City Council - Regular Meeting

for tonight, February the 10th, 2026. Please join me in a moment of silence. Please stand for the pledge of

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. All right. Uh, good evening and welcome to our meeting. Uh, as you can see, I am not Mayor Holmes, no matter how much we look alike. Um, the mayor is joining us via Zoom and you can see him on the screen there. Hello. Um, I'm going to go ahead first and open it up for the mayor's comments. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor Osborne. I appreciate that. Had a couple things just wanted to to say real quick. Can you guys hear me? All right.

Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to thank our public works team, our city staff, all our police and fire. We've had a lot of snow, a lot of weather the last couple weeks. They've done a fantastic job. Um they can only be in so many places at one time, but they were all in the city taking care of things. clear treating everything that they should be. They did a fantastic job. So, I want to just say thank you to them. Also, I want to say thank you to um our interim city manager Tam. She's been in Richmond legislators. I got to join her for some of those meetings, doing a fantastic job advocating for our city. It's good to to get in front of those folks and just tell our story and tell our case. So, I appreciate the work you've done there. And as um vice mayor mention, I can't be there in person tonight. I had a prescheduled work event before this meeting became as important as it did. Not that all meetings are important, but with the selection of a new council member, I'd much rather be there in person. So, I apologize for that. Um I'm in a I'm tucked away, but I'm in a somewhat public place. I may have to turn my camera off and move if things change. But I'll I'll try to I'll be on the entire time, but if I need to turn my camera off, know that I'm still here, too. But just wanted to toss that out there. I'll turn it back over to you, Vice Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh any other comments from the council.

Just wanted to reiterate uh what Mayor Holmes said about the snow and our public works team. Um when we got all the snow and the ice before that, I I've been in a lot of other localities and different parts of Virginia and Tennessee over the last little bit. And I had several people actually reach out to me that have said the roads in Bristol, Virginia were in way better condition afterwards than than some other surrounding localities. So really hats off to our public works folks and really everyone that was responding uh to the storm. Those public works folks that are out driving snow plows. Um you know, they're working all day and they're working all night. And uh we really appreciate them making sure that our our roads were were clear and and the city was still open for business. I can't I had similar u perspectives. Um I'm now working out of town. U not that far out, but enough where I work with a different mix of people than I used to. And uh there was a couple of times that there weren't many people in the office and most of the people who had who were in the office had difficulty getting there and I had no problem getting there. Um get uh making several miles of travel in the city to get to the interstate. U even though some of it some of them were not major roads, my road was clear, the other roads were clear. Uh, so our public works department has done a great job

and u I know that a lot of that has involved overtime. So I really appreciate them doing what it takes to keep uh our residents safe.

Thank you, Mr. Pard. Uh I'll say before we move on. So um obviously the uh the reason we're here and we'll talk about this a lot more later is is our vacancy on council and I just wanted to take a minute uh I was I was absent for the last meeting. when I was sick to talk about uh Becky Nave uh who resigned uh for job obligations and um I just think that we all uh should be very appreciative of uh former mayor Nave for the uh for the incredible commitment she had to the city and you know she's a she's a super smart super talented uh lady and the Commonwealth is very lucky to have her in the position that she's in uh and we miss having her on the council already. she uh she really was uh was quite an asset to us, you know, and her, you know, her whole family is lovely and uh glad she gets to spend some more time with them and not have to spend as much time looking at us all day. Uh so uh so we appreciate her service and here in a little while we'll get into uh discussing the replacement, but next item will be city manager comments from Miss Bradlin.

Thank you. I also would like to recognize the public works department for all their work keeping city streets clean and clear during the weather events. I think we had um three weekends in a row of weather related events that required them to come in outside of their normal job schedule and work and they did an amazing job keeping the city streets in excellent shape. So, thank you um public works department. Additionally, um, city departments are working together to implement a plan to open Fred Hayes Park in early March and it will be open with limited access and limited hours, but we are working internally to develop that plan and we will announce details as we get closer to March. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, now we will move to adoption of the agenda and I'm looking for a motion. Um, Mr. Osborne. I would like to move that we adopt the agenda with two additions. Uh we already have a close session on the agenda for uh appointments. I'd like to add a second close session to that that has to do with the discussion of acquisition of of real property. And then I'd also like to add an agenda item uh maybe we could say it's regular agenda item six. uh that has to do with the appointment of uh someone to the our regional improvement commission.

All right. Very good. So uh so we have a motion for the adoption of the agenda with those additions. Do we have a second? Second. All right. So we have a motion and a second. Clerk, please call the role. Barnum? Yes. Osborne? Yes. Pard? Yes. Holmes? Yes.

All right. Thank you. uh into the regular agenda. Item one, proclamation recognizing multiple sclerosis education and awareness month. Um just a moment here. I don't believe anyone has signed up for public comment, so I'll move into the staff report. Miss Bradley,

thank you, Vice Mayor. Multiple scleros sclerosis is a chronic often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The severity and symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from person to person. There is currently no cure for MS, but there are treatments that can help to control the condition and ease some symptoms. Research is ongoing to develop new and better ways to treat the disease with an attempt to achieve the goal of everyone living their lives free from the effects of MS. Um, and I'd like to add that Mike Martin, our solid waste administrator, is present here to receive the proclamation. And staff recommends that council approve the proclamation as presented recognizing multiple sclerosis education and awareness month. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. So um we are looking for a motion and a second on this proclamation. I move to accept the proclamation as presented. I'll second. Right. Motion from Mr. Pard, second from Mr. Farnum. Council discussion.

MS is one of those things that affects a lot of people in our community. A lot of people that you wouldn't realize that they have their lives impacted in such a way. Um one of those things that it's generally not considered a disability, but it could be considered that way because I mean these people have to push through just to get things done. Uh but a lot of them work regular jobs. Uh they have families to support and they do so with difficulty. And um we need to it it's good for us to recognize all of the efforts that they put forward during th this awareness month um and to support any research that may come across that may uh make their lives a little bit better.

All right, very good. Thank you. Uh hearing no further discussion, please call the role. Barnum, yes. Osborne, yes. Pard, yes. Holmes. Yes.

All right. Thank you. Uh, next is reading of the proclamation, which looks like it's me. All right. The city of Bristol, Virginia, a proclamation of multiple sclerosis education awareness month, March 2026. Whereas multiple sclerosis or MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that impacts more than 400,000 people in the United States, affecting twice as many women as men. And whereas MS can be mild or can cause individuals to lose their ability to write, speak, or walk. And whereas most individuals experience the first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40. And whereas the exact cause of MS is unknown and there is no cure, but there are treatments for initial attacks, medications, and therapies to improve symptoms and recently developed drugs to slow the worsening of the disease. And whereas the MS Alliance of Virginia, MSAV, provides programs and services for anyone in Virginia whose life has been affected by MS. And whereas through education, assistance, and support groups, special programs and events, and the dissemination of information, the MSAV provides a better informed general population and the means to improve the quality of life for those in Virginia with MS. And whereas the MSAB is a 100% volunteer organization formed to fill the needs of support groups, provide educational programs, activities, and events, and help others start upbeat groups in their communities. And whereas raising public awareness of MS will lead to increased support and services for families in our region impacted by the disease. Now therefore, be it resolved that Jake Holmes, mayor, and the city council of the city of Bristol, Virginia, do hereby recognize the month of March 2026 as multiple sclerosis education awareness month adopted this 10th day of February, 2026. I believe Mr. Maine is here and we'll come down here and we'll give you your proclamation.

Mr. Martin.

Mr. Martin, I'm sorry. Come on. All right. Uh, next item. Resolution to authorize the lease purchase financing of certain city equipment. No one signed up for public comment. Staff report from Miss Bradley. On September 9th, 2025, city council approved the award of a financing contract to Coent Bank for a new firet truck. A resolution for the financing of the fire truck was approved by council at the October 14th, 2025 meeting, which included language that allows the city to enter into negotiations with the successful financing entity, Coent Bank, for other financing items for a three-year period, beginning the date of that award. City Council's approval of the resolution authorizes the city to

utilize Coent Bank for the lease purchase financing of the new golf carts and staff recommends that council approve the resolution of the city council of the city of Bristol, Virginia authorizing the lease purchase financing of certain equipment. All right. Thank you very much. Uh we're looking for a motion and a second. Uh, I move that we approve the resolution uh authorizing the lease purchase financing as presented. Second. All right. Motion for Mr. Farnum, second for Mr. Pard. Council discussion.

