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Good afternoon and welcome to the
Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen's

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business meeting for August 18th. Let us
all stand for the pledge to be led by

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New Vision Youth followed by invocation
by Alderman Cooper.

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» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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» Please bow your heads.
Dear gracious and loving God,

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as I come to my last Board of Mayor and
Aldermen meeting, my heart is filled

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with gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for the
opportunity to serve the people of

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Kingsport and for the privilege of being
part of this community.

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Bless Collette and Gary as they leave
their place on the board.

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Help us all to continue to serve you and
others in whatever capacity you place

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before us.
Allow us to take the knowledge,

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experience, and lessons that we have
gained through our service and use them

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to bless others and continue to make a
difference in our community.

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I pray especially for Richard, Calvin,
and Julie as they begin their service on

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the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Give
them wisdom, patience, compassion,

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courage, and discernment. May they
always remember that their greatest

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responsibility is to serve you and the
citizens of Kingsport with integrity and

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a servant's heart.
Bless all of our elected leaders, our

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city staff, and the many people who work
behind the scenes to make our city the

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wonderful place it is.
Give them strength and wisdom as they

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face the challenges and opportunities
ahead.

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Lord, thank you for the friendships
made,

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the lessons learned, the challenges
overcome, and the many blessings we've

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experienced through this journey.
May we leave this world with a grateful

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heart knowing that we have given our
best to the city and its people.

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Continue to guide Kingsport, protect our
community,

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and bless all of those who call it home.
May we always seek what is best for our

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city, care for one another, and lead
with grace, humility, and love. In your

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precious name I pray. Amen.
>> Amen.

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» You may be seated.
Thank you,

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New Vision Youth and Alderman Cooper.

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Mr. Recorder, please take the roll.
Mayor Montgomery.

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» Here.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.

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» Here.
>> Alderman Baker.

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Alderman Cooper.
>> Here.

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» Alderman George.
>> Here.

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» Alderman Maze.
>> Here.

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» Alderman Phillips.
>> Here.

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» Thank you. Six of seven board members
are present. We have a quorum.

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Mr. City Manager.
>> Mayor, we have several recognitions on

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the agenda tonight and we're going to
begin by recognizing Sullivan County

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Mayor Richard Venable.
If asked,

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Mayor, if you would please join Mayor
Montgomery at the podium for a very

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special recognition.

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» I've been known for good timing.
>> Yeah.

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» It's It's nothing like coming in hot.
We are honored tonight to

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pay tribute to one of the best in the
our region and the city. He's a resident

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of Kingsport City
and he has been involved for 35 years in

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various
opportunities throughout the city.

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And tonight we want to say thank you for
to Richard and and and Phyllis for the

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the work that he's done and she's done
over these many years. And again, we're

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not saying goodbye, we're just saying
we'll see what happens next.

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Okay, City of Kingsport Commendation.
Whereas Mayor Richard Venable

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has faithfully and honorably served the
citizens of Kingsport and Sullivan

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County for more than 35 years in various
elected and appointed positions. And

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whereas prior to his distinguished
career in public office, Mayor Venable

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achieved success in the private sector
serving as executive with the

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Mason-Dixon Lines Incorporated and later
founded his own successful trucking

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company which has operated
for 25 years employing 49 people and

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managing 42 trucks. And whereas Mayor
Venable first served people of Sullivan

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County as a state representative serving
in the house leadership from his first

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term until retiring in 1996
as House Republican Whip. And whereas

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Mayor Venable then held the position of
Sullivan County Mayor for 15 years

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during two separate stints
leading the county through significant

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progress and economic development
including the expansion of the Sullivan

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County Jail. And whereas his leadership
has left a lasting impact on Kingsport,

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Sullivan County, and the state of
Tennessee

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by championing fiscal responsibility,
strong public safety, and workforce

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readiness through higher education. Now,
therefore, I, Paul W. Montgomery, mayor

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of the city of Kingsport, and on behalf
of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of

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the city of Kingsport, do hereby commend
Mayor Richard Venable for his decades of

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leadership and exemplary public service
to the citizens of Kingsport and

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Sullivan County, and encourage all
cities all citizens to help us

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uh with this commendation. Thank you,
and Mayor Venable, let you sit if you

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want. THANK YOU.

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» THANK YOU. I'LL BE BRIEF.
UM

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I'VE ASKED PHYLLIS to come with me
tonight because she's been a part of

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everything I've done.
Um

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And as I look back on it, uh
I actually started in 1984. That's a

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different century, uh a different
millennium.

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And uh
people say, "Well, you've sacrificed a

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lot." Well, I haven't.
I've been fortunate uh

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in my life to be able to
do what I had a passion for and also

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make a living.
And uh um

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Paul, I'm I'm accustomed to reading
these and not getting them, so I

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um but uh the
my company, RSV Inc., don't ever name a

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company after yourself, by the way.
Uh

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uh we when I ran for mayor in 2014,
uh I lost my key people. They were as

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old as I was and should have been
retired. They They worked on longer than

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they should have,
but uh that allowed me

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over the years to do what my passion
was, which is

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I'm not going to say service, which is
politics, and that's not a bad word.

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But, if you do it right,
it is a is a service, and I hope I've

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done it right for the people of Sullivan
County.

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Phil and I have lived 24 years in
Indian Springs because of a state

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representative, and
uh we got to Kingsport in 1998. So,

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we've been here nearly 30 years.
Um and there is no better place to live

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than Kingsport, Tennessee.
And I hope I've shown that over the

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years in my leadership of the county
because all the folks in Kingsport are

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also residents of Sullivan County.
And it's our

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obligation to serve them well.
Uh so, I I'm I'm going to stop there. I

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could talk all night about Kingsport and
what you've done.

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Uh I think it's an amazing city, and
you've always had good people

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step up for leadership. You even stole
one of my people.

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Uh he he retired on me.
And uh when you good people start

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retiring, you better leave. Uh but, uh
as a fact, I I

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Kingsport's successful because
leadership always steps up here.

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And you elect people like Paul
Montgomery. So, Mayor Montgomery, thank

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you.
Board members, thank you for the

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recognition. Um
I will be around, I think. Uh

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it's a good lawyer. Give me a day.
Uh I'll take it very happily. So, uh

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you might not see us for a few weeks or
something.

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Uh
but, uh anyway, we'll be here. THANK

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YOU.

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» WE NOW LIKE TO RECOMMEND OR recognize
the 2026 Appalachian League champions,

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the Kingsport Axmen. So, you all please
make your way up to the podium and join

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Vice Mayor Duncan for a very special
recognition.

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» Well, thanks to you, manager, and
Kingsport has a long history

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of baseball in our city, and so it dates
back to 1921.

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And so with a halt there for a few
years, so it's it's continued on. It was

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the Appalachian League back in 1921. And
of course in 2021, that's when we went

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to the Wooden Bat League, which I think
improved baseball tremendously for the

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league. Instead of having such young
players, you've got collegiate players.

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A lot of them had just finished their
collegiate season and then just comes on

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board
with

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with the Axemen. And so it it's really
improved baseball. If anybody hadn't

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really suggest that they go. So in 2022,
won the league championship. And then I

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think you came, Caleb, in 2024
as a general manager. And then we've got

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McKenzie Tester here, and she's the
assistant general general manager. We've

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known McKenzie for a long time.
But when you bring the hardware, and

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that's a 2026, then it makes it
official. So congratulations to you

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guys. So I know it means a lot, and it
does to our city, too. So

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people haven't been out, it's a great
field with turf, and

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and it's just really a fun night, a
family night. So Caleb, I'm going to

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turn it over to you and let you say a
few words.

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» Yes, thank you very much. Absolutely.
Yes, so like you said, the unique thing

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about this is we're the first two-time
winner since that's been rebranded in

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2021.
I'd like to tell this story that if you

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look at our standings board this season
five games in, I thought it was an error

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for the longest time, but we had a zero
in the win column.

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Turns out it was right, but like we all
say, we like the ending a whole lot

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better than the beginning. Our young
guys turned the season around, and it

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was it was a it was a huge success, and
the support here in the community has

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been great since I've been here. It's
like no other any any other stadium we

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go to, and uh we look forward to seeing
each each and every one of you out at

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the ballpark in 2027. Hopefully, we'll
bring this back home then as well.

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» You got a new scoreboard coming too,
right?

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» Yeah, and then uh next year we're
actually starting construction next

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month and we'll be putting up a brand
new video board. So, we'll be able to

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show uh this thing off real nicely.
>> All right, THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

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WE'RE NOW GOING TO RECOGNIZE BOTH THE
July and August Keep Kingsport beautiful

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beautification awards and Allison is
here.

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» Yes.
>> Walk us through that.

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» All right. We're going to start with
This is the uh home of Curtis and Debbie

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Pickwell at 1501 War Path Drive. Uh the
home features window boxes on the front

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and side of the house with various
flowers in the yard and on the porch. Uh

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the property, as you can tell, is very
well maintained, nicely kept. Very

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pretty house.
There's the window boxes.

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And this
Next home is It's the home of Harold and

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Linda Robinson at 105 Boulder Court. Uh
this property is decked out with bunting

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flags to celebrate America's 250th
anniversary. Uh there's seating on the

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front porch welcomes visitors while
flowers in the yard include hibiscus,

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crepe myrtle, and daylilies. We'll see
if we can find some of those in the

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pictures.

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Okay, the next home is Tim and Kathy
Jennings at 1001 Allendale Circle. Uh

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this property features various plants
and flowers along with a water feature

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and the window boxes.
It's very neatly kept.

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This is the home of Sherry Bradley at
738 Hunts Terrace. Uh this property

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features uh various flowers including
marigolds, day lilies along the

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driveway, wave petunias,
uh more day lilies, a weeping cherry

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tree, crape myrtle, Japanese maple in
the front yard, and the rocking chairs

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and decorative lights welcome visitors
to the porch.

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Um all landscaping is lined with white
river rock.

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The next home, it's the home of Tracy
Nguyen at 1025 Norfolk Place. This

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home's landscaping features beautiful
raised beds with a wide variety of

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annuals and perennials. Um various
shrubs and pines are planted along with

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roses, white gladiolas, Russian sage,
purple coneflowers, crape myrtle. Uh

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this property also features a wooden
trellis with an arbor.

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The business winner for July was Texas
Roadhouse, uh East Stone Drive.

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Beautiful cone-shaped evergreens and box
shrubs line the side of the restaurant

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while beautiful white rocks
line the landscaping.

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And next, the church winner for July was
Kendrick's Creek United Methodist

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Church, 1000 Kendrick Creek Road.
Was founded in 1886.

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Uh this church features a colorful
flower garden,

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which is beautiful, that welcomes all
visitors to worship.

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It's very pretty.
Um the redevelopment award

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for July was 243 East Market Street,
which is now Mama Dee's restaurant. Uh

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the owners of this restaurant
transformed the downtown storefront into

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a vibrant new business bringing new
activity to East Market Street.

