City Council - Regular Meeting

OK, I'd like to call the Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting June 2nd, 2026 to order. Sorry about the little delay. I know we've had a some traffic. I mean travel delays and other sickness. So thanks everyone for being here. Mary Lee, will you call the roll?

Yes, sir. Slagle. Powers. Acre here. Turner here. Fire Robin here.

Welcome and thank you for attending. There are three opportunities to speak on matters of city business this evening. First, attendees are invited to speak regarding the two public hearing items. I'll announce when this opportunity is open. If your comments relate to the hearing, please speak during that time. Then we will also have another appearance of citizens. There was a sign-up sheet for that for the public hearings. You didn't There's no need to sign the sign-up sheet, but then for the appearance of citizens will be of any other matters that you would like to speak on concerning the city. I would now like to ask Mike Mains to lead us in our invocation and Councilwoman Aker to lead us in our Pledge of Allegiance.

Let's pray. Our Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for this opportunity tonight to just come and discuss the business of the city. We thank you for all the blessings that you continue to give Bristol, this beautiful place we live. We thank you for what you've created in Bristol and just everything regarding all those that serve our wonderful city. We thank you, Lord, for our country. We pray for those that are in need at this time. We pray that you'll be with them. We pray for those that are struggling with sickness and are in harm's way. Just be with them all. Lord, we also thank you for our staff and what they do each and every day, the hard work that they put in to make Bristol a special place to live. And, Lord, we thank you for our council and the decisions that they will be making, those that are critical as we move forward. Lastly, Lord, we thank you for our city manager, Kelly, and the jobs she's done here in Bristol, for the blessings she's given to us and the blessings that we will see to come. They're incredible, and we thank you for all the hard work that she's put in Be with her and her family as they move to Minnesota. And we just pray in your name that you'll be with us down the road. In Jesus' name, amen.

Now for the pledge.

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.

Are there any additions tonight?

There are not.

OK. We have one proclamation this evening. It's a proclamation for National Homeownership Month. Councilwoman Farah will read the proclamation. And Miss Regina Edwards, the Chief Executive Director of Bristol Housing, will accept the proclamation.

All right. Great. Whereas June 2026 marks the 23rd anniversary of the commitment and central role of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, that's HUD, including the Federal Housing Administration, FHA, in providing accessible, affordable, and equitable homeownership opportunities to Americans nationwide. And whereas throughout history, the history of our nation, homeownership has been central to the American way of life. Homeownership plays a critical role in strengthening families and communities. And for those reasons, our nation has long promoted home ownership. And whereas the federal government and the state of Tennessee are working aggressively to make home ownership more affordable and more accessible to ensure that the dream of home ownership is available to all Americans. The city of Bristol, Tennessee joins with the federal and state government in this mission. Now, therefore, the mayor of Bristol, Tennessee, hereby proclaims June 2026 as National Homeowner Month, the second day of June 2026.

Good evening. I'm Regina Edwards, CEO of Bristol Housing, and I was invited here this evening to accept this proclamation designating June 2026 as National Home Ownership Month. As you may know, Bristol Housing is the largest landlord in the city of Bristol, Tennessee, providing 354 subsidized housing apartments for the city's lower income residents. In addition to those apartments, Bristol Housing administers a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program that assists families with rental payments to private landlords. Approximately 100 of those families reside in the city limits of Bristol, Tennessee. The remaining 100 reside in the eastern end of Sullivan County. in october of 2000 three years before hud and fha made their commitment to affordable home ownership options hud added a home ownership option to its section 8 housing choice voucher program allowing participant participating families to use their voucher subsidy for mortgage payments rather than rental payments in 2007 bristol housing added the home ownership option to its section 8 housing choice voucher program since that time We've had 10 families, they have used their vouchers to purchase homes. That's remarkable, 10 families. It doesn't sound like a lot, but the conditions that these families come from, these are our lowest citizens, our lowest income citizens. They often have very low credit scores, a history of judgment for various debts owed, and would not be eligible for a conventional bank loan. However, a loan is necessary to purchase a home. I'm also here this evening, this evening representing Eastern 8 Community Development Corporation as a board member. Eastern 8 is the area CHODO, or the Community Housing Development Corporation, for the eight most eastern counties of Tennessee. Eastern 8 develops, rehabs, and manages affordable housing units through the use of home funds and other various grants. Eastern 8 also provides home ownership counseling, pre-purchase counseling for families desiring to purchase the home. In that capacity, Eastern 8 has partnered with Bristol Housing and our Section 8 homeownership program since its inception, providing the required pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education classes for families working towards homeownership. They have also built four homes for our homeownership families. Without their help and expertise, Bristol Housing would not have been successful in helping these 10 families and future families to achieve the goal of owning their own home. Thank you for joining in and designating June, 2026 as national home ownership month and recognizing the work Bristol housing and Eastern eight does to help our lowest income citizens achieve their goals.

Thank you. All right. Next we have one presentation, uh, Melissa Roberts, the executive director of the birth birthplace of country music. Museum is here to present the official 2026 Rhythm and Roots reunion poster.

Thank you, Mayor Turner. Uh, city council members, city staff and guests. Thank you for allowing me a few minutes this evening on behalf of the birthplace of country music. It is my absolute honor to present the official commemorative poster for the 25th anniversary of Bristol rhythm and roots reunion. For those who have not seen it yet, this beautiful piece was created by the acclaimed local artist Charles Vess. Charles' work has inspired audiences around the world and he's created, this will be number five for Bristol Rhythm and Roots reunion posters. So we're honored to have his artwork to help tell the story of this milestone year. And a lot of you may have seen, I was talking to some of you before, a lot of you may know that Charles has a special exhibit in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum right now, Charles Best, the Book of Ballads, which celebrates the rich storytelling traditions of Appalachia through his remarkable work. And what I love most about this poster is that it captures something that's really difficult to put into words. Yes, it's about music, but it's also about people. It's about neighbors gathering in the streets. It's about old friends reconnecting and new friendships being formed. It's about families dancing together, volunteers showing up year after year, local businesses in the background opening their doors, and visitors discovering Bristol for the very first time. For 25 years, Bristol Rhythm and Roots has been more than a festival. It has become part of who we are. Every September, our downtown transforms into something really magical. Music fills the streets, stories are shared, memories are made, and people are reminded why Bristol is such a special place to call home. This poster commemorates not just 25 years of music, but 25 years of community. As we celebrate this milestone, we're also looking ahead to another historic moment, the 100th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions in 2027. Together, these anniversaries remind us that Bristol's musical legacy isn't just something we preserve, it's something that we continue to create together. On behalf of the Birthplace of Country Music, thank you for your continued partnership and support. It is my pleasure to present this 25th anniversary Bristol Rhythm and Roots reunion commemorative poster to the city of Bristol, Tennessee, as a symbol of everything we've accomplished together and all that's still to come. Thank you.

