City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, I'll call to order the Bristol, Tennessee City Council meeting on April 7th, 2026. Uh, Mary Lee Sigel Powers here, Akard here, Turner here, Fire Robin here.

Welcome and thank everyone for attending. Uh there are two opportunities to speak on matters of city business this evening. Uh first attendees are invited to speak regarding the public hearing item. Uh I will announce when this opportunity is open. If your comments relate to the subject of the public hearing, please speak at that time. Uh there's no need to sign up for the public hearing. Uh there was a signup sheet as you entered chambers for our public comment section and that time is for any other matters of city city business or any other item on the agenda and I have this sheet here. So we get that. I would now like to ask our parks and recreation director Mike Mains and will lead us in our invocation and vice mayor Lee Powers in our pledge. Shall we pray? Our heavenly father, we thank you for tonight and in this evening that we come together and and discuss the the business of the city. We pray this evening for our leadership, for our city council uh as they make some decisions uh for all of us. We also pray this evening for our nation, for those uh throughout the world, in our country and those that are in harm's way. We ask that you be with them. We especially ask tonight for those that aren't as fortunate as we are in Bristol and throughout our country. Be with them. uh guide them and and direct them in a mighty way. We thank you for the service this city provides uh for those uh staff members that work so hard each and every day to make Bristol a special place. And finally, we thank you for all the good that's to come, for all the

blessings that you'll provide to us. Be with us and guide and direct us in the only way that you can. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Please join me. flagg 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. Okay. Are there any additions this evening? There are not.

Okay. We have six proclamations tonight. Uh the first proclamation is donate life month which councilwoman Akard will read and Mr. Nick Shepard senior external affairs coordinator for Tennessee donor services will accept the proclamation.

More than 100,000 Americans 3,000 of which are Tennessans are currently on the national transplant waiting list. Another person is added every eight minutes. By becoming an organ, eye, and tissue donor, one individual can save and heal the lives of more than 75 people. Tennessans are encouraged to become an organized tissue donor and to register the decision in the national database life registry at registerme.org or donate donatelifeetennessy.org or at their local drivers services center. Brussell Tennessee supports saving lives through organized tissue donation and finds the cause of immediate and worthwhile importance. The mayor of the city of Bristol, Tennessee, proclaims April 2026 as Donut Life Month. Uh, I'm allowed to say something, right? Uh, so I just want to thank the city of Bristol. Um, Bristol, Tennessee has always been super supportive of organ donation, and I would just encourage everyone here uh to please consider registering to become an organ and tissue donor. One donor can save up to eight lives. Uh, one tissue donor can improve the lives of up to 75 people. Unfortunately, 20 people die every day waiting on a life-saving transplant that never comes. Uh, so please consider signing up. Please consider saving someone else's life. Thank you, uh, council. Thank you, city of Bristol. I greatly appreciate it.

Thank you. All right. Next, we have a proclamation for sexual assault awareness month. And Vice Mayor Powers will read that and Miss Kristen Hall, the coordinator, community response coordinator, will accept the proclamation.

Thank you, Mayor. Every 68 seconds, an individual in the United States experiences sexual violence resulting in trauma that can have long-lasting effects on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Sexual assault awareness month serves as a critical period to raise public awareness, educate our communities on prevention strategies, and promote a culture of healthy, respectful relationships. The Branch House Family Justice Center serves as a local beacon of hope by providing essential advocacy, support, and resources for survivors in the city of Bristol and throughout Sland County. The city of Bristol stands in firm solidarity with survivors and remains committed to fostering an environment where safety and respect are prioritized for every citizen. The mayor of the city of Bristol, Tennessee, proclaims April 2026 as sexual assault awareness month. Good evening, mayor and members of the city council. Thank you for this proclamation recognizing sexual assault awareness month. It truly means so much to Branch House and the survivors we serve. Your support sends a strong message that our community stands with survivors and is committed to preventing violence. At Branch House, we provide a safe, trauma-informed place where individuals can access advocacy, legal services, counseling, forensic exams, and more, all in one location. This work is only possible because of strong collaboration with our partners, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community leaders like yourselves. Sexual assault awareness month is about more than awareness. It's about action. It's about believing survivors, supporting them, and working together to

prevent interpersonal violence. Thank you again for your continued support of Branch House and for helping us to build a safer community. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Next, we have proclamation for fair housing month. And I'll read that and Mr. Steve Willinger, chair of the community development advisory committee, will accept. Uh, April 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act. This legislation passed by Congress in 1968 seeks to eliminate discrimination and opportunities and to affirmatively make housing choices available for all Americans. The city of Bristol, Tennessee utilizes the Department of Development Services to implement an effective and responsible fair housing program. The city council encourages the unified efforts of federal, state, and local governments in promoting housing opportunities for all Americans. The mayor of Russell, Tennessee proclaims April 2026 as fair housing month. Good evening, city council. Fair housing means all citizens have the right to choose where they live without discrimination. It protects residents from unfair treatment based on race, color, national or origin, religion, sex, disability, or family status. These protections help us ensure stable neighborhoods and equal access to opportunity. Fair housing shows up in everyday moments. Applying for a mortgage, searching for a rental, or requesting accommodations for disability.

It ensures people are treated fairly, given accurate information, and not steered or denied because of who they are. While housing is fair, excuse me, when housing is fair, communities are stronger. As we recognize fair housing month, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping Bristol a place where everyone can find a home and feel welcome. I would like to We have Bristol Housing, Dean Edwards. um which is the largest landlord in the city of Bristol with 354 public housing units and five privatelyowned units. Fair housing. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. Next, we have a proclamation for National Library Week and Councilwoman Fire Robbin will read it and Miss Tanya Kessner from the Bristol Public Library executive director and Brenda Dunn, director of finance, will accept.

All right. Uh, National Library Week is a national observation observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and staff and promote library use and support. Libraries support democracy and affect social change by ensuring access to information for all individuals regardless of background or circumstance. Library serve and engage a wide range of community members, including people of all backgrounds and abilities, offering services and educational resources that strengthen communities, broaden perspectives, and ensure access and opportunity for our for all. The mayor of Bristol, Tennessee, proclaims April 19 through 25, 2026 as National Library Week and encourages all residents to recognize and support the vital role of libraries in our in their community. Uh, and the slogan for ours is expanding minds, building community, which I think fits that description that we just read. Good evening. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of

the United States, it's hard to think of anything more American than libraries. Um, Benjamin Franklin started the first subscription library back when we were still a colony in 1731. So, as the country has grown and changed, libraries have also grown and changed. And we have grown and changed to meet the needs of our communities and the challenges. The one thing remains the same is that we are always here to serve. But we wouldn't be able to do it without the support of the cities. And because of that support, Brenda Dunn and I want to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of our staff and our library patrons. So, this proclamation represents our shared hopes for the future of our community and thank you very much.

Thank you. All right. Next, we have a proclamation for Arbor Day and Earth Day and Councilwoman Fire Robin will read that and we have Mr. Jeremy Stout, the nature center manager and manager will accept.

Okay. And I would I had the um fun opportunity to see Jeremy Stout's uh bow tie. So if he might show it off if you can see it, but it's a wooden bow tie. So a good way to celebrate. Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water. Cutting heating and cooling costs. Moderate temperature. moderate temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide um habitat for wildlife. Trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper products, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other project products. Trees increase property values, enhance economic vitality of the business area, and beautify our community. Arbor Day, Earth Day, is a unique celebration which focuses on the future. By planting a small tree, we by planting a small tree, we affirm our faith in the future. The city thanks the tree board members for their efforts in helping improve the quality of life in our city. The mayor of the city of Bristol, Tennessee, urges all citizens to plant trees and commends everyone for their efforts in reforesting our city. Thank you, Councilwoman Fire Robin, for noticing my great bow tie. This was a piece of uh local history. This was crafted from Sullivan Countyy's own Pimton Oak uh which fell in 2004. But

yeah, thank you so much uh for this proclamation. As it reads, both Arbor Day and Earth Day are among the few holidays that we have uh that are not based on the past, but they're actually an investment in our future. And at 39 years, Bristol is among the oldest Tree Cities USA in the state of Tennessee. And so that's something we can all be proud of. Uh and I'd like to invite all of our uh council and elected and city officials um to our Arbor Day event this year, which is Friday, April 24th at Fairmont Elementary. And we're so thankful for our Bristol, Tennessee City School partners, Dr. uh Tutor, Mr. Arrington, and K Ward, uh for helping to make that possible. So on behalf of the Tree City USA board and the Department of Parks and Recreation, thank you.