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Extensive interior and exterior
renovations

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uh were completed to create an inviting
space for residents and visitors alike.

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This property represents a strong
investment in the downtown area

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demonstrating how adaptive reuse of
existing buildings can support ongoing

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revitalization efforts and encourage
additional private investment. There you

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go. Before and after.

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And now for our August winners.
Oops.

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Whoa.
Did I do that?

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Adrienne, get me back.

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Okay.
>> We're good.

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» I don't know what happened.
Okay.

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These are the August winners. On this
home, it's the home of John and Kim

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Blessing at 2012 East Severe Avenue. Uh
this well-maintained property features

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several areas of landscaping with lovely
shrubs, crepe myrtles, knockout roses,

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stargazer lilies. I can't
see any more. Yeah. Stargazer lilies,

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lantana, uh and other colorful accents.
It's beautiful on the corner of Montrose

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and Severe.

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Our next home is Deborah Price at 800
Carlisle Drive. Uh this home has various

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plants and flowers including ferns,
uh mandevilla, knockout roses, petunias,

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hydrangeas, begonias, impatiens, and
geraniums. Uh the owner built terraced

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brick walls to prevent erosion on the
property. Uh there's several cozy

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sitting areas that welcome visitors
along with wind chimes that sound very

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00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,800
lovely in the breeze.

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00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:51,200
Next home is Bob and Jennifer Feathers
at 2008 Westwind Drive. Uh this

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00:16:48,839 --> 00:16:55,800
beautiful home facing Bay's Mountain
features loads of different plants, some

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00:16:53,720 --> 00:17:01,080
of which are the beautiful hydrangea,
mandevilla, uh and trees of various

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00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:05,199
textures. The blue Oops. Let me talk
about that blue front door.

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00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:10,560
The blue front door is flanked by
beautiful colorful mandevilla in in the

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00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:16,319
pots while the backyard features
a beautiful pool.

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00:17:12,839 --> 00:17:21,000
A refreshing pool and lounge chairs.
And this is the home of Patrick and

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00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:25,880
Stephanie Grandelli at 407 Claymore
Drive.

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00:17:22,439 --> 00:17:29,720
Uh the plants along the front include
something I've never heard of, Mr.

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00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:34,280
Bowling Ball Arborvitae.
Mr. Bowling Ball.

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00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:38,280
Purple petunias, white mandevilla, and
holly bushes line the front porch. A

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00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:42,480
beautiful mature sweeping cherry tree
anchors the front yard. Along the side

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00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:47,240
porch are multiple planter boxes with
ferns, petunias, creeping jenny, and

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00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:52,240
various herbs. There's also uh pencil
holly bushes, dusty miller, and a mature

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00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:56,400
Japanese maple on the side of the house,
along with azaleas, hosta, and dusty

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00:17:54,240 --> 00:18:00,840
miller growing on the side. And at the
front of the home, I just want to point

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00:17:58,120 --> 00:18:03,560
out that those um planter boxes, the
black planter boxes, are actually file

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00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:08,200
cabinets.
I thought that was a great example of

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00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:12,320
reuse, reduce, recycle.
Just very cool. Lay them on their back

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00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:16,000
and fill fill them with dirt.
Good job.

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00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:20,560
Uh the business winner is B&H Wealth
Strategies

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00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:24,480
at 1402 East Center Street. The property
features nice landscaping around the

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00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:28,560
company sign in the front yard. Lovely
green shrubbery surrounds the business,

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00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:32,760
along with a decorative bench and yellow
daylilies.

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00:18:30,120 --> 00:18:35,680
Uh small buckets catch rainwater from
the roof. Let me find those little

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00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:39,040
buckets. There they are.
Well, which flows onto the landscaping

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00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:44,160
stones at the side of the building.
That looks really nice.

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00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:49,600
The church winner is Tri-City Worship
Church at 121 Jacquet Drive. This

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00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:53,480
building previously housed Amato's
Restaurant. It now serves the community

244
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:58,160
as a church and houses an onsite pre-K
program. The grass is freshly manicured

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00:18:55,960 --> 00:19:02,880
and the campus is inviting with blooming
trees, other greenery, and a fenced-in

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00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,880
playground.

247
00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:11,520
Here is the redevelopment winner for
August. It's the Stop and Go Market at

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00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:15,000
798 West Center Street. Here's your
before

249
00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:18,400
and after.
This property has been updated with

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00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:22,920
exterior finishes and side improvements.
Renovations included new brick brick

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00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:27,680
facade, metal roof, refreshed
storefront, outdoor seating area.

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00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:32,480
The improvements provide a clean updated
appearance while maintaining the

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00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:32,480
property's existing use.

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00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:38,640
And will all the winners that are
present please stand up and BE

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00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:38,640
RECOGNIZED.

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00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:50,040
THANK YOU ALL. ALSO WANT TO mention that
I'd like to thank our sponsor Bohm

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00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:53,280
Landscaping for helping with the
beautification committee.

258
00:19:55,120 --> 00:20:01,440
» Thank you mayor. There was an honorable
mention award that went to the Cooper

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00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:05,480
family.
We've yet to come up with an award that

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00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:08,440
is fitting for that category,
but it felt like they should be

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00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:12,240
mentioned.
All right mayor, we'll now move on to

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00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:15,600
the citizen comment section.
For those of you in the audience

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00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:20,400
tonight, this is a part of the meeting
where you can address us as a board

264
00:20:19,120 --> 00:20:24,720
and
we give you 5 minutes to come to the

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00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:30,160
podium. We ask you sign the register
there with your address

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00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:34,240
and the only requirement we have is that
you keep your comments non-personal in

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00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:39,720
nature
and total time for this is 30 minutes.

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00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:42,320
And again, we do not get into dialogue.
We're here to listen at this point in

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00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:46,920
time.
Anyone coming forth?

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00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,920
Come on, sir.

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00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:17,160
» There are timekeepers in the corner over
here.

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00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:20,120
» Perfect. Thank you so much. And uh
congratulations on all your reelections.

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00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:24,320
That's really awesome.
Um so, my name is Jacob Meadows and I

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00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:29,120
work for a company called Youth
Villages. Particularly, I work in the

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00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:32,640
foster care sector of Youth Villages.
We're located in Johnson City. That's

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00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:36,080
where our local office is, but we cover
every county in Tennessee.

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00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:40,000
Um you can find us off Bristol Highway.
We're uh right across from the Shell

278
00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:45,920
station, if you're curious. So, I am
here today to address everyone about the

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00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:48,400
need for more foster parents in this
area.

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00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:52,920
Uh for those of you who don't know,
there are at any given point a little

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00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:57,680
over 8,000 kids in Tennessee who are in
foster care. Over 50% of them are here

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00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:59,960
in East Tennessee.
Um

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00:21:58,360 --> 00:22:04,600
Sullivan County, just to give you guys a
little bit of data, um they have over

284
00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:10,400
200 children currently in foster care
from Sullivan County. Over half of them

285
00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:17,040
are from Kingsport zip codes. So, around
130 to 140 of those kids are here or

286
00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:20,760
from this area of Kingsport. Um and
we're facing a big problem. We don't

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00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:25,880
have enough foster homes. And that's
true for just about every single agency,

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00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:30,000
every county across Tennessee. And so,
what I'm doing is I'm going around

289
00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:32,840
Actually, this is I think the fourth
mayor alderman meeting I've attended,

290
00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:37,600
which has been really fun.
Um I'm going around and telling a little

291
00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:40,800
bit about what we do and with a call to
action that you consider talking to me

292
00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:44,680
later
at another time

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00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:49,600
um about how you can be involved and
help with this need. Um as the mayor, as

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00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:55,480
alderman, alderwomen, um you know, you
have connections to the community that I

295
00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:59,480
simply don't. And what you can do
without going too far out of your way

296
00:22:57,320 --> 00:23:03,680
are simple things that can help us raise
the the awareness for the need for

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00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:08,240
foster parents. You can connect us to
individuals, partners,

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00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:11,480
other agencies that can further our our
cause and help get more foster parents

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00:23:10,120 --> 00:23:14,360
in this region
and be minimally invasive to your

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00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:17,480
everyday life. I definitely don't want
to reinvent the wheel and make you do

301
00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:22,520
extra work. We all know that you're very
busy people. But with your help, we can

302
00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:28,720
increase the number of foster parents we
have in this region and hopefully get

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00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:33,920
kiddos the homes they need. Another big
data statistic that I feel is very

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00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:38,240
impactful is to know that over 86% of
the children that are from this county

305
00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:43,120
that are in foster care are not actually
living here. They are placed elsewhere.

306
00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:48,320
Because again, we don't have the foster
homes for them. So out of that 200 plus

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00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:52,600
statistic, 86% of them are in another
county or they're in another state

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00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:55,400
entirely. I actually have the data if
you're ever interested in knowing it,

309
00:23:54,160 --> 00:24:01,920
you're more than welcome to reach out to
me. I can tell you counties, states,

310
00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:05,920
things like that. But thankfully, they
are doing a lot more tracking of this

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00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:08,840
data. I'm sure you may have heard of
Every Child Tennessee. It's a new

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00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:13,000
initiative through DCS. They've been
around for a few years now

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00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:17,160
and essentially they are doing a lot
more tracking of this information than

314
00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:20,400
it was in the past. So we're able to get
this good data.

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00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:24,360
But simply I will end by, you know,
saying that we could really use your

316
00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:27,720
help. You have a big impact on your
community and you know, you're very well

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00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:31,000
known, very well liked obviously. You
won your reelections. So

318
00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:33,640
I'll be here afterwards if you don't
mind just coming and chatting with me

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00:24:32,120 --> 00:24:36,280
for a moment and I'd love to meet with
you in the future.

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00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:41,600
» Thank you.
Anyone else want to address this?

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00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:49,440
Seeing no one move, I'm going to close
this part down. But also at this time, I

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00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:54,840
want to welcome newly elected alderman.
At this point, alderman elect Byers,

323
00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:57,960
alderman elect Isaacs and alderman elect
Clifton.

324
00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:02,000
So this is your last night that you'll
be sitting over there.

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00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:06,120
You'll come and join us here next month.
So, look forward to that opportunity to

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00:25:04,360 --> 00:25:09,120
sit work with you.
>> Mr. Manager.

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00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:13,360
Now move into the approval minutes.
First, the work session on August 3rd,

328
00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:18,440
2026 and the business meeting on August
4th, 2026. We'd ask that you approve

329
00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:22,760
these minutes as submitted, please.
>> Thank you. You have before you August

330
00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:24,840
3rd minutes and August 4th minutes. May
I have a motion for approval?

331
00:25:24,120 --> 00:25:30,720
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

332
00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:33,400
Duncan. Is there a second?
>> Second.

333
00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:37,960
» Seconded by Alderman Forbes.
Any questions? All in favor of approving

334
00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:40,040
the minutes, say I.
>> I.

335
00:25:38,520 --> 00:25:45,000
» Opposed, no.
Minutes are approved, 6-0. Mr. Manager.

