] And then 7E, receive and

[12:54] consider certified election results from

[12:55] the city council election held on August

[12:57] 6th, 2026. Mr. Coons,

[12:59] >> mayor and council, uh, before you are

[13:01] the certified election results from the

[13:04] August 8th, 2026 election. Uh, I

[13:07] recommend uh, approval or receiving

[13:10] those results.

[13:11] >> Thank you. Is there a motion?

[13:13] >> So moved.

[13:14] >> Motion made by Vice Mayor Al. Second.

[13:16] >> Seconded.

[13:16] >> Second by Council Walker. Any discussion

[13:18] from the public? Discussion from

[13:20] council. Okay. All vote.

[13:30] » All votes. Correct. Five. Yes. Motion

[13:33] carries.

[13:34] >> Thank you. That concludes the agenda

[13:36] portion for this meeting. Uh are there

[13:39] any comments from any council? Then

[13:43] [laughter]

[13:45] >> I can go first.

[13:47] >> Time on. Um,

[13:49] >> oh yeah, this is gonna take a minute.

[13:51] >> Three minutes.

[13:52] >> So, I'm not a member of the public yet,

[13:54] so hopefully I get more than three

[13:55] minutes.

[13:57] >> Um,

[14:00] eight years is a long time to be

[14:03] involved with anything. Um, and for your

[14:06] benefit, I took time to write this down.

[14:09] For those of you who know me, well, this

[14:11] is the quickest way to get through this.

[14:14] Uh, most people ask me, "Are you glad to

[14:17] be getting off council or what are you

[14:19] going to do with all of your time?" And

[14:22] while I do hope to use that time well, I

[14:25] can only hope to be as productive in my

[14:27] private life as serving on this city

[14:30] council has allowed me to be in my

[14:31] public life. Um, it's truly has been one

[14:35] of the greatest privileges of my life.

[14:38] Uh for me, public service was never

[14:40] about pursuing politics

[14:42] uh or using the position I was given and

[14:44] impose my own personal values on other

[14:46] people. It was about serving every

[14:48] member in our community

[14:51] objectively and doing what was right for

[14:54] the city. Mostly it was about continuing

[14:57] to lead us on the path of progress. The

[15:01] type of progress which has given us the

[15:03] recipe of being a great American city.

[15:06] I would not be sitting here today

[15:08] without the support of my constituents

[15:10] and supporters who eight years ago and

[15:14] four years ago saw that potential.

[15:17] Whether that potential was in me, in the

[15:20] platform I ran on, or simply in the

[15:22] direction they believed our city should

[15:25] continue to go. I hope the results of

[15:28] these past eight years speak for

[15:29] themselves.

[15:31] But so much of that progress would never

[15:34] have been possible without the

[15:35] hardworking people who have chosen to

[15:38] make serving the city their profession.

[15:42] And I know a lot of you are up in the

[15:43] hallway right now.

[15:50] They are the people who live a life of

[15:52] public service every day and they

[15:54] deserve far more credit than any elected

[15:57] official.

[15:58] So, to all of our city employees, thank

[16:01] you.

[16:02] Fortunately, most of you didn't have to

[16:05] put up with me directly.

[16:08] But I do want to especially thank our

[16:10] current past directors and specifically

[16:12] the people I worked with on a weekly

[16:13] basis. Our planning director, John Ward,

[16:16] when I was serving on the planning

[16:18] commission in my first term, Christina,

[16:20] Tracy, and Sydney, who have somehow

[16:24] managed to keep us organized and make us

[16:26] look good along the way.

[16:28] Thank you to our city attorney, Dan, for

[16:30] keeping us grounded in the law and

[16:32] reminding us where boundaries are. Uh,

[16:35] thank you to our city clerk, Darien, for

[16:37] keeping us organized and keeping this

[16:39] council moving. And I especially want to

[16:41] thank our city manager, James Mills, for

[16:44] his experience, tal talent, guidance,

[16:47] and leadership.

[16:49] We are incredibly unfortunate to live in

[16:51] a community that chose the council

[16:53] manager form of government. It is

[16:55] structure that allows elected officials

[16:57] to set direction while experienced

[17:00] professionals manage the day-to-day

[17:02] operations of the city.

[17:06] I truly believe James is one of the most

[17:10] capable municipal managers in the

[17:12] country

[17:13] and the quality, professionalism and

[17:15] expertise of our staff and directors

[17:18] that he has assembled speak to that.

[17:22] Mayor Wheaton, Council members Chad,

[17:24] Luke, Ollie,

[17:26] and the prior council members, thank you

[17:29] for serving with me on this journey.

[17:32] Ashley, there you are. Um, my mom, uh,

[17:37] my late father,

[17:40] Daniel, Beth, my sister, Bonnie Kate,

[17:43] and Tyler who couldn't be here. You have

[17:46] been there through all of it. You listen

[17:48] to more than politics than you ever

[17:50] probably wanted to hear.

