City Council - Regular Meeting

[clears throat] like to call to order the Tennessee City Council meeting November 4th, 2025. Mary Lee, would you call the role? Yes, sir. Akard here. Turner, yes. Fire Robin, here. Slaggel here. Powers

here. Welcome and thank everyone for attending. Uh there's two opportunities to speak to matters of city business this evening. There was a signup sheet as everyone entered chambers and then we will also note each time uh during the meeting there is time for public comment. Um at this time I would like to ask Chief Carrier to do our invocation and Councilman Matt Slaggel will lead us in our pledge of allegiance. Good evening. Let's bow our heads and have a word of prayer. Most kind and gracious heavenly father, we come before you tonight and we just thank you, dear God, for all your many blessings. We thank you, Lord, for this beautiful day that you've given us to be a part of. And as we come together tonight, Lord, we pray for this mayor and the city council as they address the items on the agenda and the items of need for our city. We pray dear God you would give them your wisdom to make the decisions that would move the city forward and would best serve the citizens. We thank you Lord for their willingness to put themselves out and to serve in the positions that they do. As we come before you tonight Lord we would not forget the freedoms that we have to assemble like this. And as we approach Veterans Day just uh a week from today we pray dear God that you would just bless all those that have served and are serving. Help us to never forget the sacrifices that have been made down through the years to provide the freedoms that we have and those that are currently serving to protect those freedoms. I pray your blessings on them and bless their families as a lot are serving in foreign places and their families are at home worried. Pray dear God you would just wrap your loving arms around them and comfort them as they wait. I pray tonight Lord for our government at the federal level. I pray Lord that you would just help them to find some common ground to be able to get our government opened back up. And I pray, dear Lord, for all those folks that are not getting paychecks because of the shutdown. I pray, Lord, that you

would bless them in some way. And I pray for those that depend so much on the SNAP benefits and the other programs for food this time of the year is a bad time to not be able to get that. So I pray, Lord, that you would just bless them in some way. And I pray, Lord, you would challenge each person that can to be able to reach out and to be able to help where they can, someone that's in need. And we just pray all these things in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Do we have any additions to urgent? Okay. We do not. There are none. Uh we have one proclamation this evening. Uh it is small for small business Saturday and Councilwoman Lee Powers will read the proclamation and Maggie Elliott with Believe in Bristol executive director will accept the proclamation.

Thank you. Whereas the city of Bristol, Tennessee celebrates our local small business and the contributions they make to our local economy and community on small business Saturday, an annual American holiday that celebrates local entrepreneurs and encourages shoppers to buy from small businesses in our area. And whereas since it launched in 2010, total reported spend at small business during the annual Small Business Saturday in the US has reached an estimated 201 billion. And whereas according to the United States Small Business Administration, as of early 2025, there were 34.8 8 million small businesses in the United States, comprising 99.9% of all American businesses and accounting for 59 million employees, which represents 45.9% of the entire US workforce. Whereas 75% of retail and e-commerce small businesses rely on holiday sales to meet their annual revenue goals. And for every dollar spent at a small business, 68 cents stay stays within our local economy. And every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services. Along with [snorts] that, more than 85% of Americans say they will shop small on Small Business Saturday again. and 61% of shoppers reported a desire to continue supporting local businesses year round after participating on Small Business Saturday. In 2024, 50% of Americans said they would definitely or probably shop small on Small Business Saturday with higher rates among millennials and Gen Z. Well, the boomers like it too. Whereas the city of Bristol, Tennessee supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our

local economy, and preserve our neighborhoods, advoc advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. That's an awful lot to say that we value all of our small businesses here in Bristol, Tennessee, and Virginia and the surrounding area and encourage everyone to get out and support them as well. So now therefore be it resolved that the mayor of the city of Bristol, Tennessee does hereby proclaim November 29th, 2025 as Small Business Saturday and encourages the residents of our community and communities across the country to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday, November 29th and throughout the year. And Maggie Bishop and Emily Champagne are with us today from Believe in Bristol.

