1 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:13,640 Mayor Roland Dykes. Here. Vice Mayor Connie Ball. Here. Alderman Mike 2 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:17,320 Hensley. >> Here. Alderwoman Luwanna Ottinger. 3 00:00:16,080 --> 00:00:20,920 Alderman Randy Reagan. >> Here. Alderman Steve Smith. City 4 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:24,320 Attorney Terry Hurst. >> Here. City Administrator James Finchum. 5 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:27,600 » Here. We do have a quorum and are able to 6 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:33,640 conduct the business of the city of Newport. We would like to convey the 7 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:39,240 regrets from Alderwoman Ottinger and from Alderman Steve Smith who were ill 8 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:42,880 and could not be here tonight. We but we do have a quorum. 9 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:46,680 Thank you. In your booklet, you have a 10 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:51,360 copy of the minutes of previous meeting of session of record February 10th, 11 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:55,760 2026. You had a chance to look those over. 12 00:00:54,080 --> 00:01:00,400 We entertain a motion to approve those as read as presented. 13 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:03,760 Motion approved. Second. Okay, we have a motion on the board to 14 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:07,800 approve the minutes as presented. It has been properly seconded. Please 15 00:01:05,320 --> 00:01:14,240 signify acceptance by I. I. And may those have like sign. 16 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:17,840 Hearing none, motion carries. Proclamations and recognition of 17 00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:22,240 citizens by the mayor. I only have one tonight. I'd like to 18 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:26,400 recognize our Cocke County High School 19 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:30,720 uh girls basketball team for winning the district tournament, the region 20 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:34,440 tournament, and making the second trip to the state tournament. 21 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:40,160 Third trip, I'm sorry. Yeah. Third trip to state tournament. 22 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:43,920 Do you Anybody else have anything to add? 23 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:46,280 They're in 11 and running now. Yes, they are. I just wanted to let you know. They 24 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:50,200 stopped by on They stopped at A.I. High School on the 25 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:53,360 way to do a little practicing before they 26 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:58,680 get on the bus to Murfreesboro. Okay. What are we looking at? 27 00:01:55,680 --> 00:02:01,920 Okay. Next item is communications from the city administrator. 28 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:04,560 Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. Thank you. 29 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:09,360 Thankfully, I can be a lot briefer than I was last last month. 30 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:15,800 The first thing I want to take care of is just some housekeeping, and that is 31 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:22,360 to correct something that I said last month. You know, I made the comment that 32 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:27,959 my my facts have got to be accurate or because it's public and it's recorded 33 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:30,959 and if if I mistake on anything, make a mistake on anything, I will get called 34 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:39,080 out. I And so, one thing that I have learned 35 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:47,560 that we were mistaken on is the 15% penalty on sales tax revenue if for two 36 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:52,640 consecutive late audits. Now, that is true, but uh 37 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:58,680 in addition to that, they have to be two outstanding late consecutive audits. 38 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:04,959 And so, we only got that letter that day, and I become aware of it that 39 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:10,800 afternoon. So, we uh we misinterpreted that and um I went with the information 40 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:16,080 that I had, and um that's on me. Um if I if I say it, I got 41 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:20,959 to I got to I try my best to be accurate, and I was inaccurate on that, 42 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:25,480 and I apologize because uh and I I I tell everybody, "Please, please don't 43 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:31,959 give me bad info cuz I pass it down." And uh that's the case where uh I gave 44 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:37,120 bad info, and so I I have to correct that. And so, 45 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:41,040 uh I stand corrected on that. Uh 46 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:47,400 there is a letter two letters in y'all's packets, uh one from the comptroller's 47 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:51,000 office, one from the auditors uh that address the issues that have been going 48 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:54,520 on. Uh 49 00:03:51,680 --> 00:04:00,360 yeah, pretty much confirmed, uh, our position and our issues. The, uh, the 50 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:04,520 mayor spoke with the controller. I spoke with two investigators from the 51 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:09,080 controller's office. Tina spoke with the auditors. 