[17:52] You supported me through the good days,

[17:54] the difficult days, the late nights, and

[17:56] the challenges that came with these

[17:58] eight years. You gave me the ability to

[18:00] serve this community because I always

[18:03] knew I had your support when I came

[18:05] home. And I especially want to thank my

[18:08] mom and my late father who's not here.

[18:11] Um, without your upbringing, I couldn't

[18:14] be where I am today.

[18:17] It is hard to remember everything over

[18:18] the past eight years, but I knew when I

[18:21] first ran for this office that expanding

[18:24] our infrastructure, improving our roads,

[18:26] and continuing to prove our town would

[18:28] be central to what I wanted to

[18:29] accomplish. I think we can clearly say

[18:32] we check some of those boxes.

[18:35] But when I look back now, what we were

[18:37] able to accomplish together was so much

[18:39] more.

[18:41] My hope is that when people look back on

[18:43] these past eight years, they can see

[18:45] beyond the challenges and some of the

[18:48] controversy and recognize what was

[18:50] produced. I hope that they see that we

[18:53] have strengthened Cookull's foundation

[18:55] both financially and through the

[18:57] investments we have made in the people,

[19:00] the institutions, facilities, and

[19:02] infrastructure that serve this community

[19:04] every day. But most importantly,

[19:07] I hope people see themselves in that

[19:09] progress.

[19:11] I don't want the story of these eight

[19:13] years to be about progress of these past

[19:15] two councils have made. I want it to be

[19:17] about what our community has

[19:19] accomplished. These are your roads, your

[19:22] parks, your fire and police stations,

[19:25] your utilities, your town hall, and your

[19:29] city.

[19:30] The ownership of the city and the

[19:32] progress we have made belongs to

[19:34] everyone.

[19:35] Many of you may be able to think back 10

[19:37] or 15 years ago and yet you probably

[19:40] couldn't name all the members on the

[19:42] council we had at that time.

[19:45] And I'm sure that will be probably true

[19:47] of us [clears throat] perhaps even now

[19:51] or certainly in the future.

[19:53] What I do hope you carry with you is a

[19:56] sense of ownership,

[19:58] one that continues long after we leave

[20:00] office.

[20:02] The future is now in the hands of those

[20:06] who continue to tend to it. Thank you

[20:08] and God speed.

[20:23] I will [clears throat] extra bucks back

[20:24] there. I like it. Um, I will close out

[20:28] our meeting here. Um, and I'm gonna warn

[20:31] y'all, I probably will cry. I've got

[20:32] some napkins and some Kleenex up here,

[20:34] but that's just who I am these days. Um,

[20:39] all mayors by the end of their term

[20:40] reach a reflection point and wrestle

[20:42] with one question. Did I make a

[20:44] difference? It has been one of my

[20:46] greatest joys to represent the citizens

[20:47] of Cookville. I found it paramount to

[20:49] emphasize that this position and this

[20:51] council represent a town and not a

[20:53] theology. It represents all ages, all

[20:56] religions, and all citizens. In city

[20:58] hall, you will find podiums, not

[21:00] pulpits. And we are elected to hold and

[21:03] serve public office. That is exactly who

[21:05] we are, thrin, the public. During the

[21:08] last four years, it was my goal to focus

[21:10] on the people of this community and not

[21:11] the position of this office. I believe I

[21:14] made a difference. Kville is in fact

[21:18] in every ef in every method better now

[21:20] than four years ago. Maybe not traffic,

[21:23] but uh that's one of the state roads, so

[21:25] I'll let you deal with that. I have

[21:27] found no higher sense of gratification

[21:29] than serving as your mayor.

[21:32] One of my favorite patients often had

[21:33] this definition of wisdom. He said,

[21:35] "Wisdom just means I made the mistake

[21:38] long before you did." So, I'd like to

[21:40] offer the incoming council hopefully

[21:41] some words of wisdom.

[21:43] Go to dinner on the west side at least

[21:45] once a week. It'll probably be more

[21:47] because you will not have time to cook.

[21:49] As my family can attest to,

[21:52] I found a conversation on the sidewalk

[21:53] was far more meaningful than a comment

[21:55] on social media. Take compliments when

[21:58] they are given, but forget them soon.

[22:00] Take criticism as well, but forget it

[22:02] even sooner. To quote my husband, the

[22:05] basketball coach, "If you don't have

[22:07] haters, you ain't making plays."

[22:09] [laughter] I was going to make it my

[22:10] campaign slogan four years ago, but we

[22:12] decided not to.

[22:14] >> Speak with your presence and not your

[22:16] promise. People will always remember who

[22:18] showed up for a meeting or a

[22:20] conversation over coffee, not what

[22:22] speech you gave. Give credit where

[22:24] credit is due. So, I want to take a

[22:26] moment to give credit to those. To the

[22:28] previous council I served on, thank you

[22:30] for taking on a rookie and helping me

[22:32] learn what makes this city so wonderful.