While they're doing that, it's very important to remember who came before, and there's a lot of people who did. But sitting right here, I want to recognize David Shoemaker, who is a previous councilperson and mayor who was part of the beginnings of Rhythm and Roots. So just wanted to take a minute to think about the people who have worked on this over the years.

Okay, thank you. Next, we have our Board of Education report. And Dr. Tudor?

Good evening everyone. Just a few things for you this evening. Just wanted to congratulate our mighty Viking band. They participated in the Memorial Day parade last week. They did a phenomenal job if you didn't catch it. It was an amazing experience for them. They planned for it for a whole year and raised funds so that they could attend that and had a great experience. I would also like to wish our robotics team, our Tennessee High School robotics team, they're called the Marooned Mariners, so it's aquatics robotics, and they did so well in our local and regional competition that they were invited to the world competition, which happens to be in Newfoundland, Canada, in a couple of weeks. Currently raising funds so that they can also attend that competition this summer Just a couple of announcements Viking youth sports camps started last week. They're through this week as well You can check our website for dates and times summer school started yesterday We have about 400 rising kindergarteners through high schoolers attending summer school elementaries at Fairmount and then Tennessee middle school in Tennessee high school both have locations as well and Our free meal distribution started last week. That is every Thursday in June and July both. So there's eight Thursdays happening at Avoca from 3 to 6 p.m. for any child under the age of 18. Birth all the way up to 18 years old can come. They receive breakfast and lunch for seven days. We ran out of meals last week in 90 minutes. So there's... high demand it is first come first serve but we are prepared with more meals this week so hopefully we'll be able to meet more of that demand and then our book bus is back there's a schedule of the deliveries when they go around and visit all of our students in the summer the students get to it's a partnership with the Bristol Public Library the students get to keep a book for part of their home libraries and that runs all summer as well and then i'd just like to wish you best wishes kelly as you move back and it's been a pleasure working with you thank you you'll have any questions with me for me thank you so much you're welcome

All right. Next, we have two public hearings tonight. The first public hearing is an ordinance to amend the zoning map of Bristol, Tennessee, by designating certain property as PRD, planned residential, 1808 King College Road. Ross Peters, our interim community development and planning director, will present this item.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

And I'll open this public hearing. Thank you.

Good evening. Before you're on the screen, we have the public hearing information for the rezoning request located at 1808 King College Road. The property owner is Ms. Zadie. The applicant for this rezoning is Jerome Maloney with Ardent Development. The request that's been made is to rezone 132.536 acres of the 152 acre parcel there that's located on King College Road from R1A and R2 to PRD, which is our planned residential district zone. On March 23rd, 2026, our planning commission did vote to send a positive recommendation on this request to council. This may look familiar to you from the first reading there that we had a couple months ago. This is just a general overview of how the rezoning and development process works, specifically on a piece of property of this size. It's nice to have a little bit of a roadmap, if you will, to kind of show the process and how it lays out. Of course, that first step is the rezoning, which that is the step that we're in currently. Second step would be, once the property is rezoned or if it is rezoned, a preliminary plat would be submitted to staff to review, considering the impact and also construction and utilities and roads and any site work that may need to, may be, I'm sorry, may be needed to, to develop the property. Of course, third step would be, once it made it through the preliminary plat stages, would be a final plat. And then, of course, once that would be approved, then the project would come to a completion. This is just a quick summary of the PRD zone. Just a quick overview. Of course, it takes a minimum of 10 acres to be considered to be rezoned to PRD. The PRD, it has a little mix of residential types, of course, between single-family, two-family duplex, and some lot multifamily. And those, of course, are in different configurations of detached, semi-detached, and attached structures. And it does have a few odds and ends about the driveway connections. Also, open space requirements if a multifamily component is included. Before you is the map showing the location of this property up for rezoning. It is hatched in red. Just to point out a little bit of location, the existing home on the partial is highlighted in yellow, and the existing driveway that leads to that home is highlighted in blue. That leads out to King College Road. Again, this is a map showing the property as far as how the land use and future land use is. So as you can see, the map is predominantly kind of a yellow tint. Then that represents our low density residential to the to the upper right hand side. You see where Holston View Elementary is located. Of course, that would be institutional to the east or to the right of the screen shows a high density residential. there where the Hunter Hill section is and to the west or the left side of the screen shows a purple color, which would be kind of a medium density residential. This is just a breakdown of how the acreage and the zoning works. Like I mentioned before, The property is zoned R1A and R2 currently. R1A is obviously the dominant size of the zoning for the partial at approximately 144 acres. The R2 section of the property is currently around approximately 8 acres. This is again a map that was submitted by the developer showing a kind of a proposed layout of how the property may be developed. It's kind of broken into four different sections or four different areas that looks promising for development. There's also four smaller sections there in the green that is laid out as a future green space areas. And of course, the other point to make here is the 20 acres kind of in the yellow or gold color that shows around where the existing home is located, and that area is not part of the rezoning. Just a quick overview on the staff analysis. Of course, a rezoning of this size staff looks at many different things, including the transportation side, of course. As you know, the property is located there on King College Road. It also has road furniture along North Paperville Road, and also Forest Drive through a small section. And so all those streets are looked at and studied for potential downstream impacts, of course, and an impact study will be required upon the beginning of development. Also part of the staff analysis of course is the stormwater services. Obviously we want to make sure that all the stormwater that runs from the site stays on the site and is treated and or sit downstream in a safe manner. Also, electric service is studied from our Bristol, Tennessee essential services, and they have also been in contact and are looking at possibly needing a piece of property there to expand their services. Again, just a quick overview of the solid waste services. Staff has looked into that portion as well. And we're expecting somewhere between 600, 800 new residential waste carts that would be added at full development. And so we would look into how that would impact, of course, city services. Any added cost for equipment operations would need to be included in a CIP capital improvement program and funded through the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for anything that would need in addition to serve these. Just a quick overview of water and sanitary sewer service. Of course, a development of this size is going to need water and sewer available there. And so an impact study would be needed to look at the increased demand on our water system, including any of the pump stations or water storage tanks. And of course, the main thing is the developer would be responsible for any necessary infrastructure to service development. Public notification signs were placed on the property to announce this request. Of course, as as the last time we spoke about the adjacent property owners were notified by the request by letter. And we also received phone calls and questions and concerns as well. And then, of course, the public hearing ad was placed in the Kingsport Times News prior to the public hearing.