52 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:13,880 And so, we posed questions, uh, to each of those, and those letters are in 53 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:17,400 response to the questions that we posed to them. 54 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:22,840 And so, you all have copies of that, and I know the mayor had, uh, has talked 55 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:25,840 about uh, sharing that with Craig. And so, 56 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:29,960 hopefully we can put all this stuff to bed and move on. 57 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:37,640 One thing that has also taken place, for the record, is that the, uh, 58 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:44,240 the charter change amendment has stalled out in Nashville. And so, that will not 59 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:47,919 be moving forward, so it's a dead issue. Um, 60 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:54,000 Jeremy Faison brought that to my attention, uh, last week. Uh, he asked 61 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:58,800 would we be interested in making any other, attempting to make other changes, 62 00:04:56,280 --> 00:05:03,840 and I told him no. We had no no interest in that, and we had no, I 63 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:07,600 mean, we hadn't even talked about do it doing that till he brought it up. 64 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:12,680 You know, that's the aggravating thing to me. I didn't address that to him. I 65 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:17,720 started to, but uh, it was pointless to just start an argument with him. But, 66 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:22,720 uh, if he hadn't brought it up, we wouldn't have have, uh, considered it 67 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:26,880 put it on the agenda. And so, if if the support wouldn't there in 68 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:29,880 Nashville, I wish he hadn't even asked us, uh, 69 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:33,720 if we were still interested in doing it. He should have, in my opinion, he should 70 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:38,240 have checked to make sure there was support there to do it before he 71 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:41,960 proposed it to us. But, it is what it is. 72 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:50,200 Um, our second issue that is going on is 73 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:56,320 with the recently approved program where we are providing grants to property 74 00:05:53,480 --> 00:06:00,040 owners downtown to help them with condemned buildings. 75 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:06,120 And someone has 76 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:10,600 I want to say complained cuz I figure that's about as what it 77 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:13,520 boils down to. But anyway, someone has brought it to the attention of the 78 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:20,120 comptroller. And the comptroller has frozen the 79 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:24,720 program until he can review it. Uh Tari sent them a they 80 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:31,800 a letter of explanation. They came back wanting more information 81 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:36,080 and Tari provided that and we we keep hoping that that'll that 82 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:41,360 that'll settle the issue and he'll unfreeze the project because they have 83 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:46,120 finished turn down the some more buildings and they're wanting to be 84 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:49,680 reimbursed. And we can't reimburse them and now they're getting aggravated cuz 85 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:54,520 we feel like they're being jerked around cuz they were promised reimbursement 86 00:06:51,919 --> 00:07:00,400 through through our grant process. Which requires us going through the 87 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:05,560 the IDB and uh it's annoying because we we base this on 88 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:10,240 how other places do it. The city of Oxford does it. Other cities do it. We 89 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:17,880 didn't reinvent the wheel. We went by TCA and we went by the and we even added 90 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:23,440 a step that's not required by TCA. We we added a review process by an outside 91 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:28,040 attorney, Jeff Green, who goes through everything and make sure that everything 92 00:07:25,919 --> 00:07:34,520 is where it needs to be before he signs off on it. That's a step that Tina 93 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:40,640 requested that that just added another level of review to it to make sure that 94 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:45,160 that everything was looked at repeatedly to make sure that everything was being 95 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:49,400 done the way it should be. So, I I don't know why somebody, you know, why do 96 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:52,960 people do anything, but somebody has grumbled to the comptroller about it and 97 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:58,240 uh want to know is that legal? And uh so, I 98 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:04,520 would have thought that it would just be a quick review and and move on, but so 99 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:09,600 far it has not been and that's actually what we were talking to Faison about 100 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:14,400 Thursday was trying to get him. He talks all the time about how tight he is with 101 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:19,320 the comptroller. Uh could he put a good word in with us for us down there and 102 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:24,200 see what they need to speed that process up so we can get these people paid. And 103 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:27,520 he said he would and we've heard nothing. Uh 104 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:30,640 where's Gary? Have you heard