OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyKnoxville, Tennessee
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:48:08
Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Okay, good evening, everybody.

0:02

It's six o'clock.

0:03

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:05

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

0:12

Please rise as you're able.

0:18

Bow our heads.

0:19

We come before you today with grateful hearts for the opportunity to serve the people of Knoxville.

0:24

We recognize that public service is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we ask for your wisdom as we carry out the work before us tonight.

0:31

Help us treat one another with respect.

0:33

Agree when we dis even when we disagree.

0:36

Remind us that we cannot have different perspectives without losing our compassion.

0:41

Our commitment to one another as well.

0:44

Give us the humility to listen, the courage to speak truthfully, and the grace to extend kindness in every conversation that we have here tonight.

0:51

Guard our decisions so they are rooted in fairness, integrity, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people we represent.

0:58

Help us govern better by working together, communicating with honesty, and keeping the needs of our community above our personal differences.

1:05

Also pray for the residents of Knoxville.

1:08

Bless our families, bless our neighborhoods, bless our first responders, our teachers, our business owners, and every person who calls this city home.

1:15

May our actions tonight reflect the trust that they have placed in us.

1:18

May we leave this meeting tonight having strength in our city and our relationships with one another.

1:23

Amen.

1:26

I pledge allegiance.

1:34

One nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all.

1:43

Okay, would you please call roll, Mr.

1:44

Johnson?

1:45

Councilman Adams.

1:46

Here.

1:46

Councilman Dabar Laban here.

1:48

Vice Mayor Fugit.

1:49

Here.

1:49

Councilman Grant.

1:50

Here.

1:50

Councilman Helsley.

1:51

Councilman Honeycott.

1:52

Here.

1:53

Councilman Lloyd.

1:54

Here.

1:54

Councilman Parker.

1:55

And Councilman Thomas.

1:57

All members are present, Mayor.

1:59

Okay, thank you.

2:02

Is there a motion on the minutes of the July 16th workshop?

2:06

Motion to approve.

2:08

Motion made to approve and seconded.

2:09

Any questions or discussion?

2:10

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

2:12

Aye.

2:13

Any opposed?

2:14

Motion carries.

2:15

Is there a motion on the minutes of the July 21st regular meeting?

2:19

Motion to approve.

2:20

Motion made and seconded.

2:22

Any questions or discussion?

2:24

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

2:26

Aye.

2:27

Any opposed?

2:28

Motion carries.

2:30

All right.

2:30

Now to tonight's agenda.

2:32

Are there any items to be withdrawn?

2:35

Are there any items to be postponed?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Legal Proceedings██████████████████18%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Election Procedures████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Community Engagement█████5%
Grant Administration█████5%
Voter Turnout████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Knoxville City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Knoxville City Council met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Main Assembly Room. The meeting covered routine approvals, multiple resolutions, and two proposed charter amendments on first reading. Key topics included zoning changes, grants, a camera funding resolution for Market Square, and a debate on changing city council election rules. The meeting adjourned after public forum.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the July 16 workshop and July 21 regular meeting.
  • Removed items 12Q, 12R, 12S, 12T, and 12U from consent after requests by Councilmember Parker (Q,S,T,U) and a motion to remove 12R (seconded) due to a member signing up to speak. The consent agenda as amended was approved unanimously.
  • Consent items included ordinances on second reading (10d – Valley View Drive zoning removal) and various resolutions (12p-12v) covering grants, pensions, and other routine matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Elliot Lloyd (708 Morgan Street) spoke in support of 12Q, the transit grant, emphasizing the benefits of public transit for the city and urging adequate funding for reliable and accessible bus service.
  • Nicole Skinner (Inskip) spoke in opposition to 12R (Market Square cameras), raising concerns about surveillance, potential ICE collaboration, civil liberties, and the prioritization of funding for cameras over basic needs. She also questioned agency access to data during public forum.
  • Caleb Adkins (705 Delap Drive) spoke during public forum requesting council address safety issues (lack of sidewalk, blind hill) near a development across from Inskip Pool and Park.
  • Keith Richardson (2526 Jefferson Avenue) spoke during public forum to commend Councilmember DeBardelaben for securing a Greyhound terminal site in Knoxville and urged regional transportation planning for intercity bus service.