[applause]

Good evening, Mayor Turner and members of council. It truly is a privilege to be here this evening and I am joined by Believe in Bristol's marketing director Emily Champagne and I just wanted to take a moment to again thank you so much for for taking the time to recognize Small Business Saturday and for your continued support of the Small Business community that gives Bristol its heartbeat. We know you just heard the numbers and those statistics are impressive, but what they really represent are people. The shop owners who unlock their doors early every morning. The servers who greet regulars by name. The entrepreneurs who took a risk to turn their ideas into a storefront on State Street. Those are the faces behind those national figures. And they're the reason this day of recognition. This day of recognition matters. Small Business Saturday isn't just about one Saturday in November. And it's not just about downtown. It's about building habits all year long. Remembering that every meal, every gift, every haircut or service we choose locally fuels Bristol's economy and helps our downtown stay vibrant and unique. At Believe in Bristol, we see firsthand the impact of that support. When people shop small, they're not only helping a business owner, they help they're helping to preserve the historic buildings, the arts and culture, and the sense of place that make our community like anywhere else. As we approach November 29th, we encourage everyone to make a point to visit your favorite local spots and maybe discover a new few one a few new ones. Oops. Post a photo, bring a friend, share the story of a business you love. Those small actions add up to a big difference. On behalf of our merchants, entrepreneurs, and the Believe in Bristol board and staff, thank you again for shining a light on the importance of shopping small and for helping make downtown Bristol such a special place to live, work, and visit.

Thank you. [applause] All right. Next, we have a recognition from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association award recipients and like to invite Mike Mains and the director of parks and recreation to the podium and tell us about the TRPA work.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Turner. We are uh excited of course to be here tonight. Uh it's been about two years ago that we discussed how we could get better as a team within park and wreck and how could we could set some goals and objectives uh for for our team here and how we could serve most importantly our citizens. And from that uh we received some recognition and I know that our staff is proud of it. I am. Uh we made a little noise in the state two weeks ago at our our conference in Kingsport and um I want to share with you what that was at this time. Beth Carter, uh Beth is uh the manager at Steel Creek Park. She's a senior program director for us. Um she received the distinguished young professional award u for all those that are across the state. So we're talking Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, um Nashville. Uh so we're very very proud that she she received this award. It's one that's designated to individuals 35 or younger who have made significant contributions through the community through leadership. The award also recognizes a young professional who exemplifies management skills and planning a wide variety of parks and recreation opportunities and activities whose efforts and commitment to excellent during the past award period have set an example that raises the standards of parks and recreation and who through leadership inspiration and innovation has made noteworthy contributions to their local community and to the association. Beth, as I said, overseas Seal Creek Park. Um that includes the golf course which is has really uh taken off over the last year and a half to two with some incredible work from Beth and Jamie who's here tonight too in our maintenance staff. Um she also takes care of thousands of visitors that attend, works with a lot of nonprofits, Civotan schools, uh and we just have a lot of events that are there and we're going to have more to

come in the future and and get some more wins for our community. So Beth, if you would come up and and we'd love to recognize you at this time. [applause]

Mayor, can we get you Thank you. The the next recipient is Becky Olinger. Becky's been here over 30 years now and so she has been a dedicated employee of the city of Bristol and uh she was a recipient of the Dennis Rineer Award um who uh Mr. Rineer spent 37 years uh with the Murphy'sboro Park Recreation Department serving as a director of 28 of those years before his retirement. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in athletic planning, physical activity, fitness, wellness programs, policies, and activities. Becky is a strong leader for us. Um does a lot of different things. She could be putting out snacks in the morning for our seniors to then working on meals for wheels program. She's a decorator of Slater. So all those decorations, seasonal things you see, Becky handles all that for us too. And then she does a lot of exercise classes and and uh and then lately she's shifted over to a lot of youth programming too, assisting with various things. So we're really happy to have Becky. This is a really welldeserved award for her and uh if you'll come up. Thank you. [applause]