Okay.

uh as far as next steps uh as as you recall march 23rd was planning commission and made the recommendation uh first reading account at the council meeting passed at april 7th meeting and of course today is the public hearing secretary thank you is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak on this matter during the public hearing get to the podium and state your name

My name is David Winship. I live at 1005 Beachwood drive in King college park. I'm here to speak to you on the rezoning of Edmonds field and the other parcels of the Zadie property. This second reading is a legal formality. You've already made your decision to do this. I don't have the illusion of changing your decision. I just like to speak my mind on the subject. You're deciding on the basis of facts and figures, those presented by the developers, and some illusion which you have that if you build it, it'll come. I speak to you from my feelings, from my hearts, and from my life living in this neighborhood, which you've decided to sacrifice and destroy. You have decided to give the developer free rein to do this. I'd like to give you some historical context for your actions. Because you've not been here as long as I have. In the 1960s, Bristol City Councils decided to sacrifice the black neighborhood that was called Woodlawn. People who lived there were displaced and some housing was developed, including the cell block housing that now rises over Martin Luther King, June Boulevard. At that time, characterization of the neighborhood was as slums, and it was used as a justification. And this designation was based on density. At that time, the American housing dream was a house and a larger yard, so the subdivision developments predominated for the white residents. But justification is not justice. You're going in the reverse direction now on density. with the development of these cracker box houses and postage stamp size yards on the drawing boards. You've decided that some of this property will have affluent homes and some will have lower standard and somewhat lower priced homes for someone. The developers will be building houses that people want and can't afford and houses that people don't want and can't afford. This is the new context of affordable housing. So don't expect this to turn out like you expect development has started and stopped here before. You just don't remember cause you're not old enough.

Next.

Good evening. So this has been a fact finding kind of thing for me. I've not really been involved. Um, this does, but up against Hunter Hills where I've been for 25 years, um, I have more questions than I have comments like, you know, who's going to pay for this, like the tax increment funding. There was a statement by the developer. He said, is it, do you want it? Yes. If it's available. Will you do the project if you don't get it? No. OK, so what makes that so important? Do you guys ever go through Hunter Hills? Do you go down to Tulip Grove? There's a lot of cautionary tales instead of using something as a blueprint. I was opposed. I'm still opposed. But I think there's an opportunity here to kind of meet in the middle for everyone. I think people need new housing. I actually know a couple that live on Esther Street that can't get a street light because the city says they can't afford it. Well, they'll never be able to afford any of these units. And I guess that's fine, but they're young, they're in their twenties. And if I'm not mistaken, the mayor, you said, I really want the young people to stay here. Right. Can't even get them a street light. So why are we expanding? Are we that broke? I mean, there's so I, I, like I said, I have so many more questions. Um, I did find out like, um, the Arden group, they specialize in high density housing. Are we stuck to that, that it has to be high density? I mean, if I were the city and I were the developer, I would definitely say more is more, right? More is more. But I don't think that that works in this area necessarily. I think that there could be a compromise to where there's no hard feelings from the residents. Do any of you live out in that area by chance? No.

No one's going to be impacted. We didn't get your name. Can you tell us your name, please? Sorry.

Joanna Blankenship. Thank you.

And I live at Hunter Hills. Continue, sorry. That's OK. So being a resident, if this were happening in your neighborhood, it would go under my radar. I really wouldn't care because it's not going to impact me. We only pay attention to what's in front of us. But I'm not as opposed as I was before. We had a month to collect data and look and think, this might not be such a bad thing. But I think that it's really going to take communication and teamwork. like any good city should. Everyone wants to come here because it's cute. It's charming. Let's not Lorax through here and somebody come in and say, if I want a big city, I'll go over here or over here. I don't want to go to Bristol now. And part of me said, don't even speak today. Let them come through here and do whatever they want. Because when it's gone, it's gone. And no one will want to come here. Right? And that includes businesses. The Fox Meadows, it was publicly opposed and it passed. The industrial on 394, it was publicly opposed and it passed. I have no illusion that this will not pass. It's just I don't understand why R1 has to be PRD. Is it the topography? I'm not sure I understand that either. I'd like some kind of answer, like does it have to be PRD?

so during the public hearing we don't tend to respond okay right yeah and the planning commission meeting on it had lots and lots of information and i know not everybody got to be there but yeah so we can't answer everybody who comments okay okay um so i went back and i looked at chips time is up oh i'm sorry you've got but um go ahead and finish your

You can go ahead and finish your sentence. Thank you.

So I did go back and look, and from 2025 to 2026, my taxes increased 68%. I sure didn't get a 68% increase at my job. Like, we're all having to make sacrifices, and I'm sitting here thinking, man, if I have to fork out more to kind of help this, you know, we'll all do what we need to do. I love my city. I love living here. And I'm not fighting against this project, but I am fighting for what little piece of pie that I live on here. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Is there anyone else that would like to speak during this public hearing? Seeing none, this public hearing is closed. The second public hearing we have is a resolution adopting the 2026-27 action plan and approving submission of the consolidated plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to request CDBG grant funding and home funding in 2026-2027. Mr. Tyler Gillenwater will present.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members. So I'll take a few minutes to go over our 2026 annual action plan from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. And so this covers program year 2026 and city fiscal year 2027. So the annual action plan serves as a detailed roadmap for how the jurisdiction will utilize our CDBG funding for this year. It kind of hones in on one year versus the five-year consolidated plan. So Bristol is the lead entity for the home consortium, which means our plan also covers Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Virginia, us, Bristol, Tennessee, Sullivan County, Washington County, Tennessee, and Bluff City. So CDBG activities in the annual action plan must meet one of the three national objectives set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. So those three objectives are activities directly benefiting persons of low to moderate income, activities which aid in the elimination of slum and blight, and then activities designed to meet community development needs having a particular urgency. And so I would say the majority of what we fund is to benefit low to moderate income families and individuals. And the last thing, home activities in the annual action plan must be developed to create and preserve safe, decent and affordable housing. So this year, our CDBG program is expected to receive $182,000. 103,000 of that will go to our housing rehab and emergency repair. So that's to assist low-income individuals. We can assist housing rehab up to $40,000. And then our emergency repair, we assist up to $10,000 on that. We're going to put 15,000 on eligible code enforcement activities. We have 27,000 for our public service, which YWCA receives 25,000 for their child care center. And then Family Promise of Bristol, they have a place to be case management. They're expected to receive $2,400. Program admin is right at $36,000. We haven't put any in our demolition and clearance. It hasn't been used in a couple years, but we always carry over some money just in case it is needed. So we're going to carry over $10,000 there. We have 10,000 in projected program income and then approximate program carryover is right at 200,000. So that 200,000 at the bottom will then basically go right back into our rehab and emergency rehab. And then program income, we never really know how much we're going to get. So when we do these projects, we put a deed of trust. Usually it's a five-year deed of trust on it. And so if somebody was to sell during that affordability period, they would owe a certain percentage back. So we always put $10,000, but it can fluctuate a little less or a little more. So for the Northeast Tennessee Virginia Home Consortium funds, we are expected to receive $1,033,000 this year. So it's split out. We have to give 15% to CHOTO, and then the admin fees are split between us and First Tennessee Development District at 10%. And then the rest is they go to each jurisdiction. We actually meet on this with our home board, and they agree to the percentage split. And of that percentage split, we actually give each jurisdiction the opportunity to say if they want to put it in home ownership or rehab reconstruction. So that money will then get split between those two funding places. And then so we do have projected program carryover for the total consortium at $3 million. And then Bristol's portion is $380,000 in carryover.

and i'm happy to answer any questions we did run a public comment period from april fifteenth to may fifteenth i'm happy to is there anyone in attendance that would like to speak on this matter during this public hearing seen on this public hearing is closed next we have the appearance of citizens there was a sign up sheet out front of Anyone? Um, I have Mr Winship is on here. Were you signing up Mr Winship for the public hearing? Okay. And Mr Blankenship. Okay. Uh, so only live on here is Joe Goforth. Please step to the podium and um, state your name for the record. I'll just say on this, during this, our city manager will keep the comments to three minutes, and then our city attorney will keep the time. Thank you.

