[0:56] Good afternoon and welcome to the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen's

[1:00] business meeting for August 18th. Let us all stand for the pledge to be led by

[1:07] New Vision Youth followed by invocation by Alderman Cooper.

[1:13] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[1:19] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:27] justice for all.

[1:32] » Please bow your heads. Dear gracious and loving God,

[1:37] as I come to my last Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, my heart is filled

[1:39] with gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve the people of

[1:43] Kingsport and for the privilege of being part of this community.

[1:47] Bless Collette and Gary as they leave their place on the board.

[1:51] Help us all to continue to serve you and others in whatever capacity you place

[1:55] before us. Allow us to take the knowledge,

[1:59] experience, and lessons that we have gained through our service and use them

[2:03] to bless others and continue to make a difference in our community.

[2:07] I pray especially for Richard, Calvin, and Julie as they begin their service on

[2:11] the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Give them wisdom, patience, compassion,

[2:16] courage, and discernment. May they always remember that their greatest

[2:19] responsibility is to serve you and the citizens of Kingsport with integrity and

[2:24] a servant's heart. Bless all of our elected leaders, our

[2:28] city staff, and the many people who work behind the scenes to make our city the

[2:32] wonderful place it is. Give them strength and wisdom as they

[2:36] face the challenges and opportunities ahead.

[2:39] Lord, thank you for the friendships made,

[2:41] the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the many blessings we've

[2:45] experienced through this journey. May we leave this world with a grateful

[2:49] heart knowing that we have given our best to the city and its people.

[2:52] Continue to guide Kingsport, protect our community,

[2:56] and bless all of those who call it home. May we always seek what is best for our

[3:00] city, care for one another, and lead with grace, humility, and love. In your

[3:05] precious name I pray. Amen. >> Amen.

[3:08] » You may be seated. Thank you,

[3:12] New Vision Youth and Alderman Cooper.

[3:16] Mr. Recorder, please take the roll. Mayor Montgomery.

[3:21] » Here. >> Vice Mayor Duncan.

[3:23] » Here. >> Alderman Baker.

[3:25] Alderman Cooper. >> Here.

[3:27] » Alderman George. >> Here.

[3:28] » Alderman Maze. >> Here.

[3:30] » Alderman Phillips. >> Here.

[3:32] » Thank you. Six of seven board members are present. We have a quorum.

[3:38] Mr. City Manager. >> Mayor, we have several recognitions on

[3:41] the agenda tonight and we're going to begin by recognizing Sullivan County

[3:45] Mayor Richard Venable. If asked,

[3:50] Mayor, if you would please join Mayor Montgomery at the podium for a very

[3:54] special recognition.

[3:58] » I've been known for good timing. >> Yeah.

[4:01] » It's It's nothing like coming in hot. We are honored tonight to

[4:08] pay tribute to one of the best in the our region and the city. He's a resident

[4:13] of Kingsport City and he has been involved for 35 years in

[4:18] various opportunities throughout the city.

[4:22] And tonight we want to say thank you for to Richard and and and Phyllis for the

[4:28] the work that he's done and she's done over these many years. And again, we're

[4:34] not saying goodbye, we're just saying we'll see what happens next.

[4:38] Okay, City of Kingsport Commendation. Whereas Mayor Richard Venable

[4:43] has faithfully and honorably served the citizens of Kingsport and Sullivan

[4:48] County for more than 35 years in various elected and appointed positions. And

[4:54] whereas prior to his distinguished career in public office, Mayor Venable

[4:58] achieved success in the private sector serving as executive with the

[5:02] Mason-Dixon Lines Incorporated and later founded his own successful trucking

[5:07] company which has operated for 25 years employing 49 people and

[5:13] managing 42 trucks. And whereas Mayor Venable first served people of Sullivan

[5:18] County as a state representative serving in the house leadership from his first

[5:23] term until retiring in 1996 as House Republican Whip. And whereas

[5:29] Mayor Venable then held the position of Sullivan County Mayor for 15 years

[5:33] during two separate stints leading the county through significant

[5:37] progress and economic development including the expansion of the Sullivan

[5:41] County Jail. And whereas his leadership has left a lasting impact on Kingsport,

[5:47] Sullivan County, and the state of Tennessee

[5:50] by championing fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, and workforce

[5:55] readiness through higher education. Now, therefore, I, Paul W. Montgomery, mayor

[6:00] of the city of Kingsport, and on behalf of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of

[6:04] the city of Kingsport, do hereby commend Mayor Richard Venable for his decades of

[6:09] leadership and exemplary public service to the citizens of Kingsport and

[6:14] Sullivan County, and encourage all cities all citizens to help us

[6:19] uh with this commendation. Thank you, and Mayor Venable, let you sit if you

[6:23] want. THANK YOU.

[6:35] » THANK YOU. I'LL BE BRIEF. UM

[6:39] I'VE ASKED PHYLLIS to come with me tonight because she's been a part of

[6:43] everything I've done. Um

[6:46] And as I look back on it, uh I actually started in 1984. That's a

[6:52] different century, uh a different millennium.

[6:57] And uh people say, "Well, you've sacrificed a

[7:00] lot." Well, I haven't. I've been fortunate uh

[7:05] in my life to be able to do what I had a passion for and also

[7:10] make a living. And uh um

[7:15] Paul, I'm I'm accustomed to reading these and not getting them, so I

[7:19] um but uh the my company, RSV Inc., don't ever name a

[7:24] company after yourself, by the way. Uh

[7:28] uh we when I ran for mayor in 2014, uh I lost my key people. They were as

[7:34] old as I was and should have been retired. They They worked on longer than

[7:39] they should have, but uh that allowed me

[7:43] over the years to do what my passion was, which is

[7:47] I'm not going to say service, which is politics, and that's not a bad word.

[7:52] But, if you do it right, it is a is a service, and I hope I've

[7:56] done it right for the people of Sullivan County.

[7:59] Phil and I have lived 24 years in Indian Springs because of a state

[8:03] representative, and uh we got to Kingsport in 1998. So,

[8:07] we've been here nearly 30 years. Um and there is no better place to live

[8:13] than Kingsport, Tennessee. And I hope I've shown that over the

[8:17] years in my leadership of the county because all the folks in Kingsport are

[8:22] also residents of Sullivan County. And it's our

[8:26] obligation to serve them well. Uh so, I I'm I'm going to stop there. I

[8:30] could talk all night about Kingsport and what you've done.

[8:34] Uh I think it's an amazing city, and you've always had good people

[8:38] step up for leadership. You even stole one of my people.

[8:42] Uh he he retired on me. And uh when you good people start

[8:46] retiring, you better leave. Uh but, uh as a fact, I I

[8:51] Kingsport's successful because leadership always steps up here.

[8:56] And you elect people like Paul Montgomery. So, Mayor Montgomery, thank

[9:00] you. Board members, thank you for the

[9:03] recognition. Um I will be around, I think. Uh

[9:09] it's a good lawyer. Give me a day. Uh I'll take it very happily. So, uh

[9:14] you might not see us for a few weeks or something.

[9:17] Uh but, uh anyway, we'll be here. THANK

[9:20] YOU.

[9:28] » WE NOW LIKE TO RECOMMEND OR recognize the 2026 Appalachian League champions,

[9:34] the Kingsport Axmen. So, you all please make your way up to the podium and join

[9:38] Vice Mayor Duncan for a very special recognition.

[9:42] » Well, thanks to you, manager, and Kingsport has a long history

[9:47] of baseball in our city, and so it dates back to 1921.

[9:52] And so with a halt there for a few years, so it's it's continued on. It was

[9:57] the Appalachian League back in 1921. And of course in 2021, that's when we went

[10:02] to the Wooden Bat League, which I think improved baseball tremendously for the

[10:08] league. Instead of having such young players, you've got collegiate players.

[10:12] A lot of them had just finished their collegiate season and then just comes on

[10:17] board with

[10:19] with the Axemen. And so it it's really improved baseball. If anybody hadn't

[10:24] really suggest that they go. So in 2022, won the league championship. And then I

[10:31] think you came, Caleb, in 2024 as a general manager. And then we've got

[10:36] McKenzie Tester here, and she's the assistant general general manager. We've

[10:39] known McKenzie for a long time. But when you bring the hardware, and

[10:43] that's a 2026, then it makes it official. So congratulations to you

[10:48] guys. So I know it means a lot, and it does to our city, too. So

[10:52] people haven't been out, it's a great field with turf, and

[10:55] and it's just really a fun night, a family night. So Caleb, I'm going to

[10:58] turn it over to you and let you say a few words.