anything? Uh we haven't 105 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:35,000 spoken this afternoon. Have you heard anything this today this afternoon? I I 106 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:41,240 have. So, that's that's where we are. Uh but 107 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:44,760 uh you know, Terry reviewed the process. We looked at it like I say, we looked at 108 00:08:42,719 --> 00:08:49,320 what other cities were doing. We talked to Jeff Green about it. We we did our 109 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:53,920 due diligence before we brought it to you all and got it approved. And we 110 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:59,400 followed like I say, we followed the the guidelines right down the line, even 111 00:08:55,960 --> 00:09:02,400 added steps. So, I'm confident that they'll 112 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:06,760 let it go at some point, but I don't know why they're just dragging it out 113 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:11,760 cuz it's it's been nearly a uh a week now since they froze it. It may 114 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:15,240 have been a week. Now, I actually >> been at least a week. I I replied to 115 00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:17,440 them Yeah, cuz that was on Monday you sent that letter. the first letter 116 00:09:16,839 --> 00:09:21,960 Monday. >> Yeah. And then they came back and then I 117 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:26,680 replied to them Thursday afternoon of last week. Yeah, 118 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,800 it was Monday last week you sent the letter. 119 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:32,000 » Yeah. Cuz we got and that means we got 120 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:36,960 contacted the prior week. So, it's been nearly 2 weeks. 121 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:41,000 So, I don't know the know, I don't know. But, you know, stuff works I've said 122 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:45,600 this I don't know how many times. Stuff works everywhere else, but it won't work 123 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:50,080 here. You know, I I never I never cease ceases to amaze me and I never 124 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:54,240 understand it. Why it is you can take something that's been done dozens of 125 00:09:51,720 --> 00:10:00,000 times somewhere else and here it gets stymied somehow. 126 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:05,640 The only other thing that I have is uh today 127 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:09,000 uh I had an occasion to have to suspend an employee. 128 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:12,640 And um uh 129 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:17,840 it as happenstance would have it, I just had this gentleman in my office on 130 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:22,400 Thursday last week and counseled him on his attitude. 131 00:10:19,680 --> 00:10:27,800 And then lo and behold, on Friday evening a citizen comes in and complains 132 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:32,200 about his attitude after I had just spoken to him about it 133 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:36,800 the day before. So, 134 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:41,160 he was one of Bains' guys and so I asked Bain to do an investigation into it and 135 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:43,680 he did and he come back with the with a report. 136 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:50,880 And and the the guy admits that that yeah, 137 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:56,760 he was he wasn't feeling good and and so he he was exhibiting a bad attitude. 138 00:10:53,960 --> 00:11:01,760 Now, the the key part of that was uh 139 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:07,680 the gentleman at the residence asking for his name. 140 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:12,640 And he told him, "Don't worry about it." And and I had a real problem with that. 141 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:17,480 You know, in the general orders of the police department, it's plainly spelled 142 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:22,600 out in there that if any citizen asks for your name or your badge number, you 143 00:11:20,560 --> 00:11:28,040 must provide that. And uh I thought having dealt with the 144 00:11:25,839 --> 00:11:31,480 the the general orders for so many years, I thought that was in the 145 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:36,840 personnel policy. But, it was not spelled out in the 146 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:42,360 personnel policy. It does talk about having a bad attitude and being rude to 147 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:46,160 citizens and that kind of jazz. So, I I used that as a justification for my 148 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:50,240 action. But what I would like to do, if you all 149 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:55,440 don't have a problem with it, and that's why I just got it on the on my part to 150 00:11:52,400 --> 00:12:00,280 discuss tonight, and I will if if you all don't have a problem with it, I'm 151 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:06,280 going to put it on the agenda in April. But I would like to add to the personnel 152 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:12,680 policy that if any citizen ask you for your name, you must provide it. 153 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:17,800 Because I just think that's that's not an unfair question. 