[22:34] To my current council, thank you for

[22:36] allowing me to lead and serve beside you

[22:38] while doing some pretty amazing things

[22:39] for our city. I will miss our funny

[22:41] conversations. I will miss

[22:45] a lot. Okay, I'm getting I will miss a

[22:48] lot of things about y'all, but it was

[22:49] truly team that got us here. I want to

[22:52] thank our city employees, to Dan,

[22:55] Darien, Christina, Sydney, and to all of

[22:57] our city directors. We are a great city

[23:00] because of y'all. No one does this job

[23:02] by themselves.

[23:04] Mr. Mills,

[23:05] I only asked one thing when I became

[23:07] mayor, and that was for you to stay in

[23:08] your desk until August of 2026. And

[23:10] sometimes I threaten to tie you to it.

[23:13] I could not have done this job without

[23:15] you. I always value your leadership, but

[23:17] more importantly, your friendship.

[23:20] To my mom, friends

[23:24] who got me here in the first place,

[23:26] thank you for believing in me when I

[23:28] didn't believe in myself. I'm lucky to

[23:31] have you. [laughter]

[23:32] And I think JB would be proud.

[23:36] My in-laws are my parents. Gay Med,

[23:39] thank you for letting me represent the

[23:40] Wheaten name. To be honest, it's

[23:41] probably the reason I got elected.

[23:44] Everyone knew the Wheatens. And then

[23:46] when you said which Weaten you were, it

[23:48] was easy. Y'all being willing to drop

[23:50] everything and pick up a kid or come to

[23:52] the house and help is one of the only

[23:53] ways I was able to do this. Mom and dad,

[23:57] I'm still sorry I didn't tell you I was

[23:58] running for city council and that you

[24:00] found out on Facebook,

[24:02] but I think it turned out okay.

[24:06] >> I am who I am because of you today. And

[24:08] even though my brother, your son, is a

[24:10] city attorney, I think city mayor trumps

[24:13] that. [laughter] So you can now admit

[24:15] I'm your favorite child. I'm gonna be

[24:17] that

[24:20] in the minutes [laughter]

[24:22] to my babies. Canadian Palmer,

[24:26] >> I'm sorry. I miss some things and I made

[24:28] y'all go to a ridiculous amount of

[24:29] events. I made you dress up even though

[24:31] you're halfway dressed up. You have on

[24:33] gym shorts and a nice We'll go

[24:36] [laughter]

[24:37] take a thousand pictures. You two are

[24:40] actually my proudest accomplishment.

[24:43] Being your mom is the greatest title of

[24:44] all. And getting to be your full-time

[24:46] Uber driver to all the amazing things

[24:48] that you are doing is what I'm looking

[24:50] forward to the most.

[24:52] And to wade,

[24:54] when I became mayor, you said you're

[24:56] leasing me to the city for four years.

[24:58] Well, that lease is up.

[25:01] I'm coming back home. I have forgotten

[25:03] how to cook. Um, it was you. You were

[25:07] the first one to say you should do it

[25:10] when I talked about running for city

[25:12] council. You're the most amazing

[25:17] backup dancer I've ever had.

[25:20] >> You may have regretted that statement

[25:21] multiple times over the last eight

[25:23] years, but you got me through it. You

[25:25] were the most amazing first man.

[25:27] Gentlemen, we never actually settled on

[25:29] a term for you that this city and our

[25:31] family could have ever asked for. I love

[25:33] you. into my heavenly father.

[25:36] >> Thank you for lining everything up

[25:38] perfectly. There were times when I

[25:40] didn't know what door I was walking

[25:41] through, but I walked through it with

[25:42] confidence knowing that you were by my

[25:44] side. And because of that, I've got to

[25:46] have eight wonderful years.

[25:49] Hey, sorry. During my inception speech

[25:52] four years ago, I pledgedly with

[25:53] confidence, humility, and class. When I

[25:56] say these words, I can think of no

[25:57] better person that personifies these

[26:00] attributes more than Chad Gilbert.

[26:03] I'm proud that he will be my mayor for

[26:05] the next four years, but I'm even

[26:07] prouder to call you a friend. Why, I

[26:09] have no reservations about your ability

[26:10] to lead.

[26:12] I do have two envelopes for you, and

[26:15] I'll explain.

[26:17] A proceding politician gave a newly

[26:19] elected official two letters on his way

[26:22] out. He said, "When you find yourself in

[26:24] a tough situation where it seems like

[26:26] there are no answers or solutions and

[26:27] you can't make anyone happy, read the

[26:29] first letter." So, not long after, when

[26:32] the newly elected official found himself

[26:34] in a tough situation, he opened the

[26:36] first letter and read it. It said,

[26:38] "Blame everything on me, [laughter]

[26:42] and it worked."

[26:45] A couple of years later, the same

[26:46] official found himself in a similar

[26:47] tough situation, and he remembered there

[26:49] was another letter. So, he opened it up

[26:52] and it said, "Now sit down and write two

[26:55] letters."

[26:57] So, I have two envelopes for Chad that

[27:00] I'm leaving in this chair.