Thank you. All right, we have one last proclamation is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and Vice Mayor Powers will read that proclamation and Miss Crystal Key, the 911 director and communications and records manager will accept.

Thank you, Mayor. Emergencies can occur at any time and when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. Public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have in emergency situations. They are the vital link for our police officers and firefighters, monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information, and ensuring their safety as well. Public safety telecommunicators of Bristol, Tennessee have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of patients. The mayor of Bristol, Tennessee declares the week of April 12th to the 18th, 2026 to be n national public safety telecommunicators week in Bristol, Tennessee in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe. Mayor, city council, on behalf of our team, I would just like to sincerely thank you for recognizing um our public safety dispatchers um who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency in emergencies. ies providing um clarity and coordination when it matters most. Your recognition not only highlights their essential role but also boosts morale and affirms the value of their service. We deeply appreciate your continued support

and help um and for helping shine a well-deserved spotlight on our everyday heroes. Thank you. Thank you. We have two presentations this evening and uh the first one in observance of America 250, Mr. Andrew Cross uh government and economics teacher at Tennessee High School provide a short presentation on the significance of the period between the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ratification of the United States Constitution. Charles,

thank you very much for having me back. So this is called the critical period. It is the period from revolution through the Constitution. And a quick review from last time, the Declaration of Independence was written by the Second Continental Congress, which was our first national government, which was the wartime government. The second national government is really a a dark spot, and that is the Articles of Confederation is the second national government of the United States. And I'm not going to go through all the strengths and all the weaknesses with you tonight, but I will draw your attention to one thing. Which side has more There are quite a few more weaknesses. And I often ask my kids, which do you think is the worst weakness on that list and the worst weakness on that list for this new national government was they were powerless to lay or collect taxes. Now, as citizens, we don't much care for taxes, but they are the lifeblood of any government. I mean, you can't provide defense. You can't provide anything without taxes. even toilet paper in an interstate rest stop you can't provide without taxes. So that was the and they had to basically ask the states at the time, will you please give us money? Will you please give us money? Which shows the firm league of friendship? And I often refer to, have you ever lost a friend? Meaning, oh, we were friends in elementary school, but we're not friends anymore. A nation can't survive that way. So moving forward from those weaknesses and strengths, we have a very important meeting at Mount Vernon. Virginia or excuse me, Maryland and Virginia met to discuss trade issues. Just some simple trade things across their border that they shared and the meeting goes well, very well. And I put too well because Virginia decides we need to do this. We need to do this nationwide. We need to iron out all the problems in these Articles of Confederation. And I had a kid ask me

once, so what? Virginia called a meeting? I mean, what if Virginia called something to date? It's just one state. Virginia is what I'll refer to and I'm going to come back to this in a minute. Virginia is the big dog. They've got the money and they've got the people in the early nation. They are the big dog. When Virginia says jump, the other states go, "How high?" So, the reason they can call this meeting is they've got the power to do so. And they also have George Washington there, which is a good it helps out. So, they meet in Philadelphia. 12 of the 13 states show up. Rhode Island is not. They are uh they're always kind of the rogue of the group. Present at this meeting are 55 total delegates, but three of the most important are Washington, Hamilton, and Madison. Some pretty big names in US history. But more important, the reason I have this up there is who's not present. You don't have Jefferson. He's on assignment in France. Adams is on assignment in England. John Adams, the boots on the ground during the revolution in Boston, is not invited. Patrick Henry famously said, "I smell a rat. I'm not attending this. I don't want to be any part of this." Thomas Payne wrote, "Common sense kept American people in the war effort during the revolution not there." Why are these big names in US history not present? Because you want veterans, calm, cool, collected government builders. These people, if you look down at the bottom, not going through all that, but 46 of these members had been part of congresses before. Eight served in state constitutional conventions, seven were governors. They had experience. They did not want revolutionaries. Somebody is going to say, "Give me liberty or give me death and storm out of the room. They need people to talk about these things. I understand your problem. Here's my solution to it." Not, "I'm going to

storm out of the room and cause another re revolution." So you had calm, cool, collected heads there. And some other fun facts you can see. I always like to point out to my kids that Jonathan Dayton, 26 years old, helped draft the US Constitution. That's not too far off from where they are at the time at 18. So that's a pretty neat fact to point out. You have two plans that come out early on. So they take, and I don't have my paper I normally have with me, but I take a piece of paper and wad it up. They decide early on, let's not fix this. Let's wad it up. throw it in the trash can. So the first thing they come up with is we got to have a system of government and two plans come out of that. Virginia comes up with what they call their Virginia plan. You can see all the aspects of that plan. But I'm going to ask for just a little bit of participation here. If the legislative is biccameal, meaning two houses of Congress and representation is going to be based on population and money. Who did I say had the most people in the early colonies?

Virginia. Who had the most money in the early colonies? Virginia. So if Virginia controls the Congress, the executive will be selected by who?

Virginia. The court will be selected by who? Virginia. There you go. So the early plan, I call it the I mean it's the Virginia plan because they come up with it. But who is going to run the country? Virginia. So who's going to get mad about this? Everyone else. All the little states. They form behind New Jersey. But they say, "No, no, no. We're going to have one house in Congress." Unicameal. It's going to be equal, and they are going to have the power to tax. Why didn't Virginia want them to have the power to tax? Who had all the money? Virginia. So, we're going to have more than one executive and we're going to have a judicial branch appointed by that execut by those executives, excuse me. So, what's the outcome? The outcome of this is a complete compromise. The Connecticut compromise or the great compromise will resolve this dispute. Now, the history soundbite on this is you'll have a biccameal legislature that's going to have represent based on population in the House and equal in the Senate. But I'm actually going to go back for just a second and show they compromise on a lot more. In the executive branch, we have one president, but right underneath the president, we have a vice president. Not as much power, but they blended the two. In the court system, who selects our justices? The president. But who confirms them? The Congress. So they blended this the the the whole plan was blended together not just the representation. The other part of this you can see in the compromises is the only the early issue in America. And I tell my kids you can see from both the other compromises slavery was the early issue. Now this is not the great divide of the civil war but you can see the hairline fracture

beginning even at the even at the onset. The other fun thing I'll have to point out here is I had a kid a long time ago ask me once three-fifths of a person. What is that? Where is that? I said it's three out of every five. Every three out of five slaves would count toward population. And that was of course brought by the southern side of the delegation. They wanted more representation in that fact. It is the only time in US history they will acknowledge slaves as individuals when it helps with representation. Getting even without rights, getting even three-fifths of that population counted is a win for the southern delegation. But what does the North get in return? If you look at the next one down, you can see the slave trade won't be touched for 20 years. That's just a number they compromised on. But the North had trade and they built in a special word. And I tell my kids, it's so important in government. Every single word matters. Never. Congress could never tax their exports. As things leave the country, they can set the price on them and nothing will be added to it. Now, they can tax imports, but not exports. If you're selling to another country, they can't tax that. And that the North got it forever. I tell my kids when I'm teaching your grandkids one day, it'll still say never. That'll never change. It's written into the document. This is a picture of the Constitutional Convention. I will say this is during the lunchtime. They were ordering pizza hamburgers. I think that was the hamburger group that was had their hands up. But Ben Franklin has a funny story about this picture. How do I put this sometimes when I've been in meetings and I apologize. I zone out. Now, Franklin was quickwitted. He's quick on his feet. So, he's zoned out one day and somebody says, "Franklin, what are you what are you

doing?" And he comes up real quick. He says, "I'm staring at that sun on the back of that chair back there behind Washington." All right. He said, "I've been wondering this whole time, is that a rising or a setting sun?" I'm happy to say it's rising. He came up off I I swear I think he was zoned out and came up with something off the top of his head, but he meant our new nation, we see it rising. It's not a setting sun. We're not going into oblivion. We're coming into something new here at this convention. Just like anything that government does at any level, you're going to have people who love it and people who hate it. Even the US Constitution, upon being asked about it, one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, said is it is the most vile document ever created to enslave a free people. That is the US Constitution. There were people who were against this. They said too much power, way too much power. Those that were for it were the federalists led by Hamilton, including Madison, said that stronger national government was more important to hold us all together. I always make the joke, do you want Elmer's glue or superglue? This is more like cement. We have to cement this country together. We can't have Elmer's glue. It's going to fade over time. The anti-federalist said, "It's too strong. Let's leave the power in the states." And there's no protections for the people. We need a bill of rights. You can see the group that was on that side. A lot of them weren't present. There were some that were present that were anti-federalists as well. New York and Virginia become the battleground for these. New York becomes the battleground and it's won through a group of papers. I always like to say New Yorkers and Virginiaians have never been alike, even through today. And New Yorkers, they want to read about this. They want to understand it. They don't have time to stop and talk to somebody. I'm on my way somewhere. So, they're going to read about it in the Federalist Papers. Great quotes come out of the Federalist