154 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:21,760 If if you're on duty and you're you're doing something and good or bad 155 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:26,280 and they say, you know, "What What's your name?" You know, it don't need to 156 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:31,240 be, "Don't worry about it." You know, what what hurt is it What does 157 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:36,520 it hurt to say, "Well, I'm James Finch." And you know, and so 158 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:40,240 I I don't know, you know, like I say, we always at the police department, we had 159 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:44,560 to provide our name. That was You didn't have way out of it. And uh 160 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:49,920 And it's still I mean, it's like what I did today, I was justified by that other 161 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:54,000 statute in the in the personnel policy, but I'd like for that to be clearly 162 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:56,920 spelled out that and I can make that just my rule. 163 00:12:55,640 --> 00:13:01,680 But and and I've explained that. That is my 164 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:05,600 rule. If you're asked your name, you need to provide it. But I would like to 165 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:10,680 spell that out in the personnel policy. If you all don't have a problem with 166 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:15,400 that, I will bring that back in April and ask for an amendment to add that to 167 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:19,080 the personnel policy. Are Are all y'all okay with that? All right. 168 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:23,560 I appreciate that. And I will I will have that on the agenda. That's why I 169 00:13:21,560 --> 00:13:25,360 put put my firefighters when I was there. That's why I put their name on 170 00:13:24,839 --> 00:13:29,040 their shirt. >> Right. They won't say it. Yeah, well, 171 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:35,640 that's why, you know, I got mine right there. You know, when we do on the on 172 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:38,720 the everybody's shirt, we put the some of them just their first name. It's not 173 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:45,560 their whole name. But, uh you know, we do allow some to 174 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:49,320 wear uh if they wear those uh reflective or 175 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:53,280 uh neon yellow shirts, some of them they they'll wear ones they bought theirself 176 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:58,280 and it doesn't have their name on it. And he he he wears them he he wears the 177 00:13:56,040 --> 00:14:01,880 ones he has that don't have the name on it. And that may be something I need to 178 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:05,920 look at, too. Cuz I thought everybody was wearing the the shirts with the 179 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:09,280 names on them that we provide. I didn't know that we were people were still kind 180 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:13,760 of slipping through the cracks that was wearing their own shirts. Cuz that's 181 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:17,240 what we do. We put everybody's name on them. But he was wearing one he had it 182 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:20,600 on today when I called him in the office. Not the same one, probably, but 183 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:24,160 similar. And uh he's, you know, cuz I mentioned 184 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:27,360 that, and you know, when he said, "Well, I I wear my own shirt and it don't have 185 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:31,120 my name on it." So, uh I may need to address that with 186 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:35,160 the department heads next week at the department head meeting. 187 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:39,600 But I appreciate it and uh and I'll have that on the agenda next month. Now, 188 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:43,200 and I don't want to get too deep off into it cuz that's it and I promised to 189 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:46,520 be brief. But um 190 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:49,400 this gentleman's and I'm I'm not going to name him. If y'all want to know, I'll 191 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:52,920 tell you after the meeting. Uh no need to embarrass him or his 192 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:57,839 family. But his dad also works for the city. And his 193 00:14:56,000 --> 00:15:03,240 dad, I don't know what he went home and told his dad, but his dad is complaining 194 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:07,360 that he was disciplined for defending himself against a dog. 195 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:13,200 That had nothing to do with what he got disciplined for. Now, he was 196 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:16,920 fussing about the guy's dog. It's why the guy asked him 197 00:15:14,839 --> 00:15:22,240 what was, you know, what's your name? And I told him plain in the meeting 198 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:26,560 today with with HR and with Ben, this has nothing to do with the dog. You 199 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:31,280 know, you got a right to defend yourself if a dog's coming at you barking, you 200 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:34,600 know. He put a trash can between him and the dog and threatened to hit the dog or 201 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:39,080 something. But, it was about not identifying 202 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:44,040 himself. And I told him that very clearly. But, his dad is saying, "Well, 203 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:47,760 you know, the city uh disciplined him because he was just 204 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:52,240 defending himself against the dog and he don't think that's right." That is in 205 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:56,800 case you get a phone call about it. That And I told him plain and Ben can attest 206 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:59,840 to this and Missy can, too. I said, "This has nothing to do with the 207 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:04,360 dog. This has everything to do with not 208 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:06,720 identifying yourself when they ask your name." 209 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:12,640 So, that's it, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. 