[27:02] >> Thank you. But it's been the honor of my

[27:04] life.

[27:21] » Football game. I gota gota take a kid to

[27:23] a football game. Let's go. [laughter]

[27:26] So seeing that that is the last of the

[27:29] comments,

[27:31] I will adjourn.

[27:33] >> Hang on.

[27:33] >> Huh?

[27:34] >> Hang on. We we want to say a few things,

[27:36] right?

[27:37] >> Okay. Okay.

[27:38] >> I would at least uh so both of you I'll

[27:41] say it collectively. Uh what an

[27:43] experience. Uh I can't it's hard to

[27:46] express at a moment. You guys what you

[27:48] said there's it's profound, it's classy,

[27:50] it's everything that you guys have been

[27:51] the whole time. Um, Eric, I said it last

[27:55] meeting, your your your your sincerity

[27:58] and what you pursue on behalf of

[27:59] Cookville always what's what you what

[28:02] you think is best for Cookville and your statesmanship to present that.

[28:06] I appreciate that every time. Uh,

[28:08] Lauren, your class and and the way you

[28:11] lead and carry yourself just a just a

[28:13] model for everyone who sits in that

[28:14] chair. So, just before we adjourned, I

[28:17] wanted to say that publicly and just and

[28:19] express my gratitude to both of you.

[28:21] Thank you, Chair. And

[28:22] >> I would just like to add to that,

[28:26] none of this happens unless you have

[28:29] relationships. And I like I said last

[28:32] time, it's all about the relationships.

[28:34] You know, if we didn't have good

[28:36] relationships and we were all able to

[28:38] roll in the same direction, we wouldn't

[28:40] have been able to accomplish

[28:43] as much as we had. You know, we've

[28:46] accomplished so much. We've invested so

[28:48] much, reinvested back into the city

[28:51] while achieving the highest bond rating

[28:54] the city's ever had. And that just

[28:56] doesn't happen by accident. It happens

[28:59] because we are a good team. So, I

[29:01] appreciate y'all.

[29:03] >> Yeah. Just what they say. It's it's been

[29:06] an honor serving you for you. I've

[29:07] learned more about dumpsters.

[29:11] We bought dumpsters from Lincoln. But

[29:14] honestly, like what Chad said, it's you

[29:16] have a perspective and I appreciate it

[29:17] because I sit and I listen to your

[29:19] perspective and Lauren, even yours, you

[29:22] know, you guys have been here talking to

[29:24] you about things uh when I would say,

[29:26] "Hey, I'm going to do this." Just FYI,

[29:28] okay? But even if we didn't agree on

[29:31] things, at the end of the day, we still

[29:32] came up here as a team and we worked

[29:34] together to accomplish some great

[29:36] things. And uh so I do appreciate all

[29:39] your time and energy and even the

[29:41] conversations we had. a council member

[29:43] or a mayor one time he's here tonight

[29:46] Dwight Henry said and I appreciate it is

[29:48] that if we all voted yes we don't need a

[29:52] team we only we only need one person or

[29:54] if we all didn't agree if we all agreed

[29:57] but even through all that we have worked

[29:59] through some amazing things and we've

[30:00] done great things and you guys helped us

[30:02] even coming in to just learn operate and

[30:05] I appreciate your time your energy and

[30:07] even the disagreements so and even the

[30:09] great things we've done so I do

[30:10] appreciate you

[30:14] I will adjourn.

[30:16] >> The ADA.

[30:17] >> We need a motion to adjourn.

[30:19] >> Yeah,

[30:21] >> I need a motion to

[30:22] >> so move.

[30:24] >> You want to talk?

[30:25] >> Well, I know you're tired of me talking.

[30:27] >> I said what I wanted to say at our last

[30:29] meeting. Uh, you know, I wanted to make

[30:31] sure I had the opportunity to know how

[30:33] much I care about you guys and how much

[30:34] you mean to me and to this city. So,

[30:37] you're going to be missed is the way I'm

[30:38] going to leave it. So,

[30:40] >> thank you. Thank you, chair.

[30:42] >> All right. Now, do I have a motion to

[30:43] adjourn ADA?

[30:45] >> So, moved. Second.

[30:47] >> All right. Got a motion and a second.

[30:49] >> Will we vote on that?

[30:50] >> We're going to vote.

[31:01] » Voted no.

[31:05] Should have voted no.

[31:06] >> Yes. I believe

[31:10] All right,

[31:13] >> we're gonna have a little transition

[31:15] here, so bear with us for just a minute.

[31:19] So,

[31:20] >> thanks for pick up. I mean our two team

[31:24] members come up and then you guys can go

[31:27] >> gladly

[31:28] >> where we don't

[32:32] So, we're going to call then we'll

[32:35] probably go down here. We'll have this

[32:38] and then come back up.

[32:43] » You good?

[32:46] >> You're good.

[32:47] >> You good?

[32:47] >> Yep. I call this meeting at the

[32:49] Cookville City Council to order. Uh at

[32:52] this time, uh council will step forward.

