[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6388478,"mediaKeyId","2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b","parentId",2114087,"title","Council approves planning appointments, dozens of zoning and grant items in single session","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",464000,"endMs",506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b&start=464&end=506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b/thumbnail_464000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388478/Tennessee/Council-approves-planning-appointments-dozens-of-zoning-and-grant-items-in-single-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388478-c234f939deb69b485b79c987a0f065b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185094&Signature=oh7N-NbIvZO28RF0fo5L2OabJPKuCfoHzk~BFTxlRjqZdUSzNzbu05e9sb3T~cfx-BYqpGbi1Qn7g68wVwJsDyOzZacEScG-O8ZXBzaK8DUP5IuUjrxyDiewHiQlxZrHODLNmIoLzdcDNrLjTAsIX44MKQPPFktPnfMtckihpjFzKbPngOYfMhu5ZeASVx05Ty~4Ezy7h7mfDwmrfaxWPQO0ujC6MkTE7A7Q8ptoo1t0s1uFpav5BromzGUtEvi1CGx7fBzOkhrt-m85CYmcAbWWgtYO9EhjolRGfszQIsX29LzabCMxDp2Q-Y6ibX1WHmYew4y1sLNkvHnm84Pn-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-01-13T20:50:39Z","article","Knoxville City Council approved a large group of mostly routine items on the agenda, including reappointments to the Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission, multiple rezoning and sector‑plan amendments, and a series of grant and service agreements with community organizations.

Appointments and land‑use items: The council confirmed the mayor’s nomination to reappoint Amy Midas and Tim Hill and to appoint Myles Biggs (contingent on state approval) to the Knoxville‑Knox County Planning Commission (Item 8a). A long series of ordinances on second reading and rezoning requests (Items 9e–9x and related 1‑year plan amendments) changed base zoning classifications, amended sector plans and approved specific plan amendments across several districts; council members noted these were second‑reading items that had been discussed at prior meetings and offered no additional substantive questions.

Grants, contracts and program items: Resolutions approved included donations, community‑development block grant awards and contracts for public services and events. Examples recorded on the agenda and approved by vote include a property donation acceptance (11d), community‑development block grant awards to SEED Inc., Connect Ministries and Neighborhood Housing Inc. (11g–11j), a bulletproof‑vest grant application (11k), Keep Knoxville Beautiful funding (11l), household hazardous waste transportation services and city recycling/garbage contract extensions, and festival production agreements (11m–11q). Several agreements were for on‑call traffic signal detector loop services and small public‑works contracts.

Land‑use matters and related rezoning ordinances were approved by motion and voice; council recorded that these were second‑reading votes and in many cases the motions were made without additional discussion.

Ending: Most items passed by voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tallies in the minutes. Staff will execute the contracts and record details in the city’s procurement and capital records.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council R 265 230530","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a slate of reappointments, zoning changes, sector‑plan amendments and multiple grant and service agreements in a single series of voice votes; most items drew little debate and passed unanimously.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",69361,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6388482,"Council approves honorary renaming of Lakeside Street as Big John Tate Corner",123,2369000,2492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b&start=2369&end=2492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b/thumbnail_2369000.jpg","/articles/6388482/Tennessee/Council-approves-honorary-renaming-of-Lakeside-Street-as-Big-John-Tate-Corner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388482-e582cd2167d775e657cd197b3c5e4074/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185094&Signature=okDNVNBCEY2ktn5bkymek1BjixogqN2jAfTLnl3eBPQ0-0a3IcVFTZkrhtOy2-sdO--QUWLIcKXzsi8-Vrh7uYdR1mXcrAqM8I6Q~FxunK0gIvlJchP8ClmC1360sDxOKCTkucycofgw35Jw4qA-XsQTwB0IgT9TdQe6ytFmrZvLT4NnOMVPXwHDTrXPlDnvao9Z4TyrqZd5WpGpfrMj29YElJu6Ii3xbhVt1TqofNRn~hB9d1muquLFrrOiBnUr89IbVKb7FACK-j8ODpeTlwlh~YVKtaKIriDBQGh79mw85VOqloCMJVhzzb1qPxdJKALwUd4fLcJlINv0wEOdnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council approved a resolution to add the honorary name \"Big John Tate Corner\" to Lakeside Street at its northern intersection with Magnolia Avenue.

