[0:00] Okay. >> Welcome everyone here this evening. We

[0:03] call this meeting to order. Please stand with us for the Pledge of Allegiance and

[0:07] the prayer. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:11] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[0:16] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[0:21] » Robert will you lead us in prayer, please?

[0:23] » Yes, let's bow our heads. Dear [clears throat] heavenly Father,

[0:26] we're thankful for this day that you've given us for bringing us up to this

[0:30] point. We pray God that you bless the meeting tonight. We pray that all the

[0:33] business and activities God would be in accordance with your will. We pray that

[0:37] you give wisdom and guidance to our city commissioners and

[0:42] city leaders God and our administration. God, we just ask that you just help

[0:47] bless each home that's represented here God and keep us all in your will and in

[0:50] your care. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

[0:53] » Amen. >> Thank you, Robert.

[0:57] Item two, approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 16th, 2020. So,

[1:02] I hear [clears throat] a motion. >> Motion.

[1:04] » Second. And any discussion?

[1:07] With none, all in favor say I. Any opposed say no. Item three, petitions

[1:12] and communications of the public and items from the audience. None this

[1:15] evening. Thank you, Seth. Reports of boards and committees.

[1:19] None this evening. Number five, city manager's report.

[1:23] » Thanks, Mayor. I would like to announce that the Gholson Community Center will

[1:26] be closed from July 27th through August 2nd for the annual maintenance week at

[1:31] the facility. The center will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd. During

[1:36] maintenance week, the wood floors will be cleaned and refinished and painting

[1:40] will be done throughout the facility as needed in addition to various other

[1:44] maintenance jobs. All of this work is performed internally

[1:47] by the recreation department. Second, I would like to invite everyone to attend

[1:51] a special dedication ceremony for the pavilion at Mills Park following

[1:56] the conclusion of the meeting this evening. We will have a short ceremony

[2:00] to officially dedicate the pavilion in honor of Mr. Pledge Profit. That's all I

[2:04] have, Mayor. >> Thank you, sir.

[2:07] Uh item six old business A ordinance number 2654 an ordinance to amend the

[2:11] Gatlinburg zoning ordinance being ordinance number 830 and further being

[2:15] an ordinance to reclassify parcel 18 tax map 118 located on Glades Road

[2:21] in the city from R-1 low-density residential district to C-5 crafts

[2:27] commercial district public hearing and second reading passed first reading 6 16

[2:32] 2026 and planning commission 5 21 2026. Do I hear a motion?

[2:39] » So moved. >> Second.

[2:40] » Motion and a second. I'll open the public hearing. Any comments?

[2:44] » No, sir. >> Okay, with that I'll close the public

[2:48] hearing. Dalton, go ahead. >> Yes, sir. Uh this request seeks to

[2:51] rezone the parcel from R-1 low residential density uh to C-5 crafts and

[2:56] commercial as you have mentioned to facilitate a residential planned unit

[2:59] development. Uh transitioning this property to the specialized restrictive

[3:02] commercial zone uh permitting uses such as single-family, multi-family

[3:06] dwellings, arts and craft shops, antique shops, restaurants, bed and breakfast,

[3:10] and wedding chapels. Uh this will also increase their allowable FAR, finished

[3:14] floor area ratio. >> Okay, awesome. Any comments, questions?

[3:19] With that, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed say no.

[3:24] Item seven new business A ordinance number 2655 an ordinance to amend

[3:29] sections 411.701

[3:32] and 706 of the Gatlinburg zoning ordinance being ordinance number 830 and

[3:36] further being an ordinance to prohibit the use of QR codes or other digital

[3:41] scanning technology in single and in signage and further [clears throat]

[3:46] being an ordinance to modify the regulation of tourist residence. First

[3:50] reading passed planning planning commission 6 18 2026. Do I hear a

[3:55] motion? >> So moved.

[3:56] » Thank you. >> Motion and a second. Go ahead, Don.

[3:58] » Yes, sir. The planning commission has requested and recommended to you all a

[4:01] text amendment updating tourist residency standards located in section

[4:05] 411-701 and 706 to explicitly prohibit QR codes, barcodes, or other electronic

[4:12] scanable technology on tourist residency's name and address signs. This

[4:17] request is rooted in public safety intended to prevent visitors from

[4:20] stopping or slowing down suddenly to scan roadside QR codes that can lead to

[4:25] bottlenecks and collisions. Lastly, it should be noted that in the proposal in

[4:29] front of you all today, it does require a mandatory compliance period of 180

[4:33] days of this adoption or upon their renewal of their annual TR permit.

[4:39] » Okay, good deal. Any comments or questions? Go ahead, Mr. Mayor.

[4:43] » With none, all in favor say I. Any opposed say no. Item B, discussion

[4:47] and consideration of approving the usage of the aquarium parking garage

[4:51] by the Friends of Tennessee's Babies with special needs on August 26, 2026.

