City to hold Feb. 10 budget retreat

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and her staff will present updates to the City Council, including a mid-year budget review and status reports on major city initiative from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 10.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the public works center on Morris Ave.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the budget retreat should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at scook@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact the City Law Department at 865-215-2050.

Henley Bridge to be lit in honor of Trump presidential inauguration

Get ready for a patriotic showing on the Henley Bridge.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero announced Thursday the city will light the busy downtown bridge in red, white and blue in honor of the presidential inauguration.

Plans call for the bridge decking to be lit Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Donald Trump will become the nation's 45th president at a swearing-in ceremony that begins 11:30 a.m. Friday outside the Capitol. You can watch the event on 10News and live on wbir.com.

City leaders in recent years have begun using the bridge across Fort Loudoun Lake more frequently to recognize local and national events.

For example, the decks were lit in orange at the beginning of the month in a nod to the University of Tennessee's appearance in the Music City Bowl. Last week it featured royal blue hues in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Next month, plans call for lighting Henley Bridge red for National Wear Red Day; green, gold and blue in honor of the Bassmaster Elite Series; and red and white for Valentine's Day.

Henley Bridge also has been lit for sad occasions. Knoxville was among several American cities that received national attention in April after it displayed purple lights on the bridge upon the death of Prince, who loved the color purple.

City announced 'rapid response' greenways/trails service crew

Mayor Madeline Rogero on Wednesday introduced the City’s new Greenways Service Crew, which will build two new miles of greenway per year while also addressing ongoing maintenance of the City’s nearly 100-mile network of greenways and trails.

“With the Greenways Feasibility Study, we now have a plan to connect greenways throughout Knoxville. This new crew will expedite our progress in linking more neighborhoods into our greenways network,” said Mayor Rogero. “Additionally, this crew means that we have a rapid response team to address maintenance calls reported to 311 by greenway users.”

The five-person service crew will hit the greenways daily, armed with a small fleet of new equipment, including an off-road truck, a wood chipper, a smaller greenway-sized dump truck that will be able to release mulch on either side, an ATV, and a skid steer. The crew even has two mountain bikes that will assist in quickly accessing the more remote parts of the greenways system. The equipment cost about $135,000.

The creation of the new in-house Greenways Service Crew will speed up the City’s response to maintenance requests from residents through the City’s 311 Call Center. Dedicating a crew to focus solely on greenways also will accelerate construction of new trails at a key time.

Last summer, City officials unveiled a detailed plan for strategically adding 24 miles of connected greenways in 13 different corridors. The Greenway Corridor Feasibility Study is a blueprint for the most comprehensive greenways build-out in the City’s history. The City currently has $3 million in capital funding marked for greenway construction.

“Basically, we now have a crew waking up every day thinking specifically about greenways – how to improve greenways as a daily service to Knoxville residents,” said Chad Weth, Public Service Director. “We’re also looking forward to assisting Parks and Recreation as they expand the greenway system.”

Officials said although the goal will be to build two miles in-house per year through the new Greenways Service Crew, a large resurfacing project of an existing greenway could occasionally affect that number.

The Greenways Service Crew is the most recent reorganization effort to enhance service on City greenways. In 2012, Mayor Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch announced the Knoxville Police Department’s Parks and Greenways Patrol unit, a team of eight officers that systematically surveys all parks and greenways within the City.

Knoxville civil rights leader Avon Rollins Sr. passed away Wednesday

Local civil rights leader Avon Rollins Sr., the Knoxville native who led protests in the 1960s when he was in college, passed away Wednesday. He was 74.

Rollins, who worked to get African-Americans access to businesses downtown, explained his role to WBIR's Bill Williams in a 2006 interview: "We were students at the University of Tennessee. I was, along with Marion Barry.  And we joined forces with students from Knoxville College. And we began to demonstrate at the theaters downtown, principally at the Tennessee and the Bijou.  Probably hundreds of people were put in jail as a result of the demonstrations."

Rollins was a founding member of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee. He later took part on the 1963 march on Washington.

Last year, state lawmakers dedicated the Cherry Street overpass on Interstate 40 to Rollins.

At the dedication, Rollins had this to say about his legacy, "I have an Avon-ism says that my ears do not hear what you say because my eyes see what you do. And I try to live a life so others can see the good things I try to accomplish and try to do."

Incoming state House Rep. Rick Staples posted a tribute to Rollins late Wednesday night on his Facebook page. Staples' post reads:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Avon Rollins. He was an extraordinary man, who believed in making this country better, for all those who live here. We will remember all that he has done for our community, and the countless sacrifices he has made as well."

Others who have weighed in:

Robert Booker: “I’m saddened to hear about the death of my friend Avon Rollins. He was an outspoken leader who spent his life making our community a better place. My prayers are with his family. I've known Avon since the early sixties, since right after he graduated high School.  I’m pleased with what he did with the Beck Center, how he was able to get money to add the additions to make it more useable to the community.”

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett: “I’m saddened to hear about the death of my friend Avon Rollins. He was an outspoken leader who spent his life making our community a better place. My prayers are with his family.”

Madeline Rogero: "Avon Rollins was a great champion for civil rights, in Knoxville and nationally. He was a leader as a University of Tennessee student, fighting for desegregation here, and he helped found the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, which fueled the civil-rights movement nationally. Avon believed strongly in preserving and interpreting African-American history and culture, and he was a guiding force at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center for decades. I’m personally saddened by the loss of my friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many, many friends.”

Knoxville Area Urban League president Phyllis Nichols: “It’s hard to have a conversation about the civil rights movement in Knoxville without mentioning the name of Avon Rollins. Dating back to 1963 and the iconic photo of Rollins lying in front of the Tennessee Theatre protesting segregation, the ‘face’ of civil rights in our area often has included this remarkable servant leader. He will be missed, but his legacy will endure. The Knoxville Area Urban League is committed to promoting the equality and empowerment for which he fought.” 

