[laughter]
» Okay, I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go.
» [snorts]
» Good evening.
Good evening and welcome to the
Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen on
this fourth business meeting.
I call this meeting to order.
We'll stand for the pledge as well as
invocation led by Aldermen Maze.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
» Let us pray.
Oh dear Father, thank you for this
beautiful and blessed day that you have
provided for us. And Father, thank you
so much for the blessings of our great
country,
for blessing the United States, for
blessing the city of Kingsport,
for allowing us the privilege to gather
and deliberate
about our city business.
Father, we just pray for our city
employees. We pray that you keep them
safe
and honor them. We pray for their
families as they serve our city.
Father, we all pray that you give us
wisdom as a board tonight as we serve
our community.
Give us wisdom and may all that we do
glorify you in your precious son name,
we ask in Jesus Christ. Amen.
>> May be seated.
» May be seated.
Thank you, Alderman Maze.
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll.
>> Mayor Montgomery.
» Mayor Montgomery.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Vice Mayor Duncan.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Alderman Baker.
» Alderman Baker.
>> I
» I
Here.
>> Alderman Cooper.
» Alderman Cooper.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Alderman George.
» Alderman George.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Alderman Maze.
» Alderman Maze.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Alderman Phillips.
» Alderman Phillips.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Thank you. All seven members are present
» Thank you. All seven members are present
tonight. It's the same answer.
>> All right, we have two recognitions on
» All right, we have two recognitions on
the agenda tonight. We will begin with
Vice Mayor Duncan and the recently
crowned Miss Kingsport, Eliza Sanders.
Eliza, if you would join Vice Mayor at
the podium, please.
>> Well, thank you very much and
» Well, thank you very much and
>> [applause]
» I take it that wasn't for me. I'm
assuming.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> Uh I've known Eliza and her family for a
» Uh I've known Eliza and her family for a
number of years and so we're glad you're
here tonight. But
you know, Eliza has represented a lot of
different cities in our region and with
Jonesborough and Greenville and then of
course Miss Sullivan County and she also
finished third in Miss Tennessee this
year. So and then of course was just
recently crowned Miss Kingsport. So
we're so glad you're here and you do
such a great job if you have in the
past. So I'm going to turn it over to
you and just let you come up.
>> Well, thank you so much for having me
» Well, thank you so much for having me
tonight. My name is Eliza. I am your
newly crowned Miss Kingsport. Um and I'm
just so grateful to be here. For those
of you that are familiar a little bit
with my story, um I was born in
Guangdong, China during the one-child
policy in 2003, and I was adopted, um
and I was brought here to live in
Kingsport ever since. So, I can't say
born and raised, but except for that one
year, um I've spent my entire life in
Kingsport, and I believe I was I was
adopted in the summer, and a few weeks
later I was out at Kingsport, um
enjoying Fun Fest and having a good time
with the community. So, it's an extra
special title that I get to hold. As
Daryl said, I have held um quite a few
titles within the Miss America
opportunity, and I am incredibly
grateful for each one of those
communities that I've gotten to
represent and serve, but there's just
something really special about getting
to represent your hometown. Long before
I ever dreamed about becoming Miss
Tennessee or placing in the top five, I
dreamed about being Miss Kingsport. That
is the title that I grew up watching.
Those girls and those women are the ones
that I looked up to. And so, while I've
had a few years of experience wearing
the crown, every time I look and see
Kingsport across my chest, I I get a
little emotional.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> I'm so excited to continue serving in
» I'm so excited to continue serving in
this area. Like I said, I grew up here.
I've worked with numerous organizations
with the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc.,
um the United Way of Greater Kingsport,
the Oasis. So, I want to continue
strengthening those partnerships, but
also want to continue expanding. So, if
there's any way that I can serve you, if
there are any events that you would like
me to attend, I would be honored to
partner with you all. Thank you so much
for this opportunity and just for being
the community that truly raised me and
has continued to pour into me my entire
life.
>> [applause]
» All right, next on our agenda is a very
special recognition from Just Serve, and
being represented by the JustServe
specialist is David Bargerbar.
The mayor will join you at the podium
for this very special award. Thank you.
» These two guys are to make me look
better.
Um
Mr. Mayor,
Mr. Vice Mayor,
rest of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Typically, the board recognizes
individuals and organizations for their
service to our community.
But tonight, we're turning that
tradition around by recognizing the City
of Kingsport itself.
For its outstanding commitment to
volunteerism and community partnerships,
the City of Kingsport is now being
recognized as a JustServe City.
It is only one of 147
JustServe cities worldwide as of last
count and only the second JustServe city
in Tennessee.
By the way, this past June,
Tennessee was recognized as a JustServe
state.
That award was presented to First Lady
Maria Lee and Governor Bill Lee.
Obviously, this recognition is quite
appropriate for the Volunteer State.
What is JustServe?
JustServe is a free volunteer platform
that connects people with opportunities
to serve in their communities.
Organizations post volunteer needs
and individuals can easily find
meaningful ways to help.
Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, JustServe partners
with nonprofits,
government agencies, faith-based
organizations, and community groups to
strengthen communities through service.
Since its creation, Just Serve has
connected more than 1 million volunteers
with organizations serving their
communities.
For many of us, service is rooted in the
example of Jesus Christ, who spent his
life
lifting others and caring for those
around him.
When we serve our neighbors, we
strengthen our communities. And that
spirit of service is something Kingsport
demonstrates well.
As we prepared this application, we
identified some 30 organizations
serving Kingsport
residents through voluntary
opportunities.
That says something remarkable about our
community.
Service is woven into the fabric of our
city.
As a Just Serve City, Kingsport joins a
growing network of communities
recognized for their commitment to
volunteerism.
The designation also creates
opportunities to strengthen community
partnerships and also recognize
outstanding local volunteers through the
Just Serve Hero program.
The city decides who, by reason of
exceptional service to the community, is
a Just Serve Hero and then makes that
award.
Our hope is that this designation as a
Just Serve City simply
provides another tool to strengthen our
community's volunteer efforts and
inspire even more people to become
involved.
This recognition isn't about creating a
culture of service. It is about
recognize recognizing one that already
exists.
Kingsport has demonstrated a commitment
to volunteerism, community partnerships,
and caring for neighbors.
Being recognized as a Just Serve City
simply celebrates what this community
has already become.
While this certificate bears the name of
the city of Kingsport, it truly honors
the countless volunteers, nonprofit
organizations, civic leaders, churches,
businesses, and neighbors whose daily
acts of service have made this community
what it is.
They're the local heroes who have
created the culture of service we
celebrate today.
So now it is my distinct privilege to
present this certificate to Mayor Paul
W. Montgomery representing the city of
Kingsport and recognizing Tennessee as a
JustServe City.
Let me read this.
It says, JustServe City,
in honor of their commitment to champion
volunteerism,
Kingsport, Tennessee has received the
JustServe City designation.
We celebrate their determination to
unite the community through service. And
it's signed by Steve Bullpit, global
director, JustServe. Mr. Mayor.
THANK YOU.
>> [applause]
» THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO TELL WHO'S WITH
YOU?
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE
» WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE
>> YEAH, YEAH, we'll let you tell who they
» YEAH, YEAH, we'll let you tell who they
are.
>> Would you like to introduce your guests?
» Would you like to introduce your guests?
>> Oh, we have a number of people. We'll
» Oh, we have a number of people. We'll
start out with the camera lady
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> who is from Greenville, actually. Uh
» who is from Greenville, actually. Uh
Carla Johnson.
Uh
we have Jan Wingard.
We have also Kelly King.
We have Shauna Hatch.
You're all the way from Chattanooga,
right?
>> Georgia, really close.