[4:56] Do I hear a motion? >> Motion.

[4:57] » Second. >> Any discussion?

[5:01] With none, all in favor say I. Any opposed say no. Item C, ordinance

[5:05] number 2656, an ordinance to amend sections 7-501.2

[5:11] and 7-502 of the Gatlinburg Municipal Code at

[5:14] further reading, an ordinance to include sparkling devices

[5:19] in the definition of fireworks and to prohibit

[5:23] the retail sale of fireworks in the city of Gatlinburg. This is the first

[5:27] reading. Do I hear a motion? >> Motion.

[5:28] » Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion on

[5:31] this? I think it's pretty clear they just

[5:35] can't sell fireworks in the city. >> That's correct. Yes, and our attorney

[5:39] Bob Vance has looked over this and and that is exactly. It's prohibited to uh

[5:45] uh use fireworks within the city. This

[5:47] would prohibit the sale of them. >> Very good.

[5:51] Okay, all in favor say I. >> I.

[5:53] » Any opposed say no. Item D, resolution uh number 1043, a resolution declaring

[5:59] certain city-owned rescue vehicles to be surplus property and authorizing their

[6:06] disposition uh in trade-in toward the purchase of

[6:10] new rescue vehicle. Do I hear a motion? >> So moved.

[6:14] » Second. [clears throat] >> Any discussion on this?

[6:17] » Robert, will you only give it just a little summary? That way they'll

[6:20] understand as the fire chief if you'd come to the podium also.

[6:22] » I'll just go ahead and stand up here for the next couple of days. Yeah, normally

[6:25] when we surplus property, we surplus it to sell, but if the city

[6:30] uh deems it more advantageous to trade something in, which we really feel

[6:34] strongly in this case that we get a better

[6:37] uh financial benefit by trading these two pieces of equipment in on new

[6:40] equipment, we've already got a guaranteed trade-in value, which will be

[6:44] a lot better than what we did if we sell it. So,

[6:46] uh for the comptroller's direction if we

[6:49] just y'all just pass a resolution, we can trade it in on the purchase of a new

[6:53] piece new piece of equipment. >> my question is is one of these are a

[6:56] 2024 vehicle that's fairly new. Why are we trading that in?

[7:00] » I'll let Chief speak to that. I'm not sure about the uh PS model.

[7:03] » 2024 model is a small truck and we're we're trying to upgrade our rescue

[7:08] program to enhance that capability by adding one big truck bigger truck and we

[7:14] won't need the two smaller rigs and they've offered us a pretty good

[7:17] trade-in value. We paid about $400,000 for that truck and we've

[7:21] used it a little over a year year and a half two years and they're offered us

[7:25] $385,000. >> Oh, that's a fire.

[7:28] » That's a pretty good >> [laughter]

[7:29] » good deal. >> Yes.

[7:30] » And they're going to let us continue to use it until we get delivery of the new

[7:34] truck. >> And they're still going to give you that

[7:35] price while we're driving it? >> Yes.

[7:38] » That's a good that's a good deal all the way around.

[7:40] » I want [laughter] to do business with this firm. Who who is this company?

[7:43] » And and what the idea is and and chief had spoke to us about it is

[7:49] we can have less manpower and it be stationed or staffed with personnel like

[7:55] at station two where it can always be ready to roll to anywhere in the city

[7:59] instead of having multiple vehicles that we have to buy to doing the same kind of

[8:03] thing. >> Yeah, we currently have three vehicles

[8:05] that's carrying all this equipment. We're going to go to one

[8:08] that will carry all the rescue equipment. And it won't carry any water

[8:12] or hose or any of that stuff. It'll just be strictly a rescue truck that will

[8:16] service the entire city multi-role multi-function.

[8:20] » And and also they're going to add some of the as you those same jaws of life

[8:24] that pops doors and new things onto our engines so they can be more utilized in

[8:29] all different aspects for fire and rescue also.

[8:32] » Yeah, the two engines that were in the process of

[8:35] bidding they've been bid out and and in the build process, they're set up to be

[8:40] rescue engines where they'll have multi-role capability too. So, we're

[8:43] going to enhance the city's ability in the services the fire department

[8:46] provides by doing this. >> Very good.

[8:49] » You all are good negotiators.

[8:53] » Thank you both you guys. Thanks. >> Any other questions or comments? First

[8:58] time all in favor say [clears throat] I. Any opposed say no. Item eight ordinance

[9:02] number 2657 a property tax leveling levying ordinance for the city for the

[9:07] fiscal year beginning July 1st, 20 26 and ending June 30th, 2027. This is the

[9:12] first reading. Do I hear motion? >> Motion.

[9:15] » Second. >> Greg, we have a little discussion on

[9:18] this. >> Yes, Robert.