Discussion Items

  • 12Q – Transit Grant (KAT): A resolution to apply for $11,898,636 in federal and state transit funding with a $1,189,864 city match. Councilmember Parker asked for details on total city transit investment (approx. $20–22M annually in general funds). The resolution passed.
  • 12R – Downtown Cameras (Downtown Knoxville Alliance): A resolution to accept $31,069.84 (corrected from published amount via amendment) for cameras in Market Square. Council debated process, oversight, privacy concerns, and locations. Chief Noel stated cameras would be owned by KPD, no facial recognition or LPR, and located on light poles at 3–4 Market Square spots, two on Market Street, one on Gay Street. Councilmember Grant opposed on process grounds; Councilmember Parker opposed citing free speech zone concerns. The resolution passed after amendment and roll call.
  • 12S – Law Enforcement Mental Health Grant: $250,000 from DOJ to support wellness coordinator and programs. Passed.
  • 12T – Mounted Unit Equipment: $10,000 from Downtown Knoxville Alliance for horse care. Councilmember Parker questioned ongoing costs; Chief Noel confirmed the city budgets for the unit. Passed 8-1.
  • 12U – School Violence Prevention Grant: $666,666 with 25% match ($166,666), city’s share $46,194 over three years for SRO training. Discussion confirmed match is budgeted. Passed.
  • 13X – Charter Amendment (50%+1 Rule for Council Elections): Proposed by Vice Mayor Fugate to allow council candidates to win outright in the primary if they receive a majority (50%+1). Debated extensively. Supporters (Fugate, Honeycutt, Helsley, Adams, Thomas, DeBardelaben) argued it would simplify elections, reduce voter fatigue, and align with mayor/judge elections. Opponents (Grant, Lloyd, Parker) argued it could depress turnout in low-voter districts (especially District 6), reduce discovery time for candidates, and was brought without adequate community input. Passed 6-3 on first reading, sending to second reading.
  • 13Y – Charter Amendment (Tiebreaker Language): Proposed by Councilmember Parker. Original version included three elements; after passage of 13X, Parker offered an amendment to keep only tiebreaker language (if a tie for second place occurs, all tied candidates go to general election; if tie for first, only top two go). Debate centered on rarity of ties, potential conflicts with state law, and clarity for voters. Councilmember Thomas supported on first reading for further study; others opposed. Passed 5-4 on first reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes on Resolutions: All consent and regular resolutions passed (12Q, 12R, 12S, 12T, 12U, etc.) with amendments where noted. 12R passed; 12T passed 8-1.
  • Charter Amendments Approved on First Reading: 13X (50%+1 rule) passed 6-3; 13Y (tiebreaker) passed 5-4. Both will return for second reading and, if approved, go to voters in the November 2026 gubernatorial election.
  • Other Actions: Budget amendment (13W) approved; elections (9C) confirmed; ordinances on second reading (10d, 10e) passed.
  • No motions to postpone or withdraw items were made aside from consent removals.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening, everybody. 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 Helsley. Please rise as you're able. Bow our heads. We come before you today with grateful hearts for the opportunity to serve the people of Knoxville. We recognize that public service is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we ask for your wisdom as we carry out the work before us tonight. Help us treat one another with respect. Agree when we dis even when we disagree. Remind us that we cannot have different perspectives without losing our compassion. Our commitment to one another as well. Give us the humility to listen, the courage to speak truthfully, and the grace to extend kindness in every conversation that we have here tonight. Guard our decisions so they are rooted in fairness, integrity, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people we represent. Help us govern better by working together, communicating with honesty, and keeping the needs of our community above our personal differences. Also pray for the residents of Knoxville. Bless our families, bless our neighborhoods, bless our first responders, our teachers, our business owners, and every person who calls this city home. May our actions tonight reflect the trust that they have placed in us. May we leave this meeting tonight having strength in our city and our relationships with one another. Amen. I pledge allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. Okay, would you please call roll, Mr. Johnson? Councilman Adams. Here. Councilman Dabar Laban here. Vice Mayor Fugit. Here. Councilman Grant. Here. Councilman Helsley. Councilman Honeycott. Here. Councilman Lloyd. Here. Councilman Parker. And Councilman Thomas. All members are present, Mayor. Okay, thank you. Is there a motion on the minutes of the July 16th workshop? Motion to approve. Motion made to approve and seconded. Any questions or discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Is there a motion on the minutes of the July 21st regular meeting? Motion to approve.

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