» Georgia, really close.
>> That's even further. Okay, and
» That's even further. Okay, and
>> Kimberly McIntyre.
» Kimberly McIntyre.
I'm in Oak Ridge.
And I wanted to congratulate you. I'm
Shana.
>> and
» and
way in the back is Melissa Golden.
And this is our ecclesiastical leader
for
the whole area from Southeast or
Southwest Virginia all the way down to
Morristown.
Uh and
President Pickup.
Oh, and also Jeff Pezzino.
>> Johnson City.
» Johnson City.
>> From Johnson City. He
» From Johnson City. He
He has
We have
the idea of having councils
to do things, communication council.
And he is on a communication council and
several of these others like Shana uh in
particular and and and Kim
that encompass a lot more than just our
local area.
They go all the way all the way down to
Chattanooga and all the way up.
Thank you.
>> It's going to be there. Thank you, Mr.
» It's going to be there. Thank you, Mr.
Farkerburg, for
recognizing the city of Kingsport. And
now on behalf of this board
we say thank you. We are honored to be
the second city in the state of
Tennessee. What an honor that you have
bestowed on us. Thank you so much. I
have seen this group in action at
Warriors Path when a cleanup. There's an
army of people that they organize to get
the work done.
To get work done. So, thank you for your
demonstration. Thank you for your
steadfastness in staying with us. In
fact, he may have a the perfect
attendance attending board meetings. He
is here [laughter]
every board. So, on behalf of what you
do of of promoting others, I want to
give you a coin, which we call the
Spirit of Kingsport coin. It is uh J.
Fred Johnson said it best, "When you put
others above self, you ensure the
greater good for the greatest number."
And you definitely are demonstrating
that to our city. So, thank you very
much.
>> [applause]
» And and and
and President Pickett, I want to give
you one as well. Say thank you for
>> Thank you very much.
» Thank you very much.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> [applause]
» Okay, this is part of our meeting where
we let you and the audience come and
speak on any subject that's related to
our agenda or anything that's related to
our city.
Uh
we ask if you come to the podium, you
have 5 minutes to sign the register
there, state your name,
and your address.
We only ask that you keep your comments
non-personal in nature.
And again, 5 minutes.
It is your time to speak to us, and it's
not our time to and it's our time to
listen. So, we will not get into
dialogue or answer any questions as as
you at the podium. So, does anyone want
to come to the podium? This is your time
to come now.
And you have 30 minutes total for this
period of time. Thank you.
» Thank you, Mayor. Um
Board of Aldermen, my name is Rodney
Padgett.
I'm from 1125 Gatlin Hills Road,
Brentwood, Tennessee.
I was came to speak to you again on the
rock quarry. You guys are doing a final
vote on the rock quarry rezoning today.
Obviously, I came last time and spoke to
my concerns about dust and asthma and
issues with Holston Elementary School
being so close to that that new
property.
Many of the folks here also came and
talked about concerns with foundation
cracks, sidewalk cracks, vibrations in
their houses, noises, that sort of
thing.
Ms. Stanley came, spoke to you about
Holston Elementary having 133 special
needs kids and our concerns about
disrupting the school environment
and those sort of things. And I just
want to reiterate that we still have
those concerns.
I did send y'all an email today.
Apologize it's so late getting to you,
but it discussed
some of the
the American Lung Association and the
EPA's
kind of
discussion of as far as how children
and their respiratory systems are
different than adults and how they take
in more air, they breathe faster, they
have less developed upper airway
protections and so
worry that particle pollution is more of
a concern with them and
while the
quarry people did come and speak to how
they have workers that have been there
for decades and not had issues.
Those workers also are often or should
be using personal protection equipment
and our schools kids and the
neighborhood people around that quarry
do not have access to those.
>> [snorts]
» Another issue I kind of wanted to bring
up and I'd I'm going to try to say this
respectfully.
When it comes to
this particular property,
uh it was annexed in 1988 from my
understanding, according to annexation
map on your all's website.
It was uh purchased at some point by the
Kingsport Industrial Board.
It was sold to the previous quarry in
2023, I believe, and then this came up
in the past couple of years.
And as a county person,
uh as somebody who's been involved
around this county school system a lot,
I've often had to fight the argument
about how the city encroaches around our
schools,
and how it's
always this big conspiracy theory about
how they're going to take over our
county schools and all this jazz and
I've fought that argument before and and
um
So, when we come up here and we give you
concerns about
a city pros- prospect um around one of
our county school system schools,
and
um
part of your all's discussion was, and I
I want to quote something, I'm not going
to say who, I'm not I don't want it to
be personal, and I'm not even trying to
get outraged, but I want you to hear
that this is a is a concern.
It says,
um
I understand the school aspect of it,
but I also know that Sullivan County
sends its children to Holston as the
hub. So, those children,
if it's truly an issue, they might want
to find another school that is not near
the Iraq Quarry to send their children
to. That's the choice of Sullivan County
Schools.
Now, as a Sullivan County resident,
and as a you know,
I see that as
a little bit of an insult, a little bit
of not caring how Kingsport affects our
county.
And I know it wasn't necessarily meant
that way, but there's a lot it's not as
simple as just taking the kids and
throwing them in another school. That is
a centrally located school within our
system and if that needs to be the hub
of where many of our special needs kids
go to,
they do that out of an efficiency sake.
Um we have plenty of times where the
school goes to school to the county
commission and they ask for funding and
and they you know, ask for raises and
things like that and for the past 7 or 8
years that that that message hasn't been
heard and your school system in the city
has suffered from that as well whenever
they started taking revenue from from
property tax and but in sales tax
revenue in the place of it at the county
level.
Now, we have the city telling our county
school system what they need to do.
And
frankly, I I just don't think that was a
well thought out
process. So,
um again, we're here we don't have any
other recourse. We can't go to the
county commission about this and have
anything done. You are it.
We're asking you to take our kids into
consideration instead of letting this
come within 250 yards of our school
building. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> [applause]
» Anyone else wanting to speak to us
tonight?
» Hi again. Um I'm Marcy Walker. My
address is um I'm an attorney at Hunter
Smith and Davis and it's 1212 Northeast
or North Eastman Road um in Kingsport.
Um I wanted to give you all an update
and it's going to be very very quick. Um
I did have the opportunity to
[clears throat] speak with the director
of schools this week. Um I wanted to
make sure that we had sent him right
after the the meeting from last time. We
had sent him the pledge that that you
know, that I had read and I wanted to
see if he had any comments or concerns
um that we needed to discuss. He they've
not had a school board meeting. So, he
hasn't been able to present it to the
whole school board, but he said that he
was very pleased with the pledge. And
the other thing that we talked about and
I wanted to kind of bring this up
because
it was the vice mayor who had had
brought up this suggestion about, you
know, working times around to to make
this as
least impactful on the on children. And
one of the things I wanted to let you
know is that, you know, during the
summer it's 3 months that the kids
aren't in school.
You've got spring break, fall break, got
Christmas. Um and um so when I talked to
the director schools, we talked about
that and we're um
you know, I said, you know, if you would
just give the schedule, your school
schedule to Martin Marietta so that they
can look at that and they can't
guarantee that they'll never do a
blasting during school, you know, when
the kids are in school, but I said, you
know, you've got T-caps, there's there's
different events that happen during
school that we need to be mindful of and
that you need to if, you know, a lot of
times our blasting is like, well, we
need to do it within the next week.
Well, if they know in that week that
there's a teacher conference day or that
there's something going on that they can
adjust it. And so he was very pleased
with that. So I just wanted to give you
an update that
I'm not trying to put words in his
mouth, but I mean
that was our conversation.