[32:55] Uh and we have this evening the

[32:57] honorable Gary McKenzie to administer

[32:59] the oath of office to our new council

[33:01] members.

[33:09] We go stand in front of our go

[33:21] [clears throat]

[33:27] raise your right hand. Repeat after.

[33:30] I state your name. I

[33:34] >> do solemnly swear

[33:36] >> domly swear

[33:37] >> that I will support

[33:40] >> the Constitution of the United States

[33:44] >> the Constitution of the State of

[33:46] Tennessee

[33:47] >> the Constitution of the State of

[33:48] Tennessee

[33:49] >> and the charter

[33:51] >> of the city of K

[33:53] >> of the city of Kville

[33:54] >> and I will faithfully

[33:56] >> that I will faithfully

[33:57] >> perform the duties

[34:00] >> of the office of councilman of the

[34:02] office which I have been elected

[34:05] >> with I have been elected

[34:06] >> and which I am about to assume

[34:09] >> which

[34:10] congratulations

[34:21] All

[34:32] right,

[34:35] everybody situated. Now the fun starts,

[34:38] huh? The first item uh on the agenda is

[34:42] a consider approval of the agenda as

[34:44] presented.

[34:45] >> Roll call.

[34:46] >> Oh, excuse me. Roll call. You do roll

[34:48] call. Councilman Baji

[34:51] >> here.

[34:52] >> Councilman England

[34:53] >> present.

[34:54] >> Councilman Gilbert

[34:55] >> here.

[34:55] >> Councilman Eldridge

[34:56] >> here.

[34:57] >> Councilman Parkinson

[34:58] >> here.

[34:59] >> By press.

[35:01] >> Okay. Now we're going to approve of the

[35:02] agenda. So do I have a motion to approve

[35:04] the agenda as presented?

[35:06] >> So move.

[35:07] >> Second.

[35:11] » All right. All votes.

[35:26] All

[35:26] >> correct.

[35:29] >> Uh, yes. Motion carries.

[35:32] >> Okay. Item 13B is election of the mayor.

[35:36] Do I have a nomination for the position

[35:39] of mayor?

[35:40] >> I would like to nominate Chad Gilbert as

[35:42] our next mayor. It'd be an honor to do

[35:44] so, sir. Thank you. I'll second that.

[35:46] Thank you.

[35:47] >> Are there any other nominations?

[35:51] >> Seeing none, we'll take a motion to

[35:53] elect Chad as our new mayor by

[35:55] acclamation.

[35:57] >> A vote.

[35:58] >> Let's do a vote.

[36:18] three years ago.

[36:21] >> All the votes correct

[36:23] obvious motion carries.

[36:25] >> I'm going to turn the meeting over to

[36:26] our new mayor.

[36:43] Thank James. All right. Uh,

[36:47] first order first order of business. I

[36:48] would like to nominate Councilman Luke

[36:51] Eldridge for vice mayor.

[36:54] >> Second.

[36:56] >> So I have a second. So Council Li.

[37:01] Okay. Second, Captain Aby. Any

[37:03] discussion?

[37:05] All vote.

[37:13] » All votes. Correct.

[37:15] >> Obvious motion carries.

[37:16] >> Congratulations. Thank you.

[37:17] >> Congratulations.

[37:29] Come up. Sure.

[37:34] » Congratulations everybody up here.

[37:36] Absolutely. Well done.

[37:39] >> Item 13D, announcement of the mayor's

[37:41] appointment to planning commission. I

[37:42] have the honor of appointing Justin

[37:44] Hill. I think he actually attended the

[37:45] planning commission work session today

[37:47] and and I'm excited to have him on that

[37:49] board. Uh does not require votes. I'm

[37:51] going move on to item 13E. Consider

[37:54] appointment of the city council's

[37:55] representative to the planning

[37:56] commission. Uh do I have any

[37:58] nominations? I would like to nominate

[38:00] Ali Baji.

[38:02] We'll

[38:03] >> second that.

[38:04] >> I have a motion from Councilman

[38:06] Eldridge, Vice Mayor Eldridge, a second

[38:08] from Councilman.

[38:14] That's going to be fine.

[38:18] » Any discussion?

[38:20] All right. All votes correct by yes. Motion

[38:32] carries.

[38:33] >> Item 13F, uh, consider resolution

[38:35] R26-07-11

[38:38] commending Mayor Warren Weed for serving

[38:40] on the city council.