336
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:48,400
» Mr. Mayor, we have one public hearing on
the agenda tonight. This is a public

337
00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:52,200
hearing in consideration of an ordinance
setting a property tax rate for the

338
00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:56,640
property within the City of Kingsport,
Sullivan and within the City of

339
00:25:53,600 --> 00:26:02,240
Kingsport, Hawkins County. I've asked
our CFO, Travis Bishop, if he would

340
00:26:00,120 --> 00:26:05,440
please just give a brief summary of what
is before you all tonight before we open

341
00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,840
up the public hearing.
Travis.

342
00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:14,000
» For to begin. So,
each year we're required to set a tax

343
00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:18,360
rate. Normally done during the budget
process with the budget ordinance,

344
00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:22,040
except in years when we have a
reappraisal in either county, Hawkins

345
00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:26,080
County or Sullivan County.
We have to obtain what's called a

346
00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:31,320
certified tax rate from
uh the State Board of Equalization.

347
00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:34,680
Last year, we had a certified tax rate
or an equalized tax rate, it's also

348
00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:37,720
referred to as since we reside in two
different counties.

349
00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:42,400
That was set as Sullivan County went
through the process last year. Um

350
00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:47,480
they were reappraised for tax roll year
25 for Sullivan County.

351
00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:52,480
Um Hawkins County was last appraised
during 2021. We noticed last year that

352
00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:57,560
we had to set two different tax rates.
As we move forward to this year,

353
00:26:55,680 --> 00:27:00,440
Hawkins County is being reassessed this
year.

354
00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:04,360
As such, we have to go through the same
process. We're going to have to set

355
00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:09,080
equalize tax rate.
As both properties have been assessed

356
00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:12,840
within a
similar time frame one year apart, we're

357
00:27:10,960 --> 00:27:17,720
going to have to have set the same tax
rate for each

358
00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:20,200
Kingsport-Sullivan, Kingsport-Hawkins
County.

359
00:27:21,360 --> 00:27:28,800
As we go forward, we're probably going
to see this every year, this same

360
00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:31,960
similar type of a process as Sullivan
County has moved to a more frequent

361
00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:38,200
two-year
reassessment or reappraisal.

362
00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:41,160
We, after multiple multiple
conversations with State Board

363
00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:43,600
Equalization,
county assessors,

364
00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:48,560
uh
we come back and we received a equalize

365
00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:54,160
tax rate for both Sullivan-Kingsport and
Hawkins-Kingsport of roughly

366
00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,160
$1.798.

367
00:27:54,960 --> 00:28:00,960
While the the goal is kind of remain
revenue neutral, that's where State

368
00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:05,600
Board Equalization comes back at this
rate.

369
00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:11,000
If we were to adopt that recommended
rate, that equalize tax rate, that would

370
00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:14,880
be about a 3-cent tax increase
that Kingsport-Sullivan taxpayers would

371
00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:17,840
have to
uh

372
00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:21,720
absorb or pay.
That's um

373
00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:26,120
not the recommendation that we're
pushing before you tonight. Um

374
00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:29,840
We're recommending a tax rate of
$1.6773.

375
00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:34,320
That is the same tax rate that
Kingsport-Sullivan paid last year. Um

376
00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:38,440
Sullivan County property taxpayers
should not see any increase

377
00:28:37,240 --> 00:28:42,640
than what they had last year unless
there was a drastic change in their

378
00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:47,480
property or assessment.
In doing so,

379
00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:52,000
um the negative side of it is is
this is about $480,000

380
00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:55,400
less than what we had projected during
the budget

381
00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:59,080
cycle or the budget process. When we
went through the budget, we went through

382
00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:04,280
very conservatively and estimated about
a 1% increase in growth.

383
00:29:01,640 --> 00:29:09,800
Uh however, through this whole process
with the last tax rate, seeing personal

384
00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:13,400
property tax assessments change as they
do every year,

385
00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:16,720
um we're going to be negatively impacted
by about $480,000.

386
00:29:20,680 --> 00:29:25,480
» Okay. Okay.
Uh I'm going to open up the public

387
00:29:24,080 --> 00:29:30,840
hearing.
Anyone here to speak on this public

388
00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:35,960
hearing?
Sir, is there an ordinance providing for

389
00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,960
fixing the tax rate?

390
00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:42,800
Seeing no one moving, I'm going to close
public hearing

391
00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:45,960
and ask the Mr. Attorney please publish.
>> An ordinance providing for and fixing

392
00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:48,680
the tax rate on all real, personal, and
mixed property within the City of

393
00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:51,920
Kingsport, Sullivan County, and the City
of Kingsport, Hawkins County, which is

394
00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:55,160
taxable on the basis of assessments made
by the County Property Assessor and the

395
00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:58,520
Division of Property Assessments of the
State of Tennessee for the tax year 2026

396
00:29:57,280 --> 00:30:02,040
and to fix the effective date of this
ordinance.

397
00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:05,920
» Thank you. You've heard the reading of
consideration of providing for fixing

398
00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:08,720
the tax rate.
Uh may I have a motion for approval?

399
00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:12,240
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.

400
00:30:10,840 --> 00:30:15,040
Is there a second?
>> Second.

401
00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:17,880
» Seconded by Alderman Cooper.
Any discussion?

402
00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:28,560
Hearing none, all in favor of this
ordinance say I. I. Opposed, no.

403
00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:31,200
The ordinance passes 6-0. Receive
measure.

404
00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:36,120
» Next item is consideration of a budget
adjustment ordinance for various funds

405
00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:40,880
in fiscal 2027.
As described to you last night, some of

406
00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:45,360
this is setting uh funds in place for
items you've already uh approved and

407
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:49,440
leased in order of moving forward such
as the uh

408
00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:52,560
agreement with Axon for body cameras. It
sets up the funding for that. In

409
00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:56,880
addition to that, we're moving dollars
around for street resurfacing or other

410
00:30:54,920 --> 00:31:02,560
capital projects. And then within the
water fund, uh setting up an account for

411
00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:07,600
future projects uh with initial amount
of $100,000 and then moving dollars

412
00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:12,760
around within the CDBG. This comes to
you on first reading and we'd ask that

413
00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:16,280
you approve this ordinance, please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

414
00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:20,960
» An ordinance of the city of Kingsport,
Tennessee amending the 2026-2027

415
00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:23,800
fiscal year budget.
>> Thank you. You heard reading of the

416
00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:26,040
ordinance. May I have a motion for
approval?

417
00:31:25,320 --> 00:31:29,800
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.

418
00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:32,320
Is there a second?
>> Second.

419
00:31:30,560 --> 00:31:37,080
» Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any
discussion?

420
00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:43,240
» Mayor, I I think it's um I think it
needs to be said that uh this budget

421
00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:47,160
uh adjustment or ordinance
is a result of the tax rate

422
00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:52,160
um
that that we set in Hawkins County. And

423
00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:59,720
really the adjustment uh
from what we had to do, reducing the

424
00:31:54,680 --> 00:32:04,920
budget uh 400 or 484,000 dollars. And I
just uh want to thank the city staff,

425
00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:08,840
uh city manager for
uh finding additional cuts. We just went

426
00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:13,600
through the budget cycle
and um a lot of reductions was was

427
00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:18,480
um
through that process. And so we have

428
00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:21,480
asked city staff and the city manager to
reduce the budget more

429
00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:27,840
uh as
already in the operational year. So,

430
00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:31,800
um I just want to thank them uh for
being creative and figuring out ways to

431
00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:35,480
reduce the budget and avoid raising
taxes. So, thank you.

432
00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:37,880
» Thank you. Any other
comment or

433
00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:42,600
Okay, hearing none, all in favor of the
budget budget ordinance say I.

434
00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:46,800
» I.
>> Oppose no.

435
00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:49,160
Ordinance passes 6-0. See manager.
>> All right, you have one item for a

436
00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:54,520
second and final reading and that is
consideration of an ordinance to amend

437
00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:58,800
zoning of tax map 105 parcel 193
located along Kinder Creek Road from the

438
00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:02,480
R1C residential district to R3 low
density apartment district. This comes

439
00:33:00,920 --> 00:33:06,520
to you on second and final reading. We'd
ask that you approve the ordinance,

440
00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:10,360
please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

441
00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:13,840
» An ordinance to further amend the zoning
code text and map to rezone property

442
00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:17,600
located along Kinder Creek Road from the
R1C residential district to R3 low

443
00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:20,320
density apartment district in the 14th
Civil District of Sullivan County to fix

444
00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:22,880
penalty for the violation of this
ordinance and to fix the effective date

445
00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:25,240
of this ordinance.
>> Okay, you've heard reading of the

446
00:33:24,040 --> 00:33:26,360
ordinance. May I have a motion for
approval?

447
00:33:25,720 --> 00:33:29,760
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

448
00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:32,480
Duncan. Is there a second?
>> Second.

449
00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:37,400
» Seconded by Alderman Phillips.
Any discussion?

450
00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:37,400
» I will be abstaining from this vote.

451
00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:44,040
» Any other discussion? Okay.
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call

452
00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:45,600
vote.
>> Alderman Cooper.

453
00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:47,120
» I.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.

454
00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:48,680
» I.
>> Alderman Maze.

455
00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:50,080
» I.
>> Alderman Phillips.

456
00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:51,800
» I.
>> Mayor Montgomery.

457
00:33:50,920 --> 00:33:56,360
» I.
>> The ordinance passes 5-0-1.

458
00:33:54,360 --> 00:34:00,200
See manager.
>> Next item, moving into other business,

459
00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:04,600
is consideration of resolution to award
the bid to Summers-Taylor Inc. for

460
00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:08,320
Kingsport resurfacing project pin number
132587

461
00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:13,000
and authorizing the mayor to sign all
applicable documents. Discussed last

462
00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:16,360
night, this is the result of us
utilizing funding made available through

463
00:34:14,720 --> 00:34:22,040
the Metropolitan Transportation Planning
Organization. This is for not only

464
00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:27,560
Clinchfield but also Eastman Road. You
see the total You see the the bid amount

465
00:34:24,720 --> 00:34:33,000
there, 2.2 million. Total project cost
of 2.4 million. Um many of you all

466
00:34:30,520 --> 00:34:36,040
remember several years ago putting these
projects in motion,

467
00:34:34,840 --> 00:34:40,800
there is
time involved when you're utilizing MTPO

468
00:34:38,520 --> 00:34:45,560
money, but at the same time you're able
to only pay 20% of that total cost. And

469
00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:49,919
so we try to take advantage of this when
we can, recognizing it takes time for

470
00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:55,560
the projects to move forward. Eastman
Road should be paved this fall and we

471
00:34:53,159 --> 00:35:00,720
anticipate Clinchfield being paved in
the spring as we wrap up the work there

472
00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:04,320
on the re-decking and rebuild of the
Clinch River Street bridge. With that,

473
00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:09,880
Mayor, I ask that you approve the
resolution awarding the contract.