And you know, this will only happen, you
know, we're talking
when we get into that new area. So, you
know,
you know, it's probably another 5 years
or so that before that they're even
going to be approaching that area. But
anyways, and I didn't know if anybody
had any questions, but if you do, you
can email me afterwards. Okay, thank you
very much.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
» Thank you. Thank you.
Anyone else want to come and speak
tonight?
» I'm sorry. I write slow.
» I'm Dave Robertson. I live at 387 Pearcy
Street,
Bluff City, Tennessee.
Well, by the way, uh Colonial Middle
School does have ball games
periodically.
Do they need to schedule that, also?
Who knows? Okay.
Also, uh Miss Kingsport, congratulate to
Miss Miss Kingsport, but by the way, we
got a former Miss Kingsport lives in our
subdivision.
And her concerns is about as great as
ours is.
And
Kingsport,
if you look at their history,
they have progressed and blunders.
First blunder
was back in the '30s when Ford Motor
Company wanted to come in and set up a
factory.
They got denied.
Okay.
Another progress was Tennessee Eastman,
their first location was on Green
Springs Road, Bristol.
Tennessee won that.
They brought Tennessee
Tennessee Eastman to Kingsport.
And there is one real embarrassing
moment back in the early 1900s that
dealt with an elephant.
But luckily, the town of Erwin got the
got the blame for that.
And
but I'm here to say
that we're really concerned
with what's going to happen to our
community. The same as y'all. Y'all's
concerns about Kingsport.
We got the same concerns
with our
And
we just don't want
our community destroyed.
Another one is
a train of thought just left me, but may
have come back.
Also, I just want to know if y'all had
investigated Martin Marietta's safety
record and all the violations.
Has any of you
check that out?
They got gobs of violations.
And right now we got the EPA that's
going to be has has standards, but
evidently those are being changed
for like you know, Tennessee Eastman.
How's that going to affect us?
That's something to think about.
But uh hopefully can really think on
what you're doing.
I don't want it be an embarrassing thing
if y'all pass this and see a blunder
that evidently is going to
come and show
maybe some bad
uh
you know,
planning on that part.
So, that's all I've got to say. Thank
you.
>> Thank you.
» [clears throat]
>> I'm Jeff Farrell,
» I'm Jeff Farrell,
uh vice president general manager for
Martin Marietta. [clears throat]
And I live at uh 1657
Christian Bend Road.
Sorry, I write slow.
And I just want to reiterate, um I've
heard a lot about safety and violations.
Uh again, Martin Marietta is an S&P 500
company. They have hundreds of
operations all over the company. If you
look at the list they're referencing,
[laughter]
it
recognizes
subsidiary violations prior to Martin
Marietta owning those subsidiaries. But
what I can say for
this operation, we've not had any
violations ever. Environmental, water,
air.
And at least in my 15 years, we've never
had a safety
citation from MSHA,
which is the Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
Um
we hear a lot about speculation. Again,
I'll remind you we've been here for 52
years. And these things and this
destruction and and things just
just have not occurred. Somebody
mentioned that we wear masks.
Y'all ever wear any masks?
Matter of fact, MSHA precludes the
wearing of mask
as remediation for meeting their
standard.
So to meet their standard, there's no
mask allowed. We don't wear masks.
As we said, they do individual dust
sampling. We do individual dust sampling
in the quarry,
at the source point, and we've never had
a violation of the current EPA
standards.
As stated, if such violations had
occurred at that quarry, you'd have
heard about them tonight. But they have
not
because all this testing and everything
is a matter of public record. So
I would just ask that you all reconfirm
your votes and
uh
support this uh
>> [clears throat]
» [clears throat]
>> commission or submission for the the
» commission or submission for the the
zoning.
It complies with the comprehensive plan.
It's supported by the planning
commission. It's supported by the
planning department.
It's conducive to cost-effective growth
in the city and in the county.
And it benefits all the residents by
keeping costs lower for growth and
construction.
And
uh I respectfully ask for you to support
this application and reconfirm your
votes. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Does anyone else
» Thank you. Thank you. Does anyone else
want to speak to us tonight?
» I'm Robert Joiner. I live 207 Piercy
Street in our Port Acres subdivision.
Something y'all hadn't thought about
when they blast, it's going to affect
the gas lines. Gas lines ain't made to
be shook.
We got gas lines in our house. They're
going to be shook.
The water lines, some of the
water lines belong to the city of
Kingsport.
And they may rupture. I mean, these
these these things weren't made to be
shook.
And something to think about
is uh
that. And you we know what a ruptured
gas line looks like on TV. It takes out
a whole city block.
You know, we've seen it.
So, something to think about.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Anyone else?
» Good afternoon. Sam Jones. Uh
Grip and around there. Quarry now
represented on the county commission,
6329 Hitherwood Lane.
I appreciate the uh
letter that was presented right before
the meeting
uh that
last month or last meeting
concerning the uh
new distance requirement was presented
and I had people ask me, is that from
the property line of the school or from
the school building itself?
Uh I think it was a
was a 100 ft or 30 yd that was offered
as a buffer. Which Is that correct?
Am I Am I saying that right?
The the We had it on the map. The uh
>> Offer the original buffer zone was 100
» Offer the original buffer zone was 100
ft.
>> 100 ft, 30 yd, about the distance this
» 100 ft, 30 yd, about the distance this
room.
Uh that was what was offered. Um
I was just looking and that question had
come up to me about
mask. Uh
This is from MSHA.
Yeah, that was quoted a while ago.
Quarry workers in Tennessee are not
universally required to wear simple
cloth and surgical masks by state law.
But they are required to wear
specialized respirators under federal
safety regulations when exposed to
hazardous airborne dust like crystalline
silica.
Uh
And quarries operate under federal mine
and safety
resolution
MSHA rather than general.
Uh
under those regulations mine and quarry
operators must provide approved
respirators.
And it gives the type of them. As a
temporary supplement measure whenever
airborne crystalline silica dust levels
reach certain levels.
Uh
I know
and I know they went back and they went
to locations around the country that
Martin Marietta has in this
uh report [snorts] that we got.
Um
and it was from since 2000.
But
the two top
three of the top were environmental
violations.
Workplace safety and health was number
two, 148.
Of their employees.
Air pollution violations, only 12. And
they got locations all over the country
from cement to asphalt to gravel
uh quarries.
So, you know, there's a lot to be taken
into consideration there, I think.
And the community, as was said earlier,
the community doesn't have
and don't feel like they have should
have to wear mask
if there's airborne silica going on. But
we have students
in that community.
And it is the central location. We did
operate for years. I was very much
involved in that because it was a
central location for special ed.
Special Olympics of Sullivan County was
operated there.
Uh
we we don't have that program going on
there now. But it is the central
location in Sullivan County school
system for special ed needs, and we
don't feel like it, we should have to
move them to another location.
Uh
Just think, 30 ft across this room, 30
yd, 100 ft.
That's the distance that's being asked
or being
offered.
Thank you for your consideration. Hope
you reconsider. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Is there anyone else coming to speak?
» [clears throat]
» Hello, my name is Brad Kroger.
And my address is 9059 Diggs Gap Road.
I'd just take an opportunity to talk to
you today. Um
I'm currently in the Knoxville area, but
I spent 14 years as a plant manager of
the Tri-Cities Airport quarry.
Couple of things that we had referred
here or had been referred. One of the
things that I will say is that quarry is
one of the safest facilities that I have
ever worked in. They are currently 17
years without any form of injury
whatsoever, whether that be a laceration
all the way to a major injury.
