Kingsport board approves rezoning, budget adjustments, grants, and multiple resolutions; Create Appalachia lease renewed with one abstention

At its regular meeting the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Kingsport approved multiple ordinances and resolutions on a largely unanimous consent and final-reading agenda.

Key formal actions approved by recorded vote or unanimous consent included: - Rezoning (owner-requested) of a portion of Parcel 15.2 along Bancroft Chapel Road from M‑1 (Light Manufacturing) to PD (Planned Development). Planning staff described the rezoning as compatible with nearby residential uses; the planning commission recommended approval. The motion passed on voice/roll call as recorded by the clerk. - Multiple budget adjustment ordinances for fiscal 2026 that accept several donations and grants: $200 from Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union; $200 from Cardinal Glass; $500 from Shades of Grace United Methodist Church (listed as Sage of Grace/variant in packet); and a $1,000 donation from GracePoint Fellowship to the public transportation fund to help provide rides for residents. Council approved budget adjustments and accepted the donations. - Final adoption of an ordinance updating residential foundation requirements (section 114‑131) to reflect current field practice; passed on second and final reading. - Resolutions authorizing procurement and agreements: an annual fleet maintenance bid award (Safety Clean Systems for items above $50,000); a purchase order to Dell Marketing LP for 1,300 Dell Chromebooks and Google licenses for Kingsport City Schools' sixth‑ and ninth‑grade students; and a resolution authorizing a multiyear agreement with LJA Engineering Inc. for Phase 3 of a sanitary sewer inspection project in the West Kingsport Sewer Basin (staff noted the project budget at approximately $420,000 and that it will be funded from operating funds rather than bond proceeds). - A lease extension with Create Appalachia for space at 225 West Center Street, approved with one abstention; the alderman who abstained stated a personal connection to a Create Appalachia representative. - Participation in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (park staffing), approved as a multiyear agreement to continue subsidized senior workforce placement. - Consent agenda approval of seven items that included cybersecurity and workforce training grant applications, acceptance of several donations, and a First Tennessee Development District worksite agreement; the consent agenda passed 7–0.

Several motions were moved and seconded from the dais and recorded in the meeting minutes; recorded roll‑call tallies for the items listed above were reported as unanimous (7–0) except the Create Appalachia lease which recorded one abstention.

Public comment included a brief statement by Paul Warwick, lead pastor of GracePoint Fellowship, describing the church’s community "Love Your City Week" and the church’s $1,000 donation to the transit fund. Staff communications highlighted snow‑removal and first‑responder work during recent storms, local cultural events at Lamplight Theatre, and a new memory‑cafe program called 'Beloved Community' at First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

What happens next: staff will implement ordinance and procurement actions, proceed with the LJA Engineering contract work and return to the council if further appropriations or contract amendments are required.