I'm Joe Goforth. I haven't really been to one of these meetings before, and so I'm not really sure how to address city council on the King College development. Is that appropriate? I have a question or two. Is this a good time?

That was during I mean during the public hearing was the time for for that and but if there's questions you have, then we'll take those questions, and then our city manager will forward those to the proper channel.

I appreciate the concerns that were presented tonight. This is my first meeting on that. I live close by in that area. And I was kind of surprised when it was presented that there was no discussion on the school impact there. and the little park area. And it just seems like that maybe that's been presented before. But the developer, the city council has to, I guess, tie that into how much that's going to impact the capabilities of that school to handle that population coming in. And what does that mean? Is there a new school possible to develop there? Has there been a discussion on the traffic pattern, traffic lights? And I know I saw how many more cars would be passing through there. But when is that going to be presented? And what's the time frame of this? And what's the stages of development? I haven't seen that presented. I was really surprised that wasn't presented tonight. It seems like that's a really important aspect to this whole education of the citizens in this area and the city of Bristol. Those are my main concerns when I was listening to the other presenters tonight. So I just thought I'd add that piece of information that maybe that's been asked and answered. But when would that even be presented? And is the city council considering all the impacts it's having on their educational system and how many kids are going to be coming into that school that's on the pod system?

If I may, all that has been addressed and is public. And the school system, we have it down to how many students are available at Holston View, Fairmount, Tennessee Middle School, and Tennessee High School. So all the studies have been done. And they should all be public record. OK.

thank you glad to have you yes thank you okay that was the only person that had signed up for appearance of citizen next we have we had no appointments Ordinances, we have six ordinances on first reading to consider tonight. First one is Ordinance 26-3, an ordinance adopting the annual budget and tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, ending June 30, 2027. Holly Barron, our Director of Finance, will present on this.

Good evening, Mayor and council members. An item for first reading denied is Ordinance 26-3 to appropriate the fiscal 27 budget. The fiscal 27 budget totals $194,404,660, reflecting a 25.8% increase. over the fiscal 26 budget. That does include $35 million in privately funded capital facilities expenditures. This budget continues all city programs and services as in the past, while making strategic capital investments to meet the future needs of the community. The municipal government portion totals $130,796,009, reflecting an increase of $35,635,830, or a 37.4% increase from the fiscal 26 budget. And again, that does include the $35 million in private funding for those facilities. The school system totals $63,608,651, reflecting an increase of $4,173,375, or 7% from the fiscal 26 budget. And the next slide is just a visual to show each of those funds and their expenditures. And you can see that the capital facilities fund does show that increase, including the expenditures for those privately funded projects. The next slide shows that included in the budget is funding for the Bristol Public Library at $1,194,540. And that's broken down on the slide, including the main library, the Avoca branch, the adult learning lab, and insurance on the Avoca branch. And the Avoca branch is funded entirely by the city of Bristol, Tennessee, and the other programs are jointly funded with the city of Bristol, Virginia. And the next slide will show the Bristol City Schools contribution from the city. Total funding is budgeted at $5,110,061, and that includes the operating transfer, the same as it was last year, includes the amount for debt service for the AP exams and insurance on school buildings. And this draft budget does not include that $250,000 for capital expenditures. That would be this ordinance for first reading.

Okay. Are there any questions from council? Is there a motion to take action on ordinance 26 dash three motion to approve? And I'll second that we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

Um, just want to thank everybody for working really, really hard on this budget. Our staff did our council did, um, to try to, um, work on it. Thanks also to the school system for working with us on the, on their part of it. So we appreciate that also. Um, I really appreciate the presentation. We had a work session by the Davenport, um, consulting that helped us to understand how. using some borrowing and bonds is a good fiscal management to do that. So we'll be looking closely at how we can manage some things by increasing our debt, which is still very, very reasonable for a city our size, and how that can help us move forward. So I thought that was a really excellent presentation and analysis and greatly appreciate that being brought to us. So that's going to help us, we think, in the future. And also know we project out years. So it's not just this year that we look at. We look at projected out for where things land. So it's a lot of really looking at everything. And certainly each department works really hard on their own budgets to be sure they're most efficiently done. So really appreciate it.

Mary Lee.

Acred yes Turner yes fire Robin yes.

OK, next we have ordinance 26 dash for amending the appropriation of funds of budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 and this friend you will present again.

Okay, tonight, again on first reading, is Ordinance 26-4, and that is to amend the Fiscal 26 budget that is ending here in just a few weeks. And if you'll note, there is an addition on this reading or in the ordinance itself, sorry, from what was posted on the agenda to what is included in this ordinance. We have added the general purpose school fund and the school capital projects funds on that as well. And that does not include, that does not affect any city contributions in any way. so on this amendment we need to amend the chapter 420 fund the drug fund the grant fund the solid waste fund and again the general purpose school fund and school capital projects to those amounts and we need to amend transfers from the drug fund to from the general fund to the drug fund from the general fund to the capital equipment fund and from the general fund to the capital facilities fund to make sure those transfers along with what is happening

Are there any questions from council?

Yeah. So, Holly, if you can just for my reminder, but everybody here too, first off that this is just lining everything up from this past year. And so, it's how close did we get to our budget that we budgeted and making sure that all that's ready for auditing later. Can you talk about the Chapter 420 fund? Just be sure that people know what that is and how that works for a second.

Okay, that's a special revenue fund. It accounts for the additional sales tax the city receives and pays out on the border region project over at the Pinnacle Development. And so all the money received comes into this fund, and then it goes out as well. And it needs to be amended because we underestimated how much we got in. So we paid out more than what we budgeted, so we need to amend to make sure that we're in line for the fiscal year end.

So we paid out more than we budgeted to pay out, or we received more?

We received more than we expected. Sorry. And therefore, we paid out more than we expected to pay out. So therefore, we need to amend.

Gotcha. And with that, we get a percentage of the sales tax, and the schools get a percentage of that sales tax. Not through us, but from the top. Right.