Um to the comment about dust suppression
or dust uh mask, dust protection,
>> [clears throat]
» [clears throat]
>> um
» um
it is true those are there, they're
provided, they're available for use if
necessary. That being said, we moderate
the dust through the use of water uh in
our process both on the roads and
throughout the process. Uh and so those
are not worn
um because they're not necessary. In
fact, during much of my time at the
Tri-Cities Airport quarry, my office sat
directly across from the plant, and if
you looked out the window to look at the
plant
from a dust perspective, you couldn't
tell if it was running or not.
Um in relation to the gas lines, our
facility has always our company and our
facility has always worked in
conjunction with all of the providers,
utility providers adjacent to the area,
whether that be AEP, Atmos Energy, or
Enbridge, which is actually the the
provider that operates the transmission
line that is adjacent to the property in
question.
Um all of those companies have been
contacted. Um their technical
departments, along with ours, have
worked out contingencies for the use and
blast the use of blasting materials
adjacent to that pipeline. So, all of
that work has already been completed um
to and has been to the approval of the
um of those utility providers. So,
uh and past that, um
I think the other thing I would like to
say is one of the things that I
appreciate working
for a company like Martin Marietta is
that to the utmost of our ability, we do
try to on a daily basis be a cooperative
member of the communities that we find
ourselves in because we do
operate at the consent of our
communities. We are a partner. We are
provider of building materials. And we
do try to find an opportunity to coexist
in a proactive and productive way with
all of the residents adjacent to any of
our facilities. That was my philosophy
during my time there. It's my philosophy
now in my current role. And it's the
philosophy of the gentlemen who are up
here running that facility on an
everyday basis. So, um I also, uh as
with Mr. Farrell, respectfully request
that you
confirm your vote for this uh zoning.
And I appreciate your time tonight.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
See who else wants to speak.
» Good evening, Mayor and Board of Mayor
and Aldermen. Thank you for having us
and letting us speak again. My name is
Beth Jinks Ashbrook. I live at 223
Piercy Street in the Airport Village.
And um I just wanted to say I hope these
people keep their employees as safe as
they can. We all pray for that. I don't
really see the logic of comparing adults
who voluntarily work for the quarry with
the children that are
are schooled at Holston Middle School.
It is I don't know if you all been past
there, if you've seen the gas lines. It
the proximity is really scary. And I
know all of you have served in our
community and served in education and it
it broke our hearts that you all really
passed this with it it seems to me like
a lot of disregard for the school and
for the special needs people at at
Holston Middle School. I think you can
see our neighborhood's really concerned.
We're concerned for our kids, our
future. I worry about the kids at
Northeast State. And um I I know they're
they're they have all their science and
logic, but for them to basically
discount anybody in the villages'
experiences is what it seems like to me.
They were completely underwhelmed by the
blasting as a lawyer for Mark Marietta
would say, but we're also not on payroll
to be here tonight. We're speaking from
passion and we really pray that Sullivan
County residents could be good neighbors
with Kingsport City. So, if this was a
Kingsport City school, I ask you, would
we be here? Would we be going through
the same thing? And we really appreciate
[snorts] y'all for this consideration.
We do feel passionately about it. And
thank you for your time.
>> Okay, thank you.
We have about time for one more person
if anybody else wants to speak.
Seeing no one move, I'm going to close
the
public hearing public session down.
Mr. Manager.
>> All right, Mayor, we'll move on to the
» All right, Mayor, we'll move on to the
approval of minutes first from the work
session on July 20th, 2026
and the business meeting on July 21st,
2026. I ask that you approve these
minutes as submitted, please.
>> Board, you have the minutes of July 20th
» Board, you have the minutes of July 20th
and July 21st.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Duckett. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by
» Second by
Alderman Baker.
Any questions?
Hearing none, all in favor approving the
minutes say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I. Any opposed? No. Minutes are approved
» I. Any opposed? No. Minutes are approved
7-0. Same outcome.
>> All right, Mayor, you have one public
» All right, Mayor, you have one public
hearing on the agenda tonight. That is
to conduct a public hearing in
consideration of an ordinance to amend
zoning of tax map 105, parcel 193,
located along Kindred Creek Road from
the R1C residential district to R3
low-density apartment district. Jessica
McMurray will present the item.
>> Thank you. This is an owner-requested
» Thank you. This is an owner-requested
rezoning along Kindred Creek Road. On
this slide, you can see the vicinity of
where the site is located.
On this slide, you'll see zoning
designations for the area. The request
is to rezone from the R1C residential
district to the R3 low-density apartment
district to accommodate construction of
new multi-family uh
housing development.
The current R1C zone
permits single-family detached
dwellings.
The proposed R3 zone permits a range of
housing options including single,
two-family, and multi-family dwellings.
The future place type recommendation is
suburban living. The request does not
conform to that recommendation. However,
the property's location adjacent to the
interstate supports a multi-family
development.
On the next two slides are standards of
review. The proposed rezoning um is
appropriate due to the property's
location adjacent to the interstate and
provides a suitable transition zone
without adversely impacting surrounding
properties.
During their July meeting, the Planning
Commission voted to send a positive
recommendation to rezone from the R1C
zone to the R3 zone based on its role as
an appropriate transition between
commercial and residential uses.
We did have some opposition at the
meeting. We had some citizens attend and
speak um
expressing concerns with increased
traffic and potential storm water
impacts. In response the Planning
Commission recommended the traffic study
be expanded to include Kindred Creek
Road and Lebanon Road intersection.
Since the Planning Commission meeting,
staff have met with the developer to
confirm that intersection would be
required as part of the study. And as
with any new development, um development
plans and storm water management are
reviewed by city staff and engineers to
ensure that all development complies
with city requirements. And I'm happy to
answer any questions that the
board may have.
>> Okay, I'm opening the public hearing.
» Okay, I'm opening the public hearing.
Is there anyone out there wanting to
speak on this ordinance that we're about
to talk about tonight?
I see no one move. I'm going to close
the public hearing.
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance to further amend the zoning
» An ordinance to further amend the zoning
code text and map to rezone property
located along Kindred Creek Road from
the R1C residential district to R3 low
density apartment district in the 14th
Civil District of Sullivan County to fix
penalty for the violation of this
ordinance and to fix the effective date
of this ordinance.
>> Thank you. You've heard the reading of
» Thank you. You've heard the reading of
the ordinance.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by uh Alderman
» Motion for approval by uh Alderman
Phillips. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Alderman Cooper.
» Second by Alderman Cooper.
Any discussion or questions?
>> Mayor, I will be abstaining for this
» Mayor, I will be abstaining for this
vote.
» Any other discussions or questions?
You ready to vote?
Okay, all in favor of the ordinance say
I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Oppose?
» Oppose?
And one abstention.
So, the ordinance passes 6-0-1.
City Manager.
>> All right, now moving into business
» All right, now moving into business
matters requiring final adoption, you
have several
on the agenda here. The first is
consideration of an ordinance to amend
zoning of tax map 94, parcel 17, located
along Airport Parkways from the MX
mixed-use district to M2 general
manufacturing district. Said item comes
to you on second and final reading. As
you know, you had a public hearing on
this at your previous meeting,
uh as well as presentation regarding the
matter.
We ask that you approve the ordinance on
second and final reading, please.
>> Okay, thank you. Mr. Attorney, please
» Okay, thank you. Mr. Attorney, please
publish.
>> An ordinance to further amend the zoning
» An ordinance to further amend the zoning
code text and map to rezone property
located along Airport Parkway from the
MX mixed-use district to M2 general
manufacturing district in the 18th Civil
District of Sullivan County to fix
penalty for the violation of this
ordinance and fix the effective date of
this ordinance.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard reading of the
ordinance. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
» Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Alderman Phillips. Is there a second?
