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Record of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting – July 23, 2026: Temporary Presiding Officer, Consent Agenda, and Resolutions Approved

City Council — Thursday, July 23, 2026
BodyKnoxville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, July 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 24:37
Transcript — Verbatim
0:33

Good evening.

0:34

I'm gonna call this meeting of city council to order.

0:36

Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026.

0:39

The Vice Mayor and Mayor being absent.

0:42

We will immediately proceed to the election of a temporary presiding officer for this meeting.

0:48

The floor is open for nominations for temporary presiding officer.

0:52

Is there a council member who wishes to serve in this role or are there nominations?

0:58

Councilwoman Adams.

0:59

Yeah, I was going to nominate Councilwoman Helsley.

1:02

And I wanted to second it.

1:04

Are there other nominations or others wishing to serve?

1:08

I wanted to nominate Councilwoman Amelia Parker.

1:12

Councilmembers Parker and Helsley are nominated.

1:16

Are there other nominations?

1:22

Do both of those members wish to serve?

1:25

Okay.

1:26

We'll proceed with a roll call vote.

1:32

One moment.

1:41

Councilmember Adams.

1:44

State the last name of the member you wish.

1:46

Yeah.

1:46

Oh, Councilwoman Helsley.

1:49

Councilman Debartel Laban.

1:50

Councilwoman Helsley.

1:54

Councilman Grant.

1:55

Councilwoman Parker.

1:57

Councilman Helsley.

2:03

Your own name?

2:04

Okay.

2:05

Councilman Honeycutt.

2:07

Councilwoman Hosley.

2:09

Councilman Lloyd.

2:10

Councilwoman Hillsley.

2:12

Councilwoman Parker.

2:15

And Councilman Thomas.

2:17

Councilmerson.

2:21

Councilwoman Helsley received five votes.

2:24

Councilwoman Parker received three votes.

2:26

Councilwoman Helsley is elected temporary presiding officer.

2:50

We'll begin with an invocation given by Councilman Debarta Laban and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilwoman Adams.

2:56

Please stand as you're able.

3:33

Amen.

3:56

You have to call the roll again, do you?

3:57

Yes.

3:58

Oh, Mr.

3:59

Mr.

3:59

Johnson, please call the roll.

4:01

Councilman Adams.

4:02

Here.

4:03

Councilman Debartelabon.

4:04

Here.

4:04

Vice Mayor Hugo.

4:06

Councilwoman.

4:06

Councilman Grant.

4:07

Here.

4:08

Councilman Helsley.

4:09

Here.

4:09

Councilman Honeycutt?

4:11

Here.

4:11

Councilman Lloyd.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████22%
Affordable Housing██████████████████████22%
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Transportation Safety███████████11%
Zoning████4%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Meeting – July 23, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM on July 23, 2026, with the Mayor and Vice Mayor absent. Councilwoman Helsley was elected temporary presiding officer. The council approved a consent agenda, heard public comments, and passed several resolutions and ordinances related to traffic signals, bridge inspections, affordable housing, and community development.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved routine items including Ordinance 10B (second reading), Resolutions 12J through 12M (grant authorizations), and Ordinance 13N (first reading) without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Drew Harper (Vice President of Yes Knoxville, 1205 Kenyon Street) spoke in support of two items: the Affordable Rental Development Fund project (Resolution 12F) and the rezoning at Valley View Drive (Ordinance 13O). He emphasized the need for income-restricted housing, transportation choice, and increased density on urban land for environmental and economic benefits.

Announcements and Reports

  • Mayor's Report (read by Temporary Presiding Officer): Early voting is underway through August 1; final Kiderific event on July 24 at World's Fair Park (10 AM–1 PM); ribbon cutting for a community-designed playground at Montgomery Village on July 29 at 2:30 PM.
  • Council Announcements:
    • Councilwoman Adams: Knoxville Giants game on August 1 (12th Annual 8th of August Jubilee Negro Night); African American Equity Restoration Task Force meeting August 10 at 5:30 PM at Knoxville Botanical Gardens.
    • Councilman Honeycutt: Thanks to Knoxville-Knox County Planning for a workshop on the comprehensive plan update (What's Next Knoxville); encouraged public participation in phase two this fall.
    • Councilwoman Parker: Kumba Festival on July 31–August 2, starting downtown Market Square on July 31 and continuing at Chilhowee Park on August 1–2; vendor opportunities available.

Discussion Items

  • 12C – Chapman Highway Traffic Signal Improvements ($310,874): Councilwoman Adams questioned the 180-day timeline. Director Howley noted that lead times for equipment may require the full period but earlier completion is possible. Approved unanimously.
  • 12D – Gay Street Bridge Inspection Services ($499,894): Councilwoman Parker asked about the need for annual inspections after conversion to pedestrian/bicycle use. Director Howley explained that federal funding no longer applies, but the consultant recommends annual inspections for safety. Approved unanimously.
  • 12E – Budget/Accounting Services ($125,000) with Apicus Hive: Approved unanimously.
  • 12F – Affordable Rental Development Fund ($2 million for 67 units at 1880 Huron Street): Councilman Thomas praised collaboration with KCDC and Dominion, noting amenities (playground, community room, fitness center, dog park). Public speaker supported. Approved unanimously.
  • 12G – CDBG for Emergency/Minor Home Repair ($450,000) with CAC: Approved unanimously.
  • 12H – CDBG for Operation Backyard ($350,000): Councilman Corrett highlighted assistance to elderly and veterans. Approved unanimously.
  • 12I – Amendment for Oracle Cloud Implementation ($374,520, total $2,474,020): Approved unanimously.
  • 13O – Rezoning at 0 & 3223 Valley View Drive from R-1 to R-5: Public speaker supported adding homes near existing neighborhoods. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Election of Temporary Presiding Officer: Councilwoman Helsley received 5 votes; Councilwoman Parker received 3 votes. Helsley was elected to preside.
  • All votes on consent and discussion items passed unanimously.
  • No public forum comments were submitted.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'm gonna call this meeting of city council to order. Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026. The Vice Mayor and Mayor being absent. We will immediately proceed to the election of a temporary presiding officer for this meeting. The floor is open for nominations for temporary presiding officer. Is there a council member who wishes to serve in this role or are there nominations? Councilwoman Adams. Yeah, I was going to nominate Councilwoman Helsley. And I wanted to second it. Are there other nominations or others wishing to serve? I wanted to nominate Councilwoman Amelia Parker. Councilmembers Parker and Helsley are nominated. Are there other nominations? Do both of those members wish to serve? Okay. We'll proceed with a roll call vote. One moment. Councilmember Adams. State the last name of the member you wish. Yeah. Oh, Councilwoman Helsley. Councilman Debartel Laban. Councilwoman Helsley. Councilman Grant. Councilwoman Parker. Councilman Helsley. Your own name? Okay. Councilman Honeycutt. Councilwoman Hosley. Councilman Lloyd. Councilwoman Hillsley. Councilwoman Parker. And Councilman Thomas. Councilmerson. Councilwoman Helsley received five votes. Councilwoman Parker received three votes. Councilwoman Helsley is elected temporary presiding officer. We'll begin with an invocation given by Councilman Debarta Laban and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councilwoman Adams. Please stand as you're able. Amen. You have to call the roll again, do you? Yes. Oh, Mr. Mr. Johnson, please call the roll. Councilman Adams. Here. Councilman Debartelabon.

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