Lastly, we've got uh our maintenance department and staff. Um for years now, they've been having what's called the maintenance games at the TRPA conference. And and so I couldn't wait to get our team together to be a part of that. and they did a lot of different things from using an excavator and moving a little ball on the ground to some mowing drills and stuff like that. So, uh we were up against some tough competition uh including uh Knoxville who we were runner up to by only a couple percentage points. And so next year we hope we can grab that award and and become first place in the state. And tonight we have with us Ben Campbell who's our major superintendent, Dalton Cro Croissol and Tony Scolop and then also Jamie Serber's here as well. And and uh Dalton oversees our athletic fields for us at the White Top uh park. And uh I think I've mentioned this before, but I I can't continue to emphasize the amount of play that's taking place there with over 30 tournaments. And I think we finished one this coming coming Saturday with a girls softball event there. But uh tremendous job by Dalton. Uh Tony is a do all here and there and does a great job in our department with things. And then Jamie is oversees our golf course maintenance. And this past year all these members of staff were challenged. I have never seen a more difficult summer to maintain parks than we experienced this year uh with the amount of rain and heat we had. That was a huge issue. uh through the summer. But um these are great men and women and our whole department. I'll say this because I'm going to wrap it up, but their talent, there's a lot of talent that's there. Talented group, Jovanna Glover, who's not here, is she uh is now the ethnic minority uh overseer, chair of the TRPA for the state of Tennessee.

Jovanna came in here about a year and a half ago and so she's taken that lead in leadership in the state which we're proud of. But the entire department should be commended for what the job that they're doing, the creation of programming and uh the wonderful maintenance of athletic fields and various parts that we have. So guys, will you come up now for your photo real quick? Thank you. [applause] Squeeze.

[applause]

I'd just like to say before y'all all head out, we are out in the community a lot and it's really great to hear positive things. Uh Beth and Becky, we've heard great things about both of you. I have. And as far as our parks maintenance, we just I've heard tremendous things about the the recreational fields, uh all of the improvements that are taking place at Steel Creek now. And you know, we hear a lot of things in the community. Sometimes they're not great happy things, but y'all have been a very bright spot in the conversation most recently here in Bristol. And I just want to thank each one of you for all that you've done. It really means a lot. not only to council and the administration, but it means a lot to the people that live here. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause]

All right, we have no presentations, so we're on to the board of education report. Dr. Tudtor.

Good evening, everyone. It's great to see you. Um, just a couple of things this evening. We are in the process of collecting feedback on our annual TISA accountability report. When the funding model changed in the state of state of Tennessee and TISA became a part of our state law and our funding model as a requirement of that, there's annually a TISA accountability report that we must submit. And there are several academic goals on there, including one that's required by the state that has to do with third grade literacy. But in that report, we have to note how we use our funds to support endeavors to improve in those goals. And so we have that TISA accountability report on our website now, and we're seeking public feedback on that until uh December when the next board meeting rolls around and we'll the board will actually adopt and approve that. So invite uh members of the community or certainly council members if you want to provide feedback on that, we'd love to hear it. Um, [clears throat] and I just wanted to thank partnership with um, the city of Bristol, but also BTEES Networks and Junior Achievement for the grant that we have through TVA that's bringing junior achievement curriculum back into our elementary schools. And there's going to be a a mobile biz town where our students will get to to be sim walk through a simulation of what it's like to run a a city and businesses and manage that. We're doing that in the spring at a couple of our elementary schools, which is a great precursor to what we do in terms of CTE education in middle and high school. So, very excited about that partnership and that grant. Um, and then just a reminder, we don't have a board meeting in November. That's when the the state schoolboard association conference is. So, we'll be attending the TSBA conference in Nashville next weekend. And I just wanted to let you know that our school board went through several steps in order to become a a board of distinction. And so at the that conference, they'll be recognized for

that. There were several steps involved in doing that and they haven't accomplished that in over 15 years. So pretty big deal for them to to meet that goal. That's all I have for you unless you have questions for me. Thank you so much. All right. We have one public hearing this evening. Uh, it's ordinance 25-22, an ordinance to designate the zoning of property newly annexed into the city of Bristol, Tennessee as R1A, lowdensity uh family residential for Sweet Knobs Trail Shaun Hunt property. Miss Young,

thank you, Mayor Turner. Good evening, council members. Um, tonight I'm here with public hearing uh to assign the zoning uh for the property that was annexed in October. Um so this property uh in the plan of services that was approved by city council and recommended for approval by planning commission um carried a recommendation or proposal that the zoning for this property be um R1A which is the lowdensity single family residential zone. U the pro prop property is about 6 acres. Um the owner intends to subdivide the parcel into two parcels and build a home on each uh parcel. The future land use map does agree with this zoning assignment. Um so the future land use map shows commercial and load institute residential in the area. Um so for that reason the planning commission was comfortable with the recommendation for R1A. Uh and the the um council approved the first reading of this ordinance in October. So if this is approved u at second reading the annexation process for this one will be closed uh once this ordinance becomes effective in 17 days.