» Alderman Phillips. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Second by Vice Mayor Duncan.
Any discussion?
>> I do just want to add I
» I do just want to add I
I hear a lot about the
concern for the kids and if this was
beside your school and it was
somebody made the point to me and I
think it's a very good point is
you know, my daughter currently goes to
a school across the street from where
they make actual bombs.
And I feel safe sending my daughter
there every day because I have trust and
faith in the company that's across the
street and their history. And I think
from everything I've read about Martin
Marietta and from all the presentations
and everything, I I have
I would not have a problem sending my
child there and I have faith in their
ability to perform and do what they've
said they're going to do.
» Any other discussion?
Okay, hearing none,
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call
vote.
>> Alderman Baker? I.
» Alderman Baker? I.
Alderman Cooper?
>> I.
» I.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan?
» Vice Mayor Duncan?
>> I.
» I.
>> Alderman George?
» Alderman George?
>> I.
» I.
>> Alderman Maze?
» Alderman Maze?
>> I.
» I.
>> Alderman Phillips?
» Alderman Phillips?
>> I.
» I.
>> Mayor Montgomery?
» Mayor Montgomery?
>> Nay.
» Nay.
>> The ordinance passes 6-1. Mr. Manager?
» The ordinance passes 6-1. Mr. Manager?
>> Next up is consideration of an ordinance
» Next up is consideration of an ordinance
to amend zoning of tax map 46G, group A,
parcel 21,
located along Gibson Mill Road from the
R-1B residential district R-3
low-density apartment district. This
comes to you on second and final
reading. We'd ask that you approve this
ordinance, please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance to further amend the zoning
» An ordinance to further amend the zoning
code text and map to rezone property
located along Gibson Mill Road from the
R-1B residential district to R-3
low-density apartment district in the
11th Civil District of Sullivan County,
to fix a penalty for the violation of
this ordinance and to fix the effective
date of this ordinance.
>> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
ordinance. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.
» Motion for approval by Alderman George.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman Baker.
» Seconded by Alderman Baker.
Any discussion?
Hearing none, Mr. Recorder, please take
the roll call vote. Alderman Baker? I.
Alderman Cooper? I. Vice Mayor Duncan?
I. Alderman George? I. Alderman Maze? I.
Alderman Phillips? I. Mayor Montgomery?
I.
>> The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Andrew.
» The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Andrew.
>> Next item is consideration of an
» Next item is consideration of an
ordinance to increase court costs. This
is for municipal court. We'd ask that
you approve this ordinance on second
final reading, please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance amending section 30-29 of
» An ordinance amending section 30-29 of
the code of ordinances, City of
Kingsport, Tennessee, relating to court
costs, repealing all ordinance or parts
of ordinances in conflict herewith, and
to fix the effective date of this
ordinance.
>> Thank you. You've heard the reading of
» Thank you. You've heard the reading of
the ordinance. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Dawkins. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman George. Any
» Seconded by Alderman George. Any
discussion?
Hearing none,
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call
vote.
>> Alderman Baker?
» Alderman Baker?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Cooper?
» Alderman Cooper?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan?
» Vice Mayor Duncan?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman George?
» Alderman George?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Mays?
» Alderman Mays?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Phillips?
» Alderman Phillips?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Mayor Montgomery?
» Mayor Montgomery?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Andrew.
» The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Andrew.
>> Next item is consideration of a budget
» Next item is consideration of a budget
adjustment ordinance for various funds
in fiscal 26.
We'd ask that you approve this budget
ordinance on second final reading,
please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance of the City of Kingsport,
» An ordinance of the City of Kingsport,
Tennessee, amending the 2025-2026
fiscal year budget.
>> Thank you. You've heard the reading of
» Thank you. You've heard the reading of
the budget ordinance. May I have a
motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.
» Motion for approval by Alderman George.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Vice Mayor Duncan. Any
» Seconded by Vice Mayor Duncan. Any
discussion?
Questions?
>> This is
» This is
>> This is This is just cleaning up last
» This is This is just cleaning up last
year's budget. Am I correct?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Closing out projects moving into current
» Closing out projects moving into current
projects.
>> Closing the books out.
» Closing the books out.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> Okay. Any other discussion or question?
» Okay. Any other discussion or question?
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call
vote.
>> Alderman Baker?
» Alderman Baker?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Cooper?
» Alderman Cooper?
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Vice Mayor Duncan.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman George.
» Alderman George.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Maze.
» Alderman Maze.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Phillips.
» Alderman Phillips.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Mayor Montgomery.
» Mayor Montgomery.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. City
» The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. City
Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of a budget
» Next item is consideration of a budget
adjustment ordinance for various funds
in our current fiscal year, fiscal 27.
We'd ask that you approve this item on
second final reading, please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance of the City of Kingsport,
» An ordinance of the City of Kingsport,
Tennessee, amending the 2026-2027
fiscal year budget.
>> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
budget ordinance. May I have a motion
for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.
» Motion for approval by Alderman George.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman Baker.
» Seconded by Alderman Baker.
Any discussion?
>> [clears throat and cough]
» Ready to vote? Mr.
Mr. Recorder, please roll call vote,
please. Alderman Baker.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Cooper.
» Alderman Cooper.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Vice Mayor Duncan.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman George.
» Alderman George.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Maze.
» Alderman Maze.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Phillips.
» Alderman Phillips.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Mayor Montgomery.
» Mayor Montgomery.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. City
» The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. City
Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of an
» Next item is consideration of an
ordinance to amend the fiscal 27 school
general purpose fund budget and the
general project fund budget. It comes to
us from the Board of Education. We'd ask
that you approve this ordinance on
second final reading, please.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> An ordinance to amend the general
» An ordinance to amend the general
purpose school fund budget and the
general projects fund budget for the
fiscal year ending June 30th, 2027 to
fix the effective date of this
ordinance.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
You've heard a reading of the ordinance.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George,
» Motion for approval by Alderman George,
seconded by Vice Mayor Duncan. Any
discussion?
Hearing none,
Mr. Recorder, please take the roll call
vote. Alderman Baker.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Cooper.
» Alderman Cooper.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Vice Mayor Duncan.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman George.
» Alderman George.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Maze.
» Alderman Maze.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Alderman Phillips.
» Alderman Phillips.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Mayor Montgomery.
» Mayor Montgomery.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Manager.
» The ordinance passes 7-0. Mr. Manager.
>> All right. Moving [laughter] into other
» All right. Moving [laughter] into other
business, first item is consideration of
resolution to utilize City of Oak Ridge
contract fiscal 25-03
for emergency fire vehicle inspection,
repair, and maintenance. This is a
contract that was issued through the
City of Oak Ridge that we're able to uh
piggyback on. This is for emergency fire
vehicle inspection, repair, and
maintenance to our fleet maintenance
department. Estimated total cost is
about $300,000. This is with Siddons
Martin Emergency Group LLC. Uh as you
know, we have a pretty significant fleet
within the uh uh fire department. Uh
this is a group that specializes in it.
This is actually a renewal of this
agreement. We had it in place a year
ago. Asking y'all move forward with it
in the upcoming fiscal year and approve
the resolution.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
» Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution authorizing the purchase of
» A resolution authorizing the purchase of
emergency fire vehicle inspection,
repair, and maintenance services from
Siddons Martin Emergency Group LLC
utilizing the City of Oak Ridge contract
FY2025-003
and authorizing the city manager to
execute one or more purchase orders for
the same.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard reading of the
resolution. May have a motion for
approval.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by by Vice Mayor
» Motion for approval by by Vice Mayor
Duckett. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Alderman Phillips.
» Second by Alderman Phillips.
Any discussion?
Hearing none.