This money represents part of the development agreements that are paid out to the various entities. Gotcha. According to that agreement.

Great. Thank you.

Is there a motion to take action on Ordinance 26-4?

Motion to approve. And I'll second that.

Motion is second. Further discussion? Mary Lee?

Akers? Yes. Turner? Yes. Farroban? Yes.

All right, next we have Ordinance 26-5, an ordinance to amend the zoning map of Bristol, Tennessee, but designate certain property as R2, single family, and duplex residential. Multiple addresses on Reed Road. Ross Peters, we'll...

Present. Yes, thank you. This, for you, is the first reading, as you said. The property owner's applicants include Michael, Kimberly, Barnett, Eric Klein, Francisco Carmelio, Danny Johnson, Bethany Stout, Scott Thomas. The request is for the rezoning of the six partials there that lie on the north side and south side of Reed Road. And those are six parcels that are included, are approximately 1.52 acres. The rezoning request is from R1A, which is our single family residential, to R2, which is our single family and duplex zone. On May 18th, the Planning Commission did vote to send a positive recommendation to Council. This is just a quick summary overview of the R2 zone, and so this chart represents some of the metrics that we use for the R2 zoning, including building setbacks for the zone, minimum lot areas, and density as well. this is a map showing the partial and surrounding land use there again a lot similar to the map that we saw earlier this evening the yellow or the vanilla color represents the low density residential zoning and that's that's what's predominantly around the area there of the rezoning request to the south you do see a kind of a red or maroon color and that does represent a b1a uh zoning which is our limited business institutional zone there on the corner of king college and also to the east there is some r3 which is our multifamily there to the right or of the screen to the east This is a land use map showing the future land use. So again, the yellow is showing that low density residential. The red hatched to the bottom of the screen is showing that neighborhood commercial zoning. And to the blue to the west would be showing the property there owned by King University, so the institutional. Staff analysis, again, approximately about 1.52 acres is the rezoning request that we're looking at. Of course, like we spoke, R1A zoning, it's located northeast and west of the subject area. And to the south, of course, is the B1A. Public water sanitary sewer is available through the city there. The analysis showed that the surrounding properties were consistently zoned with their current land use and the future land use map indicates the area will be developed as the low density residential. So staff analysis concludes that rezoning would be appropriate considering five of the six lots are currently non-conforming in lot size and going from the R1A zone to the R2 would bring five of those six into conformance. Public notification. Signs were placed on the property and also property owners were notified by a letter. We did receive comment letters back. Two in favor and six against the request. And of course, if the proposed ordinance is approved on the first reading, the public hearing will be scheduled for the July City Council meeting moving forward. Of course, a planning commission recommendation. This item was heard at the May 18th, 2026 meeting, and again, it was voted to send a favorable recommendation to council. Next steps, again, just like the previous rezoning that was shown, just showing kind of a timeline and how the rezoning process works with the planning commission recommendation. Of course, today is the first reading meeting for city council, and then in the future, second reading public hearing July 7th. Okay.

Any questions for Mr. Peters? Do I have a motion to take action on 26-5?

Motion to approve. Second for Ordinance 26-5.

Motion and second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee?

Acord? Yes. Turner? Yes. Fire Robin? Yes.

All right, next we have Ordinance 26-6 of banding a portion of an alley located between Nob Hill Drive and West Cedar Street. Mr. Peters will present again.

Yes, thanks again. Before you is the first reading for the partial portion of the alley abandonment request. The property owners that made this request are Ms. Virginia Wright and Michael Thomas. The request, of course, is to abandon the portion shown on the map there hatched in red, which would be the eastern portion of this unimproved alleyway between Nob Hill Drive and West Cedar Street. Planning Commission did hear this request at their May 18th meeting and did send an unfavorable recommendation to council. These are just some photos showing the location of this unimproved alley. So as you can see, the top photo to the left is showing where the alley is located, where the white fence and the red vehicle is sitting. To the bottom right-hand corner, the photo is showing a location there about center ways where the trees and some of the undergrowth have developed there in the location of where the alley would be. These two photos, so the top photo to the left shows one of the sanitary sewer manholes because the sanitary sewer service for these lots does run through the alleyway. And the bottom right-hand corner is showing the opposite end of the alley that is being used there that is graveled from the West Cedar South. Staff analysis shows zoning as far as it resides within the R2 district as the seven partials in which the right-of-way would be absorbed or the right-of-way to be abandoned. The zoning of the proposed abandonment aligns with that of the neighboring partials. We look into terrain as part of our analysis. um and so the proposed right-of-way abandonment encompasses portion of an open and unnamed alley only depicted on the map so the right-of-way proposed for abandonment is also inaccessible to the public due to the presence of the trees in the middle of the abandonment as that one photo showed We also look at the infrastructure assets, improvements such as streets or hydrants or sidewalks or any other physical improvements that may be located there and owned and maintained by the city, and those are not present. The platted alley itself is unnamed. It's shown on subdivision plat, the Holston Hill subdivision that was actually recorded in 1948. and the city does not have plans at this time to improve upon that proposed right-of-way abandonment. Utilities are also looked at. Like I mentioned earlier, there is a sanitary sewer service line that lies within that portion that's proposed for closure. Again, public notification. In this case, adjacent property owners were notified of the request by letter. Two comment letters were received back in favor of the abandonment and eight were received against. And of course, again, if the proposed ordinance is approved on the first reading, a public hearing will be scheduled for the July City Council meeting. Again, planning commission recommendation was to send an unfavorable, send an unfavorable recommendation from the May 18th meeting. And I did find the top of there. Yeah. Again, next steps to showing that planning commission meeting from the May 18th, first council, first reading meeting is tonight, June 2nd. And of course July 7th. Okay.

yes this is a reminder if there's no motion or a second then the resolution or ordinance will die for lack of action um is there any questions for mr peters yes so um so we understand i think we got a grant to do an alley study is that correct and do you know the timeline on that yet or

time frame for doing that study?

Yes, roughly. So, yes, the city has received a grant from TDOT to perform a an alley study. And so we are in the process at the moment securing that study. It looks like as of right now, it'll probably take about a year to complete. And once we get that completed and get those results back, we'll have a little better analysis of our allies that are improved, the ones that are unimproved and how we can move forward to make those better in the future.

Um, so I, I believe with that study pending and also unfavorable responses for change in So just clarifying whether we don't act on it or whether we should accept the unfavorable recommendation, which would involve a motion to approve that. Anyway, give us some guidance for the best way to move forward.

It's either of having a motion, and then we will vote on it. If there is a motion, if there's a second, then we would vote. And if there is no motion, then it would die a lack of action.

That's correct. OK. So I know sometimes we want to vote something down instead of leaving it. So that's good.