William Monette, a documentary producer who grew up in East Knoxville, urged the council to approve the naming and recounted Tate’s career and local ties, saying the champion \"brought it back to Knoxville.\" Monette told council he had completed a documentary about Tate and said the street renaming could help preserve Tate’s story and inspire local youth: \"Big John's story inspired me to do my best.\"

Council members Testermier, Mackenzie and Parker added their support on the record; Mackenzie said Tate’s professional record included 34 wins and 3 losses with 23 knockouts and noted that former Mayor Randy Tyree once presented Tate with keys to the city. Council members said an unveiling ceremony will be held Monday at 4:30 and that a documentary screening and memorabilia exhibit will run at the Beck Center following the dedication.

Ending: The honorary name passed by voice vote. Council invited the public to the unveiling and related events.

","The council approved a resolution to give an honorary name to a block of Lakeside Street honoring heavyweight boxing champion Big John Tate; family, community members and a documentary producer spoke in support.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6388487,"Council delays vote on alternative‑response task force after hours of public testimony and debate",2563,2711000,5274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b&start=2711&end=5274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b/thumbnail_2711000.jpg","/articles/6388487/Tennessee/Council-delays-vote-on-alternativeresponse-task-force-after-hours-of-public-testimony-and-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388487-46c1c8a81334f3e9b99bd8ec3a52a454/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185094&Signature=jBxldFm-ZNBYJDnL0W~tHgUqUa4GpwXe1gec-Ki1ibVrZnyTa1brlyr53ZePYMSy2v4iZHKdWmJeJ84hhWiJcQ7I6Q3r5mBlYE671pf44xrT5wls8bUr5g0haL4CsHnYdPNUbVaozrD0Ufgv4Xm1b8n3nY7HB-Mwkg8I2e9M3lf4X9kxvTm~iDgSFqjdgw-l6-PeemCDa6PoJe18qiRzT0PHPQ5feLkXS4LiChZ0K3Olw~d4wgvjxktqOfop8~BNLxrNPd5FeZVvYMlJ3C-7r8-jSJGeccCibPrWYNIJiycI3zrRFVBDa5UYNXbro8a~9j7w1crsSnWECopMKO1IhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council on a voice vote postponed consideration of a resolution to create and fund an \"alternative response\" task force that would plan a pilot program to dispatch non‑police teams for certain mental‑health, substance‑use and homelessness calls.

The resolution, introduced as Item 11c, drew three dozen public speakers and extended council debate. Supporters — including clinicians, formerly employed crisis workers and community organizers — urged the council to create a task force that would design a pilot to redirect nonviolent behavioral‑health calls away from law enforcement.

Amelia James, a licensed clinical social worker and member of Knoxville Heart, told council that the group had been pursuing alternative response for three years and urged passage of the task force: \"This task force would not exist to check some sort of symbolic box,\" James said, adding that a formal, stakeholder‑led process could produce a tangible proposal.

Alex Riffwald of Knoxville Heart said the group has drafted proposals and asked that community organizers be included in planning: \"There's no alternative response without Knoxville Heart,\" he said, noting local organizing and outreach work connected to the idea.

Speakers with clinical experience cited evidence from programs elsewhere, arguing alternative response can reduce emergency‑room visits and save money. Dr. Ebony Winford, a licensed psychologist and director of research and health equity at a federally qualified health center, said alternative response can reduce need for higher‑level medical care and offered national cost‑savings estimates cited by program evaluations.

Council members debated the resolution’s scope and funding. Questions included whether the city should act alone or seek multi‑jurisdictional partners (county, state, hospitals), which agency would host a pilot, whether existing providers such as Helen Ross McNabb would participate, and how many staff and vehicles a pilot would require. Speakers and members cited two different budget figures during the meeting: the version on the council agenda asked for a smaller initial allocation (the packet figure of $50,000 was discussed), while Knoxville Heart described a separate pilot proposal costing about $350,000–$400,000 for one van and three staff for a 12‑month pilot.

Vice Mayor Roberto and other members emphasized the need for cross‑jurisdictional funding and clearer staffing plans. Administration staff said the city has previously studied alternative‑response models and participated in workshops; Deputy Mayor Aaron Gill said the city had reviewed case studies and sequential‑intercept mapping with partner agencies in 2021 but that the model would require additional funding and coordination.