If I understand correctly, these golf carts are generally uh covered uh maybe even more than just covered by fees uh associated with them. Is that still correct? Yes. So even though that the city is approving financing. It's not actually costing us anything. It's covered by the fees of the patrons of the golf course. Yes. Yes. 100%.

Since you did mention the the fees that the golf course collects, I did want to say, I mean, I think the staff out there, Casey and the whole staff, they do a great job at the golf course, not every city owns a golf course, and some people might ask why, but they do a great job. It's it's a really nice course and they've done several membership drives over the years and it's really busy out there. So, it it a lot of people enjoy it. I think it's a great thing that the city has.

I agree. There was uh there was a time I think when I first got elected that the golf course was consistently losing money every single year. And I think since 2019 or 2020 when you know we kind of rided that ship and and got those membership drives happening and gave Casey more control. You know it's it's either broke even or made money consistently. So you know it is a question about you know if the city shown a golf course but uh we own a golf course and we're going to run it correctly. And one of those things is replacing your capital equipment. So look forward to supporting this. I've been to some events at uh some different golf courses around. Um I don't golf myself, but sometimes various fundraisers and what have you are held at them. And I was surprised that our golf course I I'd been I'd been to Clear Creek, but I hadn't been to many other ones. And I was surprised to find that ours is maintained much better than most other golf courses that I've been to. I mean, not just the the course itself, but the facilities are just in much better shape and u that then attracts customers as with with any other uh business type uh venture and Casey's just done a great job over there.

Agree completely. All right. Uh hearing no further discussion, please call the RO. Barnum, yes. Osborne, yes. Yes. Holmes. Yes. All right. Next will be the reading of the resolution by caption only. Miss Stradlin. A resolution of the city council of the city of Bristol, Virginia authorizing the lease purchase financing of certain city equipment. Thank you very much. Uh, next item is approval of a contract with Axon Enterprises Incorporated. No one has signed up for public comment. Staff report.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. This agenda item is for the approval of a contract with Axon Enterprise Incorporated for the purchase of tasers and body cameras. Approval of this contract guarantees the quoted price for the new tasers and body cameras. Approval of this contract does not obligate or impact any funds during the FY26 budget year. This contract applies to funds in in the fiscal year 2027 budget year with an estimated contract starting date of September 1st, 2026. This contract replaces one that will expire in FY27. Staff recommends that council approve the contract with Axon Enterprise Incorporated as requested by the police department.

All right. Thank you. Uh looking for a motion and a second on this item. I move that we approve the contract with Axon Enterprise as presented. Second. All right. Motion from Mr. Farnum. Second from Mr. Pard. Council discussion.

Well, this is one of those things that doesn't pay for itself, but it's something that is needed. Uh the devices suffer wear and tear. Uh they have consumable components, batteries, and what have you. And they have to be replaced periodically. Uh they're expensive unfortunately, but they are a required part of doing business with a uh law enforcement agency. Um the tasers provide a relatively uh safe way, something that is technically non-lethal to be able to protect themselves and to take down someone who doesn't want to comply and to do so with minimal injury. Uh the then similarly the body cameras uh make sure that not only do our law enforcement officers do their job properly but as we've seen in some uh recent uh news uh cameras can show that uh exactly what happened and show that the person who assaulted them was in the wrong and that our officers were professional in every way. So, uh, yes, they're expensive, but they are a necessary part of doing business. Uh, Miss Bradlin, I do have a question. Um, can you explain? So, in the in the packet, um, the first payment is $126,000, then it jumps to 238 and 249 uh, in the following years. Can you explain the way that's set up? I think the intent for the first year was to keep it consistent with the previous payments and then there there is an escalation in costs and they just built it into the the

further out years to allow us time to increase the budget for that kind of backloaded it so we don't have the big as big a hit right up front. Yes.

Okay. just uh yeah, just to add, I think, you know, we get these items that come to us every so often and and I think maybe we all think anytime it's something that's for our first responders, for our police department, or or something for our fire department, if if it's something that that will allow our folks to do their job better and also keep them safe, uh it's obviously something that that we should be uh happy to be able to approve that we're in a position to provide these uh this equipment for So all right, thank you very much. Um, hearing no further discussion, please call the role. Barnum, yes. Osborne, yes.

Yes. Holmes, yes. All right. So before we move to the next item, point of clarification maybe for the clerk or for Councilman Farnum, you added an additional agenda item. Did you add it before the interview of council candidates or did you add it after? Originally I said after the interview with applicants, but if that's it should be a pretty quick and easy item. If we wanted to get it out of the way now, I would certainly be fine with that. Okay. So, we would need I think that'd be the preference. So, we would need a motion to move that agenda item up first.

Yes, just a motion to amend our agenda to to move that item that I added about the regional improvement commission appointment. to now before the city council applicants. Okay. So, that's his motion and that's the second. So, first we'll vote on that, then we'll Okay. Uh, so clerk, please call the role. Barnum, yes. Osborne, yes. Yes. Holmes, yes.

All right. Thank you. So, next item is appointment to a vacant seat on the regional improvement commission. Um, for background, do you have a staff report? I do not other than to say that the regional improvement commission will meet um this Thursday and um we do not have a um a representative on the commission and I think it's important that council um put put a representative on for Bristol on the commission.

So I'll add some background. Um, so the regional improvement commission obviously is the is the regional governing board that bills out uh gaming tax uh for the 14 localities in southwest Virginia who fall under the uh the terms of that legislation. Um previously uh our previous city manager, Mr. Eid, served as the representative on the regional improvement commission. Um I believe all of the other members of the regional improvement commission are the either city manager or county executive. Um so we need obviously and Bristol needs to have representation in in that in those discussions and those fights for that money. So we do have a vacancy. We do need an appointment and I will look for nominations.

Uh so my motion will be that we uh appoint or nominate Miss Tamara Sprdlin, our interim city manager to the regional improvement commission. Second. All right. So, we have a motion to appoint Miss Bradlin from Mr. Farnum and a second from Mr. Pard. Is there council discussion hearing? None. Please call the role. Farum. Yes. Osborne. Yes. Pard. Yes. Holmes. Yes.

All right. Very good. Okay. So, next item will be public interview of city council applicants. Um, basically what we're going to do, um, I'm going to run through some housekeeping and ground rules, but first I'm going to turn over to Mayor Holmes to talk for just a little bit, uh, about this.

Yes. Thank you, Governor Osborne. I appreciate that. Just a second. I had a few bullet points made. Um, I just wanted to thank those that process. Obviously, there's one spot. So, not everybody will will get the chance to serve on council through this. I just wanted to kind of set some some framework for what we're moving forward, what this process or not process entails, but kind of what council entails. So, obviously, Bristol is a unique situation. We have many challenges very very different than anything region. So, we have to learn how to to work well with others. That's not always been the case here in the city. We got to know how to not silo ourselves off and be able to work with our neighbors, but also um working with our state partners as well. We have a an administration in Richmond that's of a different party than our delegations. We've got to be able to work with and talk with both. And so I I'd encourage those that are considering this to really really consider that going forward. And then also we have to be an advocate for our citizens. citizens have been through a lot the last several years. We know those struggles. We've seen those struggles and we got to make sure when we come into council chambers, we we bring that with us and we understand that and we advocate for our folks. And then also as we're out in the community in Richmond, wherever we're advocating for our citizens and then along with that our city staff. We've got to support and empower our city staff. There's been some instances um last couple years where there's been some issues there. Um they are the backbone of the city. Um they we we set the policy as council, but they they do the work. They do the job. They they get things done. So we got to be respectful in how we interact with them and how we lead them and just make sure that we're looking out for them because um for us,