474
00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:12,920
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
A resolution awarding the bid for the

475
00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:15,560
resurfacing of portions of Eastman Road
and Clinchfield Street to Summers-Taylor

476
00:35:14,240 --> 00:35:18,200
Incorporated and authorizing the mayor
to sign an agreement for the same and

477
00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:21,800
all documents necessary and proper to
effectuate the purpose of the agreement.

478
00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:25,360
Thank you. You've heard the reading of a
resolution. May I have a motion for

479
00:35:23,720 --> 00:35:27,960
approval?
>> Second.

480
00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:30,480
» Motion for approval by by Alderman
Cooper. Is there a second?

481
00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:35,680
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman George.

482
00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:35,680
Any discussion?

483
00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:42,280
Ready to vote? All in favor of the
resolution, say I.

484
00:35:41,520 --> 00:35:45,960
» I.
>> Opposed, no.

485
00:35:43,720 --> 00:35:48,800
The resolution passes 6-0. Mr. City
Manager.

486
00:35:47,120 --> 00:35:54,440
» Next item is consideration resolution to
purchase two F-550s with 6-yard rear

487
00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:59,040
loader refuse truck utilizing the
Sourcewell contract. These are two rear

488
00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:04,520
loader refuse trucks that we are
purchasing off the Sourcewell contract.

489
00:36:01,720 --> 00:36:08,480
As you see there in the action form, we
estimate about 6 months upon the receipt

490
00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:12,000
of these.
Both of these items are coming in

491
00:36:10,080 --> 00:36:14,760
considerably more than what they were
originally purchased at several years

492
00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:17,840
ago.
This is something that we have been

493
00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:22,240
watching and been having conversations
with you all about for a variety of

494
00:36:20,200 --> 00:36:27,600
vehicles simply from a small pickup all
the way to some of our more complex

495
00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:31,880
vehicles such as a a fire truck. But
again, we're also making adjustments as

496
00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:38,520
we discussed last night. This is a
little bit more efficient vehicle. We're

497
00:36:34,240 --> 00:36:42,920
moving away from diesel to gas.
The goal here is not only

498
00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:46,320
can be cheaper to operate, but also
hopefully easier for us to build and

499
00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:49,840
maintain.
And I know all of them George always

500
00:36:48,040 --> 00:36:53,840
wants to see a picture what we're
buying.

501
00:36:51,240 --> 00:36:58,960
And one last time, there it is.
I've been told it will not have the

502
00:36:55,920 --> 00:37:03,600
snake on the side.
It cost more money

503
00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:03,600
and so

504
00:37:03,720 --> 00:37:09,720
» We can have somebody paint that.
>> Mayor?

505
00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:12,880
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> Resolution authorizing the city manager

506
00:37:11,400 --> 00:37:15,760
to execute a purchase order to Municipal
Equipment Incorporated utilizing

507
00:37:14,360 --> 00:37:21,520
Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing
Agreement number 11023-NWY

508
00:37:18,440 --> 00:37:24,480
for two 2027 Ford F-50 refuse trucks
with six-yard rear loader for use by

509
00:37:23,120 --> 00:37:28,000
Public Works.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the

510
00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:30,800
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?

511
00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:33,560
» Second.
>> Second.

512
00:37:31,520 --> 00:37:38,640
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Duckett, second by Alderman George. Any

513
00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:41,920
discussion?
>> Once I'm off the board, you're going to

514
00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:44,200
let me drive some of these, right?
>> Yeah, you can talk to Bart about that on

515
00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:47,000
your way out.
>> It's been a life It's been a life long

516
00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:51,400
dream, man. I collect
>> I would love to do the forklifts, but

517
00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:55,800
some of these look pretty good.
>> Okay.

518
00:37:53,320 --> 00:37:59,120
Okay. Any other discussion?
All in favor of the resolution, say I.

519
00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:04,400
» I.
>> Opposed, no.

520
00:38:00,600 --> 00:38:07,920
Resolution passes 6-0. Mr. Manager.
>> Next time is consideration of resolution

521
00:38:06,360 --> 00:38:10,760
authorizing an economic development
contribution to the Industrial

522
00:38:09,240 --> 00:38:15,200
Development Board of Kingsport and
authorizing one or more agreements

523
00:38:12,440 --> 00:38:18,960
pertaining to the same. As you all know,
and and definitely this board over the

524
00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:23,680
last several years has been spent a
tremendous amount of time focusing on

525
00:38:21,240 --> 00:38:29,160
economic development. You've asked your
city staff uh to do the same and we have

526
00:38:27,240 --> 00:38:34,520
uh tried to respond in in various
different ways to try to work with uh

527
00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:38,160
folks who were tasked with recruiting,
but also at the same time property

528
00:38:36,120 --> 00:38:42,720
owners to ensure that we are making
sound investments. One of the things

529
00:38:40,280 --> 00:38:45,400
that Tommy Altman taught me early in my
career when it came to economic

530
00:38:43,960 --> 00:38:49,640
development was that every single
project stood on its own. And that is

531
00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:54,400
definitely true with what you see here.
Uh there were two uh cash incentives

532
00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:58,160
that were provided. Uh the first was for
Kingsport Pavilion. Uh we were at a

533
00:38:56,400 --> 00:39:02,560
point in time several years ago where
the occupancy had dropped off

534
00:39:00,080 --> 00:39:07,240
dramatically. We're now at over 98%
occupancy rate. In fact, I think we're

535
00:39:04,680 --> 00:39:11,120
very close to being 100% uh occupied at
that center. And that was due to a

536
00:39:09,200 --> 00:39:15,800
reinvestment that you all made in the
into that center that brought Academy.

537
00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:19,960
Second one is one that we continue to
work towards and and a great uh

538
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:25,880
announcement uh last month with the
opening of V-Max. Uh we worked very

539
00:39:22,520 --> 00:39:29,160
closely with NCG, all properties, and
through the economic development board

540
00:39:27,280 --> 00:39:34,160
to make a very uh
a very targeted investment here that is

541
00:39:31,680 --> 00:39:38,440
one that provides destination retail and
definitely sets us apart within the

542
00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:42,400
region. Uh with that uh we asked the
economic development board a couple

543
00:39:39,840 --> 00:39:46,800
years ago to pursue this and pursue the
funding for that. They're bringing this

544
00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:51,640
back to you all today. A very good
interest rate of 4.15%.

545
00:39:49,440 --> 00:39:57,200
They're Eastman Credit Union uh setting
that fixed for 7 years and and the our

546
00:39:54,480 --> 00:40:00,920
ability then to pay these uh two loans
back. Uh again, I appreciate the

547
00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:05,320
willingness of the board, the economic
development board, to be aggressive. Uh

548
00:40:03,240 --> 00:40:10,560
it's fair to say that our return on
investment in both of these has exceeded

549
00:40:07,840 --> 00:40:14,640
expectations and uh definitely made a
significant difference in Kingsport.

550
00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:17,560
So, with that, Mayor, we'd ask that you
approve the resolution authorizing this

551
00:40:16,240 --> 00:40:21,640
contribution.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

552
00:40:20,160 --> 00:40:23,880
» A resolution approving a financial
contribution to the Industrial

553
00:40:22,840 --> 00:40:26,880
Development Board of the City of
Kingsport, Tennessee for economic or

554
00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:31,000
industrial development purposes relative
to the Kingsport Pavilion redevelopment

555
00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:34,200
and improvements and the NCG Cinema
improvements authorizing the mayor to

556
00:40:32,440 --> 00:40:37,200
execute such agreements as may be needed
to effectuate the purpose of this

557
00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:39,680
resolution expressing the intent of the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen to establish

558
00:40:38,520 --> 00:40:41,840
one or more project accounts and
ordinance appropriating funds to

559
00:40:40,840 --> 00:40:45,840
effectuate the purpose of this
resolution if needed and to fix the

560
00:40:43,680 --> 00:40:49,840
effective date of this resolution.
>> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the

561
00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,360
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?

562
00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:54,200
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman

563
00:40:52,720 --> 00:40:56,720
Phillips. Is there a second?
>> Second.

564
00:40:54,840 --> 00:41:00,040
» Seconded by Alderman Mayes. Any
discussion?

565
00:40:57,800 --> 00:41:03,760
» Now, is this a pop-up IMAX theater
that's just open for a month or will it

566
00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:05,920
It's It is reopening?
>> Yes.

567
00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:09,320
» Oh, so it's not just a pop-up.
>> Yes, so uh

568
00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:12,560
for those wondering what James is
talking about, um

569
00:41:11,600 --> 00:41:16,880
» It's in the paper today.
>> A lot Yeah, a tremendous amount of uh

570
00:41:15,320 --> 00:41:21,440
construction's going on right now to
renovate all the theaters, the lobby. Uh

571
00:41:19,280 --> 00:41:27,200
this was work we had really hoped to get
done uh prior to IMAX opening, but all

572
00:41:24,440 --> 00:41:31,920
effort was on IMAX to get that open for
the a film called The Odyssey, and uh

573
00:41:30,280 --> 00:41:35,320
we're excited here. Hopefully in a
couple weeks, maybe a little bit more,

574
00:41:33,800 --> 00:41:38,880
we'll have all that reopened, new
seating,

575
00:41:36,600 --> 00:41:43,160
uh new interior design, be a great great
addition to this already very popular

576
00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:45,440
theater. Oh, yeah. Thank you, James.
>> Mhm.

577
00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:51,160
» Any other discussion? Any other
questions?

578
00:41:49,640 --> 00:41:53,480
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say I.

579
00:41:52,840 --> 00:41:57,800
» I.
>> I. All opposed, no. The resolution

580
00:41:55,360 --> 00:42:00,880
passes 6-0. Mr. Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of a

581
00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:04,360
resolution awarding the bid for the Lynn
View Community Center demolition and

582
00:42:02,560 --> 00:42:08,680
partial site development for the new
elementary school project to

583
00:42:06,520 --> 00:42:12,840
Construction Partners. Uh I stated this
last night and very very true with the

584
00:42:10,640 --> 00:42:18,240
previous item. I think it's very fitting
for both uh Betsy and Collette to be at

585
00:42:15,840 --> 00:42:21,720
their last meeting and voting on this. I
said last night, I remember the meeting

586
00:42:19,880 --> 00:42:26,120
that we were at where I think both of
you all said we really need to focus on

587
00:42:23,880 --> 00:42:30,560
elementary based upon the occupancy
numbers that we were seeing and Board of

588
00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:35,040
Education shifted in that direction and
and we're getting ready to finally act

589
00:42:32,880 --> 00:42:38,360
on one of those and tonight with your
approval

590
00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:43,120
as a recommendation from the Board of
Education, this sets in motion the

591
00:42:40,240 --> 00:42:47,240
demolition of the community center as
well as beginning some of the initial

592
00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:51,000
site development that will put in place
the

593
00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:55,400
the necessary road network and other
site requirements

594
00:42:53,320 --> 00:42:59,840
that will lead the way for the
construction of the new school which we

595
00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:05,480
anticipate being
kicking off probably this time next year

596
00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:11,880
with an opening of August of 2029.
You see the the the bids that are

597
00:43:08,400 --> 00:43:17,560
submitted here and we ask that you all
move forward with the award of the bid

598
00:43:14,760 --> 00:43:20,680
as well as the necessary construction
administration and contingency

599
00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:23,600
associated with it.
>> Thank you.