Okay. Is there anyone in attendance that would like to speak on this matter? Seeing none, this public hearing is now closed. Next is our appearance of citizens. There was a signup sheet out front. I don't believe we had anyone sign up, but is there anyone in attendance that would like to speak to council? Okay, we have no appointments. We have three ordinances on first reading tonight. Uh, ordinance 25-24, an ordinance to abandon unopened portion of Whitaker Drive and Buen a Vista Drive as public rightway. Miss Young,

thank you once [clears throat] again. Um, so tonight um we do have a first reading reading of an ordinance to abandon um some rightway and that area the rightway is in gray on the screen. Um, so we received this request from Mrs. Stephanie Jackson. Mrs. Jackson owns all 15 adjoining parcels around this rightway request. Um, so she owns this whole area. Uh, so she is essentially the only person affected by this right-of-way abandonment. Um, all of these parcels are zoned R1A, which is the single family low density zone. Uh so there won't be a zoning issue with abandoning that right ofway and as essentially uh coming through coming in with a subdivision plat to uh erase all of those property lines to make one large parcel. Uh the planning commission did review this request during their October meeting and did vote to send a recommendation uh that was favorable to city council. And then I'll just wrap up really quickly. Um what you see on the screen is kind of this uh situation before the abandonment. So again, the gray area is to be abandoned, you see multiple parcels uh surrounding it owned by Miss Jackson. And what you'll see um if the abandonment is approved is just one large parcel. Um so she'll go in and dissolve all those lot lines to create the one large parcel.

Okay. All right. Is there a motion to take action on ordinance 25-24? Move to approve ordinance 25-24. Do I have a second? Second. A motion and a second. Any discussion? Mary Lee. Anchor. Yes. Turner. Yes. By Robin. Yes. Slaggel. Yes. Powers. Yes.

All right. Next, we have ordinance 25-25. have an ordinance to amend the zoning map of Brris Tennessee by designating certain c certain property as B3 general business one Crest Crest Point Drive.

Thank you, mayor. Uh tonight we're um here to review at first reading an ordinance to reszone the property at one Crest Point Drive. This was reszoned in 2019 from B3 to M2. So tonight the request is to go backwards M2 to B3. Um, the future land use map does indicate that this area would be developed commercially in the future. So, it does agree with the future land use map and the planning commission reviewed this in October and did vote to send a favorable recommendation to city council on the resoning request. Okay, that I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Is there a motion to take action on 20 ordinance 25-25? I make a motion to approve ordinance 2525. Have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee. Akard? Yes. Turner? Yes. Fire Robin? Yes. Slaggel? Yes. Powers? Yes.

All right. Next, we have ordinance 25-26, an ordinance to amend chapter 10 animals article general to regulate the keeping of roosters uh poul and guinea foul within the city of Bristol. Thank you. So, tonight um we're back with a draft proposal or an ordinance proposal um to address the issue of roosters in the city. Um you all can recall that in the summer of 2024, we talked some in work session uh and reported that we were getting some complaints from across the city um about some uh neighbors that had roosters that were um bothering their neighbors. Um, so we started taking a look at what the adjacent communities do in terms of regulations. Uh, we brought forward a proposal. It was September of 2024 that would prohibit roosters in the city as of it was March 2025 in that ordinance. Um, we had several people here uh that kind of brought some information. Uh, we listened to that, researched some of that. And so tonight we're back with another proposal. Um, this time would bring it up here. um would allow one rooster per parcel uh within the city limits and that would begin on May the 20th, 2026. So would allow one rooster per parcel but would still eliminate um poul from owners from folks owning those in the city limits that I'd be happy to answer any questions or provide any additional information. So, who will be enforcing this? And I'm sure majority of these residents that do have them now, they are on the back of the property or out of sight.