After debate, Councilwoman Parker moved to postpone the resolution to the council’s June 27 meeting to permit council members and community groups to negotiate amendments; the motion to postpone carried.

Ending: Supporters said they will continue organizing and meeting with council members and administration; council members asked for revised language on membership, budget and intergovernmental commitments before the item returns.

","Hundreds of residents, service providers and council members debated a proposed task force to plan an alternative mental‑health response model; the council voted to postpone the resolution to allow more time for revisions and outreach.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6388491,"Knoxville council approves FY2023–24 budget and tax levy after debate over building-permit staffing and housing investment",135,507000,642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b&start=507&end=642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114087-47ce6d3b1abb2b727f17b0261f6f476b/thumbnail_507000.jpg","/articles/6388491/Tennessee/Knoxville-council-approves-FY202324-budget-and-tax-levy-after-debate-over-building-permit-staffing-and-housing-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388491-e9ab0b9622a9ef9688486ced0746277c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185094&Signature=YoU-RD5sVk1VrIJ0ZSyYVa79rRdJhSP7qqUIjs50E89~w-yWfsYQWnkIDyMasRSxGLFi8ldLeSiKMf-pdrSZUf1Ew9AeGAiT-7Qcnkh4guUWITxthDWjKjg0iaAOx0s4j3RGDCOUj8-vUAh37D89gz0qQU16hYITbgdRQAYrhXx5k-iBB6UpF7rA9OuoODo8RODg9iSUsU9qhurTpe5N~DfnY21ajnzUdQuvGsGaE0APkQxUvtg8ZLd7Dc26dMJ5jtZ9o1LtnFzOIIzpmLbk5GpXGl~O7lS5n3~I-QXvcve9I42BrJP1VDqVMGvLMxPVgJRn5dzbMB8hlSG0OTgKAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Knoxville City Council on first reading approved ordinances making annual appropriations for fiscal year 2023–24 and levying property taxes to fund the city’s general and debt-service funds after more than an hour of discussion about building‑permit staffing and housing investments.

Council members said the budget includes some long‑requested positions to help reduce a backlog in building permits but questioned whether the city was doing enough to respond to an urgent affordable‑housing shortage.

Councilwoman Ryder placed on the record concerns about permitting delays and asked staff how the budget addressed processing backlogs. City staff said the adopted budget includes two new positions and that a prior spring amendment added a third; administration also said it would contract with outside reviewers and press ahead on digitizing plan review to address backlog. Councilwoman Ryder said those steps were welcome but urged the council to re‑evaluate staffing after six months if delays persist.

Councilwoman Parker, who had sought extra time before the second vote, said the budget increases housing spending but that Knoxville is still falling short of meeting the scale of the current crisis. \"I feel as a city we're missing an opportunity to address some root causes in our community that could actually take the load off of our public‑safety officials,\" Parker said, urging consideration of more aggressive, one‑time investments such as municipal bonds used elsewhere to accelerate production of affordable units.

Deputy Mayor Aaron Gill framed the administration’s approach as layered: new staff, temporary contracting to address the immediate backlog, and process automation, then reevaluation. Gill also told council that case studies of alternative response and mental‑health services had been reviewed elsewhere in earlier workshops.

Finance Director Boyce Evans explained how vacancy savings flow through departmental budgets and into the unassigned fund balance if unused; council members debated whether to preserve unassigned funds to avoid future tax increases.

The council approved the appropriation ordinance, an accompanying tax levy ordinance and a separate ordinance adjusting classification and compensation plans. Voting was voice; motions carried after the discussion. Specific line‑item and program changes discussed by council — including the addition of three building‑department positions if the package is adopted as presented — will be part of the final adopted budget documents.

Ending: Council members said they expect continued follow‑up from staff on permit processing, and several indicated they may propose budget amendments in coming weeks to increase housing funding or otherwise adjust priorities.

","The Knoxville City Council approved annual appropriations and a property tax ordinance for fiscal year 2023–24 after members debated adding plan‑review staff, using vacancy savings and how aggressively to fund affordable housing programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves planning appointments, dozens of zoning and grant items in single session

Council approves honorary renaming of Lakeside Street as Big John Tate Corner

Council delays vote on alternative‑response task force after hours of public testimony and debate

Knoxville council approves FY2023–24 budget and tax levy after debate over building-permit staffing and housing investment