OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026: Tobacco Ban, Budget, and Land Use Votes

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026
BodyKnoxville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:34:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening.

0:02

It's six o'clock.

0:03

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:06

We'll begin with an invocation led by Councilmember Grant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Honeycutt.

0:15

Please rise as you're able.

0:22

Tonight, let us gather with open minds and open hearts in a time where this country feels divided by politics, race, class, and ideology.

0:31

Let us remember that our duty is not to deepen those divisions but the rise above them.

0:35

There are communities across the nation that feel unheard, unseen, despite the same people who have helped build this country, fought for this country, and continue to believe in its mission.

0:45

We cannot ignore these troops.

0:47

We should not follow growing the culture of division and silence.

0:50

Instead, let the city of Knoxville lead by example.

0:53

Let us come together, no matter status, no matter background, but as people first.

0:58

Let us align ourselves back with humanity and commit to progress, not through words, but through policy, action, and accountability.

1:06

Made tonight's decision reflect wisdom, compassion, and the courage to build a stronger, healthier future for the next generation.

1:13

Amen.

1:16

I would like to please certify of the United States of America.

1:25

Under God, indivisible liberty and justice.

1:35

Okay, Miss Hopper, would you please call roll?

1:42

Councilwoman Adams.

1:47

Councilman DeBarta Laban?

1:49

Here.

1:52

Councilman Grant?

1:53

Here.

1:53

Councilwoman Helsing?

1:54

Here.

1:55

Councilman Honeycutt.

1:57

Councilman Lloyd?

1:58

Here.

1:58

Councilwoman Parker?

1:59

Here.

2:00

Councilman Thomas.

2:01

Here.

2:03

Okay, thank you.

2:05

Is there a motion on the minutes of the April 23rd workshop?

2:11

Okay, motion made and seconded.

2:12

Any questions or discussions?

2:14

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

2:16

Any opposed?

2:17

Motion carries.

2:18

Is there a motion on the minutes of the April 28th meeting?

2:23

Okay, motion made and seconded.

2:24

Any questions or discussion?

2:26

Seeing none, all those in favor please say aye.

2:28

Any opposed?

2:30

Motion carries.

2:31

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

2:36

Are there any items to be postponed on tonight's agenda?

2:42

Okay.

2:43

Are there any items to be added by motion?

2:48

Okay.

2:50

There are no memorials or honorary resolutions tonight.

2:54

Um, is there a motion on the consent agenda?

2:59

Mayor, um, I plan on um on voting on the consent items, but I did want to raise that on item 10 D.

3:10

Uh I serve on the IMS Nature Center board, and it's a volunteer position.

3:15

I don't receive anything for that and haven't been involved in the grant selection process.

3:20

So I do plan on voting on the consent, but just wanted to make note of that.

3:24

Duly noted, thank you.

3:26

Councilmember Parker.

3:28

Uh yes, I'd like to remove 13 Z through 13AB.

3:33

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Smoking Regulation████████████████████20%
Public Health███████████████████19%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Economic Development███████████11%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Youth Programs███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Knoxville City Council met on May 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of minutes from April 23 and April 28, and a consent agenda. The mayor reported on the legislative budget hearings, recognized the Mayor's Youth Council, and announced upcoming events. Key agenda items included a resolution for additional ARPA stormwater funding, a contract for fleet cameras, an invasive species control services contract, and a first reading of an ordinance to prohibit tobacco and vapor products in age-restricted venues (21+ bars). The council also voted on several land use items, including a sector plan amendment for affordable housing on Nora Road and a rezoning on Western Avenue.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the April 23 workshop and April 28 meeting.
  • Approved the consent agenda as amended (items 13Z, 13AA, 13AB removed by Councilmember Parker).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 130 (Tobacco/Vapor Prohibition): Three speakers in favor and three speakers against addressed the council.
    • In favor: Jeremy Corvellis (chair of Smoke Free Knoxville), a musician with asthma; Michael Holtz (14-year survivor of stage 3 colorectal cancer); Kayla Smith (American Heart Association). They cited health risks of secondhand smoke, worker protections, and data from over 1,300 smoke-free cities.
    • Against: Houston Forge (petition with 2,200 signatures opposing the ban), Chris Watson (bartender and musician, argued for personal choice and business autonomy), Paul Smith (owner of a small bar that allows smoking, noted 80% of patrons smoke and lack of outdoor space). They argued the ban would harm small businesses, limit freedom, and create unfair competition with county bars.