for those that are on council, this is not our full-time jobs. We have other livelihoods in this, but for our city staff, that is their livelihood. That is what they use to provide for their family. So, just make sure we're taking that into account as we make decisions at the city level. And I just I just want to round that out by saying um as I said, Bristol is very different. Um the way we do things here, it can't be the California way. It can't even be Bristol Tennessee way. It's got to be the Bristol, Virginia way. It's very, very unique. There's there's a board here that divides us. We've got to remember that going forward. And I just want to But I do feel like we should say this officially. This role is is not just not just for show, not just something to brag about. It's a job. It's it's putting in effort, putting in work. Um we need leaders who believe in doing that work, not just demanding attention. We're not just standing on the street corner yelling at the sky. Um we've got to we got too much on the line for us just to pass this off in that way. So no, no matter what happens in this process, no matter who is selected, I'd encourage everyone in in the hat there to find ways to serve. Some of you already serving planning commission, IDA, various roles like that, various organizations in the community, but don't let this be the final stop in this this quest because there's always there's always opportunities to serve this great community that we call. So, with that being said, I'll pass it back over to you last. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, uh, Mr. Holmes. So, you know, I'll say before we get into this, obviously, we I'm very excited. This is this is the third appointment process that uh that I've been through since I've served on the city council. Um and every time I'm always really impressed and really heartened by the people who apply, the people who have a passion to serve their city and find some way to do something good. Uh so it's it's always it always makes me feel good to see see people who want to step up and do something. uh which is is often a thankless job and uh it's paid but you're barely paid. Uh so you're you're almost doing this as a volunteer thing. So it's it's a big deal to look at the caliber of people who have applied and the quality of people who have applied know that these people have a passion to uh do something good for our city. So the way this is going to work uh here in a minute I'm going to read off the names of the applicants in the order that they applied. Um, what we'll do, we'll keep our first applicant in the room and we'll send everybody else out through uh through Angie who is our HR director. Um, and I'm going to read I'm going to read all the questions to everybody individually when we're interviewing them. Uh, it'll be the same set of questions that everybody gets. Uh, and you'll have a chance to answer and uh, and we'll go on to the next question. So, the applicants that we have and and as far as the crowd goes, one thing I'll tell everyone. Um, everybody's excited about finding a new council person. Um, this is a business meeting. Uh, so if you have a candidate that you're here supporting, by all means, when they're done, give them applause, give them hoots and hollers, whatever. But if possible during the questions, please do not because you know this is a job interview that that everybody gets to sit in on which is job

interview stressful enough. It's even more stressful if you have a crowd watching you. So please hold your uh hold your reactions or applause until the end. So the applicants we have are uh Jackie Noflin, Rebecca Reeves, Steven Gobble Jr. Brian Raznik, Kimberly Schaefer, and Alex Littleton. Uh, Miss Schaefer is not here tonight, so she'll be participating via Zoom. Everyone else is here. So, we'll go ahead and jump into it if everyone is ready, and I'll ask Miss Noflin to stay in here, and I'll ask the other candidates to follow Angie out that door. I'll give you all a minute to do that. All right, we're just gonna wait for Angie to uh to come back. So, everyone just hang tight with us here.

Everyone hang tight with us here. I think we're Are we looking for another applicant? Is that what we're doing?

We tracking down an additional applicant. Brian Rasnik. Um, Mr. Rasnic. Is he here? Brian Rasnik? No, I don't think he's here. Okay.

Okay. All right. So, in that case, we will go right into our first um candidate, which is Jackie Nolin. If you'll want to come on up to the to the podium I never knew that happened that it lowered down. We've moved up into the 21st century. I see that.

All right. So, uh, thank you for being here. I'm going to jump right in. It'll the questions will give you an opportunity to introduce yourself. So, I'll jump right into it. So, uh, question one, please tell us about yourself, including how long you've been a resident of Bristol and why do you want to be on the city council at this time? My name is Jackie Nofflin. I'm pastor of Household of Faith Community Church, founding builder there. Um I'm also on several boards um throughout the city, the IDA board which the uh council appointed me to. I'm on my second term there. Um I'm also on Faith in Action, Bristol Promise and different of that nature. I was uh running uh president for the Bristol Minister Alliance, first woman for four years straight. Uh which is a thing for ministers to allow to happen. Um I'm a resident of Bristol, lifetime. I left home after college. Uh I toured the world military, married military, was a dependent. Uh was never coming back to Bristol, but I ended up back in Bristol. Um and as we say, had a different plan for us. Um, the question is why do I want to uh be on council? You probably have asked me that before in the past and in the parking lot we've had the discussion. No, I don't want to be on counsel because I only get one vote and so my voice won't be heard. Um, and I said I raised my son Clyde Jr. U to take all of the leadership roles uh to uh fit into this. So my children are well equipped to be in civic duties and do things of that nature. I always thought that if I could just voice my opinion and and let it be heard that the concerns for this uh community, the concerns for the poor uh the

concerns of people like me uh that are uh physically challenged. But when last Tuesday or the Tuesday that uh woke up the next day after a city council meeting and I read where uh Miss Becky uh had was resigning, getting promoted. I was so proud of her. I'm always proud of women in leadership. But I was so proud of her for moving up. But something came over me that a door opened and that it's time. It's time to bring about a change. um uh know all of you all. I've worked with you all. We've had conversations in the parking lot. Uh I am who I am, who you see I am. I'm Jackie Nofflin. I'm a advocate for uh justice and for the people. Uh I'd like to see all of us prosper. Bristol, Virginia, a good place to live for all of us. what my ideas and plans are starting from exit 7 down to exit one entering in Bristol 81 going north and south. I have a plan. So, I'm not coming to you without an idea or a plan to bring about some changes. I want to be on this council so that I can help you uh bring better jobs in here. I can help you uh advocate and make sure that Bristol stays out of the red. And that is my primary reason I stand for the people.

All right. Very good. Thank you. I'm remind you all please hold your applause. Thank you. Uh number two, being on city council involves regular council meetings, called meetings, things like ribbon cutings and parades and other boards and committees that you will be on. Do you feel with your current schedule that you'll be able to commit the time needed for the remainder of this term that you'll be serving?

Good question. My current schedule involves everything that you just said. I'm usually at these uh uh events. Uh participate in the community. Um my schedule, uh like some of you up there, I work. I I'm a substitute teacher. Uh and so I get to choose and elect the days that I work. I own my own business. Thank goodness I have a daughter and a sister who can carry that on with me. Uh as far as my time is concerned, you can look at my IDA board uh attendance uh and and see that uh I have a good mark there as far as uh my attendance is concerned. I've noticed that when you have call meetings and things of that nature, you may not never know when uh but I'm in a position where I can make myself uh available. I said I'll never retire and yet um uh so that keeps me open in the public uh with different events and activities that's going on. That wouldn't be a problem.

Very good. Thank you. Uh question three. Bristol currently balances a significant debt load alongside the ongoing costs of landfill remediation. If the city faced a sudden revenue shortfall, would you prioritize cutting city services? and if so, which ones? Or would you support a tax increase to ensure our obligations are met to balance our budget?

Oh my goodness. Now, as far as management, I think that's what the question is consisted of. Uh would you go into uh salary and uh start to cut there and then you would have to look at management and see how could we do that? Uh you would look at the taxes. We've already been taxed. And when we tax higher, the people get more and more uh displeased with that. It will depend on what the numbers look like, which you know better than I do, which would be in the best interest of the city. Will we go and look for areas where we can curve? Will we look at the taxes where we can increase but but just maybe a little bit more? But whatever it is, we'd have to make a decision to cover that deficit. You know that uh on the a board, we have that uh uh 34 million uh dollar debt there and uh in order to meet those uh uh payments and so forth, you know, we have to work it out to where it works in the best of uh our community. So, that question is a heavy one. Um but I'd have to go along with what would be in the best interest of this community.

All right. Thank you very much. Uh question four. What is your vision for Bristol over the next three years?

My I'm sorry I get a little excited because I do have a plan. The vision for Bristol uh uh you know we have the casino there and it's always active and popular and and full and happening. But we have exit 7 uh not just because I live there but at one time it was very vibrant. it uh had a lot going on for it and then it sort of dwindled away. The businesses didn't survive. Uh I would like to see exit 7 uh uh uh plugged in to where there's something created there uh that would cause and generate more revenue, more people coming in. Those empty buildings need to be full of uh uh other business, small businesses. And between exit 7 and as I said exit one or the beginning of uh Bristol, the first city in the Commonwealth, I would like to see the small businesses uh encouraged or given some type of of of praise because if it wasn't for the small businesses, we wouldn't be able to survive. So, in order to increase revenue, in order to be successful, we have to fill some of these empty vacant uh buildings. And we have to bring on by being on the IDA board, uh I've learned that bringing on bringing in uh different uh organizations or different businesses going to have to be very strategically made so that we can build up from exit 7 on down. 81 runs south and north. I get my business from coming off of 81 just by people googling uh a wig store. So people may Google where's the best place to eat or something of that nature. We need to ignite exit 7 all the way down.