[11:00] » Yes, thank you very much. Absolutely. Yes, so like you said, the unique thing

[11:03] about this is we're the first two-time winner since that's been rebranded in

[11:07] 2021. I'd like to tell this story that if you

[11:11] look at our standings board this season five games in, I thought it was an error

[11:15] for the longest time, but we had a zero in the win column.

[11:18] Turns out it was right, but like we all say, we like the ending a whole lot

[11:21] better than the beginning. Our young guys turned the season around, and it

[11:24] was it was a it was a huge success, and the support here in the community has

[11:28] been great since I've been here. It's like no other any any other stadium we

[11:32] go to, and uh we look forward to seeing each each and every one of you out at

[11:35] the ballpark in 2027. Hopefully, we'll bring this back home then as well.

[11:39] » You got a new scoreboard coming too, right?

[11:40] » Yeah, and then uh next year we're actually starting construction next

[11:43] month and we'll be putting up a brand new video board. So, we'll be able to

[11:46] show uh this thing off real nicely. >> All right, THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

[11:55] WE'RE NOW GOING TO RECOGNIZE BOTH THE July and August Keep Kingsport beautiful

[12:01] beautification awards and Allison is here.

[12:03] » Yes. >> Walk us through that.

[12:06] » All right. We're going to start with This is the uh home of Curtis and Debbie

[12:12] Pickwell at 1501 War Path Drive. Uh the home features window boxes on the front

[12:17] and side of the house with various flowers in the yard and on the porch. Uh

[12:22] the property, as you can tell, is very well maintained, nicely kept. Very

[12:26] pretty house. There's the window boxes.

[12:35] And this Next home is It's the home of Harold and

[12:39] Linda Robinson at 105 Boulder Court. Uh this property is decked out with bunting

[12:44] flags to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Uh there's seating on the

[12:49] front porch welcomes visitors while flowers in the yard include hibiscus,

[12:53] crepe myrtle, and daylilies. We'll see if we can find some of those in the

[12:57] pictures.

[13:03] Okay, the next home is Tim and Kathy Jennings at 1001 Allendale Circle. Uh

[13:09] this property features various plants and flowers along with a water feature

[13:15] and the window boxes. It's very neatly kept.

[13:22] This is the home of Sherry Bradley at 738 Hunts Terrace. Uh this property

[13:28] features uh various flowers including marigolds, day lilies along the

[13:32] driveway, wave petunias, uh more day lilies, a weeping cherry

[13:36] tree, crape myrtle, Japanese maple in the front yard, and the rocking chairs

[13:40] and decorative lights welcome visitors to the porch.

[13:43] Um all landscaping is lined with white river rock.

[13:47] The next home, it's the home of Tracy Nguyen at 1025 Norfolk Place. This

[13:52] home's landscaping features beautiful raised beds with a wide variety of

[13:57] annuals and perennials. Um various shrubs and pines are planted along with

[14:01] roses, white gladiolas, Russian sage, purple coneflowers, crape myrtle. Uh

[14:07] this property also features a wooden trellis with an arbor.

[14:12] The business winner for July was Texas Roadhouse, uh East Stone Drive.

[14:17] Beautiful cone-shaped evergreens and box shrubs line the side of the restaurant

[14:21] while beautiful white rocks line the landscaping.

[14:25] And next, the church winner for July was Kendrick's Creek United Methodist

[14:29] Church, 1000 Kendrick Creek Road. Was founded in 1886.

[14:36] Uh this church features a colorful flower garden,

[14:39] which is beautiful, that welcomes all visitors to worship.

[14:43] It's very pretty. Um the redevelopment award

[14:48] for July was 243 East Market Street, which is now Mama Dee's restaurant. Uh

[14:53] the owners of this restaurant transformed the downtown storefront into

[14:56] a vibrant new business bringing new activity to East Market Street.

[15:00] Extensive interior and exterior renovations

[15:05] uh were completed to create an inviting space for residents and visitors alike.

[15:09] This property represents a strong investment in the downtown area

[15:13] demonstrating how adaptive reuse of existing buildings can support ongoing

[15:17] revitalization efforts and encourage additional private investment. There you

[15:21] go. Before and after.

[15:26] And now for our August winners. Oops.

[15:30] Whoa. Did I do that?

[15:33] Adrienne, get me back.

[15:41] Okay. >> We're good.

[15:41] » I don't know what happened. Okay.

[15:45] These are the August winners. On this home, it's the home of John and Kim

[15:48] Blessing at 2012 East Severe Avenue. Uh this well-maintained property features

[15:53] several areas of landscaping with lovely shrubs, crepe myrtles, knockout roses,

[15:59] stargazer lilies. I can't see any more. Yeah. Stargazer lilies,

[16:04] lantana, uh and other colorful accents. It's beautiful on the corner of Montrose

[16:09] and Severe.

[16:14] Our next home is Deborah Price at 800 Carlisle Drive. Uh this home has various

[16:20] plants and flowers including ferns, uh mandevilla, knockout roses, petunias,

[16:26] hydrangeas, begonias, impatiens, and geraniums. Uh the owner built terraced

[16:31] brick walls to prevent erosion on the property. Uh there's several cozy

[16:35] sitting areas that welcome visitors along with wind chimes that sound very

[16:40] lovely in the breeze.

[16:44] Next home is Bob and Jennifer Feathers at 2008 Westwind Drive. Uh this

[16:48] beautiful home facing Bay's Mountain features loads of different plants, some

[16:53] of which are the beautiful hydrangea, mandevilla, uh and trees of various

[16:58] textures. The blue Oops. Let me talk about that blue front door.

[17:02] The blue front door is flanked by beautiful colorful mandevilla in in the

[17:07] pots while the backyard features a beautiful pool.

[17:12] A refreshing pool and lounge chairs. And this is the home of Patrick and

[17:18] Stephanie Grandelli at 407 Claymore Drive.

[17:22] Uh the plants along the front include something I've never heard of, Mr.

[17:27] Bowling Ball Arborvitae. Mr. Bowling Ball.

[17:31] Purple petunias, white mandevilla, and holly bushes line the front porch. A

[17:36] beautiful mature sweeping cherry tree anchors the front yard. Along the side

[17:40] porch are multiple planter boxes with ferns, petunias, creeping jenny, and

[17:44] various herbs. There's also uh pencil holly bushes, dusty miller, and a mature

[17:49] Japanese maple on the side of the house, along with azaleas, hosta, and dusty

[17:54] miller growing on the side. And at the front of the home, I just want to point

[17:58] out that those um planter boxes, the black planter boxes, are actually file

[18:02] cabinets. I thought that was a great example of

[18:05] reuse, reduce, recycle. Just very cool. Lay them on their back

[18:09] and fill fill them with dirt. Good job.

[18:13] Uh the business winner is B&H Wealth Strategies

[18:18] at 1402 East Center Street. The property features nice landscaping around the

[18:22] company sign in the front yard. Lovely green shrubbery surrounds the business,

[18:27] along with a decorative bench and yellow daylilies.

[18:30] Uh small buckets catch rainwater from the roof. Let me find those little

[18:34] buckets. There they are. Well, which flows onto the landscaping

[18:37] stones at the side of the building. That looks really nice.

[18:41] The church winner is Tri-City Worship Church at 121 Jacquet Drive. This

[18:48] building previously housed Amato's Restaurant. It now serves the community

[18:51] as a church and houses an onsite pre-K program. The grass is freshly manicured

[18:55] and the campus is inviting with blooming trees, other greenery, and a fenced-in

[19:00] playground.

[19:04] Here is the redevelopment winner for August. It's the Stop and Go Market at

[19:07] 798 West Center Street. Here's your before

[19:13] and after. This property has been updated with

[19:16] exterior finishes and side improvements. Renovations included new brick brick

[19:20] facade, metal roof, refreshed storefront, outdoor seating area.

[19:25] The improvements provide a clean updated appearance while maintaining the

[19:28] property's existing use.

