Knoxville City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026
Knoxville City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Knoxville City Council met on March 3, 2026, at 6:01 PM. The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call, approval of the February 17 minutes, and a series of postponements, memorials, and resolutions. Key topics included postponement of a controversial appeal, a resolution on warming/cooling center standards, a resolution on zoning for temporary emergency shelters (which failed), and approval of the South Waterfront Down River Master Plan.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: minutes from February 17 meeting; all items on the consent agenda (motion to approve carried).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 12G (warming/cooling centers): Three speakers spoke in favor (Maya Robles, Linda Conaway of the Knoxville-Knox County Homeless Coalition, Vivian Scheipe) and one spoke in opposition (Rick Roach, who urged immediate, larger upfront funding rather than further study).
- Item 12H (temporary emergency shelter zoning): Speakers in favor included Linda Conaway, Vivian Scheipe, Anthony Jackson (Vestal UMC), and Rick Roach. They emphasized the need for zoning changes to allow shelters and expressed frustration with delays.
- Item 12Q (South Waterfront Down River Master Plan): Three speakers spoke in favor: Janice Toker (member of SWAG), Deborah Mallard (president of South Side Waterfront Neighborhood Association), and Eric Johnson (president of Vestal Community Organization). They highlighted community collaboration, planned development, and the potential for a wetland park.
- Public Forum: Speakers included Joe Cronick (proposed a homeless workers’ union), Donna Braquet (urged immediate planning for cooling centers, noting 12 days over 94°F in summer 2025), Rick Roach (criticized council’s handling of past resolutions on Palestine), and Vivian Scheipe (not present).
Discussion Items
- Postponement of Item 11e (appeal): Councilmember Thomas moved to postpone a complex appeal for two weeks to allow parties to negotiate and to review legal materials. The motion passed despite opposition from attorney Mullins, who argued the case was ready. Councilmember Grant asked to hear from Care Cuts supporters before a decision, but the mayor ruled the postponement motion was the only matter before council.
- Item 12G – Resolution on Warming/Cooling Centers: Councilmember Parker introduced the resolution, which requests the administration, Joint Office of Housing Stability, and Knox County to analyze the current model and consider lowering the temperature threshold to 32°F (from 25°F) and adding a 90°F heat index trigger. The resolution is aspirational and does not set policy. It passed unanimously (voice vote).
- Item 12H – Zoning for Temporary Emergency Shelters: Councilmember Parker introduced this resolution to ask the Planning Commission to recommend amendments to the zoning code (Articles 9.2 and 9.4) for temporary emergency shelters. Councilmember Adams, Councilmember Grant, Councilmember Honeycutt, and Vice Mayor Fugit expressed concerns about the timing, workload of Planning, and the need to first complete the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Parker argued that the zoning discussion should proceed in parallel. The motion to approve failed (voice vote).
- Item 12Q – South Waterfront Down River Master Plan: Councilmember Adams spoke in strong support, highlighting years of community input via SWAG. Councilmember Parker expressed caution about UT’s role and economic development pressure on parks, especially Chihuahua Park. The resolution passed (one abstention).
Key Outcomes
- Item 11e postponed for two weeks (motion carried).
- Item 12G (warming/cooling centers) passed unanimously.
- Item 12H (temporary shelter zoning) failed (voice vote).
- Item 12Q (South Waterfront Down River Master Plan) passed (one abstention).
- All other consent and routine items passed unanimously.
- Mayor announced $10 million for Chihuahua Park improvements ($2M/year for 5 years) and the formation of a Chihuahua Park Advisory Group, first meeting March 24.
- Councilmember Honeycutt announced a future resolution honoring Honor Air; the next council workshop (March 26) will focus on housing and homelessness.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. It's 6 01 p.m. I'd like to call this meeting to order. We'll start with an invocation led by Vice Mayor Fugitt, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Grant. Please rise as you're able. Oh holy one, we gather today in the spirit of fellowship, service, and goodwill. Thank you for the opportunity to work together towards making a positive difference in our community. Bless each person here with wisdom to make sound decisions, compassion to serve with open hearts, encourage to act with integrity. May our discussions today be guided by respect, unity, and a shared vision for a better tomorrow. Grant us the joy of friendship, the strength to persevere, and the humility to serve selflessly. Amen. Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Okay, Mr. Johnson, would you please call roll? Councilwoman Adams. Here. Councilman Debarta Laban. Here. Vice Mayor Fugit. Here. Councilman Grant. Here. Councilman Helsley. Here. Councilman Honeycott. Here. Councilman Lloyd. Here. Councilwoman Parker. Here. And Councilman Thomas. All members are present, Mayor. Okay, thank you. Next is the approval of the minutes from our February 17th meeting. Is there a motion? Motion made to approve and seconded. Any questions or discussions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Are there any items to be withdrawn from tonight's agenda? Are there any items to be postponed for tonight's agenda? Councilmember Adams. Yes, I'd like to postpone item 13W for two weeks. This is the alley closure. Okay. Motion's been made to postpone for two weeks. Item 13W, as in Walter. And I should clarify this is uh at the request of the applicant.
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