So is there a motion to take action on Ordinance 26-6? Okay, with no motion, then that ordinance fails due to lack of action. So next we have, and Mr. Peters, I guess. Ordinance 26-7, ordinance abanding a portion of an alley located between Hill Street and Wilson Avenue.

Yes, thank you again. So yes, up for consideration, we've had a request for abandonment of a portion of the alleyway. The property owner, Stephen Schumacher, has made that request. And like spoken, the abandoned portion of the alley is between Hill Street and Wilson Avenue. If you look really close, that small portion is highlighted in red and hatched in red that the request is part of. May 18th, Planning Commission voted to send an unfavorable recommendation for this. These are some photos of the area. The top left shows where the alleyway would be that crosses the parking lot there, shown hatched in red. And the bottom right is the portion that is open and being used on the opposite end of this alleyway. staff analysis again like before on the previous abandonment request. We did look at look at the zoning in the area. The proposed extent of the alley abandonment is within our B3 zoning district and the two partials in which the right of way would be incorporated back into if the abandonment is approved that the zoning of the proposed abandonment area is consistent with that of those adjoining properties. Of course, the terrain is looked at once again. And so the right of way for that abandonment is currently a paved parking lot, as you saw in that previous photo. The infrastructure assets, again, we looked to see if the city owned any public infrastructure assets like spoken about before. And, of course, there are none, as you saw in those photos. And the city has no plans to further improve this right away. The utilities are also looked at to ensure that abandonment does not require any utility access for any existing infrastructure in that right-of-way. And of course, a part of these abandonment requests, we do send out to all the local utilities to confirm if they have infrastructure there located. If the abandonment does proceed, we would probably be asking for a public utility easement to remain there in that portion just to be able to access what utilities are still there. Public notification, adjacent property owners were notified of the request by letter with two comment letters received in favor of that abandonment and none against. And, of course, if the proposed ordinance is approved in the first reading, a public hearing will be scheduled for the July City Council.

Okay. And as I understand it with this, there's one thing that is different with this particular one of, same property owner on each side of this alley and i think a lot of a lot of times people don't understand the fact of on these alley abandonments that if you have a 15 foot wide alley it's the adjoining property owners each one gets seven and a half foot which could prevent someone else on down the alley of accessing their property which i believe in the last case that we had, that was part of that. Um, this would not hamper anyone of getting to any of their property. This is the other part of the alley is still there. It's only this and it's the same property owner. Correct. Okay. Yes. All right. Is there any further questions for Mr. Peters on this? And do I have a motion to take action on ordinance 26 dash seven? I'll make a motion. Okay, go ahead.

Motion to approve ordinance 26-7.

I'll second.

And I'm going to vote no. I think it is different from the last one, but I really would like to see that outlay study to be sure that there's not a reason for future development or whatever for the doubt.

We have a motion and a second. There's no further discussion. Then Mary Lee.

Akard. Yes. Turner.

Yes.

Farrell. No.

So that ordinance fails two to one. Next, we have ordinance 26-8, an ordinance authorizing Bristol to accept partial payments and prepayment on property taxes. City Attorney Danielle Smith will present this item.

Thank you, Mayor. Just for some background on this, as council's aware and some of the general public may be aware, there are a lot of tax appeals going on right now. A lot of them have been brought by larger commercial entities, and some of these tax appeals go back several years as these are settled some of the settlement or as these are adjudicated in favor of the taxpayer the amounts that are owed to the taxpayers can be substantial we have one at this point that amounts to almost seven hundred thousand dollars that is owing to the taxpayer from the city legislation was passed this spring that allows the taxpayer and local governments such as the city to enter into a settlement agreement where the city can refund the um the amounts that are owed to the taxpayer over time with up to 10 years. To enter into those settlement agreements, the taxpayer has to agree to forego future interest and penalty on that amount. And the taxpayer also, the city has to have a policy of being able to accept prepayments or partial payments of taxes because the refund basically functions as a prepayment. By statute, the city is allowed to adopt such a policy if it's ordinance says that it can, and if it has the necessary administrative and operational capabilities to accept those prepayments. So the ordinance that's before you would allow the city to accept partial or prepayments under very limited circumstances. those circumstances being when there is actually a settlement, such as the one that we're hopefully going to be entering into with large taxpayer, where the city will be refunding an amount over $500,000 to the taxpayer over the course of the settlement period. So this is not extending that right to partial payment or prepayment to all taxpayers because we just don't have the capability to accept those partial payments at this time. but I understand that finance is working on it.

Any questions for Ms. Smith? Is there a motion to take action on Ordinance 26-8?

Motion to approve Ordinance 26-8. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee?

Aker? Yes. Turner? Yes. Fire Robin? Yes.

All right, next we have ordinance 26-2 to amend the zoning map of Bristol, Tennessee by designating certain property as PRD plan residential at 1808 King College Road. This item was presented earlier by Mr. Peters during the public hearing section, and I guess are there any questions for Mr. Peters on this matter? Do I have a motion to approve ordinance 26-2?

Motion to approve ordinance 26-2. Second.

have a motion a second any further discussion um yeah for first off just explain and since there are only three of us here tonight and it's with five people that we represent if if there's one no vote then um it does not pass correct that's true you need an affirmative vote of three members of council to pass anything right so just wanted to explain that's what happened previously for um So anyway, I'm going to vote in favor of this and wanted just to say why. What I understand is the current zoning without us doing anything can end up with about the same number, some less, but a similar number. So we wouldn't have to take any action, and a development could happen on this land, and I understand it's beautiful land. and it's in people's backyards, et cetera, but that is, the property owner has that ability to do that with the current zoning. I'm assuming that's correct. Yes. Also that I do, all the studies have not been completed but they will be completed and some of those you don't do until you're ready because then somebody may not follow through and you've spent a lot of time and money on doing a study. So we do have some, we have done school, as Councilwoman Akers said. But some of those others will do, and it may change what the actual number to agree. The other part that I like is with the planned residential district is involvement with the planning commission. And Ross, do you feel like you could explain what that means for the planning commission to be involved with a planned residential?

Yes. So the PRD zoning is a little unique compared to some of our other residential zones. And the fact that that our planning commission does have a voice in and how that development will move forward. It's things such as like the periphery boundary around the partial. They can place some restrictions like that around the partial.

So things will come to the planning commission. So attending those meetings from public to be able to continue offer input some things they can have input some things that um that they may not be able to have input that that's granted by the zoning but um anyway so i'm going to vote in favor also just the planning commission meets on the third monday at five yes at the annex city annex which is next to the courthouse all right

We have a motion and a second. Mary Lee?

Yes, sir. Aker? Yes. Turner?

Yes.

Far Robin? Yes.

All right. We have five resolutions this evening. The first is Resolution 26-63, Adopting a Community Development Block Grant Action Plan. This item was presented by Mr. Gillenwater during the public hearing session. And are there any questions for Mr. Gillenwater? Do I have a motion to approve Resolution 26-63?