Discussion Items

  • 12F (Bomb Drive Stormwater Improvements): Councilmember Parker asked about ARPA funding deadlines. Bradshaw (Fleet Services) responded that all ARPA funds have been allocated and these are final disbursements; the closeout date is September 30, 2026. Parker requested a comprehensive list of ARPA projects. Approved.
  • 12G (Samsara Fleet Cameras): Councilmember Parker inquired about data retention policies for dash cams. Nicholas Bradshaw (Director of Fleet Services) stated that a policy exists, footage is stored online for at least six months, and he would provide details to council. Approved.
  • 12L (Invasive Species Control): Director Rachel Butzler gave an overview of methods (manual removal, cut-stump, foliar application) and assurances that chemical use is targeted, EPA-approved, and not widespread glyphosate. Councilmember Parker and Adams expressed support. Approved.
  • 13P, Q, R (Macco Affordable Housing on Nora Road): Ben Mullins, representing the applicant, described a proposed ~180-unit affordable housing project with 60 ADA mainstream vouchers. The site includes a conservation easement on the back portion. Councilmember Parker asked about road improvements; developer will conduct a traffic impact analysis and be responsible for upgrades. Councilmember Grant noted the area has had drug activity and homicides, supporting the redevelopment. Councilmember Thomas praised the scale and preserved natural area. Items were consolidated and approved.
  • 13Z, AA, AB (Western Avenue Rezoning): Councilmember Parker expressed concerns about hillside protections and potential blasting/retaining walls. Director Amy Brooks (Knoxville-Knox County Planning) explained that slope analysis would guide a disturbance budget, and any future development would require permits and compliance with hillside protections. Councilmember Honeycutt noted no current projects. Councilmember Adams flagged the jump from RN1 to CH1 zoning. The motion to approve passed 8-0-1 (Parker abstained).

Key Outcomes

  • Item 12E (Bomb Drive Stormwater contract amendment): Approved.
  • Item 12F (North Cherry Street stormwater contract amendment): Approved after discussion on ARPA deadlines.
  • Item 12G (Samsara fleet cameras): Approved, subject to follow-up on data retention policies.
  • Item 12H (2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for HUD): Approved 8-1.
  • Item 12I (Goodyear tire contract extension): Approved.
  • Item 12J (Nourish Knoxville farmers market agreement): Approved.
  • Item 12K (Broadband ready seniors program grant): Approved.
  • Item 12L (Invasive species control contracts): Approved.
  • Item 130 (Tobacco/vapor prohibition in age-restricted venues): First reading passed 7-2. An amendment to change the effective date to January 1, 2027, was approved 7-2. The amended ordinance then passed 7-2.
  • Item 13P, Q, R (Macco affordable housing): Consolidated and approved unanimously (voice vote).
  • Item 13S (Flegler Road rezoning RN1 to RN2): Approved.
  • Item 13Z, AA, AB (Western Avenue rezoning): Consolidated and approved 8-0-1 (Councilmember Parker abstained).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. It's six o'clock. I'd like to call this meeting to order. We'll begin with an invocation led by Councilmember Grant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Honeycutt. Please rise as you're able. Tonight, let us gather with open minds and open hearts in a time where this country feels divided by politics, race, class, and ideology. Let us remember that our duty is not to deepen those divisions but the rise above them. There are communities across the nation that feel unheard, unseen, despite the same people who have helped build this country, fought for this country, and continue to believe in its mission. We cannot ignore these troops. We should not follow growing the culture of division and silence. Instead, let the city of Knoxville lead by example. Let us come together, no matter status, no matter background, but as people first. Let us align ourselves back with humanity and commit to progress, not through words, but through policy, action, and accountability. Made tonight's decision reflect wisdom, compassion, and the courage to build a stronger, healthier future for the next generation. Amen. I would like to please certify of the United States of America. Under God, indivisible liberty and justice. Okay, Miss Hopper, would you please call roll? Councilwoman Adams. Councilman DeBarta Laban? Here. Councilman Grant? Here. Councilwoman Helsing? Here. Councilman Honeycutt. Councilman Lloyd? Here. Councilwoman Parker? Here. Councilman Thomas. Here. Okay, thank you. Is there a motion on the minutes of the April 23rd workshop? Okay, motion made and seconded. Any questions or discussions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Is there a motion on the minutes of the April 28th meeting? Okay, motion made and seconded. Any questions or discussion? 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 on tonight's agenda? Okay. Are there any items to be added by motion? Okay.

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