[19:33] And will all the winners that are present please stand up and BE

[19:35] RECOGNIZED.

[19:43] THANK YOU ALL. ALSO WANT TO mention that I'd like to thank our sponsor Bohm

[19:47] Landscaping for helping with the beautification committee.

[19:55] » Thank you mayor. There was an honorable mention award that went to the Cooper

[19:59] family. We've yet to come up with an award that

[20:03] is fitting for that category, but it felt like they should be

[20:06] mentioned. All right mayor, we'll now move on to

[20:09] the citizen comment section. For those of you in the audience

[20:13] tonight, this is a part of the meeting where you can address us as a board

[20:19] and we give you 5 minutes to come to the

[20:22] podium. We ask you sign the register there with your address

[20:27] and the only requirement we have is that you keep your comments non-personal in

[20:33] nature and total time for this is 30 minutes.

[20:36] And again, we do not get into dialogue. We're here to listen at this point in

[20:41] time. Anyone coming forth?

[20:44] Come on, sir.

[21:12] » There are timekeepers in the corner over here.

[21:14] » Perfect. Thank you so much. And uh congratulations on all your reelections.

[21:18] That's really awesome. Um so, my name is Jacob Meadows and I

[21:22] work for a company called Youth Villages. Particularly, I work in the

[21:26] foster care sector of Youth Villages. We're located in Johnson City. That's

[21:31] where our local office is, but we cover every county in Tennessee.

[21:34] Um you can find us off Bristol Highway. We're uh right across from the Shell

[21:37] station, if you're curious. So, I am here today to address everyone about the

[21:43] need for more foster parents in this area.

[21:47] Uh for those of you who don't know, there are at any given point a little

[21:50] over 8,000 kids in Tennessee who are in foster care. Over 50% of them are here

[21:55] in East Tennessee. Um

[21:58] Sullivan County, just to give you guys a little bit of data, um they have over

[22:02] 200 children currently in foster care from Sullivan County. Over half of them

[22:06] are from Kingsport zip codes. So, around 130 to 140 of those kids are here or

[22:13] from this area of Kingsport. Um and we're facing a big problem. We don't

[22:18] have enough foster homes. And that's true for just about every single agency,

[22:23] every county across Tennessee. And so, what I'm doing is I'm going around

[22:28] Actually, this is I think the fourth mayor alderman meeting I've attended,

[22:31] which has been really fun. Um I'm going around and telling a little

[22:34] bit about what we do and with a call to action that you consider talking to me

[22:39] later at another time

[22:42] um about how you can be involved and help with this need. Um as the mayor, as

[22:47] alderman, alderwomen, um you know, you have connections to the community that I

[22:52] simply don't. And what you can do without going too far out of your way

[22:57] are simple things that can help us raise the the awareness for the need for

[23:00] foster parents. You can connect us to individuals, partners,

[23:05] other agencies that can further our our cause and help get more foster parents

[23:10] in this region and be minimally invasive to your

[23:13] everyday life. I definitely don't want to reinvent the wheel and make you do

[23:15] extra work. We all know that you're very busy people. But with your help, we can

[23:20] increase the number of foster parents we have in this region and hopefully get

[23:24] kiddos the homes they need. Another big data statistic that I feel is very

[23:30] impactful is to know that over 86% of the children that are from this county

[23:35] that are in foster care are not actually living here. They are placed elsewhere.

[23:40] Because again, we don't have the foster homes for them. So out of that 200 plus

[23:46] statistic, 86% of them are in another county or they're in another state

[23:50] entirely. I actually have the data if you're ever interested in knowing it,

[23:54] you're more than welcome to reach out to me. I can tell you counties, states,

[23:58] things like that. But thankfully, they are doing a lot more tracking of this

[24:03] data. I'm sure you may have heard of Every Child Tennessee. It's a new

[24:07] initiative through DCS. They've been around for a few years now

[24:10] and essentially they are doing a lot more tracking of this information than

[24:15] it was in the past. So we're able to get this good data.

[24:18] But simply I will end by, you know, saying that we could really use your

[24:22] help. You have a big impact on your community and you know, you're very well

[24:26] known, very well liked obviously. You won your reelections. So

[24:29] I'll be here afterwards if you don't mind just coming and chatting with me

[24:32] for a moment and I'd love to meet with you in the future.

[24:36] » Thank you. Anyone else want to address this?

[24:41] Seeing no one move, I'm going to close this part down. But also at this time, I

[24:46] want to welcome newly elected alderman. At this point, alderman elect Byers,

[24:52] alderman elect Isaacs and alderman elect Clifton.

[24:56] So this is your last night that you'll be sitting over there.

[24:59] You'll come and join us here next month. So, look forward to that opportunity to

[25:04] sit work with you. >> Mr. Manager.

[25:07] Now move into the approval minutes. First, the work session on August 3rd,

[25:10] 2026 and the business meeting on August 4th, 2026. We'd ask that you approve

[25:15] these minutes as submitted, please. >> Thank you. You have before you August

[25:20] 3rd minutes and August 4th minutes. May I have a motion for approval?

[25:24] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

[25:27] Duncan. Is there a second? >> Second.

[25:31] » Seconded by Alderman Forbes. Any questions? All in favor of approving

[25:36] the minutes, say I. >> I.

[25:38] » Opposed, no. Minutes are approved, 6-0. Mr. Manager.

[25:43] » Mr. Mayor, we have one public hearing on the agenda tonight. This is a public

[25:46] hearing in consideration of an ordinance setting a property tax rate for the

[25:50] property within the City of Kingsport, Sullivan and within the City of

[25:53] Kingsport, Hawkins County. I've asked our CFO, Travis Bishop, if he would

[26:00] please just give a brief summary of what is before you all tonight before we open

[26:04] up the public hearing. Travis.

[26:08] » For to begin. So, each year we're required to set a tax

[26:12] rate. Normally done during the budget process with the budget ordinance,

[26:16] except in years when we have a reappraisal in either county, Hawkins

[26:20] County or Sullivan County. We have to obtain what's called a

[26:23] certified tax rate from uh the State Board of Equalization.

[26:28] Last year, we had a certified tax rate or an equalized tax rate, it's also

[26:32] referred to as since we reside in two different counties.

[26:36] That was set as Sullivan County went through the process last year. Um

[26:40] they were reappraised for tax roll year 25 for Sullivan County.

[26:45] Um Hawkins County was last appraised during 2021. We noticed last year that

[26:50] we had to set two different tax rates. As we move forward to this year,

[26:55] Hawkins County is being reassessed this year.

[26:58] As such, we have to go through the same process. We're going to have to set

[27:02] equalize tax rate. As both properties have been assessed

[27:06] within a similar time frame one year apart, we're

[27:10] going to have to have set the same tax rate for each

[27:15] Kingsport-Sullivan, Kingsport-Hawkins County.

[27:21] As we go forward, we're probably going to see this every year, this same

[27:25] similar type of a process as Sullivan County has moved to a more frequent

[27:30] two-year reassessment or reappraisal.

[27:35] We, after multiple multiple conversations with State Board

[27:39] Equalization, county assessors,

[27:43] uh we come back and we received a equalize

[27:46] tax rate for both Sullivan-Kingsport and Hawkins-Kingsport of roughly

[27:51] $1.798.

[27:54] While the the goal is kind of remain revenue neutral, that's where State

[27:59] Board Equalization comes back at this rate.

[28:03] If we were to adopt that recommended rate, that equalize tax rate, that would

[28:07] be about a 3-cent tax increase that Kingsport-Sullivan taxpayers would

[28:13] have to uh

[28:15] absorb or pay. That's um

[28:19] not the recommendation that we're pushing before you tonight. Um

[28:24] We're recommending a tax rate of $1.6773.

[28:27] That is the same tax rate that Kingsport-Sullivan paid last year. Um

[28:32] Sullivan County property taxpayers should not see any increase

[28:37] than what they had last year unless there was a drastic change in their

[28:39] property or assessment. In doing so,

[28:44] um the negative side of it is is this is about $480,000

[28:49] less than what we had projected during the budget

[28:53] cycle or the budget process. When we went through the budget, we went through

[28:57] very conservatively and estimated about a 1% increase in growth.