Papers. I'm not going to share all these with you, but one of which is um when separating the powers, it was Madison that wrote ambition should be made to counteract ambition. Meaning, we don't build roadblocks. What if I mean for for for hundreds of years, countries have said you can't do this, king, you can't do this king, you can't and eventually the king blew through the roadblocks. Madison's genius was to say, "There's the power. Take it. You want it, take it." Because when you go for it, somebody else is going to want it, too. Somebody else is going to want it. And by putting it out there and letting everyone, their own ambition will keep it from going to one person. Because every person's ambition is to get that power. And by human nature, we will keep it from one another. But in Virginia, it's all about the politics. Washington's going to win the politics. Now, I didn't mention Washington before. He was a Federalist, but he didn't choose a side. He just believed in the new government. And I want to mention something about Washington here. Washington goes to the leader of the anti-federalist, Thomas Jefferson's door, says, "What do you need?" Jefferson sits back and says, "Well, you know, I don't believe in this, but if you want me to be honest, we need to have a bill of rights. Got to have a bill of rights. Got to protect the people." Washington says, "You vote with me. Turn the people that are with you with me. You have my word. You will have a bill of rights first thing." Jefferson or excuse me, Washington chopped that cherry tree down and couldn't lie about it. Jefferson believes he says, "All right, George. I'll do it. I'll I'll I'll go with you." Both states ratify the US Constitution. true to his word, Washington, make sure that we have a bill of rights first thing as soon as we have a new government. The other side of that is to say, you have to look at the politics. Who

was the big dog? Virginia. We had a functioning capital in Philadelphia. We had a skyscraper at the time of Independence Hall. Yet we decide to build our new capital on the banks of the Battoomeac River in what state? They'll end up the big dog will end up getting a little something out of this. But New York's not to be left out while we build this new wonderful capital on the banks of the Ptoic River. Where will our temporary capital be? Not Philadelphia, New York City. So New York gets the temporary, Virginia gets the full capital. March 4th, the new Congress convenes. It takes a while back then for them to get every member there. April 6, a quorum is attained. Washington is unanimous unanimously elected the first president. And that is the only unanimously elected president. Adams is elected by um a large majority vice president. And April 30th, as I tell my kids, we are off and running. We have a new national government that lasts through today. So that is the story up to the constitution or the ratification of I hope to be back in May and talk about those principles of the constitution with you.

Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. Next we have Mr. David Elkins, the director of Brown and Edwards will present the annual comprehensive financial report the year ending June 30th, 2025. Hello. Uh, that's a kind of tough act to follow when you talk about the history of our country there, especially when I'm just going to talk about a bunch of uh a whole lot of numbers here. Just introduce yourself as Alexander Hamilton. There we go.

And then you'll be a star.

So, um, but u Uh I I'm David Elkins. I'm a director with Brown Edwards. Uh we conducted the audit uh for the year ended June 30th, 2025 uh for the city of Bristol. I also have with me uh one of my staff members, Thomas Shimp, over there with Holly. Uh he was very instrumental uh in the process of this audit. So I wanted him to uh come be able to give him some recognition in front of the council for all of his hard work as well. Um but before I get into kind of going through this report, I'll just kind of go through it in a high level. Uh I think Holly has given you all a copy. It is obviously a very large document. It's about 300 plus pages. Uh there is a plethora of information in it. Um but there's a lot that goes into an audit. We ask a lot of questions. It's a very intensive process. Uh so I want to first thank Holly and her team uh and the schoolboard team uh for all of their help during the audit process. Like I said, we ask a lot of a lot of questions and they have to continue to do their day-to-day operations as well. So definitely want to thank them um for that. Um but again I said I'm just going to kind of go through a very very high level of this because I don't want to get deep into the numbers but happy to answer any questions if you happen to have any and if I don't know an answer off my head then we will get an answer and get it back to you. But uh our most important part of this document is the independent auditors report which is on page one of the report. Um it states that we have audited the governmental activities, business type activities, discreetly presented component units and all of the major funds and remaining information and that in our opinion the information provided in this report is materially correct within governmental uh accepted accounting standards. Um it does state that we did not audit the electric fund that is audited by another auditor. if we take their audit report and put the numbers in this report that

is a large majority of the proprietary fund information that is in here. Um but again that was audited by another firm and put into uh here based on their report. Um but uh again the main thing is that we we issued what is called an unmodified opinion says that we believe that the financials are materially correct. I don't have any material misstatements that would be misleading to the users of the financials. um states that you know our responsibility is to issue that opinion. Uh as part of that we obtain an understanding of the internal control processes. Uh we evaluate the accounting policies that are used by the cities and that we exercise professional judgment in the u application of all of our procedures that we do. Um there's also some what is called required supplementary information in there. uh that includes the management discussion and analysis um which I would definitely encourage you all to read through the management discussion and analysis which begins on page five. Uh this basically kind of gives you a detailed a non-detailed summary of this entire document. It just kind of breaks it down into a lot of charts and graphs. Gives you some current year prior year information. Um the management discussion and analysis was written by Holly and the finance team and just kind of goes through a lot of the highlights of what some of the changes from current year to prior year were and whatnot. Um but just to kind of hit on some of those numbers, uh the overall net position was a decrease of $8.7 million. The bulk of that relates to there was a new accounting standard this year called compensated absences that essentially the city has always had to record a liability for vacation time that people have that you're going to pay out to employees throughout time. Sick time has not historically been included in that because if a employee leaves the city they don't get a cash payout for their sick time. This standard changed the accounting requirements and required

that you have to kind of estimate a liability for those amounts even if they won't get paid out as the employee leaves because as they're employed they're going to take some of those days of sick time. Um and to say that that was a process to come up with an estimate uh would be an understatement. There was a lot of historical data and reports looked at from the city side, looked at from the schools side to come up with those. Um, and overall, I said those came up with about a 10 plus million dollar increase in liabilities just related to implementing that standard there. So, it's it was a not only was it a lot of work to to do that and implement that standard, it also I said it did increase what is shown is the liabilities on the financial statements, but it doesn't mean that anything changed inside of the city and how you all are operating or anything. It's just a change in the accounting principles that um governmental accounting standards is now required. Um, and that is spelled out in our audit opinion that uh that is in there and there's some detailed information about that standard kind of in note one as well. But um but I know a lot a lot of times you know you have to look at the that the general fund and the budget uh type information. Um general fund revenues were a little over $2 million over final budget um while expenditures were about $760,000 under final budget. uh for the general fund I believe if I remember the calculation the fund balance of the general fund was about five and a half almost six months worth of expenditures um at the end of the year there so I think you know still was a good healthy fund balance um going on um but there was a decrease in fund balance from year to year but that was planned into your all's budget process uh and I believe in fiscal year 26

there's also a planned uh use of fund balance in the budget process there as well. But um but again like I said uh there there's lots of information in the actual details of the financials. Again I won't go into the details there but our other report is the internal control report on uh financial reporting and compliance with other matters. Um we did report one finding that was just related to u budgeting. One of the uh funds the capital facilities fund uh when the budget got amended I believe the expenditures got increased but the revenues didn't get increased correspondingly in the budget which this caused a slight issue in the the ending budget amount. The the actual fund balance was in um good order. Uh there was no issues with the actual accounting. I think it was just Um when when the budget got amended, it was the expenditures everybody knew was coming in, but it was because the revenues had come in higher with some of the investment income coming in there. Um and that just didn't get reflected, but the state required that we um report that. Um again, not not anything uh you know, with the actual numbers themselves necessarily being being wrong or anything there, but just a a state compliance thing that we had to to note on. Um uh we also issued a report uh on each major fund. That's what we call the single lot. That's uh where we do detailed testing of all the federal funds that were received by the city and the schools. Um there were no issues related to the testing of the federal funds that were required to be reported. No findings. Uh no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies related to that. Um, but during the current year, you all received about just shy of $10 million in federal funds, which is down quite a bit from what it had been the

previous couple of years because a lot of that uh stimulus money and whatnot from the federal government had kind of ran its course. So, you're kind of getting back to more normal federal expenditures at this point. So, um, but again, uh, this this has been filed with the state of Tennessee. I believe it's also on your city's website at this point. Um, as well, uh, again, I want want to thank the accounting department for both the city and the school for their help in the process. Um, as I said, it's it's it's it's a lot of work to get one of these done. It's a lot of work to put this report together, even after the numbers are are done there. Um, and we're thankful to be able to work with the city again this year. So,

thank you. Thank you. Okay, next. And to Holly and staff, we thank you. We know that it's a lot for Brown Edwards to do their analysis, but we know that you are the ones supplying the information and uh your staff and all staff because this is u across all of our different departments come into play. So, thank you very much.

