Kingsport council approves rezoning, grants, budget adjustments and multiple resolutions

The Kingsport City Council on Jan. 20 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions covering zoning, budget adjustments, grant awards and intergovernmental agreements.

The council unanimously or near‑unanimously approved most items on the agenda, including a rezoning request along Brookside Drive, appropriation of a $25,181 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award for public safety equipment, budget amendments across multiple funds, and a TDOT right‑of‑way conveyance for rock slide mitigation along I‑26.

Votes at a glance (each item was read into the record and put to a vote): - Ordinance to rezone property along Brookside Drive from M‑1 (Light Manufacturing) to B‑3 (Highway Oriented Business) to accommodate a new church; motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman Mays; motion carried (aye recorded). - Ordinance appropriating $25,181 from the U.S. Department of Justice (Edward Byrne Memorial JAG) for purchase of gas masks and in‑car video cameras; motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Phillips; approved 7‑0. - Budget ordinance amendments (first reading) adjusting revenues and allocations across multiple funds (including payment‑in‑lieu and landfill tipping fees); motion by Alderman Phillips, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Second and final reading rezoning (Tax Map 105, parcels 193 & 194) from A‑1 (Agricultural) to R‑1C (Residential); motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman Baker; roll call: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention (Alderman George) — ordinance passed. - Ordinance amending the General Purpose School Fund and General Projects Fund (architecture/engineering fees for a new elementary school to be reimbursed by bond proceeds); motion by Alderman Cooper, second Alderman Mays; approved 7‑0. - Second reading of various fund budget amendments (operating funds); motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Cooper; approved 7‑0. - Resolution approving TDOT right‑of‑way conveyance for rock slide mitigation (I‑26/Base Mountain); motion by Mayor Duncan, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Resolution awarding architectural and engineering services for a new Lynnview elementary school and associated work at the Lynnview Community Center site to Thompson & Litton Inc.; motion by Alderman George, second Vice Mayor Duncan; approved 7‑0. - Resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the TDOT agreement for Island Road Improvements (time extension to Dec. 31, 2026); motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for and receive a Tennessee state water infrastructure grant to fund the lead service line inventory required by EPA rule changes; motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Baker; approved 7‑0. - Resolution approving an irrevocable license agreement with LMK Communications LLC (doing business as Segre) for fiber in downtown conduit with an estimated reimbursement of approximately $100,000; motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Phillips; approved 7‑0. - Resolution amending the lease with Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee for space at the V.O. Dobbins/Theo Dobyn senior complex; motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman Phillips; approved 7‑0. - Resolution approving an agreement with Phillips & Jordan, Inc. for material disposal at the city's construction/demolition landfill to accept debris from Hurricane Helene; motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Cooper; approved 7‑0. - Resolution to issue a purchase order for dozer rental (Sourcewell cooperative contract) to support landfill operations; motion by Alderman Baker, second Alderman Phillips; approved 7‑0. - Resolution transferring approximately $3.3 million to the Kingsport Economic Development Board to acquire 117 West Sevier Avenue related to the dental school project (part of a larger $6.5 million allocation previously reported from the governor); motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Resolution ratifying mayoral intent to apply for a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Outdoor Recreation pre‑application (projects at Brickyard Park, Miracle Complex, Base Mountain Park); motion by Alderman George, second Alderman Baker; approved 7‑0. - Resolution ratifying submission to receive reimbursement for Hurricane Helene emergency response costs (Mission EM 484) totaling $51,747.71; motion by Vice Mayor Duncan, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Resolution ratifying application for a Tennessee State Museum capital maintenance and improvement grant ($150,000) for damage at Bays Mountain Park Nature Center from Hurricane Helene; motion by Alderman Baker, second Alderman George; approved 7‑0. - Consent agenda (eight items) including multiple grant applications, a private donation acceptance for the police department, rights‑of‑way offers for sanitary sewer annexation, participation in the Tennessee Main Street program, acceptance of the FY2024 annual comprehensive financial report, certification related to KHRA, and agreements with the American Red Cross for the Kingsport Aquatic Center; motion to approve consent by Alderman Mays (mover) and a second; approved by voice vote.

The council's meeting included routine roll calls, readings of ordinances and resolutions, and passed the consent agenda. Several items (notably the lead service line inventory grant application, the Thompson & Litton contract for school design, and the landfill agreement for Hurricane Helene debris) were discussed in more depth and are reported separately.

Although many votes were unanimous, the Somerville/Kendrick Creek rezoning passed with one abstention. Where the transcript recorded specific movers and seconders, those names are noted above.