All in favor of the resolution say aye.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Aye. Opposed, no.
» Aye. Opposed, no.
The resolution passes 7-0. Mr. Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of resolution
» Next item is consideration of resolution
to purchase one RC slope mower Skag
utilizing the Sourcewell contract. Uh
this is a replacement item for us. As
you see within this, much of what we
have seen over the last several years
with all of our fleet vehicles, this has
an increase of 19% since the last unit
was purchased.
Total cost of $53,177.
Purchased from Cox Tractor utilizing a
Sourcewell contract. We ask that you
approve this resolution authorizing this
purchase.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> Resolution authorizing the city manager
» Resolution authorizing the city manager
to execute a purchase order to Cox
Tractor utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative
Purchasing Agreement number 112624-SCG
for the purchase of one Scag RC Slope
Mower for use by Public Works.
>> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
» Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
>> Is there a second?
» Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Alderman George.
» Second by Alderman George.
Any discussion?
>> Chris, you may not know this, but if we
» Chris, you may not know this, but if we
didn't use Sourcewell,
it's gone up 19% using it. Any idea
what that increase would be?
>> You know, I I think this with all of our
» You know, I I think this with all of our
vehicles, when you look at the contract
that we buy off of, we're able to take
advantage of pricing that has been
probably negotiated down to its its
lowest point that it's going to go.
[cough]
Um and we're able to do that because of
the buying power that comes with that
contract. That doesn't mean that from
time to time we will buy through a
straight bid where we'll look for local
vendors. Sometimes local vendors are on
this.
Uh but I think we're getting the best
possible price that we could get for
this piece of equipment.
>> didn't use them, it's 19% increase.
» didn't use them, it's 19% increase.
40%?
>> I
» I
You know, I I would be reluctant to say,
but I would
percentage, but it would be north of 19.
Let's say that.
>> Very much north of 19.
» Very much north of 19.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
Yeah.
>> Prices just keep going up.
» Prices just keep going up.
>> They do.
» They do.
>> Seem like every vehicle we approve, 20%
» Seem like every vehicle we approve, 20%
increase over last time.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> So, this is a specialty piece of
» So, this is a specialty piece of
equipment, though.
Not like common use.
>> I think it's the only piece of equipment
» I think it's the only piece of equipment
that have been in my front yard this
week.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> Week's not over.
» Week's not over.
>> I could have tried out my backyard.
» I could have tried out my backyard.
>> You hope that begins to level out,
» You hope that begins to level out,
though. That 19% is not 19% next time.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
I I I hope so as well. We We have seen
some leveling in some areas. The
you know, as stated, the specialty
equipment uh
our sweepers, fire trucks, especially,
we continue to see those
significant increases over the last 7
years.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Do you have a turnaround time for these,
» Do you have a turnaround time for these,
or you
used to be
Are the turnaround times for vehicles
and different things getting
>> Yeah, so they're they're getting a lot
» Yeah, so they're they're getting a lot
better.
>> For a while, they were years and
» For a while, they were years and
>> Oh, yeah.
» Oh, yeah.
>> two.
» two.
>> Much, much better than what we've
» Much, much better than what we've
experienced in the past, and uh you know
Fleet does an outstanding job of going
down the path of looking to see when
that delivery can be. [clears throat]
Uh as you know, when it comes time to
replace vehicle,
the overwhelming majority we've gotten
the useful life out of them, and
especially when it is the specialty
equipment, it's definitely time. The
hours on those or the years,
uh it's time to replace.
>> Well, they said 3 months and
» Any other discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Opposed, no. Resolution passes 7-0. Same
» Opposed, no. Resolution passes 7-0. Same
measure.
>> Next item is consideration of resolution
» Next item is consideration of resolution
to enter into an agreement with Axon
Enterprise Inc. to purchase in-car and
body-worn cameras for the Kingsport
Police Department. It's a conversation
that we began back in May with the
presentation of the general fund budget.
We stated to you then, our goal was to
get this into the fiscal 27 operating
budget,
uh and begin this agreement with Axon.
Uh this is an annual cost of nearly
$358,000.
Uh through that, we are able to see the
replacement of our dash cameras as well
as new body worn cameras
uh by the police department. This is the
first step uh in executing of this
contract will be bringing the funding
uh through a budget ordinance back to
you
uh in an upcoming meeting. Uh and then
the staff within the police department
will be working with Axon
uh to see these items uh secured,
uh training put in place, and then the
deployment of that within the unit. As
stated in the action form, our goal
uh is to be by the end of the calendar
year to have this fully deployed. Uh
if things move quicker, we'll obviously
do everything we can to to beat that
timeline.
Uh but this is what we're looking at
right now.
Mayor, we'd ask that you move forward
with approval of the resolution allowing
us to enter into this agreement.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> Resolution authorizing city manager to
» Resolution authorizing city manager to
execute a purchase order to Axon
Enterprise Incorporated utilizing
sourcewell cooperative purchasing
agreement number 101223-AXN
for in-car and body worn cameras for the
Kingsport Police Department.
>> Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard a reading of the
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
» Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any
» Seconded by Alderman Phillips. Any
discussion?
>> Chris, is that an all-in price?
» Chris, is that an all-in price?
We add more, do we have to pay for
additional cameras? Is this uh one price
that fits everything?
>> Yeah, so the It It's an annual payment
» Yeah, so the It It's an annual payment
that we make every year for a set
number. Now, if we see a need to
increase that set number through adding
additional officers,
uh that would be a time when we would,
you know, come back to seek an amendment
on this. Um
but yes, you know, if one of the ones
that they have that's issued to us
breaks
uh for whatever reason, this agreement
allows for the replacement of that. Um
so, yeah. All-in from the the standpoint
of the agreement that we've got.
>> I know that
» I know that
these body cams are a lot of us governed
by state policy and regulations, but I'm
going to ask we've done our due
diligence
on our policies that governs retention,
public request, record requests,
supervisory review, privacy,
access to footage, all that. We're going
to be good to go day one when the
officers have these.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Any other discussion?
» Any other discussion?
>> Thanks.
» Thanks.
>> Any other discussion? Any other
» Any other discussion? Any other
question?
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Opposed no.
» Opposed no.
The resolution passes 7-0. Mr. Manager.
>> Next item comes to us from the Board of
» Next item comes to us from the Board of
Education. It's consideration of
resolution authorizing a change order to
the agreement with Construction Partners
for Dobyns-Bennett High School phase one
renovation project as a result of
additional dollars that were made
available through the state through the
TISA funding.
Additional alternates that were part of
the original bid packet have been picked
up. You see the need here to adjust the
contract as well as the need to approve
these items that have been listed within
the executive summary for the project. I
know these are items that they viewed as
very much needed, but they were limited
by funding.
This additional money allows for that to
continue. So, we'd ask that you approve
the resolution authorizing the amendment
to the contract with Construction
Partners.
Dobyns-Bennett High School renovation.
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> The resolution authorizing a change
» The resolution authorizing a change
order for the Dobyns-Bennett High School
phase one renovation project to
Construction Partners LLC and
authorizing the mayor to execute the
change order and all of the documents
necessary and proper to effectuate the
purpose of this resolution.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard reading of the
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Dockins. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Alderman Phillips.
» Second by Alderman Phillips.
Any discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Opposed, no.
» Opposed, no.
Resolution passes 7-0.
Mr. Mayor, next item.
>> Next item is consideration of resolution
» Next item is consideration of resolution
to authorize funding for the Pendragon
sewer lift station replacement project
with a clean water state revolving loan
and to authorize the mayor to sign all
necessary documents. Again, an item that
we talked to you about moving through
the budget process. The opportunity to
[snorts] be able to apply for and
receive what we refer to as SRF loans.
