[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.