All righty. Thank you very much. Question five. We as a city, we as a city and as a community have regular need of volunteers. City council is one such opportunity as are the city's current needs with the transportation safety commission, board of zoning appeals, and other openings that come up routinely. Beyond these, we have organizations such as Appalachin Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristol Faith and Action, Bristol Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Communities and Schools, Crossroad Medical Mission, and many more. That's only a few of those starting with ABNC, not to mention the ministries in and through our local churches. How can we improve our volunteer mindset and attract volunteers/servant leaders into these many needs? The attraction comes from when you're doing something. The attraction comes when it has a purpose. And when you let the community know what the need is, you see people coming out of the woodworks for whichever area or direction uh that they want to give of their time. It's got to be worth their time and it's got to be meaningful to this city. I know as a volunteers, I always call myself a a professional volunteers is because whenever a need or something to that nature come to this area or to this city, we need people to fill in and to be available to volunteer. It has to have purpose and it has to have something that's going to give people the willing heart and mind that once they put their hands to the plow, they won't let go of it until the goal has been achieved. And when you look at the ministries, you can notice that the ministry is starting to increase as far as our homeless is concerned. You notice that people all around included in this room. Different organizations have already popped up wanting to help and

assist the city, the council with the homelessness and the need that people have and housing and things of that nature. These people are not being paid, but they giving their their time. You giving of your volunteer time as well as myself. All righty. Very good. Thank you. Uh, final question and if you want to tie this in to a closing argument, you can. Um, what would you say are the three greatest strengths of the city of Bristol, Virginia? And what would you say are three big biggest challenges we face? The greatest strength is that we're sitting on the line that with two states and so we're so close to where we can uh maneuver back and forth and enjoy uh both of the resources there. That's a good strength. But as far as Bristol is concerned, the people are greatest strength. People know when to come together. I don't care if it's something over uh national or whatever, but people do come together and they stay together and they pray together. Um, another strength that I see in Bristol is the leadership. U I've always commended uh our leadership. I won't let anyone talk about my city manager nor my councilman. I always tell them if you got something to say, say it to their face. But that's a strength that we have that uh is in our management and our leadership. and I would always be in support of what is done right pertaining to our leadership. And then what we have is all the other nonprofit organizations. I think that's a strength. Uh if I'm not mistaken, there's about 120 nonprofit here that we can rely on, that we can lean on and depend on um uh for help and support in the community.

you know, our weakness is um uh one of our weaknesses and I don't know if this would be the number one weakness is that when we communicate, we don't communicate in a uh language uh where everyone can comprehend. uh when we communicate what decisions we made or why we made the decisions. For instance, spilling a million dollars uh or offering a million dollars for a ball field thing. Uh once that information goes out, we don't come through and back up the reason why, how, when, and the people start to question. We don't have everyone doesn't have the newspaper. Everyone uh doesn't have access to online. Everyone is not getting it. And so it aggravates people and to where they want to throw, you know, throw back at you and hit back at you hard simply because they don't understand. Transparency uh ties in with that. Uh sometimes we don't know things until they actually happen. That could be because we don't want things to get out and get distorted be um um before the acts take place. For instance, if we was bringing in a new business, you may not want uh me to know that a new business is coming in until afterwards. But when I see a new business coming in and that our city has not promoted it, helped it, or told us about it that's coming in, that's a problem with me. One of the other things and it once concerned me personally and that's physical uh uh challenge uh that we have throughout this city. Now I'm one that advocates for that. It's been 25 years in this chair. 25 years in this chair and I can see and tell what around this city that people are waiting for someone to start

a big argument or or or a complaint on what's compliant. ADA appliance was in 1996, I believe, when that order was given. And still, even in this building, it is not ADA compliance. We must make that weakness a reality. And we must fix it. Not just for Jackie Noling, but for anyone else that wants to come and be in this position or for anyone else wants to tour this building. I think it's only fair and I think that it's only right. The people's got the right to say with the strength that we have that strength that we have right now behind us. We have the right to say it's time for a change. It is time for a change. What does it look like with Jackie Naughlin sitting up there with you? I bring to you more power, more strength, and more support than I believe than any other candidate that has applied. You may not think so, but I'm going to keep pushing till you realize that there has got to be a change in this city. I believe I can be that change.

Thank you very much. All right, that's the end of your questions. So, we appreciate it. Uh, you can obvious obviously you can stay for the rest of them. Uh, you don't have to if you don't want to, but obviously you can stay for the whole thing. I appreciate it and I appreciate the time.

Thank you. Um, so if uh Angie, if you would go and find the next person. Uh, Megan, if you could raise the podium back up.

Oh, Rick's Okay. evening.

All right, I'm going to let everybody in the crowd get uh get settled back where they are before we get going. We're all where we should be. All right. Uh welcome, Miss Reeves. Uh we appreciate you taking the time. So, what I'm going to do, I'm going to read you these six questions. Uh, don't worry about introducing yourself because the question will give you the opportunity to do that and the final question will give you an opportunity to to close out. So, jump right into it. Uh, question one, please tell us about yourself, including how long you've been a resident of Bristol and why do you want to be on the city council at this time.

First, good evening, gentlemen. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. My name is Rebecca Reeves. Um, I have been a Bristol, Virginia resident for close to seven years now. Um, and I am a homeowner and small business owner in Bristol, Virginia. Um, I uh I'm actively involved in our community through um the Bristol Public Library on the foundation board there currently. And then I also um coach through parks and rec um girls cheer. So um actively involved in our community already. Um and I'm known in our community being able to connect with people from all different um walks of life. So, I think that's something that I find very fascinating about Bristol, Virginia is the type of people that are here. Um, as far as my interest in council, um I genuinely love and care about this city. Bristol, as uh Mayor Holmes mentioned earlier, is a very unique and special place. Um and so I'm very excited and proud to be a resident here. I bring a practical and like real world perspective um as a small business owner and like working as a working parent. Um so I think that can be an asset to the council as far as my um ability um to know how to overcome and see those tasks. I have uh the unique ability to bridge the different groups in our community from business owners to families to members of our faith community and whatnot. Um and I value thoughtful leadership and fiscal responsibility um and leading with integrity um and listening before leading um and listening to the people of our community on what's best for long-term Bristol.

All right. Very good. I'll remind you if you want to tilt the microphone up some just there you go. All right. Thank you. Uh All right. Uh question two. Being on city council involves regular council meetings, called meetings, things like ribbon cutings and parades and other boards and committees that you will be on. Do you feel with your current schedule that you'll be able to commit the time needed for the remainder of this term that you'll be serving? Yes, actually that I think is one of my unique strong uh assets to this uh council because as a small business owner, I'm actually in complete control of my own schedule. Um so I'm able to adapt my own personal working schedule to the schedule of the council. Um I am intentional about the way I plan my calendars and by being able to plan ahead and make myself available for council and for the various boards that come along with that. I did take the time already to look at the boards that Becky is already a part of, but I believe if appointed would be taking over possibly with some, you know, variations in that, but did look at those meeting times already and was able to make sure that that would work well with my schedule and could make that work.

Very good. Thank you very much. Uh, all right. Question three. Bristol currently balances a significant debt load alongside the ongoing costs of landfill remediation. If the city faced a sudden revenue shortfall, would you prioritize cutting city services? And if so, which ones? Or would you support a tax increase to ensure our obligations are met to balance our budget? Well, uh, before considering any sort of service cuts or tax increases, um, I would want to do a audit of the budget to see if there's any like shortfalls or ways that we can identify any inefficiencies or redundancies within that budget. Um, exploring opportunities to restructure any city debt um, and adjust those interest rates would probably be more on the top of my list. I only treat like I would only want to treat tax increases as a last resort because I mean I recognize even as myself as a a working mother and homeowner and business owner, you know, things like that impact our families and our community. So, um I would remain open to like short-term solutions when needed, but again, keeping the fiscal responsibility of the long our long-term goals um in place. And as far as when it comes to um protecting or cutting essential service, protecting essential services is is very important. You know, our first responders and like I talked about our city works department earlier and what a wonderful job they did. That would make me hesitant to do so.

All righty. Uh question four. What is your vision for Bristol over the next three years? So, my vision for Bristol is a city that is fiscally stable, forwardinking, and accountable. A place where families want to stay and businesses want to invest more into our community. And where young people see opportunity, so young families want to come into Bristol or stay in Bristol and not leave for the larger cities. And I want a leadership that listens, collaborates, and makes thoughtful long-term decisions for our city.