210 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,640 Any other questions? 211 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:18,720 All right. Next item on the agenda is appointment of boards, commissions, and 212 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:22,720 committees. Uh item A is consideration of 213 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:26,960 reappointment to the Beer Board, Mr. Derek Whitson, 214 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:33,240 who has indicated that he is willing to be reappointed. And in my capacity as 215 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:38,240 mayor, I I will uh reappoint Mr. Whitson to that position. 216 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,240 Any questions? 217 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:44,680 Hearing none, item B, discussion of appointment to Cocke 218 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:48,839 County Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region, Alderwoman Luella Ottinger's 219 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:53,000 term. And I've already spoken to Miss Ottinger 220 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:59,360 and she is willing to be uh reappointed to that position. So, 221 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,360 any questions? 222 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:08,079 Reports from committees, members of the council, or other officers. 223 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:12,040 Does anyone have anything? Council? 224 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:17,040 Okay. Item eight is old unfinished old 225 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:23,240 business or unfinished business. Item A is consideration of the second 226 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:23,240 reading of ordinance number 26-01, 227 00:17:23,439 --> 00:17:28,800 budget amendment for the city of Newport. And mayor, I'll read the 228 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:32,520 caption of that ordinance. It's ordinance number 2026-01, 229 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:38,640 and the ordinance of amending the annual operating budget and capital improvement 230 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:42,560 of the city of Newport, Tennessee, fiscal year 2025-2026. 231 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:52,800 Can we do the roll call, please? Have a motion yet? I'll make a motion to 232 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:57,760 make a motion. I'll second. Okay. Uh roll call, please. Alderman 233 00:17:55,200 --> 00:18:04,840 Alderman Mike Hansel Yes. Alderman Randy Reagan Yes. Vice Mayor Connie Ball Yes. 234 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:09,040 Motion carried. Thank you. Item nine is new business. It's 235 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:13,800 consideration of resolution number 2026-05 236 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:18,080 to annex certain territory upon written consent of the owners and to incorporate 237 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:23,400 the same within the boundaries of the city of Newport, Tennessee, property 238 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:28,320 located off Rankin Road owned by further described as tax map 047-147-02. 239 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:36,680 Alderman Um 240 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:40,640 Yeah, this is um the lot we discussed 241 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:44,000 that's been vetted and the um 242 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:47,920 uh plan of services in front of you there. 243 00:18:46,120 --> 00:18:51,680 So, it's adjacent to the city. We're not going out and grabbing anything that'd 244 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:56,440 be tough to service. It's and it's earmarked for uh housing 245 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:56,440 development. 246 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:04,400 And it has been requested by the owners. Yes, yeah, it is a requested annexation. 247 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:08,720 Any questions? 248 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:14,760 Okay. You've heard the presentation. What's the board's pleasure? 249 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,640 Motion to approve. Second. 250 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:22,720 You have a motion on the board there to approve consideration of resolution 251 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:26,440 number 2026-05 to annex certain territory upon written 252 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:30,520 consent of the owners and to incorporate the same within the boundaries of the 253 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:37,480 city of Newport, Tennessee. Property located off Rankin Road owned by further 254 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:37,480 described as tax map 047-147 255 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:44,800 .02. It has been properly seconded. Please 256 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:50,840 signify your acceptance by I. I. Nays have like sign. 257 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:56,920 Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you. Item B is consideration of authorizing 258 00:19:53,520 --> 00:20:00,880 the Newport Fire Department applying for Tennessee Highway Safety Grant. 259 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:03,640 Yes, we're going to apply for it. We applied last year, didn't get it, so 260 00:20:02,360 --> 00:20:07,240 we're going to try to do it again this year. Let's see if we can get it for 261 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:11,600 $12,000. And it'll be buying extrication 262 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:15,880 equipment, some other things for for accidents and stuff along the highway, 263 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:21,120 stuff like that, and some flashlights and different things for visibility. 