Um, how is that going to be handled? So the the police department um is responsible for the animal control enforcement um on the front end. Typically the community development department gets a lot of the calls that say what can I have? So we're able to to do the education on the front end. Uh but for the problem situations um that would be animal control. So, are we I guess the chief is prepared I mean with our I know we've we've had some struggles with as far as the amount of employees we have for animal control

adding we're currently fully staffed in animal control. Okay. Um, and with the number of complaints, it should not be a problem. And I know chief and representatives from the police department were a part of the original discussions and drafting the ordinances and making the recommendations. Okay. All right. Is there a motion to take action on ordinance 25-26? Motion to approve ordinance 2526. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Mary Lee Akard. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire. Robin.

Yes. Slaggel. Yes. Powers. Yes. Okay. We have one ordinance for second reading tonight. Uh, ordinance 25-22 designates zoning of property newly annexed into the city at uh, Sweet Knobs Trail. This was presented earlier uh during the public hearing. Uh is there any questions for Miss Young on this matter? Do I have a motion to approve ordinance 25-22? Motion to approve 2522. Have a motion and a What about a second? Second. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee yes. Turner. Yes. Fire Robin. Yes. Slaggel. Yes.

Powers. Yes. All right, we have six resolutions for consideration tonight. The first one is resolution 25-176 authorizing the entry into uh inter agency services agreement with the Bristol Public Library. Uh our IT director, Greg Cross, will present.

Good evening, mayor, city council members. Um, we're here seeking the approval of this agreement between the city of Bristol, Tennessee, and the Bristol Public Library to be able to assist the library with their technology needs. Uh, city staff would city it IT staff would provide technological support, guidance with the library's annual technology plan, and assistance with some grant funding. This agreement allows CIT staff to assist in furthering the technological opportunities for the local library branches and the citizens that they serve. We look forward to this opportunity to assist the library and to continue developing our community and partnership. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Do I have a motion to approve resolution 25-176? I'll move to approve uh resolution 25176 for the inter agency agreement with our library. Is there a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion?

I'll I serve on the library board and I [clears throat] know they're very excited. I know they were very thorough. I had a lot of back and forth with Greg with answering questions, etc. But um this will greatly enhance the service that they've been receiving and they're pretty excited about it. So and I think it helps to benefit the city as well to have that partnership. So uh thank you Greg for working on it and whoever else participated as well. Thank you Mary Lou Akard. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire Robin. Yes. Slaggel. Yes. Powers. Yes.

All right. Next we have resolution 25-177, a resolution designating members of the city council to serve on city boards and quasi municipal and non-municipal agencies. Mua.

Thank you, mayor and councel. Resolution 25-177 is presented tonight that will repeal and replace resolution 25-11 uh which designates members of city council to city boards and other agencies. The action tonight is required because of Dr. Mark Cutton's resignation from council really um it was discussed at the work session last week and primarily it's just replacing the mayor appointments um for the remainder of this year. It will go back for a full discussion and and appointments for all of the positions beginning in again in calendar year 2026.

All right. Do I have a motion to approve 25-177? Motion to approve resolution 25-177. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee. Akre. Yes. Turner. Yes. F Robin. Yes. Sigel. Yes. Powers. Yes.

All right. Next we have resolution 25-178 uh confirming the appointment of a student member to the parks and recreation commission. Mr. Mine. Mayor Turner, members of the city council, uh tonight I come to you uh with this resolution uh for approval of Delaney Lincolnis. Delaney is a junior at Tennessee High. Uh and in 2018, uh city council approved an ordinance to establish a second youth representative position on the park recreation commission. Uh so therefore this evening I come we've we've got one spot filled uh with Sophie Streetman who's a senior there and uh Delaney is more than willing to serve which we very much appreciate. She's actually would be here tonight but she's uh has a uh basketball practice this evening but she comes highly recommended uh uh by way of Dr. Kirk's recommendation and also she attended our previous park and recreation commission meeting uh not too long ago. We really were impressed with her that evening. So,

do I have a motion to approve resolution 25-178? Move to approve resolution 25-178. Have a motion, a second. Second.