Total amount of 2.7 with the ability of
a million 80,000 subject to principal
forgiveness and then a 20-year fixed
rate of 1.97 interest. Again, these are
made available to
cities across the state for the this
very purpose which is reinvesting back
into your utilities.
We're still probably for both items that
are related to the SRF loans, still
probably somewhere in the neighborhood
of four to five months before we are
able to put those out to bid, but this
is that first step in getting the
funding set up. You'll then be seeing
this down the road for
approval of the bid, but we're again,
we're still about four to five months on
that and this is for the Pendragon lift
station.
>> All right.
» All right.
>> Thank you.
» Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> Resolution authorizing and providing for
» Resolution authorizing and providing for
the financing of the construction of the
Pendragon sewer lift station replacement
project including authorizing the mayor
to execute applications, contractual
agreements, and other necessary
documents and making certain
representations, certifications, and
pledges certain revenue in connection
with such financing from the state of
Tennessee.
>> You've heard the reading of the
» You've heard the reading of the
resolution. May have a motion for
approval.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman George.
» Motion for approval by Alderman George.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Aldermen Cooper.
» Second by Aldermen Cooper.
Any discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Opposed, no. The resolution passes 7-0.
» Opposed, no. The resolution passes 7-0.
Mr. City Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of a
» Next item is consideration of a
resolution to approve the purchase of
property located at Ferguson Street for
phase two of the Reedy Creek Trunk Sewer
Replacement Project. Uh this is an a
piece of property as well as a an item
that we have been in conversation with
you all about for some time. Uh
as you know, this is a a project that
has been built out in phases. You see
the property located here. Uh when we
approached the property owner about the
need for this, he offered the full
property at the price of $7,500.
And it is our recommendation that we
move forward with the acquisition of
this property for the purpose of putting
in this
sewer replacement project. Mayor?
>> Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
» Thank you. Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution approving an offer for the
» A resolution approving an offer for the
purchase of real property located at
Ferguson Street and authorizing the
mayor to execute an agreement and all
the documents necessary and proper to
effectuate the purpose of this
resolution.
>> Thank you. You've heard the reading of
» Thank you. You've heard the reading of
the resolution.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion [clears throat] for approval by
» Motion [clears throat] for approval by
Aldermen George. Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Aldermen Baker.
» Second by Aldermen Baker.
Any discussion?
>> Once we finish this project, will we
» Once we finish this project, will we
maintain and keep this ownership of this
property?
>> Yeah, we're not sure at this time. Uh
» Yeah, we're not sure at this time. Uh
that was a conversation that we had and
have been having. I think as we
complete this, we'll evaluate it. And if
there's something that should be put up
for surplus property, then
» We need it, we will.
>> If we need it, yes. We'll definitely
» If we need it, yes. We'll definitely
retain it. We'll kind of go through that
exercise at that point, post
construction.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Any other discussion?
» Any other discussion?
>> Mr. Mayor, I know we've we've been at
» Mr. Mayor, I know we've we've been at
least in my tenure here, we've been
talking about all these sewer projects
for 2 years. We just spent $10 million
tonight if we approve this resolution.
And
um
And so, we have I believe over 100 lift
stations. My
>> Right.
» Right.
>> my memory
» my memory
108, maybe, I believe.
Um and so,
a lot uh we all get questions about our
water and sewer bill in Kingsport.
So, our infrastructure is on a
replacement program. So, we spent $10
million tonight. I think next year's
probably another $30 million.
Um
and
I think a learning that the city,
especially ratepayers, have had over
past, if you don't keep infrastructure
current and keep it maintained, it just
costs so much more money.
And
um
we don't really have a choice but to
maintain our infrastructure, keep our
system efficient, and keep our rates as
low as possible considering the large We
have a very large uh sewer treatment
system in the city. So, I think this
trunk line that we're replacing is how
many years old? 70 years old, I believe.
[cough]
>> That's north of that.
» That's north of that.
>> Yeah. So,
» Yeah. So,
um I appreciate the work. I know uh Ryan
and his team has put in countless hours
trying to mitigate costs.
And uh I'm confident city staff is doing
everything they can to mitigate costs,
but uh there is no way we can avoid
keeping our our infrastructure up to
date.
>> Yeah, it is one of the our utilities one
» Yeah, it is one of the our utilities one
of the most capital intensive operations
that we have.
I every year we look at the budget and
we look at what it cost to maintain it.
And when we are able to secure programs
like you saw in the previous item and
what you'll see in the next one with
SRF. I really tip my hat to the staff to
go after that. Those Those are not
always easy to get. Uh but as you see
there, the opportunity for the
forgiveness of some of that debt and
then, you know,
interest rate that we're not seeing
anywhere else now, allows us to make
those investments and minimize the cost
where we can, but uh you're right. Every
year, we're we're staring at millions
and millions of dollars to go into this
very precious asset that we're charged
with maintaining.
>> You know, to that, when MTAS, they had
» You know, to that, when MTAS, they had
their annual meeting, I went to a
workshop and they were talking about the
number of what water systems in the
state, water wastewater,
and the number that were on the
comptroller's list or on that not good
list that you don't want to be on.
They were They were talking about when
uh COVID money evaporates,
there's going to be a whole lot more
going on that list.
And I'm I don't like raising rates, but
utilities is one of those things if we
don't keep up with
you know, we're going to be We're going
to be in the negative with that. So,
it's I'd like to know too, Chris,
um maybe at the next work session,
is there a way you could quantify how
much of our water wastewater in a year
is paid for with grants?
And, you know, to give an idea of how
much external funding comes in.
Um you know, cuz I think the staff do a
really good job of pulling those funding
or the rates would be higher than what
they are.
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> It'd be a great number to have, so.
» It'd be a great number to have, so.
>> Yeah, we can definitely work on that.
» Yeah, we can definitely work on that.
Yeah.
>> Any other comments, any other
» Any other comments, any other
discussion?
Okay, all in favor of resolution, say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Opposed, no.
» Opposed, no.
The resolution passes 7-0.
Mr. Manager.
>> Next item is consideration of resolution
» Next item is consideration of resolution
to authorize funding for the Reedy Creek
trunk sewer replacement, Lovedale to
Clinchfield, with a clean water state
revolving loan and authorize the mayor
to sign all necessary documents.
Uh as I stated earlier, the SRF loan,
this is $6 million with 1.8 is subject
for principal forgiveness as well as a
20-year term with 1.97
% interest rate. Again, this is going
towards the
phase of the Reedy Creek
trunk sewer replacement project. An item
that hopefully here in the next 4 to 5
months we'll see moving into the bidding
phase.
With that, we ask that you approve the
resolution authorizing the execution of
this agreement, please.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution authorizing and providing
» A resolution authorizing and providing
for the financing of the construction of
the Reedy Creek trunk sewer replacement
project including authorizing the mayor
to execute applications, contractual
agreements, and other necessary
documents and making certain
representations, certifications, and
pledges of certain revenue in connection
with such financing from the state of
Tennessee.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard reading of the
resolution. May I have a motion for
approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
» Motion for approval by Vice Mayor
Docken. Seconded by Alderman Baker.
Any discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the
resolution say aye.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Opposed, no.
» Opposed, no.
The [clears throat] resolution passes
7-0. Proceed, [laughter] Mr. Attorney.
>> Next item is consideration of a
» Next item is consideration of a
resolution approving an amendment to the
interlocal cooperation agreement with
the emergency communication district and
the city of Kingsport. This year we see
an increase from 474,000
to 600,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.