[29:01] Uh however, through this whole process with the last tax rate, seeing personal

[29:07] property tax assessments change as they do every year,

[29:11] um we're going to be negatively impacted by about $480,000.

[29:20] » Okay. Okay. Uh I'm going to open up the public

[29:24] hearing. Anyone here to speak on this public

[29:28] hearing? Sir, is there an ordinance providing for

[29:32] fixing the tax rate?

[29:36] Seeing no one moving, I'm going to close public hearing

[29:39] and ask the Mr. Attorney please publish. >> An ordinance providing for and fixing

[29:44] the tax rate on all real, personal, and mixed property within the City of

[29:47] Kingsport, Sullivan County, and the City of Kingsport, Hawkins County, which is

[29:50] taxable on the basis of assessments made by the County Property Assessor and the

[29:53] Division of Property Assessments of the State of Tennessee for the tax year 2026

[29:57] and to fix the effective date of this ordinance.

[30:00] » Thank you. You've heard the reading of consideration of providing for fixing

[30:04] the tax rate. Uh may I have a motion for approval?

[30:08] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Alderman George.

[30:10] Is there a second? >> Second.

[30:12] » Seconded by Alderman Cooper. Any discussion?

[30:19] Hearing none, all in favor of this ordinance say I. I. Opposed, no.

[30:26] The ordinance passes 6-0. Receive measure.

[30:29] » Next item is consideration of a budget adjustment ordinance for various funds

[30:33] in fiscal 2027. As described to you last night, some of

[30:38] this is setting uh funds in place for items you've already uh approved and

[30:43] leased in order of moving forward such as the uh

[30:47] agreement with Axon for body cameras. It sets up the funding for that. In

[30:50] addition to that, we're moving dollars around for street resurfacing or other

[30:54] capital projects. And then within the water fund, uh setting up an account for

[31:00] future projects uh with initial amount of $100,000 and then moving dollars

[31:04] around within the CDBG. This comes to you on first reading and we'd ask that

[31:10] you approve this ordinance, please. >> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

[31:15] » An ordinance of the city of Kingsport, Tennessee amending the 2026-2027

[31:18] fiscal year budget. >> Thank you. You heard reading of the

[31:22] ordinance. May I have a motion for approval?

[31:25] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Alderman George.

[31:28] Is there a second? >> Second.

[31:30] » Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any discussion?

[31:34] » Mayor, I I think it's um I think it needs to be said that uh this budget

[31:40] uh adjustment or ordinance is a result of the tax rate

[31:46] um that that we set in Hawkins County. And

[31:49] really the adjustment uh from what we had to do, reducing the

[31:54] budget uh 400 or 484,000 dollars. And I just uh want to thank the city staff,

[32:02] uh city manager for uh finding additional cuts. We just went

[32:07] through the budget cycle and um a lot of reductions was was

[32:12] um through that process. And so we have

[32:16] asked city staff and the city manager to reduce the budget more

[32:20] uh as already in the operational year. So,

[32:24] um I just want to thank them uh for being creative and figuring out ways to

[32:29] reduce the budget and avoid raising taxes. So, thank you.

[32:33] » Thank you. Any other comment or

[32:37] Okay, hearing none, all in favor of the budget budget ordinance say I.

[32:42] » I. >> Oppose no.

[32:44] Ordinance passes 6-0. See manager. >> All right, you have one item for a

[32:47] second and final reading and that is consideration of an ordinance to amend

[32:51] zoning of tax map 105 parcel 193 located along Kinder Creek Road from the

[32:56] R1C residential district to R3 low density apartment district. This comes

[33:00] to you on second and final reading. We'd ask that you approve the ordinance,

[33:05] please. >> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

[33:09] » An ordinance to further amend the zoning code text and map to rezone property

[33:12] located along Kinder Creek Road from the R1C residential district to R3 low

[33:15] density apartment district in the 14th Civil District of Sullivan County to fix

[33:19] penalty for the violation of this ordinance and to fix the effective date

[33:21] of this ordinance. >> Okay, you've heard reading of the

[33:24] ordinance. May I have a motion for approval?

[33:25] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

[33:28] Duncan. Is there a second? >> Second.

[33:30] » Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any discussion?

[33:33] » I will be abstaining from this vote.

[33:39] » Any other discussion? Okay. Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call

[33:43] vote. >> Alderman Cooper.

[33:44] » I. >> Vice Mayor Duncan.

[33:46] » I. >> Alderman Maze.

[33:48] » I. >> Alderman Phillips.

[33:49] » I. >> Mayor Montgomery.

[33:50] » I. >> The ordinance passes 5-0-1.

[33:54] See manager. >> Next item, moving into other business,

[33:58] is consideration of resolution to award the bid to Summers-Taylor Inc. for

[34:02] Kingsport resurfacing project pin number 132587

[34:06] and authorizing the mayor to sign all applicable documents. Discussed last

[34:10] night, this is the result of us utilizing funding made available through

[34:14] the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. This is for not only

[34:19] Clinchfield but also Eastman Road. You see the total You see the the bid amount

[34:24] there, 2.2 million. Total project cost of 2.4 million. Um many of you all

[34:30] remember several years ago putting these projects in motion,

[34:34] there is time involved when you're utilizing MTPO

[34:38] money, but at the same time you're able to only pay 20% of that total cost. And

[34:44] so we try to take advantage of this when we can, recognizing it takes time for

[34:47] the projects to move forward. Eastman Road should be paved this fall and we

[34:53] anticipate Clinchfield being paved in the spring as we wrap up the work there

[34:58] on the re-decking and rebuild of the Clinch River Street bridge. With that,

[35:03] Mayor, I ask that you approve the resolution awarding the contract.

[35:07] » Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish. A resolution awarding the bid for the

[35:11] resurfacing of portions of Eastman Road and Clinchfield Street to Summers-Taylor

[35:14] Incorporated and authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement for the same and

[35:16] all documents necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose of the agreement.

[35:20] Thank you. You've heard the reading of a resolution. May I have a motion for

[35:23] approval? >> Second.

[35:26] » Motion for approval by by Alderman Cooper. Is there a second?

[35:29] » Second. >> Seconded by Alderman George.

[35:32] Any discussion?

[35:37] Ready to vote? All in favor of the resolution, say I.

[35:41] » I. >> Opposed, no.

[35:43] The resolution passes 6-0. Mr. City Manager.

[35:47] » Next item is consideration resolution to purchase two F-550s with 6-yard rear

[35:52] loader refuse truck utilizing the Sourcewell contract. These are two rear

[35:57] loader refuse trucks that we are purchasing off the Sourcewell contract.

[36:01] As you see there in the action form, we estimate about 6 months upon the receipt

[36:07] of these. Both of these items are coming in

[36:10] considerably more than what they were originally purchased at several years

[36:13] ago. This is something that we have been

[36:16] watching and been having conversations with you all about for a variety of

[36:20] vehicles simply from a small pickup all the way to some of our more complex

[36:24] vehicles such as a a fire truck. But again, we're also making adjustments as

[36:29] we discussed last night. This is a little bit more efficient vehicle. We're

[36:34] moving away from diesel to gas. The goal here is not only

[36:40] can be cheaper to operate, but also hopefully easier for us to build and

[36:44] maintain. And I know all of them George always

[36:48] wants to see a picture what we're buying.

[36:51] And one last time, there it is. I've been told it will not have the

[36:55] snake on the side. It cost more money

[37:00] and so

[37:03] » We can have somebody paint that. >> Mayor?

[37:07] » Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish. >> Resolution authorizing the city manager

[37:11] to execute a purchase order to Municipal Equipment Incorporated utilizing

[37:14] Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement number 11023-NWY

[37:18] for two 2027 Ford F-50 refuse trucks with six-yard rear loader for use by

[37:23] Public Works. >> Thank you. You've heard reading of the

[37:25] resolution. May I have a motion for approval?

[37:30] » Second. >> Second.

[37:31] » Motion for approval by Vice Mayor Duckett, second by Alderman George. Any

[37:36] discussion? >> Once I'm off the board, you're going to

[37:39] let me drive some of these, right? >> Yeah, you can talk to Bart about that on

[37:43] your way out. >> It's been a life It's been a life long

[37:45] dream, man. I collect >> I would love to do the forklifts, but

[37:48] some of these look pretty good. >> Okay.