600
00:43:21,840 --> 00:43:27,000
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution awarding the bid for the

601
00:43:25,000 --> 00:43:30,280
Lynn View Community Center demolition
and partial site development for the new

602
00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:33,000
elementary school to construction
partners and authorizing the mayor to

603
00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:36,280
execute all documents necessary and
proper to effectuate the purpose of the

604
00:43:34,520 --> 00:43:39,080
agreement in this resolution.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the

605
00:43:37,760 --> 00:43:42,040
resolution.
May I have a motion for approval?

606
00:43:41,360 --> 00:43:44,880
» I moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman Cooper.

607
00:43:43,960 --> 00:43:48,600
Is there a second?
>> Second.

608
00:43:45,520 --> 00:43:52,000
» Seconded by Alderman George.
Any discussion?

609
00:43:49,840 --> 00:43:55,920
» I think when we first were talking about
focusing on the new elementary school, I

610
00:43:53,720 --> 00:43:58,560
think all those students that were in it
at that time have now graduated high

611
00:43:57,360 --> 00:44:02,240
school.
A few of them may be teachers coming

612
00:44:00,160 --> 00:44:05,720
back to the new school, but
I'm glad some of this is it's You stay

613
00:44:04,280 --> 00:44:08,400
on the board long enough, you actually
get to finish the first projects that

614
00:44:07,360 --> 00:44:10,120
you voted on.
>> Okay.

615
00:44:08,760 --> 00:44:13,680
» Um
>> Very good. Any other comment or

616
00:44:12,120 --> 00:44:17,840
question?
Okay, hearing none, all in favor of the

617
00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:21,960
resolution say I.
>> I.

618
00:44:18,360 --> 00:44:24,080
» I. Oppose no. Resolution passes 6-0. Mr.
Manager.

619
00:44:22,720 --> 00:44:28,200
» Our next item is consideration of
resolution to apply for and receive a

620
00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:31,760
Tennessee State Museum Capital
Maintenance and Improvement Grant for

621
00:44:29,720 --> 00:44:36,560
fiscal 27.
Total amount that we are asking for is

622
00:44:33,720 --> 00:44:40,160
$100,000. There is no matching
requirement. The funding, should we

623
00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:44,400
receive it, would go into repair and
accessibility upgrades at Allandale for

624
00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:49,000
the restrooms, as well as painting and
siding repair to the Wheeler barn and

625
00:44:46,680 --> 00:44:53,480
Harvey's barn. We hope the announcements
to be made uh sometime around

626
00:44:50,640 --> 00:44:57,360
mid-October. Uh we remain optimistic. It
is a very competitive grant, but as

627
00:44:55,640 --> 00:45:00,760
always, I greatly appreciate the work
the staff does to pursue these grants

628
00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:04,520
for these projects.
And Mayor, with that, I ask that you

629
00:45:03,120 --> 00:45:08,040
approve the resolution authorizing the
application.

630
00:45:05,680 --> 00:45:10,640
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution authorizing the mayor to

631
00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:13,520
execute all documents necessary and
proper to apply for and receive a

632
00:45:12,080 --> 00:45:17,280
Tennessee State Museum Capital
Maintenance and Improvement Grant for

633
00:45:15,080 --> 00:45:20,160
for fiscal year 2027.
>> You've heard reading of the resolution.

634
00:45:18,880 --> 00:45:22,560
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.

635
00:45:20,840 --> 00:45:26,000
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Dockins. Our second.

636
00:45:25,000 --> 00:45:31,600
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman George.

637
00:45:28,720 --> 00:45:31,600
Any discussion?

638
00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:38,960
Okay.
Hearing none, all in favor of the

639
00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:41,240
resolution say I.
>> I.

640
00:45:39,800 --> 00:45:46,120
» I. Oppose no.
Resolution passes 6-0. Mr. Manager.

641
00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:51,600
» Next item is consideration of resolution
to approve the new and revised personnel

642
00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:56,200
policies for the City of Kingsport. As
stated last night, Tyra Coe, Assistant

643
00:45:53,840 --> 00:46:00,440
announcing a job as our Human Resources
Director,

644
00:45:57,320 --> 00:46:04,680
to do a complete and total evaluation of
our personnel policies. It was uh

645
00:46:02,680 --> 00:46:08,640
definitely something that was needed.
She and I talked last year about

646
00:46:06,440 --> 00:46:13,240
beginning this journey, utilizing the
resources of MTAS, which is a very

647
00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:20,040
valuable tool for all cities across the
state. And then to be able to put in

648
00:46:16,040 --> 00:46:24,680
place policies that we believe would be
needed in terms of just how we govern

649
00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:29,120
and our operations on a daily basis. But
then also to make sure that we do a very

650
00:46:27,520 --> 00:46:33,520
good job of pushing this out to our
employees, utilizing technology to make

651
00:46:31,160 --> 00:46:38,000
it easily accessible. And then maybe the
most important thing is to come back in

652
00:46:35,720 --> 00:46:41,320
every 2 years and do an evaluation of
this, work with MTAS to determine if

653
00:46:39,760 --> 00:46:45,840
there's changes in state law that we
need to incorporate that possibly we had

654
00:46:43,360 --> 00:46:50,880
missed. Or or if there are other best
practices out there. Your leadership

655
00:46:48,120 --> 00:46:55,720
team has also vetted this over the
course of about a month. Presented it

656
00:46:53,240 --> 00:47:00,160
here on Friday of last week and
yesterday to the management team. On

657
00:46:58,240 --> 00:47:04,640
your approval, we will move forward with
getting these put in place. But again,

658
00:47:02,840 --> 00:47:09,960
just really want to say thank you to
Tyra, thank you to Bart who also spent a

659
00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:12,920
lot of time on this, the leadership team
who

660
00:47:11,000 --> 00:47:17,000
had us spend quite a quite a few hours
reviewing this and then discussing this

661
00:47:15,120 --> 00:47:21,400
to make sure that what we put in place
was what was best for our operations and

662
00:47:19,760 --> 00:47:24,920
ultimately for the employees of the city
of Kingsport. So, thank you to all of

663
00:47:23,520 --> 00:47:26,880
those folks. And with that, Mayor, we
ask that you approve the resolution,

664
00:47:26,360 --> 00:47:30,840
please.
>> All right, thank you. Mr. Attorney,

665
00:47:28,800 --> 00:47:34,440
please publish. A resolution adopting
personnel policies for city employees as

666
00:47:32,720 --> 00:47:38,120
required by Tennessee Code Annotated
6-54-123

667
00:47:36,600 --> 00:47:42,960
and repealing all of the resolutions in
conflict herewith except resolution

668
00:47:40,120 --> 00:47:47,000
number 2027-011.
Thank you. You've heard the reading of

669
00:47:44,800 --> 00:47:49,680
the resolution. I have a motion for
approval.

670
00:47:49,000 --> 00:47:53,200
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

671
00:47:51,520 --> 00:47:56,640
Dockery. Is there a second?
>> Second.

672
00:47:54,000 --> 00:48:00,040
» Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any
discussion?

673
00:47:58,360 --> 00:48:03,560
» Uh I'm
kind of agree with what the city manager

674
00:48:01,480 --> 00:48:08,360
said. I mean, this is a
living working document that'll go for a

675
00:48:05,600 --> 00:48:10,360
long time. It's just shows and reflects
the amount of work that's gone into

676
00:48:09,760 --> 00:48:13,440
this.
So,

677
00:48:11,080 --> 00:48:17,360
we appreciate it. We really do.
>> Okay.

678
00:48:14,720 --> 00:48:20,920
Other comments?
Hearing none, all in favor of the

679
00:48:19,040 --> 00:48:23,080
resolution say I.
>> I.

680
00:48:21,760 --> 00:48:25,840
» Opposed, no.
The resolution passes 6-0.

681
00:48:24,800 --> 00:48:28,400
» Mr. Mayor Andrew.
>> All right.

682
00:48:26,480 --> 00:48:32,480
» We'll now move into the consent agenda.
We have seven items on the agenda. If

683
00:48:30,200 --> 00:48:35,560
you'd like any one of those removed for
additional discussion, please let me

684
00:48:34,000 --> 00:48:40,920
know.
First is consideration of resolution to

685
00:48:37,320 --> 00:48:45,320
authorize the mayor to execute an SCSEP
host agency agreement with First

686
00:48:42,840 --> 00:48:49,160
Tennessee Human Resources Agency
for Bays Mountain Park. Second item is

687
00:48:47,120 --> 00:48:52,800
consideration of resolution to approve a
memorandum of understanding with the

688
00:48:50,800 --> 00:48:55,600
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
and Explosives

689
00:48:54,160 --> 00:48:59,560
with the Kingsport for the Kingsport
Police Department to designate sworn

690
00:48:57,320 --> 00:49:02,440
task force officers.
Third item is consideration of

691
00:49:00,640 --> 00:49:05,440
resolution to approve a memorandum of
understanding with Bays Mountain Park

692
00:49:04,040 --> 00:49:08,520
caretaker.
Fourth item is consideration of

693
00:49:06,800 --> 00:49:11,880
resolution authorizing the purchase of
student transportation for

694
00:49:09,960 --> 00:49:16,160
Dobyns-Bennett High School band at the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

695
00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:20,720
Fifth item is consideration of a
resolution authorizing the purchase of

696
00:49:17,960 --> 00:49:26,040
16 box lights for Kingsport schools from
Central Technologies utilizing the TIPS

697
00:49:23,320 --> 00:49:29,960
USA cooperative purchasing agreement.
Sixth item is consideration of

698
00:49:27,520 --> 00:49:34,040
resolution to apply and accept a grant
from FM Global.

699
00:49:32,400 --> 00:49:38,600
And the seventh item is consideration of
resolution approving a release agreement

700
00:49:36,120 --> 00:49:41,600
with RM Media
Limited.

701
00:49:40,200 --> 00:49:46,480
Mayor, with that, we'd ask that you
approve seven items as presented in the

702
00:49:44,440 --> 00:49:49,760
consent agenda. I'd want four for
additional discussion.

703
00:49:47,880 --> 00:49:53,360
» You've heard the reading of the seven
consent agenda items.

704
00:49:51,600 --> 00:49:56,720
May I have a motion for approval.
>> Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to

705
00:49:54,760 --> 00:50:00,600
accept all items on the consent agenda
as presented.

706
00:49:58,560 --> 00:50:02,640
» Motion made by Vice Mayor Duncan. Is
there a second?