Any further discussion? I'll just say that um we [clears throat] really appreciate our student participation is parks and wreck as well as our library board uh and for all our boards and commissions just how much we appreciate people being willing to serve but also we appreciate when they're regular attendees and participate in our uh meetings etc. So, um, appreciate that students are willing to step up and serve in those positions. It benefits us to hear those voices as well as it benefits our students to experience some leadership uh, opportunities. So, thank you,

Mary Lee. Akard, yes. Turner, yes. Fire Robin, yes. Slaggel, yes. Powers, yes. All right. Next, we have resolution 25-179 establishing the amount of financial contribution to support regional efforts to recruit additional airline service at the Trustes airport.

Thank you, mayor and councel. Earlier this year, the city council approved resolution 25-37, which committed to contributing an amount to be uh decided at a later date for a minimum revenue guarantee for new air service at Tri Cities Airport. and that was presented by Bridge. Um and then during the 2026 budget discussions, the amount of $75,000 was established for that minimum revenue guarantee commitment. Um since that time, Bridge has announced, and I'm sure everyone knows this by now, but Breeze Airways will begin service from Tri Cities uh to DC and to Orlando. That starts next month in December. Um, so you have resolution 25-179, which formally uh establishes the $75,000 per year minimum revenue guarantee, and that's for fiscal year 2026 and 2027. The funds would go to um First Tennessee Development District and then be paid out from FTD to Bridge based on invoicing that Bridge would submit to them. And that is only to backs stop the revenues for Breeze. If the money is not needed, it will not be spent. Um, so it's it's an up to amount of $75,000 per year for the two years.

Okay. Do I have a motion to approve resolution 25-179? Move to approve resolution 25-179. Do I have a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? See none. Mary Lee Akre. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire. Robin. Yes. Slaggel. Yes. Powers. Yes. Okay. Next we have resolution 25-180 uh establishing the names of private streets within the Farm Meadows development.

Thank you, Mayor Turner. Um tonight um the uh resolution for Farm Meadows is to name the private accessways within the development. Um so this project will include 82 units uh once construction is complete. There are three segments uh within the development that are proposed for their own naming. Again, these are not going to be um public streets that are um maintained by the city, but they are private streets within the development, and the um the neighbors will certainly appreciate some some good um naming to to mark where where they are living. So, um the streets proposed by uh True Line are Dalton Drive, Daise Loop, and Becky's Way. Um staff did reach out to Sullivan County 911 to make sure that there's no um conflict with other naming conventions in the city or in the county. Um so we've cleared that step. Uh the planning commission did review this in October and did recommend approval to uh city council on the naming uh proposal.

Okay. All right. Do I have a motion to approve 25-180? Motion to approve. [clears throat] I have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Mary Lee. Akre. Yes. Turner. Yes. Far robin. Yes. Slaggel. Yes. Powers. Yes. All right. Next we have resolution 25-181, a resolution adopting an amendment to the city's economic development incentive program. Uh city attorney Danielle Smith will present.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, this resolution would actually adopt an amendment to the current economic development incentive policies where we would replace the existing appendix A with a slightly uh revised one. The red line is in your packet and so hopefully you've had a chance to review that. But the major changes that would be made is that there would be an added strategic development area which is centered on the west state street corridor. It's the area north of West State Street up to the state line to Grove Park Road. So basically it's a big triangle. That area, there were some questions that came up at the work session that we've addressed in the document now. So that area is about 47 acres total. Um it is approximately 23.2 million worth of tax appraised value. So not assessed but appraised. and it currently generates collections of around 146,000 and 128,000 per city and county respectively or it will in the in the coming in this fiscal year or sorry calendar year. Um so that new SDA would be another area where the IDB could do pilot agreements for certain kinds of development. Um, what we'd be looking at there is retail would be permitted as long as it's in sort of a mixed use where there's commercial, retail, residential, and there would also be the ability to incentivize professional office buildings, which would include medical office buildings, but also corporate headquarters and those kinds of things. The goal is to provide some incentives for the redevelopment of that area of Northwest State Street uh because it can use some help, we think. So, um, other than that, I think that everything that we talked about at the, uh, work session is pretty much the same. There were some in answer to one of the comments that Councilwoman Powers made. We did tweak the criteria a little bit to provide that you don't have to have the $3 million in investment. If you do, that's that's a that's one of the ways that you would be able to qualify for the pilot, but that's not

the only way that you would be able to qualify for the pilot. Um, so I'll be happy to answer any questions the council has. Is there a motion to approve resolution 25-181? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Any further discussion? I have a question not directly related to this, but um [clears throat] I know that there has been some discussion about the West State Street corridor from um Volunteer Parkway on out. Um what is our expectation of learning more about that?