Motion to approve Resolution 26-63. I have a motion.

I have a second.

Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

Just thinking work on this and also are people who came before us going to speak? People who came before us had the foresight to form the home organization, which is beneficial to everybody. The ones that Tyler mentioned for the Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Bluff City, Bristol, Virginia, it brings in more dollars to our region for housing. So we're appreciative not only of our community development block grant funds, but also what the home consortium does, too. And thank you for putting together the plan.

Mary Lee?

Acord?

Yes. Turner?

Yes.

Fire Robin? Yes.

All right, next we have Resolution 26-64, approving the renewal agreements with the members of the Northeast Tennessee Virginia Home Consortium. Mr. Gillenwater will also present on this item.

Thank you. I just have a couple things on this. So this is a requirement by HUD. We are required to do this every three years. So the renewal process helps us certify that all participating jurisdictions wish to continue in the home consortium. It also confirms us as the lead entity and allows us to receive the home funds directly and then administer on behalf of the other members and then I'll also I'll also add and I have already received all the other Renewal agreements from like Sullivan County Washington County.

So all of our participating jurisdictions Okay, great Do I have a motion to approve 26-64 I

Motion to approve Resolution 26-64. And a second.

Motion and a second. Mary Lee?

Acord? Yes. Turner? Yes. Siroppen? Yes.

All right. Next, we have Resolution 26-65, a resolution approving certain changes to the transit service and fares, services and fares. Melanie Fleener, our transit manager, will present.

Good evening, Mayor Turner, members of Council. There are multiple proposed changes to Bristol, Tennessee Transit service and fares before you this evening. The public was invited to comment on these proposed changes from April 13th, 2026 until May 13th, 2026. And we received several comments and suggestions from our riders and from the public. We are requesting approval of the following proposed changes to Bristol-Tennessee transit service hours, fares, and routes as recommended by staff to go into effect July 1, 2026. The first is the elimination of Saturday service for our paratransit and job access programs. Second, establishment of paratransit hours of service as 615 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to align with our fixed route service hours. The third is an increase in base fare to a dollar per trip across transit programs. That would be our fixed route, paratransit, and job access programs. An establishment of reduced fare of 50 cents per trip on the fixed route for seniors 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, military veterans, Medicare card holders, and Medicaid card holders. The reduced fare would not apply to the job access or paratransit trips. Staff recommends offering a monthly pass with unlimited rides on the fixed route for $20, offering 12-trip passes for $10, and eliminating the $0.10 transfer fee. And the fourth is the modification of the Penn-Hickory route to continue south on Tennessee Ernie Ford Parkway, State Route 394, and to turn onto Weaver Pike, which eliminates the portion of the route that intersects with a railroad-grade crossing on Industrial Drive. And if you have any questions about any of those, I'd be happy to try to answer them for you.

Is there a motion or are there any further questions for this one? Do I have a motion to approve Resolution 26-65?

I'll make a motion to approve Resolution 26-65. Second. I have a motion and a second.

Any further discussion? Mary Lee?

Akerd? Yes. Turner?

Yes.

Farrobin? Yes.

All right. Next is Resolution 26-66, a resolution appointing the mayor to the board of the Tri-Cities Airport Authority. Ms. Bourgeois, we'll sit and answer. We'll present.

Thank you, Mayor and Council. With my departure, that provides a vacancy for Bristol on the Tri-Cities Airport Authority board. And at the work session last week, Council discussed who should be appointed to that. And Mayor Turner, I think, got the honor of that. So before you deny, you have Resolution 26-66. That makes that formal.

TODD BANDUCCI. Any further discussion? Or is there a motion to approve Resolution 26-66? CHRISTIE WOOD.

Motion to approve 26-67. Nope, 26-66. Sorry. CHRISTIE WOOD. Second.

Motion in a second, I guess the two to one still falls in this.

You have to vote for yourself anyway. I'm going to say something. So I just want to say thank you for doing this. And I think it's probably a very interesting job, but it's also not just one meeting a month. There's other committees or parts. So, um, it is a big job to do that and we appreciate everything. that our city manager did with it. She's been part of the strategic planning team and I think a couple other committees.

Administration, economic development, and the board.

Yeah. So it's a lot. And we really appreciate our airport that we do have in our community. And I know a lot of people choose to go some other places when there's better choices on flights. But I encourage everybody to fly out. Fly, try whenever you can. so we can maintain flights from our community. And for everybody who's traveled to other places, going to Tri-Cities is so easy compared to so many other places. So we really appreciate having that. So thank you for doing that service for now.

Mary Lee?

Anchored? Yes. Turner?

Yes.

Fire Robin? Yes.

Okay, next we have resolution 26-67, a resolution appointing a interim city manager. I guess, Ms. Bourgeois, do you have anything to?

I don't really. Just I've got some comments to make at the end, but with my departure, there does need to be an interim before a permanent city manager is placed so there's someone to take care of the daily business.

Well, I would like to make a motion for resolution 26 dash 67 to appoint Mr. Brian Ramsey as the interim city manager. It was our director of public works.

So you made that motion. So you need a second, right? For 26 67. I'll make a second. Okay.

Any discussion on this?

I just want to say that for this interim position that it's really teamwork and we do have to have somebody in charge. And we know the teamwork under Ms. Bourgeois has really developed even further with what she's done working with the employees. So even though we're accepting assuming he accepts that we're appointing Brian Ramsey we're dependent on him to call on everybody to do their part and step up so it's not a burden too much to any one person so that if that's understood then I'm ready to make that appointment do we need Brian to say yes or no or nod his head yes

All right. We have a motion and a second Mary Lee.

Yes, sir. Acre. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire Robin. Yes.

Okay. Next we have our consent agenda.

All right. Consent tonight. We've got the minutes of the May 4th meeting, the minutes of the May 12th council called meeting minutes of the May 12th council work session, the minutes of the May 19th council called meeting the minutes of the May 19th council work session. the minutes of the May 26 City Council Work Session, approval of Resolution 26-68, authorizing entry into an MOU with Sullivan County for the City of Bristol for recycling collection, approval of Resolution 26-69, authorizing the purchase of annual software support for the police department with the CAD RMS system. Approval of Resolution 26-70, approving the application to the US Department of Homeland Security for funding under the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program for PPE. Approval of Resolution 26-71, authorizing an application for the federal and state transit funding assistance for years 2028 through 2031. Approval of Resolution 26-72, adopting the 2026 update to the Bristol-Tennessee Transit Agency Safety Plan approval of resolution 26-73, approving an agreement with First Tennessee Development District for administration of the North Tennessee Virginia Home Consortium Program, and approval of resolution 26-74, authorizing the purchase of two 2026 Chevy Equinox electric SUVs under the state contract for our codes enforcement staff.

Would any member of council like an item to remove from the consent agenda? Do I have a motion to approve?

