Knoxville

City Council Regular

The Knoxville City Council will vote on zoning changes for two residential properties, approve a one-year moratorium on large data centers, and authorize multiple contracts and grants for infrastructure, housing, and transit projects.

• Emergency ordinance proposing a one-year moratorium on data centers using 10+ megawatts.
• Zoning changes for 3225 Joyce Ave and 732-758 Hialeah Dr from RN-1 to RN-2.
• $4.5M agreement for Western Heights Phase V infrastructure improvements.
• $1.35M federal transit grant application for Knoxville Area Transit.
• Public hearing on a setback variance appeal for a detached garage at 1503 Southgate Rd.

City Council Regular

The Knoxville City Council will vote on amendments increasing state funding for the Liberty Street Multimodal Project and Northwest Greenway Connector Phase II. The agenda also includes approvals for over $250,000 in grants supporting homeless shelter and rapid re-housing services, alongside a new management contract for the Knoxville Convention Center. Additionally, council members will adopt the FY 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program, review two residential rezonings, and consider closing two city alleys.

• Increase DOT funding for Liberty Street Multimodal Project to $2,332,342 and Northwest Greenway Connector Phase II to $7,227,492.
• Approve up to $250,000 in grants for homeless shelter, rapid re-housing, and eviction mediation services.
• Adopt the FY 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program and FY 2027 Capital Improvements Budget.
• Rezoning properties at 3225 Joyce Avenue and 732-758 Hialeah Drive from RN-1 to RN-2.
• Approve a one-year management contract for the Knoxville Convention Center at up to $905,000 annually.

Council approved a $7.2M increase for the Northwest Greenway Connector Phase II project and extended its completion to 2028. Also approved funding for traffic signal services, homeless shelter contracts, and an alley closure. Two items were postponed: a zoning appeal and another alley closure.

• Approved $7.2M amendment for Northwest Greenway Connector Phase II (8-0)
• Approved appointment to African American Equity Restoration Task Force with amended commitment (8-0)
• Approved $2.33M Liberty Street Multimodal Project amendment (8-0)
• Approved $60K/year traffic signal contract with Davis H. Elliot (8-0)
• Approved $60K/year traffic signal contract with Integrated Response Systems (8-0)
• Approved $65K homeless shelter funding for Salvation Army (8-0)
• Approved $30K homeless shelter funding for Catholic Charities (8-0)
• Approved $54.72K homeless shelter funding for Volunteer Ministry Center (8-0)

Beer Board Regular

The board is considering multiple beer permit applications for local businesses including restaurants, breweries, and markets. Additionally, they will review a special event permit request for the German Fest at First Lutheran Church.

• Special event permit: First Lutheran Church and School - German Fest
• Beer permit: The 1951 Club (6601 Kingston Pike)
• Beer permit: Buffleheads (1004 Sevier Ave)
• Beer permit: Cedar Corner Market (9133 Executive Park Dr)
• Beer permit: Crafty Bastard Brewery (6 Emory Place)

The board granted multiple conditional approvals for local businesses including The 1951 Club and Crafty Bastard Brewery. Several applications were postponed or withdrawn at the request of the applicants.

• Approved May minutes (8-0)
• Postponed First Lutheran Church German Fest to July 21
• Withdrew UUNIK Academy Grooves in the Garden permit request
• Approved The 1951 Club beer permit pending documentation (8-0)
• Approved Buffleheads beer permit pending documentation (8-0)
• Approved Cedar Corner Market beer permit pending documentation (8-0)
• Approved Crafty Bastard Brewery beer permit pending documentation (8-0)
• Approved Jaboni's Pizzeria beer permit pending documentation (8-0)

Audit Committee Regular

The committee will review updates on reporting procedures for waste, fraud, and abuse of government funds. Members will also consider new policy proposals regarding the role of the internal auditor and upcoming member nominations.

• Proposed communication regarding public funds granted to non-profits
• Amendment to executive order on reporting waste, fraud, and abuse
• Nominations for expiring terms of Nikki Elliott and Ronnie Brabson
• New policy on internal auditor role and reporting
• Engagement letter for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026

The committee approved a draft policy defining the Internal Auditor's role in reporting waste, fraud, and abuse for City Council approval. Members also recommended the term extensions of Nikki Elliott and Ronnie Brabson. The Finance Department clarified that nonprofit appropriations will now be handled via Memorandums of Understanding rather than contracts.

• Approved draft policy on Internal Auditor's role in waste, fraud, and abuse reporting (7-0)
• Recommended term extensions for Nikki Elliott and Ronnie Brabson (4-0)
• Approved April 15, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0)

City Council Regular

City Council will vote on a zoning appeal overturning a Board of Zoning Appeals decision regarding CareCuts' religious land use exemption at 5200 Clinton Highway. The agenda also includes multiple contracts for infrastructure and events, board appointments, and a $4,500 appropriation for youth event grants through the Empower Knox program.

• Zoning appeal: overturning BZA decision on CareCuts religious land use exemption at 5200 Clinton Highway (District 5)
• $465,028.50 contract with Adams Contracting for North Cherry Water Quality Improvements Project (District 6)
• $598,000 contract with Ardurra Group for Stormwater Program Funding Feasibility Study
• $75,000 Historic Preservation grant to Paragon Development L.P. for restoration at 825 N. Central Street (District 4)
• $15,000 AARP Community Challenge grant for Vision Zero traffic safety initiative (District 4)

City Council denied an appeal that sought to overturn the Board of Zoning Appeals' decision that CareCuts' services qualify as a religious land use exempt from special use approval. The council also approved several reappointments to boards, a $4,500 youth event grant, multiple engineering contracts, and a resolution honoring Knoxville Community Media. One resolution for collections services was postponed for two weeks.

• Denied appeal to overturn BZA ruling on religious land use at 5200 Clinton Highway (7-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved reappointments to Police Advisory and Review Committee (8-0)
• Approved reappointment/appointment to Design Review Board (8-0)
• Approved appointments to Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (8-0)
• Approved $4,500 youth event grant from Community Safety budget (8-0)
• Approved $465,028.50 contract with Adams Contracting for water quality project (8-0)
• Approved $598,000 feasibility study contract with Ardurra Group (8-0)
• Postponed collections services contract with Perdue Brandon for two weeks (unanimous)