[38:44] » Yes, Mayor. We we've we've drafted a

[38:46] resolution honoring

[38:48] our mayor Lauren. And Chad, if you don't

[38:51] mind, I'd ask you to read that

[38:52] resolution. I'd be honored to resolution

[38:55] of the appreciation for Mayor Lauren

[38:57] Weaten given today, August the

[39:01] 20th 20th. Whereas Lauren Weeden

[39:04] faithfully served the citizens of the

[39:05] city of Cookville as vice mayor from

[39:07] August 2018 to August

[39:10] 2022 and as mayor from August 2022 to

[39:13] August 2026, given eight years of

[39:16] dedicated public service to the

[39:18] community she and her family chose to

[39:19] call home. And whereas as a nurse

[39:21] practitioner and healthc care

[39:22] professional, Mayor Weaten has devoted

[39:24] her career to caring for others and her

[39:26] firsthand understanding of the

[39:27] challenges facing individuals and

[39:29] families helped shape a compassionate,

[39:31] thoughtful, and people- centered

[39:33] approach to public service. And whereas

[39:35] upon becoming mayor in 2022, Lauren

[39:38] Weaten became the second woman in

[39:40] Cookville's history to hold that office,

[39:42] serving as an example of leadership and

[39:44] public service for future generation.

[39:46] And whereas throughout her tenure on the

[39:49] city council, Mayor Weaten helped lead

[39:51] the city of Cookville through

[39:52] extraordinary challenges, including the

[39:54] devastating March 3rd, 2020 tornado, and

[39:57] the CO 19 pandemic, working alongside

[40:00] city employees, first responders,

[40:02] healthc care providers, businesses,

[40:04] volunteers, and community leaders as

[40:07] Cookville responded, recovered, and

[40:08] moved forward together. And whereas

[40:11] Mayor Weaten extended her commitment to

[40:13] service throughout Cookville and the

[40:14] upper Cumberland through leadership and

[40:16] participation on numerous boards and

[40:18] organizations including the Cookville

[40:19] Regional Medical Center Board of

[40:21] Trustees, the Upper Cumberland Human

[40:23] Resource Agency, the Upper Cumberland

[40:24] Development District, the Upper

[40:26] Cumberland Regional Airport Board,

[40:27] strengthening partnerships and

[40:29] representing the interests of the city

[40:30] throughout the region. And whereas Mayor

[40:33] Weaten remained committed to responsible

[40:35] growth, fiscal stewardship, public

[40:37] safety, infrastructure, and long-term

[40:40] investment in Cougall's future,

[40:41] supporting mayor projects, including the

[40:43] new Cookville Police Department

[40:46] headquarters, two new fire stations, and

[40:48] the city's new energy department

[40:50] building. And whereas Mayor Weeden also

[40:52] provided leadership in the city's

[40:53] acquisition of the property at 39 depot

[40:56] and the development of a long-term

[40:57] vision for the site, recognized it and

[41:00] recognizing its importance to the

[41:01] continued vitality and future of

[41:04] downtown Cookville. And whereas

[41:05] throughout her service, Mayor Weaten

[41:07] demonstrated a strong prom a strong

[41:10] appreciation for the employees of the

[41:12] city of Cookville and remained committed

[41:13] to attracting, retaining, and supporting

[41:15] the dedicated men and women who provide

[41:18] essential services to the community each

[41:20] day. And whereas throughout her

[41:22] compassion, professionalism,

[41:25] servant leadership, and genuine love for

[41:26] the cook for Cookville, Mayor Wheaten

[41:28] has made it a made a lasting impact on

[41:30] the community, leaving a legacy

[41:32] reflected not only in projects and

[41:34] accomplishments, but also in strengthen

[41:36] strengthened relationships, regional

[41:38] partnerships, and a commitment to caring

[41:40] for the people she served. Now

[41:42] therefore, be it resolved by the city

[41:44] council of Cookville of Cookville,

[41:46] Tennessee, that on behalf of the

[41:47] citizens and the employees of the city

[41:49] of Cookville, the deepest gratitude and

[41:51] appreciation are hereby extended to

[41:53] Mayor Lauren Weeden for eight years of

[41:55] exceptional public service, dedicated

[41:57] leadership, and countless hours she has

[41:59] given to the city of Cookville and the upper Cumberland. Be it further

[42:03] resolved that Mayor Lauren Weeden leaves

[42:05] office with a sincere appreciation,

[42:07] respect, and best wishes of the city

[42:09] council, city employees, and the

[42:11] citizens of Cookville, and with

[42:13] gratitude for a legacy of service rooted

[42:15] in compassion, collaboration, and a deep

[42:17] commitment for the community she proudly

[42:19] calls home. And be a further resolve

[42:21] that this resolution shall be duly

[42:22] recorded and filed in the office of the

[42:24] city clerk, adopted this 20th day of

[42:27] August, 2026.

[42:44] I present.

[42:46] >> Do I have a motion?

[42:48] >> Second.

[42:49] >> Any discussion?

[42:53] All right. Have none. All vote.

[43:00] Although it's correct.

[43:02] >> 5. Yes. Motion carries.

[43:04] >> Lauren, I'm also going to bring you down

[43:06] a gavvel. And I did a little research

[43:08] just to see what the gavl kind of

[43:10] represents in in this context. And it's

[43:12] a symbol of authority, but true measure

[43:14] of leadership is not the authority one

[43:16] is given. It is what one chooses to do

[43:18] with it. You have carried that

[43:19] responsibility with honor. And our city

[43:22] is better because you serve. May this

[43:24] gavvel always remind you not simp not

[43:27] simple I'm sorry may this gavl always

[43:29] remind you not simply of the office you

[43:31] held but of the people you served and

[43:33] the differences you Okay.