Move to approve.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Mary Lee.

Anchored. Yes. Turner.

Yes.

Fire oven. Yes.

Next, we have our city manager's report.

Yes, thank you. So some housekeeping things. First, to confirm, we did have on our draft, on our budget schedule, that we would have a special called meeting for the public hearing and second read of the budget on June 16th at 6 p.m. just confirming that that will happen. We have to post a notice in the newspaper that has to go in tomorrow. And then we've got a number of upcoming events. It's that time of year, which is wonderful. We've got Cops and Bobbers this Saturday from 8 to 4 at Steel Creek Park. The Kickball League, Adult Kickball League, begins June 9th at Rotary Park. The Splash Pad Tuesdays will be held at Steel Creek Park through August. Those begin at 1.30 p.m. State Street farmers market is going it's great Saturdays 8 to noon Sounds of summer concert series actually started tonight on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 p.m. To 9 p.m We have the Tennessee high of Virginia high tire flip on June 12th down State Street border bash starts June 12th We've got the Bristol Bristol sessions nights. We had our first event last two weeks ago now two Fridays ago and At the Bristol Listening Room, the next one will be June 19th. Tickets are $27. They are limited. We are only selling 100 per night. That is the event that's one Friday per month leading up until the May festival. This June 19th is the Carter Family Legacy and Traditional Harmony. We'll have Eugene Wolfe with Ivy Shepherd, the White Top Mountain Band, and MC is Raymond McLean. Doors open at 6.30. The opening set is at 7.30, and you can go to BristolSessionsFestival.com to get tickets. Big Truck Day is coming up. That's on June 27th at 10 a.m. And our July 4th Centennial Celebration at Anderson Park will be a blast on the 4th. Star Spangled Parade at 5. The Centennial Celebration immediately follows, and then we've got a fireworks display at 10 p.m. And as was mentioned by Mike and a couple times tonight, this is my last council meeting. Tomorrow will be my last day here. So I just want to take a minute to thank the council, all of our Bristol team, and all of the wonderful supportive partners and community members that I've had the opportunity to work with or interact with while I've been in Bristol over these past three years. I've given my all to the team, the council, and the community, and I have to say I'm really, really proud of the work that we've done. And the incredible opportunities that are underway currently, I believe I'm leaving Bristol in a good place and on a great trajectory Putting Brian in the seat to follow I think was a great great move. I'm happy to see that. Thank you The current team of Bristol employees are absolutely top-notch and I will miss them all tremendously I wish you all the best and look forward to visiting seeing the fruits of our labor including The exciting things coming up the Aquatic Center the spring Bristol sessions festival the Shelby event space There's so many things going on and I'm so proud of that But with our four daughters and weddings coming up, I'm really looking forward to being back with family I have to say leaving Bristol is difficult but I'm happy with with how I'm leaving and I really truly am appreciative of our elected officials our citizens and certainly all of our staff and I look forward to coming back for ribbon cuttings and festivals and getting to see all of my friends that I have made here. So with that, thank you.

Thank you. Well, we'll just start with city council comments. I'll start off, uh, normally do not, but thank you, Kelly, for everything you've done since you've been here and we appreciate, everything you have done and wish you the best moving forward. I totally understand that family comes first, so we wish you the best and please do come back and see us here.

Okay, well, I'm gonna say mundane stuff first before I say, um, more but uh first mundane uh kim and cheryl harvey welcome that's mundane no sorry congratulations on your win we look forward to working with you so um and thank you all for attending our meetings y'all are um i could say regular fixtures just about so appreciate y'all keeping up with what we do and being able to know a little more about what's going on in bristol so Um, so you can take that to the Sullivan County commission. Thank you. Um, just wanted to thank Regina Edwards for everything she does. She still knew how long it hadn't been a year yet. It has been a year. Uh, we can't say she's new in her role. She was new in her role and now she's a old hat for doing her role. But, um, she's working real hard with Bristol housing, um, to make it the best it can be. And. Um, is great to work with and has a good board that we just appointed somebody last time, last session, I think anyway. Um, but appreciate what happens with our housing and, um, in Bristol and the partners that work together to, um, try to serve the people who need it. Um, health council met today and, um, um, Dr. Tudor and I are both on that and appreciate, um, having the opportunity to. be together at the health council and just wanted to mention that one of the priorities is pediatric dentistry. So if you're not aware that it's very difficult for our children to get good care and especially when they have major issues that a regular dentist has difficulty taking care of with a child. So that's something that is getting more attention and hopefully will improve. The other is we've set as a priority cardiac health, still the number one killer in Sullivan County, and doing an effort for hands-only CPR. So if you see an opportunity to, there's going to be a lot of opportunities around. So if you get an opportunity, take it. It doesn't take very long to have instruction on doing that hands-on. CPR and they're going to be at rhythm and roots and some of the other things around Hopefully could get to Slater Center also work with our fire department to an EMS with Sullivan County to be able to work on trying to get all All our Bristol citizens where they know how to do the hands-on CPR if not the full CPR training and Uh, yeah. And thank you, Dr. Tudor, uh, for the feeding the summer program. Um, we know we have, we do have a lot of opportunity for food in our community, but we also know there's still a lot of food insecurity and the program, I'm not sure how many years ago we started during COVID started feeding everybody. Um, and it's a lot of work for the school staff to do that. I assume it's also pretty rewarding for being able to see those families and those children and know that they've got, um, the help that, that they need to be able to, um, have food during the summer, something very basic. So anyway, I didn't, uh, write up stuff for Kelly. Um, I think it's been a very special time. with Kelly and I think that our I know our employees will have benefited greatly and thank you and Mary Lee for the work that y'all have done huge work and hopefully set the groundwork to continue those processes to really talk with employees what do they need to do the best job they can are their salaries where they need to be all the work that was done that hopefully will help to maintain and that that'll be ingrained in the process. Also, I would say I think fruits of our labor was mentioned, and I think that's really a good way to say it because I think at this time that you're leaving, we're barely seeing the beginning of the fruits of what? some of the seeds that you've planted that we're seeing come up like the sessions. That's also I was going to thank our staff for doing the sessions and getting that building ready to have music and understand it's pretty awesome. So I think you will and I do hope you come back to visit us. that we will see you here. I'm sure you've used Tri-Cities Airport a lot and know how to manage that. So just hop on a plane and come see us.

I'll confirm what you said about Tri-Cities. It is the best airport to go. Easy, easy to do.

Isn't it? Yep. So, yeah. So thank you.

I'll just say thank you, Kelly. I only had a year and a half with you, but we trudged through some mud during that year and a half, and we got through it, and I was happy to walk with you. You were steadfast, showed grace, dignity, and the dedication of your staff is truly remarkable. It says a lot about your character, who you are as a person, and I wish you the best. Thank you.

Alright, with that, we are adjourned.