Very good. Thank you. Uh, question five. We as a city and as a community have regular need of volunteers. City council is one such opportunity as are the city's current needs for the transportation safety commission, board of zoning appeals, and other openings that come up routinely. Beyond these, we have organizations such as Appalachin Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristol Faith and Action, Bristol Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Communities and Schools, Crossroads Medical Mission, and many more. That's only a few of those, starting with ABNC, not to mention the ministries in and through our local churches. How can we improve our volunteer mindset and attract volunteers leaders into these many needs?

Absolutely. So, um, as I said earlier, volunteering is already very important to me and it's something that's important to our community in order to have a successfully running city as we do. Um, I think working with our young people um, getting them more involved and opening up ability um, for them to see and serve on these boards would be great. Um, having incentivized programs for these students to come back to our community and serve our community, I think would be a great option. Um, order keep them here in Bristol. Um because that's what's going to serve and grow our community long term is having keeping younger families here and getting them involved with volunteering helps them feel more empowered and connected to our city.

All right, very good. Thank you. Uh question six, and you can tie in a closing statement with this if you want to. What would you say are the three greatest strengths of the city of Bristol, Virginia? And what would you say are the three biggest challenges we face?

Well, first the main biggest strength of Bristol is the people and the community here. Um we the the love that people have for Bristol. Um it always just fascinates me. It's it's really neat um to see um as far as the our marketability as a city. Um you know we have we're breakfast nature music. You know we've got the casino. We've got amazing like trails, things around here. And then we also have we're accessible um for business development along the east coast. So having tying that in I think is a real asset for Bristol and something that makes us a really marketable city. Um as well as like our new baseball project coming, which I think is really cool. Um and that will be awesome for the city as well. And I think that's just going to continue to grow and make a name for Bristol. And I'm really proud of what the city has accomplished even in the time that I've lived here. Um so that's a really beautiful thing to see. As far as our challenges, um I think balancing existing debt that the city has right now would u and long-term obligations. The current council has done a really good job about writing um the financial situation that Bristol faced a few years ago. So, I think continuing on that path um and getting that aligned to where we want to see for again the long-term future of Bristol um would be good. Uh and navigating continue to grow Bristol without losing its charm. Um, without losing what makes Bristol Bristol. Um, I think that's something that has we've done a great job of so far, but continuing to do that, um, can be a challenge. But again, um, and being able to support small businesses through incentives while maintaining our fiscal responsibility to the budget. Um, I think pouring more into our small businesses would, um, again, while still maintaining that fiscal balance can be a bit of a challenge. Um, but I think

working together on that, especially from my small business background and knowing what a lot of small businesses in our communities like need and desire from our city, um, I could be an asset in that way. Um, to wrap myself up, I guess as well, um, I've spent my adult life working with people from every background, belief system, and income level. I think that I offer a a level head perspective to different um different uh um battles that we have within our city um as far as like you know people coming from this perspective and this perspective and I think sometimes I I tend to be a little bit more neutral um on those things while still maintaining my desire to serve this city um in a way that's going to do well. The people are special. Um, so really taking the time to listen before leading and seeing what the citizens of this town truly desire.

Very good. Thank you so much. Thank you, gentlemen. Um, now obviously you can stay for the rest if you want to listen to everybody else. You don't have to. Okay. Thank you.

All right. Uh, if Angie will go and get our next person, Stephen Gobble. How's everybody in the crowd doing? Are we hanging in out there? Doing good. Yeah. Okay. All right. Can everybody hear me? Okay.

Yeah, we hear you. Give us just a second. Make sure everybody's back where they got to be here. Uh, okay. Uh, so welcome. Um, what I'm going to do is, uh, we're going to run through these questions. Uh, the first question will give you an introduce yourself. So, you can handle that there. And then the last question will give you an opportunity to close out. Um, and we'll jump right into it. Uh, question one, please tell us about yourself, including how long you've been a resident of Bristol and why do you want to be on the city council at this time?

I'm Stephen Goville Jr. I've been in city of Bristol for 18 years. However, my family roots traced back a lot longer than that. Uh, I want to be on city council to serve the people. That's why I ran for office last year and ran for previous offices before. The main thing is to serve the people. Uh, but it's Is there any other questions that you have?

Uh, well, yeah, but on that one, the part two was uh why do why do you want to be on the council at this time? People asked me last year uh even when I was running for commissioner revenue uh that if I didn't get the commissioner revenue position, would I entertain the uh thought of serving on city council? I said most definitely because a lot of the things that I wanted to do such as uh increasing uh advocating to increase elderly and disabled discounts and such items like that, a lot of those items going to have to go before the city council anyway. So, I was already planning on this year working with city council to increase a lot of those items. Uh people asked me earlier this year if I would consider running for city council this year and even already had in my mind that I was planning on running for city council and God did not give me the privilege to do it this year. Uh, and I always wondered, well, why? Because I feel like that's where the next step you're leading me. And he's like, timing is everything. Uh so next thing I knew a week later after I publicly made comment saying uh this year uh I plan on helping some other people get into the elections. Uh and unless things change, uh I plan on uh two years from now in the net seat running for election even though I respected both Becky Nave and Anthony Farnum. Uh I didn't know how exactly I was going to do that because I respected both of them. Uh respected the service that they held. Uh, and then the week later, Becky announced her, uh, retirement from the board. And as soon

as I heard that, uh, it was almost as if God spoke to me, uh, and said, "This is your time. Timing is everything." So, that's why I'm here before you right now asking, uh, to consider appointing me on the board. If not, two years from now, I plan on collecting signatures and plan on running for the city council position in two years.

All right, very good. Thank you. Uh, question two. Being on city council involves regular council meetings, called meetings, things like ribbon cutings and parades and other boards and committees that you will be on. Do you feel with your current schedule that you'll be able to commit the time needed for the remainder of this term that you'll be serving?

I am a very busy person. There's no doubt about that. However, the positions that I have, the jobs that I have, uh, allow me to create my own schedule. Uh, so that's a good thing uh, to be able to be be able to create your own schedule and make the time that you need to be on the boards. And like I've told other people before, city council, uh, if you want to do a metaphor, it's like an iceberg. Uh, what you what most people see is what's going on right now. the meetings on uh second and fourth Tuesdays. Uh that's what they see. Uh then every now and then they'll see the public uh committees uh public events, Christmas parades, and everything else. They don't realize that uh there's typically four or five other boards that uh they serve on uh as well while they're also talking to the public and trying to make sure that the uh decisions that they are making is the best decisions not just for the city but for the public. Uh so if I may use the analogy city council is like an iceberg. So, what you see here, that's not everything the city council does. And if if what you want to do is just uh have two meetings a year, two meetings a month, and that's it, I would advise somebody not to consider running for the position because there's a whole lot more than that. Very good. Thank you. All right. Uh, number three, Bristol currently balances a significant debt load alongside the ongoing costs of landfill remediation. If the city faced a sudden revenue shortfall, would you prioritize cutting city services? And if so, which ones? Or would you support a tax increase to ensure our obligations

are met to balance our budget?

Well, either way you go with that question, you're going to be a bad person. Uh but uh tax increases a lot of times are inevitable. They do happen. Uh but the question at hand is uh are we overstaffed or are we understaffed? Because if we're understaffed, we definitely don't need to cut any more personnel. Uh there's already a lot of places out there that's working with skeleton crews and that that's not a way to uh get everything done and complete everything. Uh because you need the manpower in order to get stuff done. It's just like the taxation office. If you cut hours in the taxation office, then things are not properly going to get taxed and assessed and all that and then therefore you're going to come out short long run on that end too. So if you cut staff, you're going to eventually cut taxes and you can't cut taxes because uh people have livelihoods and uh sometimes the inevitable is you will have to raise taxes. Very good. Thank you. Uh question four. What is your vision for Bristol over the next three years?

Growth. It's uh there's a lot of stuff that needs to be done. But I hope and plan that with all the stuff that's coming in, the businesses that's coming in, we have lost some of them, but there's a lot more that's behind behind the curtain that's moving in and have plans to move in. Uh, and just like everybody here still wants a fizzole off set. Uh so so uh there's the big thing is growth. Uh and we just need to make sure that we're making uh everything as we can't give away funds to encourage people to get here, but to be able to open the doors up and make it easier for p businesses to locate here. uh that will get a lot of uh that will open more doors for people to be attracted to the area as well. So uh it's it all falls under the line of growth. Very good. Thank you. Uh question five. We as a city and as a community have regular need of volunteers. City Council is one such opportunity as are the city's current needs with Transportation Safety Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other openings that come up routinely. Beyond these, we have organizations such as Appalachin Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristol Faith and Action, Bristol Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Communities and Schools, Crossroads Medical Mission, and many more. That's only a few of those starting with ABNC, not to mention the ministries in and through our local churches. How can we improve our volunteer mindset and attract volunteers servant leaders into these many needs?