[43:54] » Put it in my hand.

[44:04] Are you one with your family up there?

[44:18] » He's all done.

[44:24] All right. Uh

[44:27] item 13F. Moving on. Item 13, consider

[44:31] resolution. I'm sorry, that was 13th.

[44:33] 13G, consider resolution R260712

[44:37] commending Councilman Eric Walker for

[44:39] serving on the city council. Mr. Mills,

[44:41] >> mayor, we've prepared a resolution

[44:43] honoring Eric for his years of service

[44:45] and I would request that she please read

[44:48] the resolution.

[44:50] >> Yeah, happily. Okay. Again, August 20th,

[44:55] 2026, a resolution of appreciation for

[44:57] Councilman Eric Walker. Whereas Eric

[44:59] Walker faithfully served as councilman

[45:02] for the city of Cookville from August 20

[45:04] 2018 to August 2026. And whereas Mr.

[45:07] Walker, a local businessman, community

[45:09] leader, and devoted family man, has

[45:11] generously given his time and talents in

[45:13] service to the community he proudly

[45:15] calls home. In addition to his service

[45:17] on the city council, he has demonstrated

[45:19] his commitment to Cookville through his

[45:20] involvement with numerous civic

[45:22] organizations including the planning

[45:24] commission, Cookville Cityscape, the

[45:25] Rotary Club of Cookville, the Upper

[45:27] Cumberland Homebuild Association, WCTTE,

[45:30] and the Cookville Putnham County Chamber

[45:32] of Commerce. And whereas during his

[45:34] tenure on the city council, Mr. Walker

[45:37] helped guide the city [clears throat]

[45:38] through some of the most significant

[45:40] challenges in its history, including the

[45:42] unprecedented CO 19 pandemic and the

[45:45] devastating March 3rd, 2020 tornado,

[45:47] supporting efforts to restore, rebuild,

[45:49] and strengthen the Cookill community

[45:51] through resilience, compassion, and

[45:53] cooperation. And whereas, Mr. Walker has

[45:56] been dedicated to responsible growth,

[45:58] fiscal stewardship, infrastructure

[46:00] improvements, and public safety,

[46:01] supporting transformative projects,

[46:03] including the construction of the new

[46:05] police the Cookville Police Department

[46:06] headquarters, two new fire station, and

[46:09] the beginning of construction of the

[46:11] city's new energy department building

[46:13] while continually working to ensure the

[46:15] highest quality of municipal services

[46:17] for the citizens of Cookville. And

[46:19] whereas Eric Walker's devotion to the

[46:21] community has been evident through his

[46:23] support of economic development,

[46:25] neighborhood enhancement, and community

[46:26] partnerships, as well as his commitment

[46:28] to preserving the exceptional quality of

[46:30] life that makes Cookville a wonderful

[46:32] place to live, work, and raise a family.

[46:34] And whereas Mr. Walker's leadership,

[46:37] professionalism, and unwavering

[46:38] dedication to public service has made a

[46:40] lasting impact on the city of Cookville,

[46:42] and his contributions will continue to

[46:44] benefit the community for generations to

[46:46] come. Now therefore, be it resolved by

[46:48] the city of Cook, the city council of

[46:50] Cookville, Tennessee, that on behalf of

[46:52] the citizens and employees of the city

[46:54] of Cookville, deepest appreciation

[46:56] hereby extended to Eric Walker for his

[46:58] outstanding service for the tremendous

[46:59] contributions he has made toward the

[47:01] growth and improvement of the quality of

[47:03] life in the city of Cookville. Now,

[47:05] therefore, be it further resolved that

[47:08] this resolution shall be duly recorded

[47:09] and filed in the office of the city

[47:11] clerk, adopted this 20th day of August,

[47:14] 2026.

[47:33] All right. Do I have a motion to adopt

[47:34] the resolution? Second motion

[47:39] council second by Vice Mayor.

[47:42] Any discussion?

[47:44] None. All vote.

[47:51] All

[47:51] >> votes correct.

[47:53] Yes. Motion carries.

[48:12] Don't

[48:18] freaking

[48:35] Uh

[48:37] item 14. Well, that this is this this

[48:40] concludes the agenda portion of our

[48:42] meeting. Item 14. Are there any citizens

[48:44] requests for hearing before the city

[48:46] council?

[48:49] All right. Seeing none, are there any

[48:51] comments from this council?

[48:56] Yes, you can.

[48:56] >> I just want to say it's an honor to

[48:58] serve the city that I love so much and

[49:00] to follow behind such a great council

[49:02] who's already made such an impact and we

[49:04] do thank you too for your service. I

[49:06] listen wholeheartedly to what you said

[49:07] and I will take your advice and I hope

[49:09] that I can represent this council well

[49:12] just like you.