[37:53] Okay. Any other discussion? All in favor of the resolution, say I.

[37:58] » I. >> Opposed, no.

[38:00] Resolution passes 6-0. Mr. Manager. >> Next time is consideration of resolution

[38:06] authorizing an economic development contribution to the Industrial

[38:09] Development Board of Kingsport and authorizing one or more agreements

[38:12] pertaining to the same. As you all know, and and definitely this board over the

[38:16] last several years has been spent a tremendous amount of time focusing on

[38:21] economic development. You've asked your city staff uh to do the same and we have

[38:27] uh tried to respond in in various different ways to try to work with uh

[38:32] folks who were tasked with recruiting, but also at the same time property

[38:36] owners to ensure that we are making sound investments. One of the things

[38:40] that Tommy Altman taught me early in my career when it came to economic

[38:43] development was that every single project stood on its own. And that is

[38:47] definitely true with what you see here. Uh there were two uh cash incentives

[38:51] that were provided. Uh the first was for Kingsport Pavilion. Uh we were at a

[38:56] point in time several years ago where the occupancy had dropped off

[39:00] dramatically. We're now at over 98% occupancy rate. In fact, I think we're

[39:04] very close to being 100% uh occupied at that center. And that was due to a

[39:09] reinvestment that you all made in the into that center that brought Academy.

[39:13] Second one is one that we continue to work towards and and a great uh

[39:18] announcement uh last month with the opening of V-Max. Uh we worked very

[39:22] closely with NCG, all properties, and through the economic development board

[39:27] to make a very uh a very targeted investment here that is

[39:31] one that provides destination retail and definitely sets us apart within the

[39:35] region. Uh with that uh we asked the economic development board a couple

[39:39] years ago to pursue this and pursue the funding for that. They're bringing this

[39:44] back to you all today. A very good interest rate of 4.15%.

[39:49] They're Eastman Credit Union uh setting that fixed for 7 years and and the our

[39:54] ability then to pay these uh two loans back. Uh again, I appreciate the

[39:59] willingness of the board, the economic development board, to be aggressive. Uh

[40:03] it's fair to say that our return on investment in both of these has exceeded

[40:07] expectations and uh definitely made a significant difference in Kingsport.

[40:13] So, with that, Mayor, we'd ask that you approve the resolution authorizing this

[40:16] contribution. >> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.

[40:20] » A resolution approving a financial contribution to the Industrial

[40:22] Development Board of the City of Kingsport, Tennessee for economic or

[40:25] industrial development purposes relative to the Kingsport Pavilion redevelopment

[40:28] and improvements and the NCG Cinema improvements authorizing the mayor to

[40:32] execute such agreements as may be needed to effectuate the purpose of this

[40:35] resolution expressing the intent of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to establish

[40:38] one or more project accounts and ordinance appropriating funds to

[40:40] effectuate the purpose of this resolution if needed and to fix the

[40:43] effective date of this resolution. >> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the

[40:48] resolution. May I have a motion for approval?

[40:50] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Alderman

[40:52] Phillips. Is there a second? >> Second.

[40:54] » Seconded by Alderman Mayes. Any discussion?

[40:57] » Now, is this a pop-up IMAX theater that's just open for a month or will it

[41:02] It's It is reopening? >> Yes.

[41:04] » Oh, so it's not just a pop-up. >> Yes, so uh

[41:08] for those wondering what James is talking about, um

[41:11] » It's in the paper today. >> A lot Yeah, a tremendous amount of uh

[41:15] construction's going on right now to renovate all the theaters, the lobby. Uh

[41:19] this was work we had really hoped to get done uh prior to IMAX opening, but all

[41:24] effort was on IMAX to get that open for the a film called The Odyssey, and uh

[41:30] we're excited here. Hopefully in a couple weeks, maybe a little bit more,

[41:33] we'll have all that reopened, new seating,

[41:36] uh new interior design, be a great great addition to this already very popular

[41:41] theater. Oh, yeah. Thank you, James. >> Mhm.

[41:46] » Any other discussion? Any other questions?

[41:49] Hearing none, all in favor of the resolution say I.

[41:52] » I. >> I. All opposed, no. The resolution

[41:55] passes 6-0. Mr. Manager. >> Next item is consideration of a

[41:59] resolution awarding the bid for the Lynn View Community Center demolition and

[42:02] partial site development for the new elementary school project to

[42:06] Construction Partners. Uh I stated this last night and very very true with the

[42:10] previous item. I think it's very fitting for both uh Betsy and Collette to be at

[42:15] their last meeting and voting on this. I said last night, I remember the meeting

[42:19] that we were at where I think both of you all said we really need to focus on

[42:23] elementary based upon the occupancy numbers that we were seeing and Board of

[42:28] Education shifted in that direction and and we're getting ready to finally act

[42:32] on one of those and tonight with your approval

[42:36] as a recommendation from the Board of Education, this sets in motion the

[42:40] demolition of the community center as well as beginning some of the initial

[42:44] site development that will put in place the

[42:48] the necessary road network and other site requirements

[42:53] that will lead the way for the construction of the new school which we

[42:57] anticipate being kicking off probably this time next year

[43:01] with an opening of August of 2029. You see the the the bids that are

[43:08] submitted here and we ask that you all move forward with the award of the bid

[43:14] as well as the necessary construction administration and contingency

[43:19] associated with it. >> Thank you.

[43:21] Mr. Attorney, please publish. >> A resolution awarding the bid for the

[43:25] Lynn View Community Center demolition and partial site development for the new

[43:28] elementary school to construction partners and authorizing the mayor to

[43:31] execute all documents necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose of the

[43:34] agreement in this resolution. >> Thank you. You've heard reading of the

[43:37] resolution. May I have a motion for approval?

[43:41] » I moved. >> Motion for approval by Alderman Cooper.

[43:43] Is there a second? >> Second.

[43:45] » Seconded by Alderman George. Any discussion?

[43:49] » I think when we first were talking about focusing on the new elementary school, I

[43:53] think all those students that were in it at that time have now graduated high

[43:57] school. A few of them may be teachers coming

[44:00] back to the new school, but I'm glad some of this is it's You stay

[44:04] on the board long enough, you actually get to finish the first projects that

[44:07] you voted on. >> Okay.

[44:08] » Um >> Very good. Any other comment or

[44:12] question? Okay, hearing none, all in favor of the

[44:15] resolution say I. >> I.

[44:18] » I. Oppose no. Resolution passes 6-0. Mr. Manager.

[44:22] » Our next item is consideration of resolution to apply for and receive a

[44:26] Tennessee State Museum Capital Maintenance and Improvement Grant for

[44:29] fiscal 27. Total amount that we are asking for is

[44:33] $100,000. There is no matching requirement. The funding, should we

[44:38] receive it, would go into repair and accessibility upgrades at Allandale for

[44:42] the restrooms, as well as painting and siding repair to the Wheeler barn and

[44:46] Harvey's barn. We hope the announcements to be made uh sometime around

[44:50] mid-October. Uh we remain optimistic. It is a very competitive grant, but as

[44:55] always, I greatly appreciate the work the staff does to pursue these grants

[44:59] for these projects. And Mayor, with that, I ask that you

[45:03] approve the resolution authorizing the application.

[45:05] » Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish. >> A resolution authorizing the mayor to

[45:09] execute all documents necessary and proper to apply for and receive a

[45:12] Tennessee State Museum Capital Maintenance and Improvement Grant for

[45:15] for fiscal year 2027. >> You've heard reading of the resolution.

[45:18] May I have a motion for approval? >> So moved.

[45:20] » Motion for approval by Vice Mayor Dockins. Our second.

[45:25] » Second. >> Seconded by Alderman George.

[45:28] Any discussion?

[45:33] Okay. Hearing none, all in favor of the

[45:37] resolution say I. >> I.

[45:39] » I. Oppose no. Resolution passes 6-0. Mr. Manager.

