OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, January 20, 2026
BodyKnoxville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:45:14

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Good evening.

0:05

It's six o'clock.

0:06

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:08

We'll start with an invocation led by Councilmember Honeycutt followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Debart Labin.

0:17

Please rise as you're able.

0:21

Let us pause for a moment and pray.

0:24

We are grateful for this community and for the chance to serve it.

0:28

Help us remember how fortunate we are to be here tonight and to keep in mind the people we represent beyond this room, especially those who need us most.

0:37

Guide our conversations and our decisions so they're rooted in care for one another and love for our neighbors.

0:44

May the work we do tonight and in the future help improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Knoxville home.

0:50

Amen.

0:53

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:58

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:15

Councilwoman Adams.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Councilman DeBarde-Laban.

1:18

Here.

1:19

Vice Mayor, if you good.

1:21

Councilman Grant.

1:22

Councilman Helsley.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Councilman Honeycutt?

1:25

Here.

1:26

Councilman Lloyd.

1:27

Here, Councilwoman Parker.

1:29

Councilman Thomas.

1:30

All members present, Mayor.

1:32

Okay, thank you.

1:33

Is there a motion on the minutes from our last meeting?

1:38

Second.

1:38

Motion made and seconded.

1:39

Any questions or discussion?

1:41

Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

1:44

Aye.

1:44

Any opposed?

1:45

Motion carries.

1:48

Are there any items from tonight's agenda to be withdrawn?

1:53

Are there any item items to be postponed?

1:56

Councilmember Honeycutt.

1:58

Yes.

1:59

All parties have requested that item 11H.

2:03

Uh the resolution from Leland Hume in the West Hills community be postponed by two weeks.

2:11

Okay.

2:11

Motion has been made to postpone for two weeks.

2:14

Items 11H has been made and seconded.

2:16

Any questions or discussion?

2:18

Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

2:20

Aye.

2:21

Any opposed?

2:23

Motion carries.

2:28

Are there any items to be any further items to be postponed?

2:32

Any items to be added by motion.

2:35

There are no memorials.

2:39

So the consent just one note.

2:43

We um mistakenly put item 120 on consent, because it's a grant, but it's a grant we're giving out, not receiving, so that was our mistake.

2:53

So we're removing that from consent.

2:55

Item 12.0 as an Oscar.

2:59

Any other um items to be removed from consent before we hear a motion to approve the consent agenda.

3:07

Seeing none, is there a motion?

3:08

So moved.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████19%
Zoning███████████████████19%
Technology and Innovation█████████████13%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Youth Programs████████8%
Grant Administration████████8%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Mental Health Awareness█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026

The Knoxville City Council convened at 6:00 PM on January 20, 2026, with all members present. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, approval of previous minutes, agenda modifications, a consent agenda, the mayor’s report, committee reports, council announcements, and votes on several resolutions and an ordinance. Key actions included approval of a $9.4 million Axon contract (8-1), postponement of the Empower Knox youth mental health grants for two weeks, and denial of a sector plan amendment for 1137 Simpson Street (7-2).