Actually um community development staff, code staff and I are meeting with the Bristol Virginia staff tomorrow and then we've got another meeting with property owners um Mitch Walters and Jerry Kirk, Andy Tulie and others um the n 19th I think. And so we'll update shortly thereafter, probably at the November work session. I know that's a little bit early because it's because of Thanksgiving. It'll either be the November work session or certainly for sure the December work session with just an update. Um and it's it's kind of a multi-pronged approach. One is code enforcement. We have talked about the transportation plan that that was um created just about a year and a half ago. And um then this the incentives do add a component there that we have not had in the past. So there's a number of different things and we'll also be meeting with still need to pull the the group together with the date but police um public works codes enforcement all of our staff to try and get a a more um collaborative reporting process. We've got GIS capability that we're not taking advantage right now. So, we'll be working on on that.

That'd be great. The only thing that I would ask is that um um I don't know that the planning commission chair was included in that, but I would appreciate some representation from the planning commission being a part of that if that is appropriate. And you're talking about with the meeting with the property owners, correct? Yes. Okay. Yep. I think it would be great to have representation from the planning commission and um we have a very engaged chair of the planning commission. So I think that would be a really positive

Thank you. Thank you. Anything further? Mary Lee Akard? Yes. Turner? Yes. Fire Robin? Yes. Slaggel? Yes. Powers? Yes. Right. Next, we have our consent agenda. Thank you.

And it just goes to Jay tonight. So, on the consent agenda tonight, we've got the minutes of the October 7th city council meeting, minutes of the October 20th city council special called meeting, minutes of the October 28th city council called meeting, minute minutes of the October 28th council work session, approval of resolution 25-182, which approves the second amendment to the city of Bristol, Tennessee group dental plan. Resolution 25-183, approving an amendment to the city of Bristol, Tennessee Health Plan. Approval of resolution 25-184, approving an amendment to the administrative services agreement between the city of Bristol, Tennessee, and Allegiance Benefit Plan Management. Approval of resolution 25-185, authorizing the purchase of a radio tower replacement equipment. That's from the hurricane Helen. Our tower went down. Uh, approval of resolution 25-186 authorizing the purchase and installation of a new HVAC system for the annex and approval of resolution 25-187 authorizing acceptance of grant funding from the state of Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging First Slater Center to replace some of our equipment.

Would any member of council like an item removed from the consent agenda? Do I have a motion to approve the items including the consent agenda? Motion to approve. Second. Have a motion and a second. Mary Lee Akard. Yes. Turner. Yes. Fire. Robin. Yes. Slaggel. Abstain. Powers. Yes. All right. Next we have the city manager report.

Thank you, mayor and councel. We have just a number of um activities going on. November 8th, this coming Saturday, we've got the Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. on State Street. We will have a float for council. So, um we'll get more details out on that soon. We've got the gobble gobble turkey wobble on November 15th from 5:30 to 8:30 and that's here at Slater. Uh that's a park and rock event. We've got the YWCA turkey trot on November 22nd. the Christmas open house downtown and that includes carriage rides from 5:30 to 8:30 on November 24th. December 1st is the community Christmas tree lighting and the winter carnival for that is at 5:30. Programming is from 7:00 to 7:30 and the tree lighting itself is at 7:00. The Bristol Christmas parade is December 4th from 7:00 to 9:00 and Journey's End is December 16th from 6:00 to 7. And then on your um at your seat when you came in today, we are doing a it's called recipes for relief. We'll be making this public tomorrow morning, but um we'll have bins out at Slater, at city hall, and all of our fire stations for people to donate food. Um but it's based on recipes that are available. We'll have printouts, but also available on our city website at brristoltn.govre recipes for relief. And then people can buy specific food for each of those recipes. And then the folks that that need a little bit of help with with food for especially for the holidays can pick up an a complete meal that they can just take home and prepare the food once it is once we get enough collected and we are able to package up the meals. Those will be available for distribution at our fire stations. So, all of our fire stations, you'll be able to drop food off, but also then folks will be able to come and pick the completed meals, uh, bags of meals up. So, we're looking forward to and grateful to our staff, um, for getting that kicked off. Again,