[9:19] » Yeah, this is the property tax ordinance which we do every year. This year was a

[9:23] reappraisal year. So, because obvious assessed values have increased

[9:28] significantly, we have to decrease our mill what's called millage rate down

[9:33] from 12.57 cents per $100 to 6.91 cents. That's the certified rate that the tax

[9:41] that the state provided with us that I got from Thomas Paul King. So, this is

[9:47] we have to decrease the rate to achieve about the same amount of revenue as we

[9:51] have in previous years. So, so we can basically say that we do not have a tax

[9:55] increase. >> Cindy, did you get that?

[9:59] » [laughter] >> They're doing that across all counties.

[10:03] » Okay. >> Any discussion or [clears throat]

[10:05] comments? >> And I think Robert that this is a good

[10:07] point to make. I think there are possibly, and I may be wrong, there's

[10:11] about five municipalities across the state that has zero uh property tax. Is

[10:16] that correct? >> Well, I know I know before this we were

[10:19] the sixth from the bottom. >> Yes. So, so to that point I would think

[10:24] that we're probably in the top one or one, two, or three lowest in the entire

[10:27] state >> we're we're we're way down.

[10:30] » Yes. >> before this.

[10:31] » Yes. Yes. >> And in the county.

[10:34] » And and so so >> [laughter]

[10:36] » as far as counties go now, but >> Okay, any other comments or questions?

[10:40] With none all in favor say I. >> I.

[10:42] » Any opposed say nay. >> Thank you, Robert.

[10:47] » Ordinance number 2658 an ordinance making a fiscal and annual appropriation

[10:51] for the several departments of the city of Gatlinburg for the fiscal year

[10:54] beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027 and carrying forward

[11:00] appropriations for the prior years encumbrances. This is the first reading.

[11:04] Do I hear a motion? >> Motion. Second.

[11:07] » Robert, do you want to comment on this? >> Well, this is our annual budget

[11:11] ordinance, our first reading, which you know after this reading will require

[11:15] two more readings. And the next the next reading will be our public hearing. So,

[11:18] we will uh get the information ready for a public notice that goes in the paper

[11:22] after this. But, I will say this that uh I don't usually give my opinion much,

[11:27] but but we've done a lot done a lot of budgets. Been been part of a lot of

[11:30] budgets, and I'm I'm really more excited about this one than anyone I've I've

[11:35] seen. Because I think I think it's I think it it gets us to a level of

[11:40] service in a lot of different ways that I'm really excited about.

[11:43] » That's awesome. We met yesterday at budget all day and you and Greg did a

[11:48] fabulous job. We appreciate it.

[11:52] Okay, with no other questions or comments, all in favor say I.

[11:57] Any opposed say no. Item 8 and scheduled items and we'll start with Commissioner

[12:01] Horner.

[12:03] » I just, you know, HL Oakley's passing his family. I just wish that everybody

[12:09] would keep them in

[12:11] their prayers and thoughts and really hate that for Mike and and all of

[12:15] them actually, but that's the ones I know the most. So,

[12:19] good luck with that. I'd like to go

[12:23] compliment the guys on their

[12:25] budget yesterday, the conference and

[12:29] you could tell a lot of what hard work and effort went into it.

[12:34] And I want to make sure that we go up to Blazes and see him and and

[12:41] enjoy the fellowship with the home grown people.

[12:45] » Yep. Yep. Commissioner Brackins.

[12:49] » I have none other than that. He took care of it.

[12:53] » Commissioner Reagan. >> Yeah, I mean, the budget process

[12:56] yesterday was great. The detail was wonderful.

[12:59] Appreciate everybody that got up and spoke, all the department heads,

[13:02] everybody, all the employees, not just Greg and Robert and Nathan and everybody

[13:07] here. So, just thank you. >> I agree with that. Thank you very much.

[13:12] It was a good day.

[13:16] » And I'll just echo what everybody has said already and uh

[13:21] everybody try to make it out to Blazes. It's going to be good.

[13:24] And as for a motion to adjourn. >> So moved.

[13:28] » Second. >> All in favor say I.

[13:30] » I. >> We are adjourned.

[13:32] » And Mayor, we have a beer board. >> We do have a beer board meeting and I'll

[13:36] call the beer board meeting to order and item

[13:40] two is approval of the minutes on May 19th, 2026. I'll entertain a motion to

[13:44] approve. >> So moved.

[13:46] » Second. >> Motion is second. Any discussion on the

[13:48] minutes? Hearing none, all in favor indicate by

[13:51] saying I. >> I.

[13:53] » Item three, old business, there is none. Item four, new business, item A,

[13:56] discussion consideration of approval of special event beer permit for the

[14:00] Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival to be held August 20th through the 22nd, 2026.

[14:05] Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved.

[14:07] » Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion?

[14:11] Hearing none, all in favor indicate by saying I.

[14:13] » I. >> Motion has passed. Five, adjournments.

[14:17] Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved.

[14:19] » Second. All in favor of adjourning indicate by saying I.

[14:22] » I. >> We are adjourned.

[15:49] » Yeah.

City Commission 7-21-26

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