All right. Next we have our board of education report. Dr. Tutor.

Good evening everyone. I'm glad it was David who followed Mr. Cross as well and not me. Um as you might imagine or maybe maybe not could be come as a surprise. I'm usually the last one to know what goes on in our district and I didn't know that Mr. Cross was has been presenting to you all. I don't know how that came to be, but thank you for having him. I'm sure you can see why we love him as a government economics teacher in our school district. He does an amazing job by just telling stories that he loves and people are captivated by that. So, thank you for having him. I think that's incredible that he was here to share that with you and can't wait to hear what he has to say next month. Um, just have a few things to share with you. This is assistant principles week. So, like to celebrate all of our assistant principles in the school district for all the work that they do. um they are behind the scenes and really do the grunt work and really get very little accolades um and celebration. They just do the work and and love it and are diligent in doing that and taking care of our kiddos. So if you see any of them, please uh thank them for their service. Also like to thank you for recognizing Arbor Day with your proclamation. Um Jeremy mentioned that we host that this year is going to be on April 24th at Fairmont Elementary. We are grateful for that partnership. We love that event. Every year, um Jeremy comes and shares with the students why we celebrate that experience and they get to help plant the tree. We we're grateful for BTES and TVA for their support in that as well. So hope for hopefully you all could come out and experience that with us. Um a couple of announcements. PreK and kindergarten registration happens this Thursday at all of our elementary schools. That's from 4 to 6. Just a drop in to register. Um, we are entering testing season. It's our school year has gone by very swiftly and so we're now in testing season and of course begins on April 20th and then elementary fall elementary and middle school follow soon after that. Um, Power

of Play Youth Sports Day is going to be held on Friday, May 1st at the Tennessee Middle School track. That's a just an evening from 5:30 to 7:30. We have lots of vendors, community support who come out and share things with our families, book bus, um, track and field events, community vendors. There's a family fun walk. So, please come to that if you all are available to do that. Again, that's May 1st at 5:30. And then summer stream camp is gearing up. That's our summer school program. Registration is open now for that, but that will happen basically the month of June. Monday through Thursdays, Monday through Thursday of every week through June. It's all I have for you, unless you all have questions for me.

Do you have a time on for the Arbor Day yet? Uh, it's one one o'clock, I believe. I'll check that and I will send you a text. That sounds great. In just a minute, but I'm pretty sure it's one o'clock. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, next we have one public hearing this evening. Uh it's on the Sweet Knobs Trail six-month plan of services report and this public hearing is now open and uh Sherith Young will present.

Thank you, Mayor Turner. Good evening, council members. Tonight I'm here at the six-month mark following the annexation uh approval of the uh property on Sweet Knobs Trail that was um requested by Mr. Sean Hunt. Uh, this was approved back in October, October 10th. Um, the property was designated to be zoned R1A in the plan of services and following approval of the ordinance to zone the property. Uh, and the reason for the presentation tonight is that uh, Tennessee code annotated requires that we come to you at a six-month mark and a one-year mark uh, to report on the plan of services for for all annexation requests. And then once we get to the one-year mark, we'll come back annually after if there are any outstanding issues to report on. TCA also requires that we publish notice of this meeting, and we did so in the March 7th edition of the Kingsport Times News. Um, and this map shows the property there that was um annexed into the city on Sweetnobs Trail. Plan of services was fairly straightforward on this annexation request. There were two items that were uh identified as items that needed to be addressed or or added once the annexation was complete. That was related to sanitary sewer service and electric service. Um both of those items were um routine related to the development of the property. The applicant or the owner of the property has applied for sanitary sewer service. that application has been um approved and granted. And then also BTS services have been um run to the property. So they are available now as the as the folks start to build the two homes that will will be built on the properties. Um with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions and then we'll be back at one year to report on what I hope will be a close out and feel feel pretty strongly will be close out of the uh annexation plan of services reports. But happy to

answer any questions. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak to council on this matter? All right, seeing none, this public hearing is now closed. Next is our appearance of citizens, which uh provides an opportunity for the public to address city council on any matter of city business. A response will not will not likely be made at this time. In most cases, neither council nor the city manager will be prepared to effectively respond to the concern. We will look into those and we'll reach out to the appropriate staff. Um we have there was a list as we came in. We have four people. The first is David Winship and we just we there's three minutes and our city attorney will monitor that. So thank you.

My name is David Winship. I live at 100005 Beachwood Drive in King College Park. This is a neighborhood that you have chosen to destroy. You're agreeing with the recent decision of your planning commission will condemn the neighborhood that I have residents for the last 75 years, King College Park. Councilwoman Fire Robin has told me that your hands are tied because of the zoning decisions. If so, you are the enablers of this destruction. You provide the city services that the developments demand. Improvements to our utility services should come before you choose to provide them for these interlopers. I don't know the whole property, but I know this section number three. This property has been viewed for development before in the past. In the 50s, developers had ideas of developing it. They cleared four sites and then gave up. Dr. Zadei knew it couldn't be developed because of the underlying geological problems. There are caverns, sinkholes that have increased and it's going to make utilities and development of housing impossible. I'm a Rotarian and I evaluate projects by the four-way test which includes is this fair to all concerned? This project is not fair for any of the adjacent or neighborhood land owners where the creation of 75 cracker box houses will bring a traffic of 500 cars on a street that now has 25 cars. This

street, Forest Drive, is a street where children play, where visitors park, and which floods in heavy rains. King College Park will suffer. We are the collateral damage. I grieve for my neighborhood's future. And the first stage of grief is getting angry. And I am angry. We all know that suppressing anger is not good for the individual. So I'm saying to you that you will be the object of my anger in words and in whatever other ways I can be able to oppose these efforts that you enable.

Thank you. Next we have Roger Gist. Ladies and gentlemen, I've never been to a city meeting before, so this is my first time. I didn't know how to prepare for it, but I own a small business here in Bris. We came to Tennessee from Florida because Tennessee is just a beautiful state. We love it here. We love the weather even though it does get a little chilly. But I own a campground and I provide housing basically for lowincome people. Some of my campground is in the flood zone, but in my defense, it's 2 feet higher than the campground right across the creek from me. When I come here, they said you have 138 spaces of which you can put people in. Over the years, we've had no trouble putting people in there. Now all of a sudden we code enforcement informed me that the permits that they gave me are only for April and September. So that means 10 months out the year I can't put anybody in that section of the campground which seems to defeat the meaning of what a campground is. It's so you can come and camp and enjoy it. But they said due to the laws that Bristol has on books and then they told me that they're conflicting laws, if I want to expand my campground in an area out of the flood

zone, I can't even do anything for six months. Now I've displaced 30 people. I told them, "You've got to go. City says you can't be here no more." and they went to code meetings and they cried. They said, "What are we going to do? Where else can we find a place where you can live for $550 a month, including utilities?" And they gave them till April 30th. I got seven holdouts waiting till April 30th, hoping beyond hope that somehow something would change and they could stay. However, the campground across the creek from me stays full the whole time. Nobody's had to move at all. I don't understand. And I hope you guys would take a little bit of time and reconsider some lowcost housing alternatives. I know they're not living in a stick built house or a rental house. They're living in the house that they can afford and they take care of. to throw them out just seems unconscionable. But I had to do what the city told me so I don't get in trouble. And currently, right now, I'm losing more money than I'm making. And I'm trying to figure a way to expand. I'll have to invest another quarter million dollars into my campground so I can. But that's only if they let me go ahead and submit plans and do what I got to do. So, I wish you guys would stop and think. There's a lot of full-time campgrounds out there operating year round. We're not like the uh movie theater over there that only opens up for two weeks and they're happy with it. We've got to be open the whole time. So, I wish you guys would stop and think and

think about your constituents out there who really need this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we have Suzanne Morell.