264 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:24,640 Okay. It is a 265 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:28,600 100% reimbursement, so we buy it and then they they pay us back if we win the 266 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:31,080 the certain thing. Heard presentation. What's the board's 267 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,840 pleasure? Motion to 268 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:37,240 approve. Second. 269 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:40,880 You have a motion on the board there to for consideration of authorizing Newport 270 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:44,560 Fire Department applying for Tennessee Highway Safety Grant has been properly 271 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:49,640 seconded. Please signify your acceptance by I. 272 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:56,120 Nays have like sign. Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you. 273 00:20:53,040 --> 00:21:01,280 Item C is consideration of authorizing the Newport Farmers Market applying for 274 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:05,760 the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Grant. Hello. 275 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:11,680 The Farmers Market would like to ask to apply for the annual grant. This is for 276 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:15,160 supplies and advertisement, but this year we have two locations because 277 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:21,000 Wednesdays we're going to be at the police department parking lot. So 278 00:21:17,120 --> 00:21:26,040 therefore we're eligible for two $3,000 and so that's what we're asking for to 279 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:26,040 apply for both of them. 280 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:31,640 Okay, heard the presentation. What's the board's pleasure? 281 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:36,240 Motion to approve. Second. Okay, we have a motion on the board 282 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:39,880 to uh for consideration of authorizing the Newport Farmers Market applying for 283 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:45,800 the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Grant has been properly seconded. Please 284 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:50,600 signify your acceptance by I. I. May I have like sign? 285 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:53,320 And hearing none, motion carries. Good luck. 286 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:58,040 Thank you. There's more. Item D is consideration of 287 00:21:55,720 --> 00:22:00,920 authorizing food trucks for the Newport Farmers Market. 288 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:04,080 Okay, this was my idea. 289 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:09,680 Uh where we're going to be down there Wednesdays to get more foot traffic 290 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:16,320 downtown through the week. I would like to ask to be able to put 291 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:19,720 food trucks up and I have a policy there uh 292 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:23,640 and I had it reviewed by MTAS and Terry and James and Tina. Everybody looked at 293 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:28,280 it. Uh they have to go by all the 294 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:33,400 state of Tennessee regulations. The food trucks will be there Wednesdays 295 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:37,280 only and we're only going to allow two. We're not going to allow the whole 296 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:42,960 parking lot only two on one Wednesday, you know, every Wednesday if we can get 297 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:42,960 them and hopefully they'll be local. 298 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:48,640 Okay, heard the presentation. What's the board's pleasure? Motion to approve. 299 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:52,360 Second. Okay, we have a motion in for for 300 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:57,240 consideration of authorizing food trucks for the Newport Farmers Market. It has 301 00:22:54,840 --> 00:23:01,920 been properly seconded. Please signify your acceptance by I. I. 302 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:08,800 May I have like sign? Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you. 303 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:13,400 Item E, is consideration of request to sign a contract with McGill and 304 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:19,240 Associates for engineering and architect services for parks and recreation. Yes, 305 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:23,680 we we did a request for qualifications seeking professional in engineering and 306 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:27,800 landscape architect services. Uh as you know that we have the 307 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:32,480 governor's recovery money and also we have an an RTP grant which 308 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:37,560 recreation trails grant that'll be presented to us soon. So, we're asking 309 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:43,320 for us to enter into a contract with McGill and Associates to begin the 310 00:23:39,680 --> 00:23:47,280 planning and design of of the projects that we have in place which will be the 311 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:51,640 uh park to float and the two new properties 312 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:57,000 that we have that are joined there. So, we're asking to enter into a contract 313 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:57,000 before their services. 314 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:04,600 And the amount of that contract is I want to say that 315 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,040 Yes. Okay. 316 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,840 I'll let you make that. >> Okay. 317 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:15,360 Okay, you've heard the presentation then. What's the board's pleasure? 