[45:44] » Next item is consideration of resolution to approve the new and revised personnel

[45:48] policies for the City of Kingsport. As stated last night, Tyra Coe, Assistant

[45:53] announcing a job as our Human Resources Director,

[45:57] to do a complete and total evaluation of our personnel policies. It was uh

[46:02] definitely something that was needed. She and I talked last year about

[46:06] beginning this journey, utilizing the resources of MTAS, which is a very

[46:11] valuable tool for all cities across the state. And then to be able to put in

[46:16] place policies that we believe would be needed in terms of just how we govern

[46:22] and our operations on a daily basis. But then also to make sure that we do a very

[46:27] good job of pushing this out to our employees, utilizing technology to make

[46:31] it easily accessible. And then maybe the most important thing is to come back in

[46:35] every 2 years and do an evaluation of this, work with MTAS to determine if

[46:39] there's changes in state law that we need to incorporate that possibly we had

[46:43] missed. Or or if there are other best practices out there. Your leadership

[46:48] team has also vetted this over the course of about a month. Presented it

[46:53] here on Friday of last week and yesterday to the management team. On

[46:58] your approval, we will move forward with getting these put in place. But again,

[47:02] just really want to say thank you to Tyra, thank you to Bart who also spent a

[47:07] lot of time on this, the leadership team who

[47:11] had us spend quite a quite a few hours reviewing this and then discussing this

[47:15] to make sure that what we put in place was what was best for our operations and

[47:19] ultimately for the employees of the city of Kingsport. So, thank you to all of

[47:23] those folks. And with that, Mayor, we ask that you approve the resolution,

[47:26] please. >> All right, thank you. Mr. Attorney,

[47:28] please publish. A resolution adopting personnel policies for city employees as

[47:32] required by Tennessee Code Annotated 6-54-123

[47:36] and repealing all of the resolutions in conflict herewith except resolution

[47:40] number 2027-011. Thank you. You've heard the reading of

[47:44] the resolution. I have a motion for approval.

[47:49] » So moved. >> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor

[47:51] Dockery. Is there a second? >> Second.

[47:54] » Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any discussion?

[47:58] » Uh I'm kind of agree with what the city manager

[48:01] said. I mean, this is a living working document that'll go for a

[48:05] long time. It's just shows and reflects the amount of work that's gone into

[48:09] this. So,

[48:11] we appreciate it. We really do. >> Okay.

[48:14] Other comments? Hearing none, all in favor of the

[48:19] resolution say I. >> I.

[48:21] » Opposed, no. The resolution passes 6-0.

[48:24] » Mr. Mayor Andrew. >> All right.

[48:26] » We'll now move into the consent agenda. We have seven items on the agenda. If

[48:30] you'd like any one of those removed for additional discussion, please let me

[48:34] know. First is consideration of resolution to

[48:37] authorize the mayor to execute an SCSEP host agency agreement with First

[48:42] Tennessee Human Resources Agency for Bays Mountain Park. Second item is

[48:47] consideration of resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding with the

[48:50] Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives

[48:54] with the Kingsport for the Kingsport Police Department to designate sworn

[48:57] task force officers. Third item is consideration of

[49:00] resolution to approve a memorandum of understanding with Bays Mountain Park

[49:04] caretaker. Fourth item is consideration of

[49:06] resolution authorizing the purchase of student transportation for

[49:09] Dobyns-Bennett High School band at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

[49:14] Fifth item is consideration of a resolution authorizing the purchase of

[49:17] 16 box lights for Kingsport schools from Central Technologies utilizing the TIPS

[49:23] USA cooperative purchasing agreement. Sixth item is consideration of

[49:27] resolution to apply and accept a grant from FM Global.

[49:32] And the seventh item is consideration of resolution approving a release agreement

[49:36] with RM Media Limited.

[49:40] Mayor, with that, we'd ask that you approve seven items as presented in the

[49:44] consent agenda. I'd want four for additional discussion.

[49:47] » You've heard the reading of the seven consent agenda items.

[49:51] May I have a motion for approval. >> Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to

[49:54] accept all items on the consent agenda as presented.

[49:58] » Motion made by Vice Mayor Duncan. Is there a second?

[50:02] » Second. >> Second by Aldermen George. Any

[50:04] discussion?

[50:09] Hearing none, Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call vote. Aldermen Cooper.

[50:12] » Aye to all. >> Vice Mayor Duncan.

[50:14] » Aye to all. >> Aldermen George.

[50:15] » Aye to all. >> Aldermen Maze.

[50:17] » Aye to all items. >> Aldermen Phillips.

[50:19] » Aye to all. >> Mayor Montgomery.

[50:21] » Aye to all. >> The consent agenda items are approved

[50:25] 6-0. See Mayor Asher. >> All right. We'll now move into

[50:28] communications, and I'll kind of focus on this side of the table here. You

[50:33] know, I think I've I've had the pleasure of knowing you all literally my entire

[50:37] career. I first met Gary early 2000. We were working with our

[50:42] sense of development district on air quality issues in the region, and

[50:45] got to know Gary, and of course work with Gary through the pandemic. I would

[50:50] later meet Betsy, and and Betsy, much like Colette, kind of adopted me into

[50:55] their home, and of course knew Colette then. First through Valerie, who was

[51:00] serving on the board, and and really just

[51:03] could not say enough about the service and dedication you all have given to the

[51:06] city of Kingsport. You'll be missed. But know this, you made a difference

[51:12] in your time with the city, whether that was the stint years ago, Gary, or your

[51:17] time with the Board of Education and then the BMA, your time on the Planning

[51:20] Commission and the BMA. You guys have left a significant mark on

[51:24] the city. I know when when I was hired in in 2019

[51:29] and we sat in a strategic planning session, and a lot of the things that

[51:34] you all said you wanted to do, we've been able to accomplish or we have in in

[51:38] motion, and the staff has just absolutely enjoyed working with

[51:42] you all. You've been so so respectful, and and really just been champions of

[51:48] every single city employee. It's been reflected each and every year in our

[51:51] budget. Been reflected in just the respect that you all show them. So, we

[51:57] thank you. You guys are going to going to be missed by your seats on the board,

[52:01] but we recognize that you're going to continue to be active in various things.

[52:06] I know here in a few months Betsy's going to be putting trees up out for

[52:10] Christmas. And

[52:12] and so that that will live on and and but we just really appreciate your your

[52:17] service and everything that you all have done.

[52:20] So, thank you. And congratulations.

[52:24] » Thank you. >> Could have said we made a good

[52:26] difference instead of just a difference. >> It's all on the record. I don't want to

[52:31] have to take it back on that. >> A positive difference.

[52:35] » That's right. >> Yeah, thank you.

[52:36] » Move the meeting along there. >> Well, thank you. Thank you to each one

[52:41] of you for saying yes. More importantly, you made me a better person for being

[52:46] working with you, serving alongside you. Uh

[52:50] I have campaigned I started this journey campaigning with you. Two of you when we

[52:55] were at the Civic Auditorium campaigning in May at a better time of the year.

[53:01] And got to know you a little bit better then

[53:03] and and over the last 5 years getting to know you

[53:07] individuals but also your contribution to the board. Gary, you are I've known

[53:12] you for quite a long time cuz you and I have served as parents,

[53:16] baseball parents as our sons played ball together.

[53:20] Watched you develop and grow and and lead this

[53:25] community during a pandemic. You guys did a fantastic job

[53:30] and thank you for your service. Thank you for saying yes

[53:34] to the board and we appreciate each of you. And I I know we're not saying

[53:38] goodbye, we're saying what's going to happen next in your lives. Thank you.

[53:43] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor?

[53:47] » Uh well, appreciated and so just really appreciate y'all's friendship

[53:52] over the years and so it's been great. Uh Gary, you came to the to the board 2

[53:56] years ago and but you brought a very thoughtful voice

[54:00] and you was you've always been so well prepared and detailed and your questions

[54:05] that you've asked is always been spot on. I think you've made our board a

[54:09] better board member and so it's been really good to know you and

[54:13] Tammy and and I know as you go forward you've got other aspirations and we'll

[54:18] be uh filling your time board. Betsy,

[54:22] your perspective of schools, daycare, and all the nonprofits,

[54:29] I don't know will ever be replaced on a board here.