Well, it's matter of making sure that people are aware of the importance of these issues and that they have the ability to uh volunteer in such issues. Uh there's a lot of people don't realize how many things are actually going on out there. Uh it's even if you put it on the website uh city website and all that. A lot of people they don't dig as far to see hey what is open what is coming open and uh basically it's just helping bring the awareness out and if you bring the awareness out bring the importance out of people actually having a voice and a say in the things uh that matter I believe that bringing the awareness out and the importance out will bring more people out. Very good. Thank you. Uh, question six, this is the final question, so if you want to answer it, then kind of tie in with a closing statement. Uh, what would you say are the three greatest strengths of the city of Bristol, Virginia? And what would you say are the three biggest challenges we face? The greatest strengths are the people. uh the uh the businesses that we have here, the people, the longevity of uh everybody who's uh I mean Bristol is a great place to live. Uh it can be better, but it's a great place to live. Uh and the weakness is we of course the biggest weakness we have is the uh landfill uh the information people have uh gotten about the landfill uh which gives a little bit of a bad reputation to go along with it.

Uh even as a uh as a realtor, one of the papers we still have to find fill out is making sure people are aware of the landfill. And whenever they get that, a lot of people see that paper, they don't want to uh they're like, "Okay, you got anywhere else?" There were I've sold a lot more places in Tennessee than I ever have in Virginia so far. Uh but it's uh it gives us a bad reputation just having that out there. Uh and I'm not sure what a good answer is for a third weakness because I believe in the people. I believe uh whether you're on one political party side or the other, I believe that if we all came together and we have city council members that represent us on all sides, not just one side or the other, we're going to make Bristol an even better place to live. And I just want to thank everybody for your time. Thank you for your consideration. Uh most importantly, just thank you everybody for listening to me ramble for the last 10 minutes or so and thank you for this opportunity. God bless you. Very good. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

All right. Obviously, you're free to stay if you need to or you can leave if you want to. Uh what we're going to do before our next uh applicant who is uh going to be with us via Zoom, we're going to take a fivem minute recess because we're all it's very hot in here and we're all looking a little bit tired. So let's take five minutes and we'll be right back. All right, we're back. Uh, thank you all for allowing us to take a little bit of a recess. Uh, our next candidate, uh, that's, uh, they'll be speaking with us is Kimberly Schaefer, and, uh, she's on Zoom, so we'll look for her somewhere. Can you all hear me?

Oh, there you are. Hello. Uh, we can hear you. Uh, so, welcome. So, what we're going to do, can you hear me? All right. I can. Yes. Okay. So, what we're going to do, uh, we're going to run through these questions. Uh, question one will give you an opportunity to introduce yourself and the final question will kind of give you an opportunity to to close out. Uh, so I'll go ahead and jump in if you're ready. Absolutely. All right. So, number one, please tell us about yourself, including how long you've been a resident of Bristol and why do you want to be on the city council at this time?

So, my name is Kim Schaefer. I've been a resident of Bristol for about three and a half years now. Um, I started serving the community of Bristol in a volunteer agency before I moved here for a year and a half before that. Um, I'd like to on the city council because I think I could help people. I've spent my professional career and my personal career volunteering and serving people in their most critical moments through EMS and my clinical research. It's helped create a view of our community, but also see the strengths and the gaps where they are. I've also gained a good understanding in leadership grounded in readiness and accountability, transparency, um, and ethical oversight, which I think is important. Um, yeah. So, I think that would that that answers that question. Very good. Thank you. Uh, question two. Being on city council involves regular council meetings, called meetings, things like ribbon cutings and parades, and other boards and committees that you will be on. Do you feel with your current schedule that you'll be able to commit the time needed for the remainder of this term that you'll be serving?

Yes, I do feel that I will be able to make the commitment for the time and the schedule. Unfortunately, today didn't work out um because I had prescheduled business trip.

Thank you. Uh, question three. Bristol currently balances a significant debt load alongside the ongoing cost of landfill remediation. If the city faced a sudden revenue shortfall, would you prioritize cutting city services? And if so, which ones? Or would you support a tax increase to ensure our obligations are met to balance our budget? I think it's a finicky balance to balance the needs of the city with the needs of the community and the citizens that live in it. I think it's easy to say from the outside theoretically what I do, but ultimately it requires a view of everything that's needed. um looking at those city services that could be short-term decreased um to not significantly increase the burden on the citizens.

Very good. Thank you. Uh question four, what is your vision for Bristol over the next three years?

I'd love to see Bristol grow, which I know is a very typical answer, but I think Bristol has a lot of great opportunity. I think it just needs to get that visibility and increase the traffic, which we've been able to do recently, but more so um also filling those gaps that we have, some of those gaps in emergency services um with the increasing onhouse population and different issues that we could solve quickly. Well, not quickly, but we could solve long term to help Bristol um set up for success.

All right. Thank you very much. Uh question number five. Question number five. We as a city and as a community have regular need of volunteers. City council is one such opportunity as are the city's current needs with the transportation safety commission and board of zoning appeals and other openings that come up routinely. Beyond these we have organizations such as Appalachin Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristol Faith and Action, Bristol Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Communities and Schools, Crossroads Medical Mission, and many more. That's only to name a few of those starting with ABNC, not to mention the ministries in and through our local churches. How can we improve our volunteer mindset and attract volunteers servant leaders into these many needs? Unfortunately, I know all too well that volunteering is it's going away unfortunately. But I think it's also important to note that there are still people that care about their communities that want to serve. So with that, you have to get that visibility out there first. Some people aren't serving because they don't think about it. Some people aren't serving because they don't think they have the time. Creating those opportunities for everyone from every walk to to help the community and help build the place up that they live and want to see grow.

Very good. Thank you. Uh final question, and this is the question if you want to tie in a uh a closing argument, you can. Uh what would you say are the three greatest strengths of the city of Bristol, Virginia? And what would you say are the three biggest challenges we face? So starting out with strength, I think we have a good building block and strength and community and the ability for growth. Additionally, we've made some positive changes with initiatives like adding integrating mental health services with the police department. I think that's been a huge thing for our community, lessening the burden on our other emergency services. And then I think we're also going the right direction with our debt load with decreasing the debt from the landfill, gaining the positive funding from the state. Um, challenge wise, I think we face hardship when it comes to balancing what the city needs versus the needs of the citizens. And I say that because easy to look from the outside in. But we if we want to continue to grow, we have to stop losing people. That's kind of the base definition of growth. Um it's starting somewhere. And then I think we have the ability to be more transparent. Um there's sometimes some negative things that go around with the landfill and with things like that, but it's because people don't understand. Um so I think transparency would be a big thing for us to grow on.

Um and then another thing is finding a way to help the community but not burden the community with our unhoused population. um ensuring that we're taking the right steps that are necessary to continue to grow um for everyone that's in Bristol. All righty. Fantastic. Thank you so much. So, that was our last question. Um I don't know, can we can we leave her on Zoom if she wants to be or you're you're free to you're free to log off if you'd like to. We'll we'll be in touch with you. Wonderful. Thank you.

Thank you so much. All right. Very good. So, we will now move to our last candidate that uh Angie is retrieving and that's Alex Littleton. Hello. Hello.

All right. So, uh what we're going to do, uh we're going to run through these questions with you. Uh first question will give you an opportunity to introduce yourself. Last question will give you an opportunity to tie in a closing statement. So, um, if you're ready, uh, question one, please tell us about yourself, including how long you have been a resident of Bristol, and why do you want to be on the city council at this time?