318 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:20,240 I'll move. Second. 319 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:23,920 All right, we have a motion on the board then 320 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:28,400 uh for consideration of request to sign a contract with McGill and Associates 321 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:32,560 for engineering and architect services for parks and rec. 322 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:35,560 It has been properly seconded. Please signify your acceptance by eye. 323 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:39,720 Eye. Nays light side. 324 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:42,240 Hearing none, motion carries. Thank you, Council. 325 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:48,760 Item uh 10, bids, purchases and expenses. 326 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:53,640 Item A is consideration of bids for repair of the outdoor pool at Newport 327 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:58,280 City Park. Right. Uh we had solicited bids for the 328 00:24:56,440 --> 00:25:02,400 repairing the vinyl uh liner that is inside our pool and of 329 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:06,720 course with that 330 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:09,080 when we reviewed and looked at it the cracks 331 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:12,680 uh that were the 332 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:17,400 the it it's a complicated system and we do a 333 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:22,560 good job managing it is the cracks in the pool liner and the 334 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:29,120 outdoor facility remains so that we can keep it functional we're looking at 335 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:36,440 repairing it from the slide up to the end of the kiddie pool and of course 336 00:25:32,120 --> 00:25:36,440 that bid came in at $19,792.90 337 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:45,240 but there is a factor there that we would like to ask for 338 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:49,640 for up to $25,000 for the project in case there's some 339 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:53,360 incidences that we're not expecting in that repair of that pool. 340 00:25:52,360 --> 00:25:57,280 Okay. Okay. At the presentation what's the 341 00:25:55,400 --> 00:26:00,680 pleasure please? Motion to approve. Money's there. 342 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:04,760 Money's there. Motion. You have a motion. Second. We 343 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:08,360 have a second. For 344 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:12,680 consideration of request to sign a con- No, I'm sorry. Consideration of bid 345 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:16,320 for repair of outdoor pool in Newport City Park. 346 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:22,080 It has been properly seconded. We need a roll call please. Alderman Mike Hensley. 347 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:26,720 Yes. Alderman Randy Reagan. Yes. Vice Mayor Connie Ball. Yes. 348 00:26:25,120 --> 00:26:31,720 Motion carries. Thank you Council. 349 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:36,560 And item 11 is comments from citizens. 350 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:41,640 Is there anyone here that wishes to speak? 351 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:41,640 I do. I was going to speak. 352 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:49,640 Hey guys, thanks for having me. I'm Bree Hogan with Isaiah 117 House. So I am 353 00:26:48,160 --> 00:26:54,400 coming today to request that you all consider us in 354 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:57,800 your budget for 2026. Um, if you're not familiar with what we 355 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:02,920 do, we are changing the way that foster care begins. So, when kiddos are removed 356 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:07,280 from their home by the department, um, instead of going to the state office or 357 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:11,000 the police department or the gas station or wherever it may be, um, they come to 358 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:14,880 the home that we have right here in the city, um, and they stay with us for up 359 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:18,200 to 3 days while we provide all of their necessities and everything that they 360 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:22,120 need, um, in order to be set up for success when they go to their foster 361 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:26,480 home. So, I know you all will be reviewing it in April, um, but I did 362 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:31,440 bring you guys a request letter and if there are any questions, I'll be glad to 363 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:35,960 answer. Um, there are currently 77 kids in custody right now in Cobb County. So, 364 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:40,960 it is definitely a need for our house to be there and be open. So, we appreciate 365 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:40,960 your consideration. 366 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:49,680 Uh, Tina, thanks for letting you wait there. I think we need a 367 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:54,480 a copy of the budget and some instant and all the 368 00:27:52,160 --> 00:28:01,000 other things. And I already said that. She has provided everything. Okay. All 369 00:27:56,680 --> 00:28:01,000 right. Great program. Yes. 370 00:28:03,320 --> 00:28:08,840 Are there any other Anyone else wishing to be heard today? 371 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:16,920 Going once. Go big red. 372 00:28:17,120 --> 00:28:22,120 Okay. I'll make a motion to 373 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:25,680 I'll make a motion to Motion to we all adjourn.