[54:31] And so you bring a just a different outlook and different

[54:36] insight on so many things that we've really appreciated. I've

[54:40] appreciated over the years and and I know that you've probably got another uh

[54:46] nonprofit lined up somewhere. I don't know what it is, but I guarantee it's

[54:49] cooking in there somewhere. But we really do just appreciate friendship and

[54:53] everything you brought and uh and then Clate, you and I we we first

[54:59] you didn't, I did, back in 2015 when I first come to the board in 2015. And so

[55:06] you have a special gift of asking the right questions at the right

[55:10] and it certainly has makes me think when you ask you know different questions

[55:15] that's a different way of maybe what I'm thinking and I've truly appreciated

[55:18] that. Uh the budget and how you look out for the citizens and then the ripple

[55:23] fact that it does you know for all through our budget has always been

[55:28] appreciated and you'll be missed on our budget meeting that we have. So it's

[55:32] last like an hour and you have to go through all the pages, but Um, I know

[55:36] that you've got uh

[55:38] a grandbaby on the way. And so since way before that, always

[55:43] heard is I need a grandbaby. And so it is coming. And so we uh but I really do

[55:48] appreciate Thank you. And all three of y'all are considered

[55:52] friends and look forward to uh to see more of you in a different light. So

[55:56] thank you. >> Thank you.

[55:57] » Alana Phillips. >> I've got a bunch of notes here on the

[56:00] road paving situation. Uh no, I'm just kidding. Um I I I will

[56:05] gush over these three as well. We're losing the whole right side of the room

[56:09] and we'll be very unbalanced here for a

[56:12] couple weeks. But uh Gary, I didn't know you well

[56:15] before this started, but I I think the way you've jumped in, you fit right in

[56:20] with the board and and your heart and your caring for Kingsport. And I've

[56:24] really appreciated your the diligence you go through everything. I mean, I

[56:27] think you read word for word everything that's put in front of you. And

[56:31] I think that has been very valuable to this board and I've been I've enjoyed

[56:35] getting to know you better. Um I've enjoyed working with you where

[56:39] there's not a big crowd behind us yelling to send the students back to

[56:42] school and you up there talking about what we should and shouldn't do. So this

[56:47] has been a much more more enjoyable environment. So um thank you for your

[56:51] service for these last 2 years for sure. >> Thank you.

[56:54] » Uh Betsy and Collette, I'll I'll talk about you individually, but they've both

[56:57] been on the board the entire time I've been on. So they are all I've ever known

[57:02] on this board. Um for for Betsy, I I do work with now

[57:06] and I continue and will continue to work with on Christmas in Kingsport. Um we

[57:11] love to do that and that is just really enjoyable. And what I like about Betsy

[57:15] is every time we're in a meeting, um if

[57:18] Betsy has an idea, just like today in a Christmas meeting, um she will stop at

[57:22] nothing to see it through. And it's not just that she sees it through, it's just

[57:28] she doesn't say, "I want this done." Betsy says, "This is what I would like

[57:31] to see happen and let me know when and where and I will help." And that has

[57:36] been Betsy on this board the entire time. I I have learned so much from

[57:40] Betsy, but I have also learned most importantly she's the only person on

[57:44] this board that was teaching when I went to Washington Elementary. So I'm very

[57:48] excited that those stories will go with her.

[57:51] Uh so but uh

[57:54] Betsy really does love and care for Kingsport and I am very excited to keep

[57:58] working with regular citizen Betsy on Christmas going forward.

[58:03] Um and then Colette um

[58:06] she also, like I said, been on the whole time and Colette was a big reason why I

[58:10] ran for office uh the first time. Um I cannot thank her enough for her

[58:15] support uh during that time and since. Um when you get elected, you think, "I I

[58:20] got this. I know what I'm getting into." Um this you all will understand this.

[58:24] It's like drinking from a fire hose for the first year and uh Colette was

[58:29] extremely instrumental in on helping me get up to speed and uh along the way I

[58:33] watched her as somebody like me who owns their own business and um tries to

[58:38] understand how to be a small business person and manage that, but also manage

[58:43] your time given to the city um and serving in what essentially is a

[58:48] volunteer role um and and continuing to make Kingsport

[58:51] better. And so the one thing I personally always admired about Colette

[58:55] is that um you always know where she stands on an issue and um

[59:01] and she always has the facts to back that up. And a lot like my dad, if you

[59:06] are ever have the opposite opinion of Colette on a subject, usually 6 months

[59:11] to a year from now, you will realize that she was right about it the entire

[59:14] time. So um I I made a comment about Colette my my first board meeting on I

[59:21] thought it was very interesting and so I'll I'll end with this.

[59:24] Um I really thank you and so much for everything you've done for Kingsport,

[59:28] for your friendship, but I think it's a very interesting fact that Colette and

[59:32] her mom are the first mother-daughter to ever serve on the Board of Mayor and

[59:35] Aldermen. So, I think that's a really interesting fact. So, thank you all.

[59:40] » Okay, from my side room. >> Alderman May.

[59:42] » Oh, wow. Well, excuse me. Thank you, city manager

[59:49] McCartt, and Mayor Montgomery, and all the board members. And

[59:54] thank you for voting me to serve

[59:57] for 2 years. I've I've made friends and I've certainly

[1:00:02] cherished the last 2 years. It's been wonderful to

[1:00:06] serve on the board. It's a true honor and

[1:00:10] really impressed with the city and the city staff. All the city employees are

[1:00:14] are amazing. And I think this is this is a good board. We've spent a lot of time

[1:00:20] together grulling over different difficult and different

[1:00:26] subjects and we value one another's input and we

[1:00:32] agree, we disagree and we learn from each other. So, that's my takeaway is

[1:00:38] new friends and I've learned a great deal. So, thank you for the for the

[1:00:42] honor to serve. I appreciate it very much and I want to congratulate the the

[1:00:47] new elect alderman as they as they take on their new roles. I know they're going

[1:00:52] to do a great job and the board is going to continue to to be to be great for the

[1:00:58] city of Kingsport because there's good things going to happen and I'm I'm

[1:01:01] really convinced of that. So, thank you.

[1:01:06] » I didn't mean to I have some prepared remarks, but since

[1:01:11] people took the opportunity to say personal things, I would like to say

[1:01:15] a few things. James, I remember you at

[1:01:18] Washington when you were in the first grade. The thing I remember about James

[1:01:22] is one day he had I think he had Miss Crowley

[1:01:25] and he sprayed she was letting him spray the tables clean the tables off and he

[1:01:28] sprayed it in his face and she came over cuz he we were trying to clean his face

[1:01:32] off. But I never every time I meet his mom or

[1:01:35] dad I always tell them that they raised a wonderful person.

[1:01:41] Uh I never lose that I'm never pass an opportunity cuz I think his parents need

[1:01:45] to hear that. He's he's uh first class and I said I'm so excited to

[1:01:49] con- continue to work with him. We met today

[1:01:52] uh for Christmas in Kingsport and uh continue to work with him.

[1:01:56] Uh he has the same love for Christmas that I do.

[1:01:59] But Daryl Daryl and Sharon uh my husband goes way back with Sharon working at Of

[1:02:04] course I remember Daryl and Sharon from way back. Uh

[1:02:07] I invited Daryl and Sharon to come eat Christmas dinner at our house this year.

[1:02:11] We have a very uh we have chili and baked potato very low-key Christmas

[1:02:14] after every all the festivities and I made him sit on the floor and eat

[1:02:17] because we were running out of space at the table. So

[1:02:19] if you have a friend that you invite over and you you sit on the floor with

[1:02:22] them they eat chili and baked potato you know that's a special kind of friend. Uh

[1:02:26] Paul when I I got to know Paul really I guess

[1:02:29] when we were campaigning and someone came up to me and was talking about the

[1:02:33] the results of the election I said Paul Montgomery is going to be the top

[1:02:37] vote getter and they said oh yeah I'm not sure about that. I said I sit there

[1:02:40] and watched I sit there and watch everybody come by his tent out in the

[1:02:43] heat and he did and he won. Colette and I um

[1:02:48] are family now. >> Yeah.