707
00:50:02,000 --> 00:50:07,560
» Second.
>> Second by Aldermen George. Any

708
00:50:04,880 --> 00:50:07,560
discussion?

709
00:50:09,120 --> 00:50:13,480
Hearing none, Mr. Recorder, please take
the roll call vote. Aldermen Cooper.

710
00:50:12,520 --> 00:50:15,000
» Aye to all.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.

711
00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:16,640
» Aye to all.
>> Aldermen George.

712
00:50:15,880 --> 00:50:18,920
» Aye to all.
>> Aldermen Maze.

713
00:50:17,720 --> 00:50:20,800
» Aye to all items.
>> Aldermen Phillips.

714
00:50:19,800 --> 00:50:23,080
» Aye to all.
>> Mayor Montgomery.

715
00:50:21,720 --> 00:50:27,640
» Aye to all.
>> The consent agenda items are approved

716
00:50:25,160 --> 00:50:30,800
6-0. See Mayor Asher.
>> All right. We'll now move into

717
00:50:28,760 --> 00:50:34,920
communications, and I'll kind of focus
on this side of the table here. You

718
00:50:33,640 --> 00:50:39,840
know, I think I've I've had the pleasure
of knowing you all literally my entire

719
00:50:37,440 --> 00:50:43,600
career. I first met Gary
early 2000. We were working with our

720
00:50:42,000 --> 00:50:47,360
sense of development district on air
quality issues in the region, and

721
00:50:45,960 --> 00:50:53,240
got to know Gary, and of course work
with Gary through the pandemic. I would

722
00:50:50,440 --> 00:50:58,320
later meet Betsy, and and Betsy, much
like Colette, kind of adopted me into

723
00:50:55,920 --> 00:51:02,360
their home, and of course knew Colette
then. First through Valerie, who was

724
00:51:00,440 --> 00:51:04,920
serving on the board, and and really
just

725
00:51:03,320 --> 00:51:09,360
could not say enough about the service
and dedication you all have given to the

726
00:51:06,480 --> 00:51:14,600
city of Kingsport. You'll be missed.
But know this, you made a difference

727
00:51:12,040 --> 00:51:19,040
in your time with the city, whether that
was the stint years ago, Gary, or your

728
00:51:17,520 --> 00:51:22,440
time with the Board of Education and
then the BMA, your time on the Planning

729
00:51:20,640 --> 00:51:26,160
Commission and the BMA.
You guys have left a significant mark on

730
00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:32,280
the city.
I know when when I was hired in in 2019

731
00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:36,360
and we sat in a strategic planning
session, and a lot of the things that

732
00:51:34,400 --> 00:51:41,360
you all said you wanted to do, we've
been able to accomplish or we have in in

733
00:51:38,960 --> 00:51:45,640
motion, and the staff
has just absolutely enjoyed working with

734
00:51:42,880 --> 00:51:49,920
you all. You've been so so respectful,
and and really just been champions of

735
00:51:48,160 --> 00:51:54,840
every single city employee. It's been
reflected each and every year in our

736
00:51:51,520 --> 00:51:59,440
budget. Been reflected in just the
respect that you all show them. So, we

737
00:51:57,400 --> 00:52:03,240
thank you. You guys are going to going
to be missed by your seats on the board,

738
00:52:01,720 --> 00:52:08,600
but we recognize that you're going to
continue to be active in various things.

739
00:52:06,960 --> 00:52:11,800
I know here in a few months Betsy's
going to be putting trees up out for

740
00:52:10,600 --> 00:52:15,800
Christmas.
And

741
00:52:12,840 --> 00:52:19,000
and so that that will live on and and
but we just really appreciate your your

742
00:52:17,640 --> 00:52:22,720
service
and everything that you all have done.

743
00:52:20,720 --> 00:52:25,120
So, thank you.
And congratulations.

744
00:52:24,080 --> 00:52:29,880
» Thank you.
>> Could have said we made a good

745
00:52:26,480 --> 00:52:33,880
difference instead of just a difference.
>> It's all on the record. I don't want to

746
00:52:31,240 --> 00:52:35,840
have to take it back on that.
>> A positive difference.

747
00:52:35,360 --> 00:52:39,160
» That's right.
>> Yeah, thank you.

748
00:52:36,640 --> 00:52:44,960
» Move the meeting along there.
>> Well, thank you. Thank you to each one

749
00:52:41,120 --> 00:52:49,640
of you for saying yes. More importantly,
you made me a better person for being

750
00:52:46,960 --> 00:52:53,240
working with you, serving alongside you.
Uh

751
00:52:50,360 --> 00:52:57,560
I have campaigned I started this journey
campaigning with you. Two of you when we

752
00:52:55,680 --> 00:53:02,120
were at the Civic Auditorium campaigning
in May at a better time of the year.

753
00:53:01,040 --> 00:53:05,920
And
got to know you a little bit better then

754
00:53:03,600 --> 00:53:09,880
and and over the last 5 years getting to
know you

755
00:53:07,480 --> 00:53:14,600
individuals but also your contribution
to the board. Gary, you are I've known

756
00:53:12,480 --> 00:53:18,160
you for quite a long time cuz
you and I have served as parents,

757
00:53:16,400 --> 00:53:22,520
baseball parents
as our sons played ball together.

758
00:53:20,520 --> 00:53:27,520
Watched you
develop and grow and and lead this

759
00:53:25,320 --> 00:53:32,520
community during a
pandemic. You guys did a fantastic job

760
00:53:30,600 --> 00:53:36,400
and thank you for your service. Thank
you for saying yes

761
00:53:34,080 --> 00:53:40,800
to the board and we appreciate each of
you. And I I know we're not saying

762
00:53:38,440 --> 00:53:45,920
goodbye, we're saying what's going to
happen next in your lives. Thank you.

763
00:53:43,360 --> 00:53:50,760
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Vice Mayor?

764
00:53:47,000 --> 00:53:54,440
» Uh well, appreciated and so just
really appreciate y'all's friendship

765
00:53:52,320 --> 00:53:58,360
over the years and so it's been great.
Uh Gary, you came to the to the board 2

766
00:53:56,280 --> 00:54:02,880
years ago and
but you brought a very thoughtful voice

767
00:54:00,360 --> 00:54:07,280
and you was you've always been so well
prepared and detailed and your questions

768
00:54:05,840 --> 00:54:11,680
that you've asked is always been spot
on. I think you've made our board a

769
00:54:09,560 --> 00:54:16,720
better board member and
so it's been really good to know you and

770
00:54:13,200 --> 00:54:21,680
Tammy and and I know as you go forward
you've got other aspirations and we'll

771
00:54:18,880 --> 00:54:26,800
be uh filling your time board.
Betsy,

772
00:54:22,920 --> 00:54:30,960
your perspective of schools, daycare,
and all the nonprofits,

773
00:54:29,280 --> 00:54:34,440
I don't know will ever be replaced on a
board here.

774
00:54:31,960 --> 00:54:39,400
And so you bring a
just a different outlook and different

775
00:54:36,560 --> 00:54:42,920
insight on so many things that
we've really appreciated. I've

776
00:54:40,680 --> 00:54:48,040
appreciated over the years and and I
know that you've probably got another uh

777
00:54:46,040 --> 00:54:51,840
nonprofit lined up somewhere. I don't
know what it is, but I guarantee it's

778
00:54:49,840 --> 00:54:55,880
cooking in there somewhere. But we
really do just appreciate friendship and

779
00:54:53,840 --> 00:55:02,840
everything you brought and uh
and then Clate, you and I we we first

780
00:54:59,800 --> 00:55:08,760
you didn't, I did, back in 2015 when I
first come to the board in 2015. And so

781
00:55:06,320 --> 00:55:13,560
you have a special gift of asking the
right questions at the right

782
00:55:10,640 --> 00:55:16,520
and it certainly has makes me think when
you ask you know different questions

783
00:55:15,000 --> 00:55:21,520
that's a different way of maybe what I'm
thinking and I've truly appreciated

784
00:55:18,200 --> 00:55:26,640
that. Uh the budget and how you look out
for the citizens and then the ripple

785
00:55:23,400 --> 00:55:30,640
fact that it does you know for all
through our budget has always been

786
00:55:28,080 --> 00:55:34,000
appreciated and you'll be missed on our
budget meeting that we have. So it's

787
00:55:32,520 --> 00:55:38,080
last like an hour and you have to go
through all the pages, but Um, I know

788
00:55:36,600 --> 00:55:40,840
that you've got
uh

789
00:55:38,680 --> 00:55:46,040
a grandbaby on the way.
And so since way before that, always

790
00:55:43,920 --> 00:55:50,720
heard is I need a grandbaby. And so it
is coming. And so we uh but I really do

791
00:55:48,280 --> 00:55:54,760
appreciate Thank you.
And all three of y'all are considered

792
00:55:52,120 --> 00:55:56,880
friends and look forward to uh to see
more of you in a different light. So

793
00:55:56,120 --> 00:55:58,840
thank you.
>> Thank you.

794
00:55:57,800 --> 00:56:02,440
» Alana Phillips.
>> I've got a bunch of notes here on the

795
00:56:00,080 --> 00:56:07,240
road paving situation.
Uh no, I'm just kidding. Um I I I will

796
00:56:05,400 --> 00:56:09,920
gush over these three as well. We're
losing the whole right side of the room

797
00:56:09,120 --> 00:56:13,440
and
we'll be very unbalanced here for a

798
00:56:12,160 --> 00:56:18,280
couple weeks.
But uh Gary, I didn't know you well

799
00:56:15,480 --> 00:56:22,440
before this started, but I I think the
way you've jumped in, you fit right in

800
00:56:20,040 --> 00:56:26,200
with the board and and your heart and
your caring for Kingsport. And I've

801
00:56:24,040 --> 00:56:29,880
really appreciated your the diligence
you go through everything. I mean, I

802
00:56:27,680 --> 00:56:34,040
think you read word for word everything
that's put in front of you. And

803
00:56:31,880 --> 00:56:37,440
I think that has been very valuable to
this board and I've been I've enjoyed

804
00:56:35,640 --> 00:56:41,240
getting to know you better.
Um I've enjoyed working with you where

805
00:56:39,880 --> 00:56:45,920
there's not a big crowd behind us
yelling to send the students back to

806
00:56:42,680 --> 00:56:49,360
school and you up there talking about
what we should and shouldn't do. So this

807
00:56:47,440 --> 00:56:54,080
has been a much more more enjoyable
environment. So um thank you for your

808
00:56:51,600 --> 00:56:56,560
service for these last 2 years for sure.
>> Thank you.