Hi. Hello. Thanks for letting us speak. Um, I'm speaking about the development um that is right behind my neighborhood. I live at 1020 Beachwood Drive. It's the development that Ardent is um submitting for approval for resoning. Um I liked how it was spinned in the um planning commission. It was said that oh the way it is currently they could put 504 property on there. 400 504 houses. We all know that's not true. That's the way that's called spinning a thing. spinning a yarn. Um, you can't put 504 property on pieces of part or houses, whatever you want to call it, on there because there's a good portion of it that he has laid out already as supposed greenway um because it's not buildable. Um, if you did not approve the zoning um the way he wants you to, then he would go. He's already said that in the planning meeting. he's he would take his property somewhere else. There are other places besides this area to put a neighborhood. This is not a good location for a neighborhood. Um yes, obviously it's going to impact my property and that is of my concern. But only not only that, but just like my neighbor had said, that road that he is proposing as an entrance into this neighborhood um currently has 22 is what the city planning said, 22 average vehicles per day on it. They're saying it's going to be 4 to 500. I will not even be able to access my um property the way it is currently. And I don't know what the city plans on doing because if you do appro approve this plan and you go forward, what's going to

happen to the roads in our neighborhood? How are you going to support 4 to 500 people coming into my neighborhood? Most people, I don't think, have any cognizance of where this is. This is in a very older part of the city that has very narrow roads. Like my neighbor said, there are children, small children that play on this road all the time. Um, it's not wide enough even the neighborhood to get to the road. Say you want to, you know, you're going to take some of the people's property and widen the road. Okay. How are you going to get from King College Road or Cedar Street as it is, how are you going to get from Cedar Street to Forest Drive? It's a curvy, windy like one and a half at best. um distance, you know, car length, width road. It's not big enough. You're going to have to steal people's property to be able to move the road and make it large enough. That's not going to make your citizens in that area happy. But that's my say. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Next, we have and apologize. I cannot read the last thing, but Sierra. Okay. It's okay. We get struggle a lot. I I just I couldn't read the expression.

Um my name is Sierra Strubel and my family has been lived in Bristol my entire life as most of you probably have. Um but my mom resides on my mom is Suzanne. Um lives on 1020 Beachwood and before that my grandparents lived there. Um I have grown up my entire life there and I I apologize this brings up a lot of memories. Um my dad died a couple months ago. Um, man, sorry guys. Um, as a real estate professional myself, I live in Georgia. Um, I'm licensed in Georgia and South Carolina and, um, I see these developments all day, every day. Um, I sell them. I don't like selling them. Um, biggest reason I don't like selling them is because we have enough housing. Um, the problem is not that we don't have enough housing, and that goes for your area as well. you have about 260 homes on the market in Bristol, Tennessee City alone. Um, and most of those fall within 250 to 300. Most of the homes that are going to be built in this neighborhood are quite a bit above that range. And to be honest with you, we've got campgrounds where people are being forced out and they can only afford $550 a month. That's that's a chronic issue in our area. And building new houses that people can't afford is not going to fix that. Um, on top of the fact that yes, much of that land behind the house, I've grown up, my granddaddy used to, there used to be a bull that lived back there and my granddaddy used to go and have to get it when it would get out and my nana would tell us, "You can't go out in the yard. There's a bull out there." Um, that's the type of land that's back there. Because that was the only thing that was back there for the longest time because there are caverns back there. I used to beg my granddaddy to let me just go walk through that field. And he said, "Nope, there's too many things that are dangerous back there." And I could not go back there and walk it. But standing in my parents yard is one of the most peaceful p places on earth. And for this neighborhood to come in there, it is going to absolutely destroy it. You're

going to force my mom out of this area. And that's a shame because she's lost enough. We all have. And it's not fair. Um, this area doesn't need more houses. And you would have to, like she said, you if you drive down Edgewood Drive, the city has gone through there and done so much utility work, but they've never actually repaved the road. It looks like my kids could have done a better job, to be honest with you. And my children are some of the children that play on those roads. Um, you know, where we live, we don't have that luxury like you do here. Um, it's a lot busier. We live near Augusta, Georgia. It's a lot busier. We don't have the ability to have our kids out playing on the roads. And here you do. And building big neighborhoods like this is going to ruin that for your citizens. It's going to take your small town feel. And I'm the last one to tell you that you don't really need it. But I you don't need it. I sell these houses and you don't need it here. Um there's not a need for it. And you know, that's my say, I guess.

Okay. Thank you.

Okay, that was the end of the list. Is there anyone else in attendance that Okay, next we have appointments. Uh the first is the board of code of appeals uh for one position unexpired term and the is Ronald Wright. Anyone like to speak on behalf of Mr. Wright? Right. Councilwoman Fire Robbin has Ronald Wright. Mayor Turner has Ronald Wright. Vice Mayor Powers has Ronald Wright. And Councilwoman has Ronald Wright.

Okay. Next, we have two candidates for two appointments on the board of the Sullivan County Board of Equalization. Uh, Melan Lutral and Kathy Mullins. I believe we could speak in favor of both of them and also to thank them. Um, particularly this year it was pretty arduous.

Um, and y'all filled in. Also, David Warren is here who has done it in the past. So, um, I thank y'all for your service, David, for yours and Men and Kathy Mullins for being willing to take it on again. So, uh, greatly appreciate that. Okay. All right. Councilwoman Akard has Mean Nutral and Kathy Mullins. Vice Mayor Powers has Mean Nutral and Kathy Mullins. Mayor Turner has and Lrol and Kathy Mullins and Councilwoman Fire Robin has Mail and Lrol and Kathy Mullins.

Okay, thank you all. Um, next we have on the first reading, Ordinance 26-2, an ordinance amend the zoning map of Brooks, Tennessee designating certain property as PRD uh 1808 King College Road. And Miss Young will present.

Thank you, Mayor Turner. Um, tonight I have a presentation for you that is condensed from what the planning commission heard and what city council heard uh during their work session. So, I know we spent a lot of time going through the details of this resoning um during those two meetings. So, I will u kind of kind of quickly move through these um but certainly happy to slow down or or refer back to any slides that you have any questions on. Um but tonight we're here for the first reading for an ordinance to reszone uh a portion of a property that's addressed as 1808 King College Road. Property owner is Mrs. Audrey Audrey Zadei and the applicant is Jerome Malan with Ardent Development Group. The request is to reszone a portion of the property just over 132 acres of 152 acre parcel that is currently zoned R1 and AA R1A and R2 to PRD which is the city's planned residential district. Uh during the uh past couple um presentations we've talked about this as a four-step process. So, we have a reasonzoning. We would then move to a preliminary plat phase, final plat phase, and then the project would be in the completion stage. Um, tonight we're down at bullet point 4 that's highlighted in yellow under the resoning. So, we've we're working through the legislative act to reassign development rules to this land that would be that would allow it to be developed under our PRD zone. Um and we are at the point in time where city council will hold the first reading of this ordinance tonight and if it passes we will come back in May with a second reading in public hearing uh to finalize the legislative action. So um if the reasoning is approved we will start a process um to really look through uh and obtain designs for the development, make sure they meet all of the city's requirements and rules. We will look at

impact studies that address some of the um concerns that I know the public has um for transportation, utilities, infrastructure. Um as we go through that preliminary plat process, but this is the um kind of starting to wrap up the resoning process. If the resoning is approved, we will go into the next phase, which is some um heavy analysis and design work to see what the ultimate development will look like. Just a quick summary on the PRD zone. This is a zone that city council tweet planning commission tweaked um a few years ago to allow for a flexible development zone. Um you are required to have a minimum of 10 acres to even request the resoning to go to this zone. Um but it allows a more flexible approach to designing a development and does allow a multitude of housing types. So single family, two family, multifamily um and configurations of detached, semi- detached and attached. Um there are some more flexible setbacks for PRD developments with a requirement for a periphery setback along the border or edge of a project that abuts something that's not zoned PRD. And there are some um further stipulations if a developer would choose to utilize a multifamily building in their PRD project. So for example um units multif family units are capped at either four or six units. So they wouldn't allow a large scale multifamily project but would allow some smaller scale missing middle type houses within a PRD development. This is a map that shows the parcel that is uh subject to the resoning request. So that is hatched in red. What you see in yellow is the primary residence on the parcel currently at 1808 King College Road. And then the blue strip uh