[1:02:50] » Colette's my uh daughter's

[1:02:53] husband is Colette's

[1:02:57] daughter-in-law's brother. >> So

[1:02:59] » So we we're we are going to all the same family events and we will not

[1:03:04] » Okay. >> we will not lose contact because we we

[1:03:07] we go we're in the same family now. Gary came the first time I really got to

[1:03:13] talk to Gary he came at Friends in Need to talk to me before he was appointed on

[1:03:17] the on this board. And the one of the first things I told him, I said I

[1:03:20] remember I was at at uh First Broad Street uh as a director of the child

[1:03:25] care center during COVID. And I said I called you a lot. He said, "Oh, I hope I

[1:03:29] was nice." But anyway, he he was very nice because

[1:03:33] I we I had a thousand questions a day about child care and what we could open,

[1:03:38] what we could do, what was close contacts. And he I I called him

[1:03:41] uh his office regularly. But um I've enjoyed working with with everyone

[1:03:46] here. Chris, um you I I I saw as soon as I saw him Well,

[1:03:51] I started texting Cleary. I said, "I think we're the last we're the last two

[1:03:55] that that uh

[1:03:57] » hired him. >> hired him. And she said So I looked back

[1:03:59] and we were. So I But uh Chris Chris >> Good hire.

[1:04:03] » Good hire. One of that one of my our our positive uh

[1:04:08] » We didn't I hear he's a good hire, too. >> Good.

[1:04:10] Um but >> This may be why.

[1:04:13] » Renee and Chris have become just good friends. Uh so

[1:04:18] uh uh I will cherish every all the

[1:04:20] friendships that I've made here. Yet today marks my last BMA meeting

[1:04:24] after 9 years of serving the citizens of Kingsport. I'm thankful for the

[1:04:28] opportunity to work with three mayors, two city managers, and been able to hire

[1:04:31] one city manager. I'm leaving you all in wonderful hands with our hire. Uh

[1:04:35] countless city staff and wonderful board members.

[1:04:39] Through good times and difficult times, including the loss of two board members

[1:04:42] that we served with. Two of the our board members that in the last 9 years

[1:04:45] have passed, which um you know, kind of puts the everything in

[1:04:49] perspective. We survived COVID and Zoom meetings.

[1:04:54] I'd never That was my our first I never heard of Zoom before, and we we were

[1:04:58] Zooming. And I remember uh Pat was the was the mayor, and he made a

[1:05:03] comment about what was in my background, and I had to very quickly

[1:05:06] move some things out of the background of my our Zoom meetings.

[1:05:10] Um For 9 years we brought we've had special

[1:05:13] memories, friendships, ribbon cuttings, completed projects, and opportunities to

[1:05:17] make a difference. One of my greatest joys, and it knows no

[1:05:20] surprise here, has been Christmas in Kingsport. It's amazing that this going

[1:05:24] to be in its fifth year this year, and there's it's growing every year. There's

[1:05:27] two or three very exciting things that that that you need to be looking out for

[1:05:31] for this year. Um

[1:05:34] and Chris has been very I said I He he knows when he I he gets a message

[1:05:39] from me about Christmas in Kingsport. I'm sure he shakes his head and wants to

[1:05:42] hit delete. Um But thank you for the the the citizens

[1:05:46] for trusting me and giving me the privilege of serving. I may be leaving

[1:05:49] the BMA, but I'll never leave my love for Kingsport. Uh I look forward to

[1:05:53] watching our city continue to grow and prosper and remain a wonderful place to

[1:05:56] live, work, raise a family, and call home. So thank you, Kingsport, for 9

[1:06:00] unforgettable years. Uh

[1:06:03] lastly, I want to mention Lamplight Theatre. I always mention something

[1:06:07] about our downtown. Foggy Valley is on for two more

[1:06:10] weekends. If you haven't been to Lamplight, be sure to go down there.

[1:06:14] Foggy Valley is one of the one of their better shows. It's a it's a comedy show,

[1:06:17] so um be sure to support our downtown businesses, and um

[1:06:23] thank you for the last 9 years.

[1:06:28] » Gosh. Y'all are just gushing on everything,

[1:06:31] and you know I really do appreciate everybody up here.

[1:06:35] I really I I really I mean I said that this is it's been it has been an honor

[1:06:39] and a privilege to serve Kingsport for 13 years. And I have done four mayors,

[1:06:44] three city managers, so I got to hire two. But but I still think it's sort of

[1:06:49] I did a good job. Two locations,

[1:06:53] and I should have counted all the different aldermen I've served with, but

[1:06:56] I didn't. And then I said I really I really enjoyed most all of them, and I

[1:07:01] really like everybody up here, and I've enjoyed you all. It um

[1:07:06] it really this is an honor and I think everybody that serves realizes this it's

[1:07:13] it is a a blessing. We have such a wonderful board. Um I really have

[1:07:19] appreciated getting to know the the staff and the employees of Kingsport.

[1:07:23] I mean, wonderful individuals, great leadership team, all of y'all that have

[1:07:27] to sit here every single twice a month and listen to us. Um

[1:07:32] but the thing you know and I'm like a total bad a person and I know when I

[1:07:37] from the time I first got on the board that staff probably at times could have

[1:07:41] strangled me. Um and now as Betsy said last meeting, I think a lot of these

[1:07:44] reports we got now have enough where I could get up and give the report. Um but

[1:07:49] the amount of time and to and just information and the

[1:07:55] professionalism that this staff puts to to provide us the data that we need to

[1:08:02] make informed decisions. You know, I think a lot of times when

[1:08:05] you when people watch this meeting and we're really just voting, they have no

[1:08:09] idea what started years ago, what went through the work

[1:08:13] session, how much how many presentations, how much data, how much

[1:08:18] re-explaining things to us, how much the city has given us the all the right

[1:08:24] information and I and they're nice about it to make sure that we can make an

[1:08:29] informed vote. And I know when I kept things on the agenda for year after year

[1:08:34] after year that that Carissa and even Jeff Fleming before that and probably

[1:08:38] Don Campbell were like, "Can we not get this off this thing?" you know, but but

[1:08:42] we got a dental school. So, that was one you know, there's you know, there's a

[1:08:45] lot of things that it as a small business owner,

[1:08:49] you know, when I want to make a change and I want to do something, I can make a

[1:08:54] decision, I can spend money, I can make things happen. And

[1:08:58] when the hardest thing for me with government is the things that

[1:09:03] when I first got on the board like Main Street, 13 years since I That was one of

[1:09:07] my first votes. And I think it took 12 before we got that built.

[1:09:13] And it's it's like we vote on things and we

[1:09:16] start the procedure and go through it and we vote on things. And by the time

[1:09:21] they start moving dirt, somebody says, "What's going on over here?" And I'm

[1:09:23] like, "I don't remember." I mean, you know, what is that? And I think that's

[1:09:27] as small business that's so hard to learn government and to also try to

[1:09:33] explain it to the public. And we have a great public. I mean, I think you will

[1:09:38] really as new people coming in, you will really appreciate that. You get a lot of

[1:09:41] emails, you have a lot of people stopping and ask questions. They are

[1:09:45] polite. They listen to your answers. They

[1:09:49] Most of the time I mean, we get a couple that, you know, they're probably

[1:09:51] foreigners, but I mean, from other states that have moved here.

[1:09:55] But, you know, people are very nice and and it is really it it it does connect

[1:10:01] you to the citizens. We get to do great things and I have

[1:10:05] really really really appreciated my time on this board. And I really do love all

[1:10:10] the people I work with and and appreciate more what the city does,

[1:10:15] staff does. And I want to just, you know, really say

[1:10:17] thank you for giving me this opportunity. And um

[1:10:22] I said but it is it is really cool and good and

[1:10:25] all that all that stuff, so it I will I will still I told Chris I'll

[1:10:30] probably still come up here and and you know, on the things I love, I will

[1:10:33] probably still have an opinion. Hard to imagine.

[1:10:36] And uh it is uh

[1:10:39] it is I will still be involved as the you know, once you're in it, you I mean,

[1:10:42] we love Kingsport. Everybody that serves loves Kingsport. So, I really just thank

[1:10:46] you for the opportunity. Thank you for the friendships. Thank you for

[1:10:49] tolerating me and putting up with me and the grace you have shown when I didn't

[1:10:53] necessarily agree. And yes, I always have a strong opinion.

[1:10:56] But, I do appreciate all of y'all. Thanks.

[1:11:01] » Thank you. Thank you all, and we thank you all for being with us tonight, and I

[1:11:06] will say this means adjourned.

BMA Meeting 8/18/2026

Transcript