809
00:56:54,520 --> 00:57:00,000
» Uh Betsy and Collette, I'll I'll talk
about you individually, but they've both

810
00:56:57,960 --> 00:57:03,680
been on the board the entire time I've
been on. So they are all I've ever known

811
00:57:02,200 --> 00:57:08,720
on this board.
Um for for Betsy, I I do work with now

812
00:57:06,400 --> 00:57:13,760
and I continue and will continue to work
with on Christmas in Kingsport. Um we

813
00:57:11,360 --> 00:57:16,480
love to do that and that is just really
enjoyable. And what I like about Betsy

814
00:57:15,680 --> 00:57:20,360
is
every time we're in a meeting, um if

815
00:57:18,440 --> 00:57:25,520
Betsy has an idea, just like today in a
Christmas meeting, um she will stop at

816
00:57:22,760 --> 00:57:30,160
nothing to see it through. And it's not
just that she sees it through, it's just

817
00:57:28,000 --> 00:57:34,600
she doesn't say, "I want this done."
Betsy says, "This is what I would like

818
00:57:31,800 --> 00:57:38,120
to see happen and let me know when and
where and I will help." And that has

819
00:57:36,440 --> 00:57:42,720
been Betsy on this board the entire
time. I I have learned so much from

820
00:57:40,240 --> 00:57:46,680
Betsy, but I have also learned most
importantly she's the only person on

821
00:57:44,400 --> 00:57:50,080
this board that was teaching when I went
to Washington Elementary. So I'm very

822
00:57:48,320 --> 00:57:52,240
excited that those stories will go with
her.

823
00:57:51,680 --> 00:57:56,160
Uh
so but uh

824
00:57:54,120 --> 00:58:00,560
Betsy really does love and care for
Kingsport and I am very excited to keep

825
00:57:58,560 --> 00:58:04,720
working with regular citizen Betsy on
Christmas going forward.

826
00:58:03,280 --> 00:58:08,640
Um
and then Colette um

827
00:58:06,760 --> 00:58:13,560
she also, like I said, been on the whole
time and Colette was a big reason why I

828
00:58:10,720 --> 00:58:18,440
ran for office uh the first time.
Um I cannot thank her enough for her

829
00:58:15,080 --> 00:58:22,920
support uh during that time and since.
Um when you get elected, you think, "I I

830
00:58:20,800 --> 00:58:26,520
got this. I know what I'm getting into."
Um this you all will understand this.

831
00:58:24,840 --> 00:58:30,760
It's like drinking from a fire hose for
the first year and uh Colette was

832
00:58:29,040 --> 00:58:35,760
extremely instrumental in on helping me
get up to speed and uh along the way I

833
00:58:33,280 --> 00:58:40,360
watched her as somebody like me who owns
their own business and um tries to

834
00:58:38,960 --> 00:58:46,240
understand how to be a small business
person and manage that, but also manage

835
00:58:43,600 --> 00:58:49,800
your time given to the city um and
serving in what essentially is a

836
00:58:48,160 --> 00:58:53,840
volunteer role
um and and continuing to make Kingsport

837
00:58:51,920 --> 00:58:57,640
better. And so the one thing I
personally always admired about Colette

838
00:58:55,560 --> 00:59:02,840
is that um you always know where she
stands on an issue and um

839
00:59:01,040 --> 00:59:08,480
and she always has the facts to back
that up. And a lot like my dad, if you

840
00:59:06,600 --> 00:59:13,440
are ever have the opposite opinion of
Colette on a subject, usually 6 months

841
00:59:11,680 --> 00:59:18,240
to a year from now, you will realize
that she was right about it the entire

842
00:59:14,960 --> 00:59:22,680
time. So um I I made a comment about
Colette my my first board meeting on I

843
00:59:21,080 --> 00:59:27,360
thought it was very interesting and so
I'll I'll end with this.

844
00:59:24,600 --> 00:59:30,440
Um I really thank you and so much for
everything you've done for Kingsport,

845
00:59:28,760 --> 00:59:34,440
for your friendship, but I think it's a
very interesting fact that Colette and

846
00:59:32,760 --> 00:59:37,440
her mom are the first mother-daughter to
ever serve on the Board of Mayor and

847
00:59:35,840 --> 00:59:42,000
Aldermen. So, I think that's a really
interesting fact. So, thank you all.

848
00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:45,400
» Okay, from my side room.
>> Alderman May.

849
00:59:42,880 --> 00:59:51,480
» Oh, wow. Well,
excuse me. Thank you, city manager

850
00:59:49,160 --> 00:59:56,120
McCartt, and Mayor Montgomery, and all
the board members. And

851
00:59:54,200 --> 01:00:01,000
thank you for voting me
to serve

852
00:59:57,520 --> 01:00:04,080
for 2 years. I've I've made friends and
I've certainly

853
01:00:02,640 --> 01:00:09,040
cherished
the last 2 years. It's been wonderful to

854
01:00:06,720 --> 01:00:12,040
serve on the board. It's a true honor
and

855
01:00:10,320 --> 01:00:17,840
really impressed with the city and the
city staff. All the city employees are

856
01:00:14,720 --> 01:00:23,840
are amazing. And I think this is this is
a good board. We've spent a lot of time

857
01:00:20,640 --> 01:00:28,520
together grulling over
different difficult and different

858
01:00:26,040 --> 01:00:35,720
subjects and
we value one another's input and we

859
01:00:32,080 --> 01:00:40,480
agree, we disagree and we learn from
each other. So, that's my takeaway is

860
01:00:38,360 --> 01:00:44,840
new friends and I've learned a great
deal. So, thank you for the for the

861
01:00:42,480 --> 01:00:50,840
honor to serve. I appreciate it very
much and I want to congratulate the the

862
01:00:47,800 --> 01:00:54,960
new elect alderman as they as they take
on their new roles. I know they're going

863
01:00:52,400 --> 01:00:59,840
to do a great job and the board is going
to continue to to be to be great for the

864
01:00:58,040 --> 01:01:05,640
city of Kingsport because there's good
things going to happen and I'm I'm

865
01:01:01,640 --> 01:01:05,640
really convinced of that. So, thank you.

866
01:01:06,080 --> 01:01:13,600
» I didn't mean to I have some prepared
remarks, but since

867
01:01:11,640 --> 01:01:16,680
people took the opportunity to say
personal things, I would like to say

868
01:01:15,760 --> 01:01:20,120
a
few things. James, I remember you at

869
01:01:18,720 --> 01:01:24,160
Washington when you were in the first
grade. The thing I remember about James

870
01:01:22,080 --> 01:01:27,200
is one day he had I think he had Miss
Crowley

871
01:01:25,080 --> 01:01:30,600
and he sprayed she was letting him spray
the tables clean the tables off and he

872
01:01:28,680 --> 01:01:33,440
sprayed it in his face and she came over
cuz he we were trying to clean his face

873
01:01:32,520 --> 01:01:38,880
off.
But I never every time I meet his mom or

874
01:01:35,960 --> 01:01:43,480
dad I always tell them that they raised
a wonderful person.

875
01:01:41,280 --> 01:01:47,320
Uh I never lose that I'm never pass an
opportunity cuz I think his parents need

876
01:01:45,040 --> 01:01:51,200
to hear that. He's he's uh
first class and I said I'm so excited to

877
01:01:49,640 --> 01:01:54,600
con- continue to work with him. We met
today

878
01:01:52,320 --> 01:01:57,920
uh for Christmas in Kingsport and uh
continue to work with him.

879
01:01:56,360 --> 01:02:02,240
Uh he has the same love for Christmas
that I do.

880
01:01:59,600 --> 01:02:05,560
But Daryl Daryl and Sharon uh my husband
goes way back with Sharon working at Of

881
01:02:04,080 --> 01:02:09,280
course I remember Daryl and Sharon from
way back. Uh

882
01:02:07,600 --> 01:02:12,680
I invited Daryl and Sharon to come eat
Christmas dinner at our house this year.

883
01:02:11,000 --> 01:02:16,000
We have a very uh we have chili and
baked potato very low-key Christmas

884
01:02:14,240 --> 01:02:18,760
after every all the festivities and I
made him sit on the floor and eat

885
01:02:17,360 --> 01:02:21,160
because we were running out of space at
the table. So

886
01:02:19,920 --> 01:02:24,040
if you have a friend that you invite
over and you you sit on the floor with

887
01:02:22,560 --> 01:02:27,600
them they eat chili and baked potato you
know that's a special kind of friend. Uh

888
01:02:26,480 --> 01:02:31,600
Paul
when I I got to know Paul really I guess

889
01:02:29,400 --> 01:02:35,360
when we were campaigning and someone
came up to me and was talking about the

890
01:02:33,320 --> 01:02:39,040
the results of the election I said
Paul Montgomery is going to be the top

891
01:02:37,200 --> 01:02:42,320
vote getter and they said oh yeah I'm
not sure about that. I said I sit there

892
01:02:40,600 --> 01:02:46,120
and watched I sit there and watch
everybody come by his tent out in the

893
01:02:43,600 --> 01:02:49,680
heat and he did and he won.
Colette and I um

894
01:02:48,680 --> 01:02:52,040
are family now.
>> Yeah.

895
01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:54,600
» Colette's my uh
daughter's

896
01:02:53,280 --> 01:02:59,000
husband
is Colette's

897
01:02:57,240 --> 01:03:02,440
daughter-in-law's brother.
>> So

898
01:02:59,800 --> 01:03:04,920
» So we we're we are going to all the same
family events and we will not

899
01:03:04,640 --> 01:03:11,520
» Okay.
>> we will not lose contact because we we

900
01:03:07,880 --> 01:03:15,440
we go we're in the same family now.
Gary came the first time I really got to

901
01:03:13,720 --> 01:03:18,960
talk to Gary he came at Friends in Need
to talk to me before he was appointed on

902
01:03:17,120 --> 01:03:22,960
the on this board. And the one of the
first things I told him, I said I

903
01:03:20,680 --> 01:03:27,600
remember I was at at uh First Broad
Street uh as a director of the child

904
01:03:25,400 --> 01:03:31,640
care center during COVID. And I said I
called you a lot. He said, "Oh, I hope I

905
01:03:29,320 --> 01:03:36,120
was nice."
But anyway, he he was very nice because

906
01:03:33,520 --> 01:03:39,480
I we I had a thousand questions a day
about child care and what we could open,

907
01:03:38,320 --> 01:03:44,120
what we could do, what was close
contacts. And he I I called him

908
01:03:41,920 --> 01:03:48,680
uh his office regularly. But um
I've enjoyed working with with everyone

909
01:03:46,120 --> 01:03:53,120
here. Chris, um
you I I I saw as soon as I saw him Well,

910
01:03:51,880 --> 01:03:56,320
I started texting Cleary. I said, "I
think we're the last we're the last two

911
01:03:55,080 --> 01:03:57,560
that that
uh

912
01:03:57,000 --> 01:04:03,000
» hired him.
>> hired him. And she said So I looked back

913
01:03:59,960 --> 01:04:06,120
and we were. So I But uh Chris Chris
>> Good hire.

914
01:04:03,560 --> 01:04:10,080
» Good hire. One of that one of my our
our positive uh

915
01:04:08,200 --> 01:04:12,760
» We didn't I hear he's a good hire, too.
>> Good.