identified on the map shows the driveway from the home out to King College Road. So the strip, driveway strip, the 20 acres surrounding the house are not requested for resoning, but the remainder or hatched area is included in that resoning request. This is a zoning map of the area. We have quite a few different zoning classifications in and around this um area. all residential zoning classes, R1A, R2, R3, and then on the south side of the parcel, Sullivan County A1 zoning. Uh most of the uses, really all of the uses in the surrounding area are residential with the exception of uh Holston View Elementary School. This is an excerpt from our future land use map, which is one of the tools that we use when we look at resoning requests. Um everything in the yellow um color on the map is projected for a low density residential land use. So this PRD um uh zone does align with a lower density future land use classification. This is the Zadei property currently with its zoning classifications of R1A and R2. Um, R1A allows three units per acre. R2 allows nine units per acre. Um, and I know I say this often, but remember that these zoning density calculations are something that live in the zoning ordinance that we use as a metric to compare and contrast zoning districts. Just because there are three units allowed, nine units allowed and and when you total all that acreage and density out, you come up to that 400 504 units currently that could be built on site. Doesn't always mean that 504 units

will yield a development. Um we have to keep in mind topography, roads, required infrastructure that do start to negate those totals and bring down that um density allowance. But zoning math is that 504 units would fit on that parcel given the current acreage and the current zoning classifications. So to be clear, if I understood correctly, there could potentially be 504 structures, but that's in using the total acreage, not allowing for roads or the topography. That's based that's a calculation based on total acreage only.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, that's correct. Um this is a map that's this one is new for you tonight. Um and something that our public works GIS folks put together um that shows the relief and elevation of the area. So everything that is um lighter, the whiter color is higher. Um and as you get darker, the elevation goes down. And they also put on some um simplified um road network. So it's easier a little bit easier to look at and talk about um if you all would like to go into any detail here. But this does show the elevation and relief of the property um just a little bit better than anything we've had yet. Certainly the drone photos show that well as well and those are included in your package but wanted to provide this um just in as an additional um map to look at. So this is the um map or exhibit that has been provided by Mr. Mal and what is indicated by the colors here this shows the areas for development. Um so the yellow again is what shows as R1A that is not to be reszoned and that stays with the primary residence. Uh what is in blue are residential pockets. So 1 2 3 and four where development uh would and could occur. So you can see the acreage totals there. And then the green areas show what Mr. uh Malan has indicated for a natural recreation use. So those would be undevelopable areas. included in your packet. We talked through this at in a great great detail at the planning commission meeting, but staff did provide some initial analysis on this uh area uh from a transportation standpoint. The the key factor or key

element I'd point out is that a complete traffic study that is prepared by a l licensed professional engineer will be required at that preliminary plat stage. So once they know what the design layout's going to look like, um what's going to be where we will be asking for that traffic study, um the engineering division has looked at this and obviously provided the information on screen that there are uh three roads that are expected to be directly impacted, but there are several downstream impacts that could occur and those will also be looked at in the traffic impact study. From a storm water perspective, um we will be requiring storm water management plans that meet all city and state regulations. Um the infrastructure that will be constructed by the developer uh will be maintained by the city once it's accepted. From an electric service standpoint, uh the developer is in a discussion with Bristol, Tennessee Essential Services to potentially donate a parcel of land to serve as a location uh for a new facility to serve the whole area, not just that development, but the whole area as well. Excuse me. Solid waste services. um this development at full buildout will generate additional um need for collection services. So that will be um important to consider as we continue to look at the phasing and the and the timeline for development. So, we will be um coordinating closely with public works to make sure that we're looking at all of the factors and needs that the development could generate and any costs for in for equipment and operations would be included in the CIP or capital improvement plan program and funded through the solid waste enterprise fund.

Um, from a school impact perspective, this parcel is located in the Holston View Elementary School District. Um, I did provide some numbers at the planning commission meeting and work session uh for your consideration, but Dr. Coleman was kind enough to help me look at this from um, seeing how those look out across the grade bands. Um, and I will point out one mistake I did have in what I presented to you earlier. Um you'll see the range there from 375 to 475. Um and um the 04 multiplier uh is the highest multiplier um that we use. So uh or I'm sorry the school system uses uh at the in the earlier versions of this I had a 214 at that 475 mark but the the math is actually 190. So 190 would be the um higher of the numbers projected for student populations if the property is built out at the highest um unit number of 475. And one I think I might have one slide missing here. Um utilities. Um so we will be asking for an impact study for um both water and sanitary sewer service. So from a utility perspective that will be a component of that preliminary plat review is um obtaining a utility impact study from the developer um public notification. So we did do all of our traditional means of public notification. So signs on the property. Uh we sent letters to adjacent property owners. We did receive 10 comment sheets back in favor of the resoning request and 20 in that were in or in opposition to the resoning request. Re we received

seven phone calls with questions or concerned concerns. And then if this public hearing or if this first reading is approved tonight, we move forward. We will be advertising and scheduling a public hearing for the May meeting of city council. Um the planning commission did hear this on March the 23rd and the vote was uh unanimous of the members present that night 7 to zero to send a favorable recommendation to city council on the resoning request. Um, and the one item I will just update you on that's happened since the planning commission meeting is that um, Brian Ramsey and I did go meet with the Svin County Highway Department. So, we had a good discussion with um, both Commissioner Murray and Jim Montgomery about the development. Um, they're not in opposition to the development, but like us want to see the traffic impact study once we know exactly what is planned for the future of the property. And then with that, my final wrap up is just this image um that shows next steps for the resoning request. So you can see we're here at the second um block. So first reading tonight. Uh if we go forward, we'll do the second reading and public hearing on May 5th. Uh and with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Anybody have any questions for Miss Sean? I just have a question for um maintaining uh the utilities for the city to do that. Just curious, does that include retention ponds? Do we maintain those? I know that's frequently part of the system um for runoff. So that would be a part of that storm water management plan that would have to be um designed by the you know professional engineer and reviewed and approved by our um city engineering division uh to to meet all their standards and requirements.

So do we maintain it after that? I understand we maintain the pipes and everything, but do we maintain retention ponds in a development like this or is that part of the develop? How does that work? So, we t Is Brian here? Do you want to Sorry. No, I don't think he's here. I didn't want to speak for him. Um, so typically we don't take ownership of the pond itself, but we do reserve um the right to maintain it if it's not maintained correctly. Yeah, I assume if it's done well, then it sort of maintains itself just like any other pond.

That's the idea. Plus, in some of if it's in some of the forested areas, it could be kind of nice to have a pond there as well and have some water life, etc. Do I have a motion to take action on ordinance 26-2? Motion to approve ordinance 26-2. Okay, motion. Is there a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? I have just a couple of questions. Um I know Mr. Malan, can I ask you a few questions?

Certainly. Teran Malan, Art of Development. Yeah. Um there are uh just just so the public understands, there are 33.9 acres for single residents in one parcel of land. and another 30 32.7 of single residents, cottage homes, and twin homes. So, it's it's a diverse type of housing. Correct. That's correct. There's four different price points. Sheriff, can you um give

Yeah. What what what we've tried to show here in the um uh drawing that's on the screen presently is the four different price point areas would be area 1, two, three, and four. The um areas that just are not developable that would be walking and hiking trails are considered areas five, six, seven, and eight. Uh different price points. the 33.9 acres in in area one, uh you're looking at um 375 to $500,000 houses. Uh 32.7 acre area, you're looking uh 3 to $400,000 houses. And then and and and I think one thing I'd like to make a point of is that one and two do connect each other and one and two do have access to King College and to Paperville, but they do not have access to three or four. So three and four is actually a totally different area and they they do not have access to one or two. So um that's why the traffic state I think will show that there's minimal impact on forest. But when you get to the to the three and four area you're looking at um 250 to $300,000 cottage homes, onele homes, and then uh some twin homes which are similar to duplexes but uh you do have uh the ownership of the land with them. That's the difference between duplex and twin home.