Okay. So, uh, my name is Alex Littleton. Uh, I guess technically I've been a resident of Bristol, Virginia for 40 years. uh grown up here, graduated from Virginia High School. Um and then went to college at University of Tennessee and graduated with my degree in English. And after college, I moved back to Bristol. Um trying to kind of figure out what my next steps were because what do you do with an English degree? And um I ended up volunteering with an outreach ministry at my church. And it was through that program that I really fell in love with kids and working with atrisisk kids in particular. And so at that point I went back to school to King University and got my master's degree in education and which led me to communities and schools of Appalachin Highlands where I am still employed today. So I've been there about 12 years. I'm the vice president and chief operating officer. Um and when I started with that organization we were serving two schools here in Bristol. Um, and we have grown to now we're serving 115 schools in 17 school districts across two states. Um, I am also a member of the Bristol Virginia Planning Commission. Um, I've served in that role or capacity for about a year and a half. Um, and I'm on the uh board with the Bristol Regional Hospital. Um, and in my personal life, I'm a single mom to three kiddos who are 11, 10, and seven, who, uh, sure you all can imagine keep me quite busy. So, all right, very good. Thank you. Uh, question two, tying right into this, being on city council involves regular council meetings, called meetings, things like ribbon cutings and parades, and other boards and committees that you will be on. Do you feel with your current schedule that you will be able to commit the time needed for the remainder of

this term that you'll be serving? Yes. Um, you know, I think we all make time for things that are important and if I if I'm chosen um by you gentlemen for this for the council um then I will commit to making the time necessary to fulfill that obligation so that I'm serving um the city in the way that's expected.

Right. Very good. Uh, question three. Bristol currently balances a significant debt load alongside the ongoing cost of landfill remediation. If the city faced a sudden revenue shortfall, would you prioritize cutting city services? And if so, which ones? Or would you support a tax increase to ensure our obligations are met to balance our budget?

You know, I don't think it's an eitheror. I think if you know the city is in that dire of a situation then I think it's a little bit here and a little bit there. Um I think if you cut too many services then then people across the entire city are going to feel that. Um you know and same thing with taxes. If we are increasing taxes then you know everyone's going to feel that. So I think it's it's looking at um you know how can we a little bit here and a little bit there that people are feeling the least amount of impact in their day-to-day life.

Very good. Thank you. Uh question four. What is your vision for Bristol over the next three years?

So, you know, as I I mentioned, I come from from background of working with with families, with kids. Um I'm a mom myself actively, you know, in the trenches of raising kids. And you know, I think for me it's seeing that Bristol is a place where people want to come and raise their families. I think if we are are focused on Bristol being a place where um or people are choosing to come here to to raise their kiddos, to put their kids in school um in Brisc, you know, you just mentioned that it's going to increase economic revenue. Um you know, We would need to create opportunity for families, for adults to want to come here, um, for job opportunities, for growth, and to meet the needs of their families.

All righty. Thank you. Question five. We as a city and as a community have regular need of volunteers. City Council is one such opportunity as are the city's current needs with the transportation safety commission and board of zoning appeals and other openings that come up routine routinely. Beyond these we have organizations such as Appalachin Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristol Faith and Action, Bristol Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Communities and Schools, Crossroads Medical Mission, and many more. That's only a few of those starting with ABNC, not to mention the ministries in and through our local churches. How can we improve our volunteer mindset and attract volunteers leaders into these many needs?

I think we have to ask um you know I think you know my experience both with work um with church you know trying to find volunteers you can't just put out an advertisement that says we need volunteers. I think it is building relationships with with people in our community. Um and so when there are needs for those things that we're going individually that we're building a culture of where everybody wants to serve that we're going to pitch in together and that we're going to help serve people. But I think people are motivated to serve in those roles when you come to them and say, "We need you to come and and help support your your community um and these organizations that do are doing this hard work of of supporting the needs of many across our our city."

All right. Very good. So, final question and you can tie in a closing statement here if you want to. Uh, what would you say are the three greatest strengths of the city of Bristol, Virginia? And what would you say are the three biggest challenges we face?

Well, I I think I think people are always our greatest strength. Um, I think um, Mayor Holmes spoke to it earlier, but you know, the the folks that are are doing the jobs in our city from, you know, public service to to whatever it may be, you know, they are the heart of what keeps government functioning. But then, you know, it's also the people in our community. They are um they are why we do what we do. And when when called upon, I truly believe that the people of our community will work together to help solve or support whatever um issues that come before the council. Um I also think that our location is one of our biggest strengths. Um, you know, we are a hub for Southwest Virginia. You know, people from all over Southwest Virginia come here for food, for entertainment, um, for shopping, for what have you. You know, with our access to 81. Obviously, that was a lot of the motivation behind the Hard Rock Casino coming here. You know, those are that's one of our biggest strengths. um you know and it's certainly something that we can keep using to capitalize on any economic development in the future. And um you know third I think our cultural identity. You know again Mayor Holmes referenced it earlier but we are unique um in Southwest Virginia. You know we are different than Bristol Tennessee. Um but we have our own cultural identity from the birthplace country music to you know the music festivals that are happening on a regular basis. You know I think leaning into those the things that make us us um is what strengthens us and so I think opportunities um for us

is obviously economic growth. Um you know if I mentioned you know I would want to see in three years is a more of a family focus. I think that begins with economic growth because if we want people to either come to our community or stay in our community once they graduate, then they need to have opportunity. Um, you know, beyond just basic livable wages, they also need opportunity to to reach their dreams. you know, when they are graduating high school and thinking about what they're going to do, we want them to come back here and and contribute their skills and their knowledge to our community. Um, I think one of the other opportunities um I see for our community, and it's not necessarily unique to us, but it's also housing. you know, if we don't have affordable housing or adequate housing to bring in um and support economic development, then, you know, it it's not going to work. So, it's figuring out um how to create more affordable housing. And I know that the city is is working with housing authority on a planning grant to um you know potentially look at some revitalization and things of that nature to support housing um development. But you know that that's going to be key to our success. Um and then again I referenced it earlier. I just I I want Bristol to be a place um where families thrive. And I'm sure you all can all agree with me on that. But um you know everybody needs to have an opportunity to be successful here. Um and I think that everybody can. So and closing comments is okay. So and I think I I failed to mention or failed to answer one of your initial questions about why I want to serve on on the council. Um, you know, from childhood, I

watched my parents volunteer, volunteer in our church or in our school, various civic commun committees. Um, I remember stories of my grandfather um serving on this very council. He was mayor off and on for a few years. My grandmother always showed up at the polls um every election to work. And so service was really instilled in me from um from a young age and that, you know, beyond that that God gives us um, you know, skills and abilities and that we are called to use those in service. And my entire career has been about serving people and serving people in this community. And so being a part of council is just another opportunity to use the skills, the experience that I have to help support and serve the city. All righty. Very cool. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

All right. So, uh before we jump into the next agenda item, which is uh public comment, um I'm going to go through kind of a timeline for everybody so we understand what we're looking at. So, uh, tonight, uh, after we do public comment, we're going to go into close session and, uh, one of the things we'll talk about is, uh, is how this interview went, and we will determine, um, which applicant or applicants will come back for a second interview. Um, when we come out of close session, we will announce who those uh, people are or that person is. Um that person will come back for a uh for an interview and close session at our next meeting which would be February the 24th. Um following that meeting when we after we interview that person on February 24th after those people are interviewed we'll make a decision. We'll come out on February 24th and name our appointment. Uh so tonight we'll have discussion in close session. We'll come out pick our finalists. Two weeks from now we'll have interviews in close session. come out and name our new council person. Uh and after that, we'll get them sworn in and they'll be a real council person then. Uh so now before we go into close session, we're going to move into matters to be presented by members of the public for uh non-aggenda items. Uh first person who has signed up is uh Mary Darcy. And uh while you're on your way to the microphone, uh for anyone who's not done public comment before, what's going to happen is you'll come up to the podium, uh state your name and where you're from. Um you'll have three minutes that you'll see a timer right down here uh on the podium. Uh when your three minutes

are up, uh a red light will come on on the podium and that means you've got to cut off what you're saying. Um you'll also get a little warning light about a minute before it'll be a little yellow light. Uh but come on up and uh and get going and thank you for being here.

Good evening, mayor and members of the council. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Mary Darcy and I'm from Bristol. I'm here to support Reverend Jackie Nolan's appointment to the city council, city council's vacant seat. She actively listens to residents and hears their need for vibrant neighborhoods where people can feel feel safe and thrive. Their need for roads and sidewalks that are safe and sustainable. Their need for schools that maximize student potential. She's engaged in civic participation that includes encouraging voter participation in elections, supporting the work of food banks, organizing cleanup efforts, and working with nonprofit agencies. I've seen Reverend Nolan build bridges in a time where people feel divided from one another as she accepts the responsibility of being a citizen and identifying what stalls us in this process. She will work with this council and the people of Bristol in a mutually authentic and respectful relationship that brings otherwise divided people together. She will work with diligence and with respect with the members of this council and the people of Bristol, Virginia. I thank you for your time and your

service to the people and I wholehearted. You got one more minute. You can keep going. And I wholeheartedly support Reverend Nolofflin. Thank you. Thank you. I I think just before we jump to our next person, um I think Mayor Holmes may have to step away now for a moment. Is that is that about time for you to do that? In about 10 minutes, I'll have to step away for just a minute. So, I've got a got a few, but I might turn our camera off momentarily.