916
01:04:10,800 --> 01:04:16,520
Um but
>> This may be why.

917
01:04:13,960 --> 01:04:18,800
» Renee and Chris have become just good
friends. Uh so

918
01:04:18,080 --> 01:04:22,880
uh
uh I will cherish every all the

919
01:04:20,640 --> 01:04:26,640
friendships that I've made here.
Yet today marks my last BMA meeting

920
01:04:24,880 --> 01:04:30,280
after 9 years of serving the citizens of
Kingsport. I'm thankful for the

921
01:04:28,160 --> 01:04:33,360
opportunity to work with three mayors,
two city managers, and been able to hire

922
01:04:31,960 --> 01:04:37,960
one city manager. I'm leaving you all in
wonderful hands with our hire. Uh

923
01:04:35,920 --> 01:04:40,760
countless city staff and wonderful board
members.

924
01:04:39,120 --> 01:04:43,960
Through good times and difficult times,
including the loss of two board members

925
01:04:42,480 --> 01:04:48,240
that we served with. Two of the our
board members that in the last 9 years

926
01:04:45,880 --> 01:04:53,200
have passed, which um
you know, kind of puts the everything in

927
01:04:49,840 --> 01:04:56,480
perspective. We survived COVID and Zoom
meetings.

928
01:04:54,320 --> 01:05:01,200
I'd never That was my our first I never
heard of Zoom before, and we we were

929
01:04:58,120 --> 01:05:05,120
Zooming. And I remember uh
Pat was the was the mayor, and he made a

930
01:05:03,320 --> 01:05:08,160
comment about what was in my background,
and I had to very quickly

931
01:05:06,840 --> 01:05:12,040
move some things out of the background
of my our Zoom meetings.

932
01:05:10,000 --> 01:05:15,600
Um
For 9 years we brought we've had special

933
01:05:13,880 --> 01:05:18,920
memories, friendships, ribbon cuttings,
completed projects, and opportunities to

934
01:05:17,480 --> 01:05:22,200
make a difference.
One of my greatest joys, and it knows no

935
01:05:20,880 --> 01:05:25,720
surprise here, has been Christmas in
Kingsport. It's amazing that this going

936
01:05:24,320 --> 01:05:29,880
to be in its fifth year this year, and
there's it's growing every year. There's

937
01:05:27,800 --> 01:05:33,040
two or three very exciting things that
that that you need to be looking out for

938
01:05:31,720 --> 01:05:37,240
for this year.
Um

939
01:05:34,040 --> 01:05:40,920
and Chris has been very I said I
He he knows when he I he gets a message

940
01:05:39,640 --> 01:05:44,440
from me about Christmas in Kingsport.
I'm sure he shakes his head and wants to

941
01:05:42,160 --> 01:05:47,240
hit delete. Um
But thank you for the the the citizens

942
01:05:46,000 --> 01:05:51,480
for trusting me and giving me the
privilege of serving. I may be leaving

943
01:05:49,320 --> 01:05:55,280
the BMA, but I'll never leave my love
for Kingsport. Uh I look forward to

944
01:05:53,840 --> 01:05:58,560
watching our city continue to grow and
prosper and remain a wonderful place to

945
01:05:56,920 --> 01:06:02,640
live, work, raise a family, and call
home. So thank you, Kingsport, for 9

946
01:06:00,840 --> 01:06:05,440
unforgettable years.
Uh

947
01:06:03,600 --> 01:06:08,560
lastly, I want to mention Lamplight
Theatre. I always mention something

948
01:06:07,000 --> 01:06:12,120
about our downtown.
Foggy Valley is on for two more

949
01:06:10,320 --> 01:06:15,880
weekends. If you haven't been to
Lamplight, be sure to go down there.

950
01:06:14,080 --> 01:06:21,720
Foggy Valley is one of the one of their
better shows. It's a it's a comedy show,

951
01:06:17,880 --> 01:06:27,040
so um be sure to support our downtown
businesses, and um

952
01:06:23,240 --> 01:06:27,040
thank you for the last 9 years.

953
01:06:28,560 --> 01:06:32,920
» Gosh.
Y'all are just gushing on everything,

954
01:06:31,120 --> 01:06:35,600
and you know I really do appreciate
everybody up here.

955
01:06:35,640 --> 01:06:41,480
I really I I really I mean I said that
this is it's been it has been an honor

956
01:06:39,640 --> 01:06:47,200
and a privilege to serve Kingsport for
13 years. And I have done four mayors,

957
01:06:44,760 --> 01:06:51,760
three city managers, so I got to hire
two. But but I still think it's sort of

958
01:06:49,520 --> 01:06:54,640
I did a good job.
Two locations,

959
01:06:53,520 --> 01:06:58,680
and I should have counted all the
different aldermen I've served with, but

960
01:06:56,560 --> 01:07:03,320
I didn't. And then I said I really
I really enjoyed most all of them, and I

961
01:07:01,520 --> 01:07:08,920
really like everybody up here, and I've
enjoyed you all. It um

962
01:07:06,240 --> 01:07:15,840
it really this is an honor and I think
everybody that serves realizes this it's

963
01:07:13,360 --> 01:07:20,960
it is a a blessing. We have such a
wonderful board. Um I really have

964
01:07:19,080 --> 01:07:26,160
appreciated getting to know the the
staff and the employees of Kingsport.

965
01:07:23,680 --> 01:07:29,800
I mean, wonderful individuals, great
leadership team, all of y'all that have

966
01:07:27,640 --> 01:07:33,800
to sit here every single twice a month
and listen to us. Um

967
01:07:32,440 --> 01:07:39,120
but the thing you know and I'm like a
total bad a person and I know when I

968
01:07:37,560 --> 01:07:43,680
from the time I first got on the board
that staff probably at times could have

969
01:07:41,000 --> 01:07:46,360
strangled me. Um and now as Betsy said
last meeting, I think a lot of these

970
01:07:44,840 --> 01:07:52,760
reports we got now have enough where I
could get up and give the report. Um but

971
01:07:49,200 --> 01:07:58,840
the amount of time and
to and just information and the

972
01:07:55,200 --> 01:08:04,120
professionalism that this staff puts to
to provide us the data that we need to

973
01:08:02,040 --> 01:08:07,000
make informed decisions.
You know, I think a lot of times when

974
01:08:05,320 --> 01:08:11,440
you when people watch this meeting and
we're really just voting, they have no

975
01:08:09,320 --> 01:08:15,320
idea what started
years ago, what went through the work

976
01:08:13,320 --> 01:08:21,200
session, how much how many
presentations, how much data, how much

977
01:08:18,279 --> 01:08:26,720
re-explaining things to us, how much the
city has given us the all the right

978
01:08:24,000 --> 01:08:32,520
information and I and they're nice about
it to make sure that we can make an

979
01:08:29,040 --> 01:08:36,520
informed vote. And I know when I kept
things on the agenda for year after year

980
01:08:34,600 --> 01:08:40,080
after year that that Carissa and even
Jeff Fleming before that and probably

981
01:08:38,319 --> 01:08:44,040
Don Campbell were like, "Can we not get
this off this thing?" you know, but but

982
01:08:42,160 --> 01:08:47,040
we got a dental school. So, that was one
you know, there's you know, there's a

983
01:08:45,319 --> 01:08:51,880
lot of things that it
as a small business owner,

984
01:08:49,960 --> 01:08:55,720
you know, when I want to make a change
and I want to do something, I can make a

985
01:08:54,120 --> 01:09:00,440
decision, I can spend money, I can make
things happen. And

986
01:08:58,319 --> 01:09:05,120
when the hardest thing for me with
government is the things that

987
01:09:03,200 --> 01:09:11,080
when I first got on the board like Main
Street, 13 years since I That was one of

988
01:09:07,839 --> 01:09:14,000
my first votes. And I think it took 12
before we got that built.

989
01:09:13,080 --> 01:09:19,120
And
it's it's like we vote on things and we

990
01:09:16,920 --> 01:09:22,560
start the procedure and go through it
and we vote on things. And by the time

991
01:09:21,120 --> 01:09:26,000
they start moving dirt, somebody says,
"What's going on over here?" And I'm

992
01:09:23,520 --> 01:09:30,920
like, "I don't remember." I mean, you
know, what is that? And I think that's

993
01:09:27,759 --> 01:09:35,720
as small business that's so hard to
learn government and to also try to

994
01:09:33,000 --> 01:09:39,640
explain it to the public. And we have a
great public. I mean, I think you will

995
01:09:38,120 --> 01:09:43,000
really as new people coming in, you will
really appreciate that. You get a lot of

996
01:09:41,720 --> 01:09:47,799
emails, you have a lot of people
stopping and ask questions. They are

997
01:09:45,160 --> 01:09:50,600
polite. They listen to your answers.
They

998
01:09:49,200 --> 01:09:53,480
Most of the time I mean, we get a couple
that, you know, they're probably

999
01:09:51,480 --> 01:09:57,840
foreigners, but I mean, from other
states that have moved here.

1000
01:09:55,880 --> 01:10:03,040
But, you know, people are very nice and
and it is really it it it does connect

1001
01:10:01,120 --> 01:10:07,720
you to the citizens. We get to do great
things and I have

1002
01:10:05,320 --> 01:10:12,520
really really really appreciated my time
on this board. And I really do love all

1003
01:10:10,640 --> 01:10:16,440
the people I work with and and
appreciate more what the city does,

1004
01:10:15,000 --> 01:10:19,480
staff does.
And I want to just, you know, really say

1005
01:10:17,880 --> 01:10:23,160
thank you for giving me this
opportunity. And um

1006
01:10:22,200 --> 01:10:28,000
I said
but it is it is really cool and good and

1007
01:10:25,480 --> 01:10:32,600
all that all that stuff, so
it I will I will still I told Chris I'll

1008
01:10:30,920 --> 01:10:35,400
probably still come up here and and you
know, on the things I love, I will

1009
01:10:33,760 --> 01:10:37,920
probably still have an opinion.
Hard to imagine.

1010
01:10:36,880 --> 01:10:41,640
And uh
it is uh

1011
01:10:39,000 --> 01:10:44,440
it is I will still be involved as the
you know, once you're in it, you I mean,

1012
01:10:42,880 --> 01:10:48,240
we love Kingsport. Everybody that serves
loves Kingsport. So, I really just thank

1013
01:10:46,920 --> 01:10:51,560
you for the opportunity. Thank you for
the friendships. Thank you for

1014
01:10:49,960 --> 01:10:55,080
tolerating me and putting up with me and
the grace you have shown when I didn't

1015
01:10:53,000 --> 01:10:59,720
necessarily agree. And yes, I always
have a strong opinion.

1016
01:10:56,880 --> 01:11:03,720
But, I do appreciate all of y'all.
Thanks.

1017
01:11:01,400 --> 01:11:10,440
» Thank you. Thank you all, and we thank
you all for being with us tonight, and I

1018
01:11:06,920 --> 01:11:10,440
will say this means adjourned.