And so section four where the twin homes, if I've got that correct, they would they would have access to Paperville Road. No, that's not practical. Do three and four connect each other. It probably could have drawn the lines a touch better than that. But three and four connect with each other and go out forced. But no, it's not possible to connect to um Paperville nor to um um the the road that comes down the side there. So, okay. All right. I just I just wanted to give you the opportunity to discuss the diverse different uh

four different price points. Um and I think that this is something that uh would be nice for the area. Did you have any other comments you might like to make? Um, not at this time. No, thank you. All right. Thank you. Good meeting. All right. Um, well, I could have asked while you were up there, but um I assume I mean people are concerned about the caverns, etc. That's part of what you're going to work on to be sure that um you're building on firm foundations, etc.

We have done quite a few soil borings already. That is an area we have not done the soil bearings in yet just because we couldn't get good access to it yet and uh yes there there would be more soil bearings done and it's pos you know there may be credence to that area becomes smaller or even undevelopable as well possible or perhaps the style no basement or some things like that. So that is correct. Um, so that will be paid attention to and um presumably you wouldn't be allowed to build if it comes back. Yeah. What what once the master plan comes out all those answers will be uh with the master plan or the site development plan. Thank you.

And then I have just one more question for Sheriff. Mr. Sheriff, the process here is that council will vote this evening and then we will have a second vote and then it it goes to the planning commission and the plat will come through the planning commission for approval. Yes, ma'am. So if the resoning is approved um we will work with Mr. Mal the preliminary plat must be approved by the planning commission and every final plat must be approved by the planning commission. So the planning commission will have approval authority of um of really everything designwise once the resoning is approved.

I just wanted to emphasize that none of this has been taken lightly. It has been uh I know Mr. Melanie has presented uh a tremendous amount of information shared. Is that a fair statement? I know that our own planning department multiple aspects and all of our departments have been involved in uh a deep study as to uh what services uh could would be provided um and capacities as they are and then of course we have the studies that will be required to move forward. it will require a second vote from this body and then the planning commission will be involved in every step beyond that. So this is not something that we we have taken very lightly by any means and it has been a total staff citywide that has been involved from BTE to our school systems to our fire and safety to our public works to our economic development to our parks and recreation. This has been a hugely comprehensive uh effort, including our legal and our city manager. So, I appreciate all of the involvement. I'm looking back at all of our staff and and directors that have worked so hard.

Anything other? We have a motion and a second. Just going to add one more thing if that's okay. Sure.

Okay. Um, yeah, just the planned residential does allow for a lot more input. I think it's a lot harder for the developer, but hopefully it ends up being a better development because of the input that it receives. So I think it'll be um interesting to see how that process goes and the input and citizens of course are um uh have comment time at planning commission every time so citizens can provide input as well as the planning commission looks at their um process. I'll also say that um we do need housing in our community and there have been several housing studies. Um our whole Tri Cities area is short I think like 20 12,000 homes in our um Tri Cities area. That was a study done several years ago. Um and the different price points are helpful. We do need I appreciate that the um campground speaker. We absolutely need more lower income housing. That is an issue that needs to be addressed more. And thank you, Regina, for being here. And she's been attending our meetings. And our housing authority has branched out and trying to address some of those needs in different ways than what they may have done in the past. Um, we definitely need to um see what we can do in that area and be creative. uh for that part, but thank you.

All right, have a motion in a second. Mary Lee Powers, yes. Akard, yes. Turner, yes. Fire Robin, yes. Okay, next uh resolutions. We have five resolutions this evening. The first one is resolution 26-33 to professional services contract with Kimley Horn to complete the trolley service feasibility study. Uh, Michael Bray will present this item. Our transportation planning manager.

Thank you, Mayor Turner. Good evening, city council members. Um, I'm coming back to you two weeks later. We uh presented this briefly at the work session on um March 24th, I believe. I have that date wrong. Uh so as a refresher, NO staff members issued a task order to the professional services uh general planning consultant services contract through the department of rail and public transportation in Virginia um on January 14th for services to complete the feasibility study for a jointly operated Bristol Tennessee and Virginia trolley service. Um during the one month that it was open for proposals, we received three proposals by the deadline. um selection committee was composed of myself, the Bristol, Tennessee transit manager, and the director of community development and planning for Bristol, Virginia. Um and among those three proposals, two scored so competitively that we interviewed the top two. Um and ultimately came to the selection of Kinley Horn and Associates, Inc. as the preferred consultant team for the study. Um, I'll also note that the cost and fee proposal that Kim Horn proposed was the only one of the three within our operating budget. So, at $85,969. Um, and we expect the maximum contribution from the general fund to be $5,000. Um, also within your agenda tonight is an item on the consent agenda that covers the breakdown of those costs in the operating budget. So, you'll have that as well. Um and staff recommends approval of the uh resolution as presented.

Okay, great. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. B? Do have a motion to approve resolution 26-33. Motion to approve resolution 26-33. Motion a second. Second. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee. Powers. Yes. A yes. Turner. Yes. Fire Robin. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Next, we have a Well, I guess you're you're still there. So, resolution 26-34 authorizing entry into a grant contract with Tennessee Department of Transportation for surface transportation block grant funds for Highway 394 corridor management. So for this one, the no awarded the city $200,000 in surface transportation block grant funds to develop a corridor management plan for State Route 394, also known as Highway 394. Um to cover the entire length of the corridor, 15.52 miles. Um and it's a collaborative effort with Sullivan County, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the NO itself. Um, we initiated the contract for the grant back in early February and received a copy of the grant contract ready for execution on March 11th. Um, the contract includes a $200,000 in SDG funds and requires a $50,000 local match. The exact amount of which is to be paid through the general fund versus the county's fund is still being worked out with county staff. Um but we'll have that before we procure consultant services for the study. Um and of course the primary use of the STG funds is to help uh fund those professional services to develop the quarter management plan. Um and this project is included in the proposed budget for city fiscal year 2027. Um and per the grant contract terms, all funds must be spent within five years and staff recommends approval of the resolution.

Okay, any questions? Do I have a motion to approve resolution 26-34? Resolution to approve 26-34. Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee Powers? Yes. Aker? Yes. Turner? Yes. Fire Robin? Yes. Thank you. Next we have resolution 26-35 authorizing entry into an agreement with Clark Nixon to provide programming and pre-esign services for recreation and aquatic facility.

Mayor Turner, uh members of the city council, we currently have three projects underway. Uh first, the skate park uh that's uh going to be built hopefully beginning sometime in late the late fall. We've received $1 million from the state of Tennessee for that project. The next one is K's playground. That was a $10 million donation uh uh to get that done at Steel Creek Park. And we've also started our master plan work, which next week we'll have a public meeting to discuss uh the future of many things, many wonderful things here uh in Bristol and how they they play out. This particular resolution actually looks at a new aquatic center and recreation center for Bristol and it's in with a partnership with Carton Nexon. Um, and what it will do will be uh uh will involve the site selection for the facility, input from staff and citizens, establish project goals, uh look hard at operational cost and then uh we'll be able to have a conceptual design and estimated cost. The total cost for this particular phase is $176,900 and that too has been paid for by a very giving donor we have. So we ask tonight that you you approve this uh so we can move forward with the building of a new aquatic center and recreation center.

Fantastic. Do I have a motion for resolution 26-35? Motion to approve resolution 2635 authorizing an agreement for programming and pre-esign for recreation and aquatic facility. Okay, have a second. Second. Have a motion and a second. Further discussion. Mary Lee Powers. Yes. Akard. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire Robin. Yes. Thank you. All right. Next we have resolution 26-36 uh appointing the city's representative to the board of rhythm and roots reunion.

Thank you mayor councel. As discussed at the last work session um when the city council approved the annual committee appointments resolution in February we staff inadvertently had u my name included as the city's representative on the rhythm and roots reunion festival board. um when in actuality in the work session the discussion was to have Terry Neier, our director of community engagement and events continue to remain on that board. So resolution 26-36 reestablishes Terry in that role um representing the city on the board. Okay, I have a motion on resolution 26-36. Motion to approve resolution 26-36. Second.