that should go live tomorrow morning and we'll be able to start accepting the food donations there. And what was the date of the tree lighting? The tree lighting is um December 1st and the lighting itself is at 700 p.m. And um I think I missed it. Veterans Day parade. Did you mention that? Yes, that's November 8th. This Saturday at 10 a.m. on State Street. Okay. We will have parade float for that. Just wanted to add that there's a program at Cumberland Park at 11. That's great if there's representation from our city.

That's all I have. That's all you have. All right. Next, we have city council comments.

I'll jump in. I'm glad to hear about the uh recipes for relief. I know uh United Way also has a program going and they're working in collaboration with Healing Hands and uh you know we have a lot in our community that um will really benefit and appreciate that. So, thank you to city staff for getting that all together and coordinating. I think it's great that it's at the fire stations. Um if you weren't here for the Halloween parade, you missed out. It was awesome. uh believe in Bristol and our city staff did an unbelievable job again this year. It was just just great. Um the BCM has several programs uh happening at the museum uh lectures, exhibits, music. Please check uh the BCM website for that. Uh Southern Network's partnership is uh just doing a great job uh in trying to acquire additional land so that we can continue expanding our um uh opportunities with um site uh sites that are ready to go. I don't know if you heard about the um announcement in Hawkins County uh $4 million investment, 48 jobs. While that's not a direct impact to Bristol, so the network's partnership does represent Hawkins County and uh it's a win. It's a win for all of us. Um I just want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and uh be sure and check on your neighbors and be be aware that there are a lot of people right now that are struggling. Next,

Margaret.

Yeah, I can go. Um, so and I'll just add to that and uh encourage people also for a second harvest feed bank that's um doing pickup programs and trying to help fill the needs as well as the ones that have already been mentioned. uh Family Promise of Bristol that has day services um inside the Salvation Army uh for people who are experiencing homelessness. uh those people who stay at the shelter as well as people who are um without shelter in our community and just wanted to say we continue to have a 100 people or more a day and seeing more um people on fixed income that's retired elderly people with disabilities um and with the um food SNAP etc that becomes also difficult and new require requirements for staff for a SNAP are that you have to work or volunteer. Some of it's up to 20 hours a week, which is pretty hard to for a lot of people to manage and also for the bookkeeping and the paperwork that's required. So, it gets um some things are pretty hard for uh people with that experience barriers. Um, Theater Bristol is preparing for their Christmas shows and they have two and we have one of their star. Are you still in it, Scott? A thumb up. Um, anyway, they're doing White Christmas, which I was told today is different than the movie. So, if you think you've seen it, you maybe haven't because it's a little bit different. and they are doing uh yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus which is a radio production so it's a little bit different but um they've got one the big

one white Christmas at the Paramount and the radio program at the cameo um so that adds to the holiday excitement and magic etc. Uh today John Lutral and I attended uh um Sullivan County is working together the cities and the county on a 250th celebration for our country's birthday. Um focusing on the 2026 getting started on some of it in January. the um theme or overall uh purpose is to celebrate, educate, and for us to collaborate together as Sullivan County. And uh we'll be coming out with some of the different things. Um and most importantly is coordinating that when people are having different celebrations, we can put it all on a calendar together where people can find it. So anyway, we'll keep you updated on what's happening and if anybody else wants to participate, they're welcome to do that. So, thank you. I'll just add to Margaret's, the uh Second Harvest Food Bank is looking for volunteers to sort um food in boxes this week from 9 to 3 and Saturday 9 to 11 and 11 to 1. if anybody's watching from home.

Okay, happy Thanksgiving too to everybody that's here. Okay, only thing I'll say is uh wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and we're ajourned.