A tremendous amount of work done by
that. Greatly appreciate the work that
the chiefs did working with the
emergency communication board or 911
board to see this number increased. Also
echo the comments made last night by
Alderman Baker. Our desire is to see
this moving forward with a annual CPI
increase
so that we do not get back into a
stagnant
a contribution, which is what we have
seen for for many years.
Uh adjustments over the last few, but
this is a very significant adjustment.
And we are very appreciative of the
board for the work they do in managing
this and being able to provide these
funds to offset the overall cost of the
dispatch system within the city of
Kingsport. So, with that, Mayor, we'd
ask that you approve the interlocal
agreement for this fiscal year.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Mr. Attorney, please publish.
>> A resolution approving a supplemental
» A resolution approving a supplemental
agreement between the city and the
emergency communications district of the
city of Kingsport, Tennessee, and
authorizing the mayor to execute the
agreement and all the documents
necessary and proper to effectuate the
purpose of the agreement.
>> Thank you. You've heard reading of the
» Thank you. You've heard reading of the
res- resolution.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
» Motion for approval by Alderman Baker.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Second by Alderman Phillips. Any
» Second by Alderman Phillips. Any
discussion?
Hearing none, [snorts] all in favor of
the resolution say aye.
>> Aye.
» Aye.
>> Aye. Opposed, no.
» Aye. Opposed, no.
The res has passed 7-0. Mr. City
Manager.
>> All right, moving to the [clears throat]
» All right, moving to the [clears throat]
consent agenda. We have four items on
the agenda. I'll read through those. If
you'd like any one pulled for additional
discussion, please let me know. First
item is consideration of resolution
authorizing the mayor to execute a
memorandum of understanding
Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment
Authority for assistance with the
community development block grant
program.
Second item is consideration of
resolution to authorize the rental of a
bypass pumping equipment
from United Rentals utilizing a source
well contract. Third item is
consideration of resolution to amend CDM
Smith's professional services agreement
for additional construction inspection
of the water treatment plant high
service pump station improvements. The
fourth item
consideration of resolution to apply and
accept a grant from Chemtrec.
With that, Mayor, unless there's one
item pulled, we'd ask that you approve
the consent agenda as presented.
Thank you. You've heard the reading of
the four consent agenda items.
May I have a motion for approval?
>> Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to
» Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to
accept all items on the consent agenda
as presented.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Is there a second?
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Seconded by Alderman George. Any
» Seconded by Alderman George. Any
discussion?
>> I will say I'm glad to see us working
» I will say I'm glad to see us working
with the Housing Authority for the CDBG
program. I was a chair of the citizen
panel
uh BMA approved and uh feel comfortable
that the oversight where we still retain
that. Uh but I think the Housing
Authority that's a natural place for
that funding to reside.
>> Any other discussion?
» Any other discussion?
Hey, Mr. Recorder, please take the roll
call vote.
Alderman Baker.
>> Aye.
» Alderman Cooper.
>> Aye to all.
» Aye to all.
>> Vice Mayor Duncan.
» Vice Mayor Duncan.
>> Aye to all.
» Aye to all.
>> Alderman George.
» Alderman George.
>> Aye to all.
» Aye to all.
>> Alderman Maze.
» Alderman Maze.
>> Aye to all items.
» Aye to all items.
>> Alderman Phillips.
» Alderman Phillips.
>> Aye to all.
» Aye to all.
>> Mayor Montgomery.
» Mayor Montgomery.
>> Aye to all.
» Aye to all.
>> The consent agenda items are approved
» The consent agenda items are approved
7-0. See you next year.
>> All right, we'll now move into
» All right, we'll now move into
communications and Mayor, I'll turn the
meeting over to you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Alderman Maze.
>> Uh thank you, Mayor.
» Uh thank you, Mayor.
I would just uh I'm I'm sure other uh
members of the board uh will mention
this as well, but today we
had a push-in ceremony at the Kingsport
Fire Department and that was a a true
honor and a and a beautiful piece of
equipment. Um
and I appreciate uh the previous board
that appropriated the funds and worked
hard to get the funding for that
apparatus. Uh
going to be a huge improvement for our
fire department's ability to serve the
city of Kingsport and I appreciate uh
appreciate the opportunity. It was
awesome. Uh good event and it was was
really good to see uh
uh citizens there and children there
participating in the event. I thought
that was so awesome. Um
Also, uh we um in in line of the fire
department, I received their annual
report and I just want to tip my hat to
the chief. I thought it was well
written, well published. I appreciate
the tribute to past chiefs uh that
served the city and awesome report. And
also the Kingsport Police Department
published their annual report.
Um
my
I have the same sentiments. It's awesome
report. Really proud of our Kingsport
Police Department and everything they do
to keep our city safe. Um and they do a
lot of things that we don't even know
about uh and work 7 days a week, 24
hours a day for us and grateful for
that. So,
just uh tip my hat to our public safety
sector in the city
uh for doing an outstanding job.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Alvin Coope.
>> Um I just want to thank David for the
» Um I just want to thank David for the
the recognition for just having I'm sure
you had a hand in
making sure Kingsport was recognized. I
say it makes me proud to to know that um
we are one of the only second city in
Tennessee to be honored. That's That's a
big accomplishment.
And it makes me also proud to know that
there's all the volunteer opportunities
that are available. Thank you for
coming to our meetings. It's nice to see
a a face out there that that comes
regular
what you do
for Kingsport.
Thank you.
» How was your watch?
>> Well, I'm preaching to the choir, but
» Well, I'm preaching to the choir, but
Thursday is the day we now go vote,
which is normally always been a Tuesday
where we were getting ready to close by
the time we finished our meeting.
Um but I'm sure everyone here has voted,
but please reach out to
everyone else you see and remind them
that voting is actually Thursday and
that it
all elections are important. Local
elections are very important. I am glad
that
my second-to-last meeting. Um, I
appreciate the opportunity, but um
really want to encourage people to vote,
and also just also say that Fun Fest
finished since we've been here, and it
was a wonderful
city event, and got heard lots of
wonderful things for the people that
came in and visited, so thanks to the
Chamber and Visit Kingsport for doing a
great another great job on Fun Fest.
» Vice Mayor.
>> I'll say ditto to everything, and uh
» I'll say ditto to everything, and uh
also thank our city employees for the
work they put in for Fun Fest. A lot of
hours go on, and
I think it goes very smooth because we
have employees who are there, you know,
daylight till dark and even after dark.
Some will see the sun come up the next
[clears throat] morning, but uh it was a
good week. And I will also say go vote
Thursday.
>> Commissioner Phillips.
» Commissioner Phillips.
>> Most everything's probably been said,
» Most everything's probably been said,
but just uh remind everybody that school
started Monday. I think they're going to
start it in June next year because it
just [clears throat] keeps getting
earlier, but um but uh school started
Monday, so watch out for those kiddos
during the morning and afternoon
um in the school zones, and thanks to
the SROs that are working in the schools
to keep the kids safe. But uh other than
that, that's all I got.
>> Thank you, Vice Mayor.
» Thank you, Vice Mayor.
Uh last week uh
our Kingsport Axemen, so they uh won the
Appalachian League this year.
Uh
they
come back in the seventh inning with
three runs, eighth inning and uh with
three more runs, and they won the
tiebreaker, which I'm not too sure about
the tiebreaker in baseball, but anyway,
they won it. And so, congratulations to
them, and uh so we uh
I think their final record was 26 and 21
or something like that. So, it's always
good to have a winning team.
» I'll ditto everything's been said
tonight. Everybody said so well. Also
recognize the three people in the
audience tonight.
Candidate Julie Byers,
candidate Calvin Clifton, and candidate
Thomas Sickle Horse.
We wish you the best on Thursday.
This meeting's adjourned.
» Amen.