Have a motion and a second. Further discussion. Thank you, Terry. Mary Lee Powers, yes. Aker, yes. Turner, yes. Fire Robin, yes. Right. Next, we have resolution 26-37 approving amendment to the purchasing regulations the city of Bristol, Tennessee to allow the city manager to approve purchases of less than $25,000. City Attorney Daniel Smith will

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, as we discussed at your work session, this was actually an idea that council brought up. So, we appreciate it. Uh, our current p purchasing regulations require that any purchase that is over $10,000 come to council for approval. Uh, we are permitted under state law to go up to $25,000. And so, council indicated that they wanted to go ahead and do that. Um, obviously everything that is purchased would still have to be budgeted for. Nothing changes that, but uh, city manager would be able to approve those purchases up to $25,000. Um, they would still have to get quotes as dictated by the purchasing policy.

Right. Do I have a motion for resolution 26-37? Motion to approve resolution 26-37. Second.

A motion and a second. I will just say of this of you, we did talk about in our work session and when this came up of part of it was of when we were talking about our brush pickup of where we had a couple of trucks down that replacing an engine and with the cost of what we're seeing right now that that had to come through council and waiting 30 days to be able to get that just I guess I I thought we had changed it before but I'm glad we caught this and is something that could have prevented um some of the delays that we've had and so I think that it's a good decision, a good thing.

So Mary Lee, I apologize. Who was the second, please? Who's second? Margaret. Thank you. Powers. Yes. Akre, yes. Turner, yes. Fire Robin, yes. All

right. Next, we have our consent agenda. All right, we have a long one tonight, so bear with me. We have the minutes of the March 3rd city council meeting. We've got the minutes of the March 10th city council work session. The minutes of the March 24th city council special called meeting. Minutes of the March 24th city council work session. Approval of resolution 26-38 authorizing the city to enter into a cost sharing agreement with Bristol, Virginia for the trolley service feasibility study. Approval of resolution 26-39 authorizing the temporary use of city-owned property for the sale of alcoholic beverages by Believe in Bristol. Approval of resolution 26-40 adopting an amendment to the city's economic development incentive program policies. Approval of resolution 26-41 authorizing an annual inflation adjustment to the financial assurance agreement for the city of Bristol demolition landfill. Approval of resolution 26-42 authorizing the city to apply for Federal Transit Administration Formula 5339A grants for buses and bus facilities program funding. Approval of resolution 26-43 authorizing acceptance of a grant for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and insurance for purchase of rescue equipment by the fire department. Approval of resolution 26-44 awarding a bid for two two sets of hydraulic rescue tools for the fire department. Approval of resolution 26-45 authorizing the city to seek competitive sealed proposals for ambulance billing collection financial reporting and analytical services. Approval of resolution 26-46 authorizing the city to seek competitive seal proposals for collection services. Approval of resolution 26-47 authorizing emergency repairs to the solid waste knuckle boom loader unit 407. Approval of resolution 26-48 authorizing emergency rental with the option to purchase a brush truck for public works through Sourcewell.

Approval of resolution 26-49 authorizing the installation of insertion valve at the Shelby Street booster station. And just a note on this one, um in the original packet that went out last week, it was for two valves and they only had to replace one. So in the packets for approval tonight is one valve at $17,955. Then we have approval of resolution 26-50 authorizing the purchase of a replacement fire alarm panel for the Bristol Public Library. And again, that's 50% of the cost. Um, Bristol, Virginia would pay the other 50%. Then we have approval of resolution 26-51 authorizing a contract with Pyro Shows, Inc. for fireworks display for the Independence Day celebration. Approval of resolution 26-52 authorizing the transition of city cellular services to FirstNet through the state contract. Approval of resolution 26-53 authorizing the purchase of replacement police K9 vehicle under the state contract. And approval of resolution 26-54 authorizing the purchase of replacement K9 vehicle equipment under the state contract.

Would any member of council like an item removed from the consent agenda? Do I have a motion to approve the cons consent agenda? Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. Mary Lee Powers. Yes. Baker. Yes. Turner. Yes. S Robin. Yes. Right. Next we have our city manager report.

Thank you. Just a number of things coming up here. Um this Thursday, April 9th at 3:30 at the um at the Summit Center, we've got the volunteer plaza redevelopment district um redevelopment plan public hearing through Bristol housing and that does include a tax increment financing component for project strike. Then we have um the races this coming weekend. So a number of things happening starting on Friday evening. Um, we've got the the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and then we've got the Transporter motorcade at 9:00 am on Saturday. Um, followed by the the race and then the Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday. Um, then on Thursday, April 16th from 5:30 to 7, we kick off what um, Mr. remains was talking about at Slater Center here for the community engagement meeting open house for residents to share their input and help shape the parks and recreation master plan. Just prior to that again on the 16th, the park and rec commission, friends of Steel Creek Park, the tree board and city council is invited as well uh to attend a steering committee, a more focused group um to have input on that plan. The King University Centennial Dogwood Celebration is Friday, April 17th to Sunday, April 19th with the 5K that our community engagement events and other staff are are helping with um on the 18th. And then the um nature center trash bash will be held at Steel Creek Park on April 25th from 9 to noon. And finally, and absolutely um last but certainly not least, on April 27th from 4 to 6, Fire Chief Mike Carrier, um we have his retirement party. This is the last city council meeting that Chief Carrier will be attending. Um very, very happy for him, very very sad for the city. Um so with with that, much thanks to Chief Carrier for the 38 years that he's given

to the city of Bristol. He has certainly deserved his retirement for sure. And we congratulate um in interim fire chief Dwayne Hornaker who will be taking over that same uh evening that we'll they'll be passing the baton and looking forward to to seeing Chief Honaker. Can you give the date and time again? Yes, it's April 27th. It's a Monday from 4 to 6 and it's at station 2 with remarks at 4:30. Brief remarks at 4:30. Um and Yeah. YEAH.

Thank you. And that's all I have. Okay. Council comments you like.

Sure. Um, so yes, Chief Carrier, it's been a good journey. I've been there for part of your journey. So greatly appreciate um what you've contributed and for how long and I'd say your length of time probably the last four months might have been felt longer than some of those with um being very nice to accommodate our schedule for um filling your position. So thank you. Um and um I wanted to say something about and John if you know what time on the 17th for the 250th kickoff

1:30

1:30 at Rocky Mount on the 17th um is kickoff for Sullivan County. We've worked together as a county with Kingsport, uh, Bristol, the county, um, representatives and Bluff City to try to coordinate some different events. There's a website that has, uh, things on it. And the April 17th at Rocky Mount at 1 is going to be a kickoff, uh, birthday cake and different celebrations. And, uh, I think it'll be free entry that day. uh encourage people to come out. Rocky Mount uh is in Sullivan County for part of it and it is the um the center of our 250th celebration for our region. So we coordinated to work with them for this kickoff and I think the mayors are going to have little speeches and stuff like that. So, um, and plaques if they get done, there's some other activities also. I'm thrilled that Mr. Cross has been here to help us and I like his approach. It's not just given us. It's kind of given the big picture step back and what does this really look like? So, I appreciate that. Um, I just wanted to say that um, there's a lot going on that's affecting all of us and maybe keeping some of us awake at night, etc. Um, and what's going on at federal level and the not knowing and um, different things are extremely unsettling. Um also state legislature has uh had more things on their agenda curtailing our powers which um it seems like in our

history that happens periodically but this time it'll be interesting to get the update but several things that um we have had input power to make decisions and some of those that are being passed um take that away from us um which when we look at the power being with our citizens and in local government that to me is unfortunate. Also with the things that are happening with cuts and uh changes etc. I think we will start seeing a lot of we're already feeling some of those impacts. I think we will see more um a lot of our that are going to affect our individual citizens and then also um nonprofits that receive dollars that help them to help others and also housing authorities etc. cuts in those right when our citizens are in bigger need. I think we're going to see that and experience that in our community. also for us directly. I think uh going forward we're going to see a lot more requests from for our city to help support some of the different projects and the different um human services that nonprofits take a lot to um help with and help our citizens. So just wanted to share that. Thank you. I'd like to thank uh Chief Carrier for your service and for hanging in there with us beyond the original time of retirement. Uh you've added so much to our community and we greatly appreciate all that you have done and the services that you've provided. Um there is a lot going on and so I would just encourage everyone to continue to be in contact with those around you and be sure everybody's okay.

I just want to add one thing that um April is autism awareness month. So just wanted to to make mention of that. It's very near and dear to my heart. That's it. All right. Thank you. And with that we are ajourned.