[49:14] I'm excited to be here. Thank you for

[49:16] your guidance, your wisdom, your

[49:18] encouragement. Um thank you to everyone

[49:20] that voted for me to be here. I hope

[49:22] that I can serve everyone in the city

[49:24] and serve us well and help support and

[49:28] um just make us even better than we

[49:29] already are. And I'm excited to serve

[49:32] with you all. And yeah, let's do it.

[49:37] >> I would just like to say that I'm

[49:38] grateful that for these last four years,

[49:42] but also grateful for the opportunity to

[49:44] continue to give back to to my hometown.

[49:48] And I appreciate that. And also I am

[49:51] looking forward to serving with the two

[49:55] new additions and thankful that I've

[49:58] been given the opportunity to serve with

[49:59] you too and and I really am excited um

[50:04] for the great things that we're going to

[50:05] accomplish together.

[50:07] >> Yeah. And just to wrap up, thank you for

[50:09] everybody who voted for for me. Saw bit

[50:12] keep me where I was at. I did so good

[50:14] there. You want to keep me there? And uh

[50:16] I've joked with Chad a little bit on

[50:18] some things and we've had a lot of good

[50:19] fun. That's one thing about the council

[50:20] prior and this one. We had fun doing

[50:23] what we did. Even when we didn't agree

[50:24] on everything, we still had fun. Uh I

[50:26] still respect them and I'm going to miss

[50:28] again I am going to miss my dumpster. So

[50:30] when I need to talk about that, I'm

[50:31] coming to see Eric may run something by

[50:33] Lauren every now and then. But it will

[50:35] be fun to serve with these I know these

[50:37] two prior uh for being in the community.

[50:40] So it will be fun. I'm excited to see

[50:42] what we can accomplish and continue. And

[50:44] I just want to thank my family for in

[50:46] four more years. You got to sacrifice

[50:48] some late night while I talk on the

[50:50] phone and walk and pace because that's

[50:52] how I cope and that's my coping

[50:54] mechanism. But four more years of doing

[50:57] that. I thank my kids for being

[50:58] understanding and knowing going to miss

[51:01] some things but it's part of it and

[51:03] after four years I'll be home. So uh but

[51:06] going to enjoy these four years

[51:07] especially with this group. So

[51:09] congratulations again at mayor seat. I'm

[51:12] excited about it. So looking forward to

[51:14] things.

[51:16] >> Well thank you all. I'm looking forward

[51:17] to it as well. U Thank you all for being

[51:19] here. I'll be considerate of your time.

[51:21] I've got a couple comments here just to

[51:22] kind of wind us out. Um I'd like to

[51:25] start by thanking my wife Anna and my

[51:27] family, many of which are here taking up

[51:29] several rows. And I

[51:32] can't thank you enough for that. Rather

[51:34] than call everybody out, just just know

[51:36] what that means to me and how important

[51:37] that is. Specifically to my mom and dad,

[51:40] thank you for raising me and our family

[51:42] here in Cookville. I know that sounds

[51:45] simple and even understated, but it made

[51:48] all the difference in my life. Just as

[51:51] my family has grown over the last four

[51:53] years, uh, so has Cookville. And I'd

[51:55] like to thank the citizens putting their

[51:57] trust in me as mayor along with this new

[51:59] council to lead our great city. That

[52:02] honor and responsibility are not taken

[52:04] lightly. And as much has been has been

[52:06] accomplished over the last four years, I

[52:08] couldn't be more excited to start the

[52:10] next chapter of our city story and to

[52:12] contribute to its legacy. We find

[52:14] ourselves today in a city that is

[52:16] strong, stable, growing, and vibrant,

[52:19] and yet still the charming place many of

[52:20] us have called home most of our lives.

[52:23] It is a remarkable recipe that makes

[52:25] Cookville so special. And I and as proud

[52:28] as I am of my tenure on the most recent

[52:30] council, I am equally grateful for the

[52:32] previous mayors and council that laid

[52:34] the foundation from which we benefit

[52:36] today. Looking ahead, I am committed to

[52:38] leading with humility, accessibility,

[52:41] and support for our citizens. There is

[52:43] no doubt in my mind there will be

[52:44] challenges, but I am even more confident

[52:46] that there will be outnumbered by

[52:48] opportunities. And I look forward to

[52:49] working alongside this council to make

[52:51] sure we do what is best for Cookville at

[52:54] every turn. Please keep us in your

[52:56] prayers and let us know whenever we can

[52:58] be of service. Thank you again for

[53:00] everyone who's here tonight. I think

[53:03] James, we may have a reception.

[53:04] >> Yes, we do.

[53:06] >> Back for that direction on the line.

[53:08] >> Okay. And again, thank you. If there's

[53:10] no other business uh meeting adjourned,

[53:13] >> we need a

[53:14] >> I'll make a motion we adjourn.

[53:16] [laughter]

[53:17] >> That was just special.

[53:20] >> Okay. Hit the

[53:24] Okay.

City Council Meeting August 20th, 2026

Transcript