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved after removing item 12O (a grant to be given out, not received). Routine approvals and unanimous actions were included in the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Drew Harper (1205 Kenyon Street, Vice President of Yes Knoxville) spoke in favor of the sector plan amendment for 1137 Simpson Street (Item 13R). He argued that infill density supports walkability, reduces sprawl, and strengthens city finances, and urged council to approve the change.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor’s Report: Mayor Andy Canter reported on the successful reopening of the Gay Street Bridge (about 150 attendees), the upcoming Lumen Flats ribbon cutting (18 supportive housing apartments for youth aging out of foster care, at 1585 Coleman Road on January 21 at 11 AM), and a proclamation recognizing that the Knoxville Police Department is fully staffed for the first time since 2014. The proclamation was presented to KPD leadership and training staff.
  • Council Announcements: Councilmember Adams noted that Legacy Parks and Gulf and Ohio have begun removing rails and ties for the South Knoxville art trail (from Kerns to Ijams Nature Center), expected to take 4–5 weeks. Councilmember Honeycutt acknowledged the passing of Natalie Haslum, a prominent District 2 resident, and thanked Tyler Mott and a group of parents for advocating for a safer walking path to West Hills Elementary, which will be installed this spring.
  • Item 12K – Axon Enterprise Contract Amendment: A resolution authorizing a $9,407,699 amendment to the existing Axon contract for additional goods and services, including body cameras, tasers, drones (Drone as First Responder program), license plate readers, and a real-time information center. Councilmember Parker raised concerns about insufficient public education, ongoing costs, and the need for clearer policies. Chief Noel answered questions about the public-facing drone flight dashboard, compliance with Tennessee state law (TCA 39‑13‑609), 15‑day video retention limits, and that drones do not use facial recognition. The motion carried 8‑1.
  • Item 12O – Empower Knox Youth Mental Health Grants: A resolution to award $60,000 total (six grants of $10,000 each) to community-based organizations for youth mental health programming. Councilmember Grant questioned the competitive review process, the lack of named committee members, the equal funding for organizations with vastly different scales (e.g., a multi-million-dollar nonprofit vs. a grassroots group), and the inclusion of a Florida-based organization (VerbCon). After debate, a motion to postpone for two weeks was made, seconded, and carried. The item will be revisited at the next meeting.
  • Item 13R – South City Sector Plan Amendment: An ordinance to amend the sector plan from Low Density Residential to South Waterfront Mixed Use District Type 2 for 1137 Simpson Street. Councilmember Adams moved to deny, citing concerns about a “slippery slope” of upzoning a neighborhood currently zoned RN2, potential loss of neighborhood character, and the fact that the zoning change would remain with the land even if the applicant’s project (townhomes) did not proceed. The applicant, Matthew Thompson, explained his proposal for four townhomes at 35 feet (consistent with adjacent code) and argued that the change aligns with waterfront infrastructure investments. After discussion, the motion to deny carried 7–2.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 11H (Leland Hume in West Hills community) was postponed for two weeks.
  • Consent agenda approved.
  • Item 12I (2026 Curb Cuts Project, $397,241.50) approved unanimously.
  • Item 12J (High Street IT solutions, $1,050,000 amendment) approved 8–1.
  • Item 12K (Axon Enterprise contract, $9,407,699) approved 8–1.
  • Items 12L, 12M (flagging and traffic control, $42,500 each) approved unanimously.
  • Item 12N (Pelissipi State Community College donation, $15,123.65) approved unanimously.
  • Item 12O (Empower Knox youth mental health grants) postponed for two weeks.
  • Item 13R (sector plan amendment) denied 7–2.
  • Item 13S (rezoning related to 13R) was rendered moot and not considered.
  • The meeting adjourned without objection after no public forum speakers.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. It's six o'clock. I'd like to call this meeting to order. We'll start with an invocation led by Councilmember Honeycutt followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Debart Labin. Please rise as you're able. Let us pause for a moment and pray. We are grateful for this community and for the chance to serve it. Help us remember how fortunate we are to be here tonight and to keep in mind the people we represent beyond this room, especially those who need us most. Guide our conversations and our decisions so they're rooted in care for one another and love for our neighbors. May the work we do tonight and in the future help improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Knoxville home. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Councilwoman Adams. Here. Councilman DeBarde-Laban. Here. Vice Mayor, if you good. Councilman Grant. Councilman Helsley. Here. Councilman Honeycutt? Here. Councilman Lloyd. Here, Councilwoman Parker. Councilman Thomas. All members present, Mayor. Okay, thank you. Is there a motion on the minutes from our last meeting? Second. Motion made and seconded. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Are there any items from tonight's agenda to be withdrawn? Are there any item items to be postponed? Councilmember Honeycutt. Yes. All parties have requested that item 11H. Uh the resolution from Leland Hume in the West Hills community be postponed by two weeks. Okay. Motion has been made to postpone for two weeks. Items 11H has been made and seconded. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.

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