Okay. Didn't want you to didn't want anybody to think we lost you. So, all right. So, uh, next person who has signed up for public comment is Roa Blackwell. Come on up and thank you for being here.

Thank you for the opportunity. Very nice to meet you all. My name is Roa Blackwell and I've been a citizen of Bristol, Virginia for almost five years. When I moved back here, I grew up in Tazwell, Virginia. So, I've lived in Southwest Virginia my whole life, but I moved away for many years with my career and just moved back because I have two beautiful grandchildren that go to the Bristol public school system. So, I'm so happy to be here and I'm I'm a voter who cares deeply about the future of this city. Like many voters in the community, I pay close attention to who is making decisions on our behalf. And I want leaders who listen, who lead with integrity, and who understand the day-to-day realities facing families in Bristol. That's why I strongly support Jackie Noflin for the vacant city council seat. Jackie has shown again and again that she's committed to this community, not recognition or for politics, but because she believes public service matters. She listens before she speaks. She asks thoughtful questions and she treats people with respect even when there are disagreements. Those qualities are especially important right now when trust in government feels very fragile. As a consistent Bristol voter, I want representation that values fairness, transparency, and responsibility. Jackie brings a steady, common sense, diverse approach to local issues, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and opportunity

that affect our families and our quality of life. This appointment is about choosing someone who will serve the whole city, who understands the importance of collaboration, and who will respect bris represent Bristol with professionalism and care. And in Jackie's own words, she wants everyone to flourish. I believe Jackie Noflin is ready to serve and that she will be a strong addition to this council. I respectfully urge you to appoint Jackie Noflin to the vacant seat and thank you so much for your time.

Thank you. All right. Uh, next person who has signed up is actually a two for one. It's uh, it's Miss Noflin and Miss Lewis. If you'all want to both come up. Thank you for coming. Good evening, council. My name is Erikica Knofflin and this is Braziah Lewis. Um, we are here to speak on um, Jackie Noflin's behalf. Basically, to let you guys know, as her daughter, I have watched my mom all of my life literally give herself to the community. She's brought in children in the house trying to save save kids. I've watched them graduate because of my mom. Um there's even been adults that she actually brought in house, you know, and and helped them. Like that's how deep and compassionate my mother is. Um when it comes to this city, um my mother, she um she's the reason why we have the school board building because the handicap accessessible. our old building wasn't, but she fought for it. She shouldn't had to fight, but she had to she fought for it and you know, we got it done and that's it was a beautiful thing. There's a lot of things that my mother has done and I know that you all know she's into everything. She's on all the boards and it's a wonderful thing. This is the one board that's the only reason why I'm up here speaking because this is the one board that I really know where my mom belongs. She's going to be strong with y'all. Y'all know that she's a great team player. She listens. She's open-minded. But she's also a strong backbone. You know, she can't be wavered. She's not weak. She don't care if people don't like her, don't like what she say or not. She's still going to go ahead and work with y'all and keep her head up and

stay focused on making sure that Bristol grows and becomes better. Um, I just want y'all to really just keep in mind that even though my mother is paralyzed, there is absolutely nothing that she can't do. There's nothing and there's nothing that she will not that she would there's nothing that she wouldn't do to help anyone in Bristol. I've witnessed it all my life. Thank you. My name's Brazil of Lewis and the reason why I think my name should be on council is because she works with the community and I think she would be good and she feeds the community and she's a good uh she she's good working with other people. All right.

Thank you both very much. Uh, can we appoint Braziah? Can we do that? Um, all right. Next person, uh, who has signed up is Samuel Ward.

He had to go. Okay. Uh, all right. Next person after that is David Brooks. Good evening, Mayor and members of city council. To introduce myself real quick, my name is David Brooks. I'm 18 years old. I'm a rising senior at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech and a survivor of Hurricane Helen, where I went to Damascus to help survivors on the night of the hurricane. I'm here tonight because the decision you're making matters deeply to people my age, even if we don't always have the loudest voices in the room. Young people are often told we're the future of Bristol. But we're also the present. We live here. We go to school here. We work here and decide whether we stay here. The people you appoint to lead our city help shape that decision. That's why I'm asking you to appoint Jackie Noflin to the vacant seat, uh, vacant city council seat. Jackie is someone who shows up, listens, and takes the time to understand issues from different points of view. That matters to young people like me. We want leaders who don't talk at us, but who are willing to hear us. Jackie understands that good government isn't about politics or personal ambition. It's about service. She cares about access, fairness, and making sure decisions reflect the real lives of the people who call Bristol home. That includes students, young workers, and firsttime voters. Appointing Jackie Noflin sents a message to my generation that our voice matters, that civic engagement is valued, and that this council believes in leadership rooted in community and integrity. This appointment is about trust. It's about choosing someone who will res uh represent all of Bristol, not just

today, but tomorrow. I respectfully urge you to appoint Jackie Noflin to city council. Thank you for listening and thank you for serving our city. Thank you.

All right, our uh our final person to speak is Traver Scott. Thank you for being here.

Good evening. Uh, thank you for your time. My name is Trevor Scott and I live at 409 Buchanan Street here in Bristol, Virginia. I wrote a really compelling uh um comment tonight that was answered at the very beginning of the meeting when the interim city manager announced the opening of Fred Hayes Park. So, I am very happy to hear that and thank you. Uh so I won't use this and instead I will join my other citizens and neighbors here in saying that Reverend Noflin inspires me. She inspires other citizens. She gets us to get out and volunteer and commit and participate and she brings us together. She is a unifying, motivational leader that I would think make a delightful and powerful addition to the city council. Thank you.

Thank you very much. AND AND THANK YOU TO our uh interim city manager for being so proactive on Fred Hayes Park. I know a lot of people in the community appreciate that and we appreciate that. So, thank you. And to our and obviously to our police chief who I know has been involved in trying to make that happen. So, thank you. All right. Um that was the uh last person signed up. So, we're going to enter into close session. So, I'm going to go ahead and read this. So pursuant to section 2.2-3711A1 code of Virginia 1950 is amended discussion consideration or interviews of prospective candidates for employment assignment appointment promotion performance demotion salaries disciplining or resignation of specific public officers appointees or employees of any public body appointments and pursuant to Virginia code section 2.2-3711A88 2-3711A88 consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding a specific legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by such council to the city and Virginia code section 2.2-371183 discussion or acquisition of real property for a public purpose where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining power bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the city. Looking for a motion and a second.

I move that we move into close session for those reasons stated. Second. All right. We have a motion and a second to enter into close session. For those reasons, please call the role. Yes. Osborne. Yes. Yes. All right. I think Oh. Oh, there he is. All right. Uh we will be back.

Uh by roll call vote, council member certified that only business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements as specified in the motion to convene in executive session were discussed. Please call the RO. Osborne. Yes. Yes. Holmes. Call call the mayor's name again if you don't mind.

Thank you. Okay. So, um, first off, I want to thank the five very impressive candidates that, uh, we got to talk to, uh, tonight. Um, I think that we saw a diversity of backgrounds, a diversity of opinions, a diversity of experience, and and I think that we are very blessed to have had all five of those folks uh, apply and come talk to us this evening. Um, so our process is going to be that we have three finalists that we will bring back at our next council meeting uh two weeks from now for closed uh close session interviews. Uh I'm going to read those names and I'm going to read them in alphabetic order. Uh they are Alex Littleton, Jackie Nolin, and Rebecca Reeves. Uh and those will be our three finalists that we will talk to in two weeks. Uh, next item on our agenda right now is consent agenda, which is street closure request for a NASCAR hauler parade and approval of city council minutes from January 27th, 2026. Uh, looking for council action on this. Move to approve. All right, we have a motion.

All right, and a second. Clerk, please call the role. Barnum, yes. Osborne, yes. Yes. Yes. All right. Very good. Uh, next I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Move to adjourn. Second. Uh, please call the RO. Barnum. Yes. Osborne. Yes. Yes. Holmes. Yes.

We stand. Ajourn. I don't think I don't think