Knoxville cmployees among the many rushing help to Sevier County: 3,100 hours at fire scene by KFD, KPD

Many communities rushed help in all forms – firefighters, search-and-rescue teams, food, supplies, prayers and charitable donations – to Sevier County communities devastated by the Nov. 28 wildfires.

Knoxville families, schools, churches and businesses contributed generously.

The City of Knoxville, alongside many other cities and agencies, lent its firefighting and emergency management expertise and equipment.

The Knoxville Fire Department dispatched more than 100 firefighters throughout the week as part of the State Mutual Aid System to battle the wildfires and help with the search for missing persons. The first Knoxville firefighters arrived within hours of the fires reaching Gatlinburg structures.

KFD also sent six pieces of firefighting apparatus – engines, tankers, a ladder truck and a 4-wheel-drive smaller truck specially designed to battle brushfires in hard-to-reach areas, along with 11 support vehicles.

KFD’s chaplain also was in Gatlinburg last week, helping to comfort displaced families as well as the First Responders.

In total, KFD committed more than 1,400 hours to battling the Sevier County fires and assisting families.

The Knoxville Police Department also sent help. Starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, KPD began rotating shifts of 12 to 15 officers, who initially assisted Sevier County law enforcement with emergency street closures.

By the end of last week, KPD chaplains were supporting families and First Responders. KPD’s Search and Rescue Team was deployed, and KPD investigators were working with federal task forces.

All told, 200 KPD employees were on the scene in Sevier County last week, contributing more than 1,700 employee hours.

At the start of the Dec. 6 City Council meeting, Mayor Madeline Rogero thanked the City employees who helped battle the fires and also praised the “huge outpouring of compassion, concern and generosity from so many people opening their hearts and their homes and making donations.”

“The fires were a disaster and a tragedy, but the response to them really shows the deep sense of community we have here in East Tennessee – the Volunteer Spirit at its best,” the Mayor said.

There are plenty of ways that Knoxville residents can help Sevier families get back on their feet.

Want to contribute or find out the best ways to help the fire victims? Call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 phone line is run by the City’s 311 Call Center under contract to the United Way, and staffers answering the line can help connect people in need with resources - or provide information on ways that donors can contribute to relief efforts.

Also, the Sevier County Economic Development Council, in conjunction with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, has created a new website to coordinate all of the relief and resources. Visit www.mountaintough.org.

Knoxville celebrates 225 years

Knoxville is celebrating a big milestone Monday: Its 225th anniversary. The party started early, though, with events all around town during the weekend.

Excitement was building downtown for the anniversary. People were abuzz with dancing, singing, enjoyment of the sights and sounds Saturday night. The following Sunday night, Mayor Madeline Rogero attended a number of events, including a special dinner and fireworks show on the Gay Street Bridge.

"It's never been done before. The Gay Street Bridge, since it's opened, has not been closed," Liza Zenni with the Arts and Culture Alliance said.

Zeni said the last 25 years in particular saw the transformation of the city into what it is today.

"Knoxville has been experiencing a renaissance. Our downtown looked nothing like this 25 years ago. It was a ghost town, and now it's hopping nad popping every day, all day," she said.
The city closed the bridge between Blount and Hill avenues from 6 a.m. until midnight Sunday. The sidewalks there were also closed after 6 p.m.

Today, the city will continue the celebration with a number of events. The Historic Homes of Knoxville will be hosting a Founder's Day luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at The Foundry in World's Fair Park. WBIR's Bill Landry from The Heartland Series will be the guest speaker at that luncheon.
The Tennessee Theatre just got done celebrating its 88th anniversary Sunday. It will be hosting Mighty Musical Monday starting at noon. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

As Knoxville celebrates its past, community leaders are looking to the future.

"The most exciting thing that we've yet to see is what's going to happen between now, and the 250th anniversary," Zenni said.

Knoxville Mayor Rogero, Democrats will rally prior to early voting

The Knox County Democratic Party will hold a rally for the Aug. 4 county general election next Thursday evening.
Early voting then starts the following day, July 15.

The rally takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the party headquarters at 311 Morgan St. in the Old City.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will speak at the event, as will the 11 Democrats who are running for county and state office. (The state general election is in November.)

“We are thrilled that 11 candidates have stepped up to the plate to give Knox County residents a choice at the polls in August and November," said Cameron Brooks, Chair of the Knox County Democratic Party, in a statement. "Our message of supporting Knoxville’s working people we hope will have resonance that will lead us to victory this year.”

More information on the candidates can be found RIGHT HERE. 

Morris as Knoxville Poet Laureate

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero today announced the appointment of writer, musician and playwright R.B. Morris as the first Poet Laureate of the City of Knoxville.

Morris, whose poetry often reflects on East Tennessee culture and history, will serve up to two years in the newly created position.

Mayor Rogero created the City’s Poet Laureate Program earlier this year, and nominations for the first appointee were considered by a committee of the Knoxville Arts & Culture Alliance. The selection committee forwarded its recommendation to the Mayor.

“I can’t imagine a more fitting selection for our first Poet Laureate,” Mayor Rogero said. “Like many in Knoxville, I have enjoyed and admired R.B.’s work for years. He has long shown a commitment to building and enriching our community, and this position will give him a platform to continue and amplify that work.”

Morris, a Knoxville native, has published several books of poetry, including “Early Fires,” “Littoral Zones” and “The Mockingbird Poems.” He has served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Tennessee. As a singer-songwriter, he has released a half-dozen acclaimed albums and EPs, and his songs have been recorded by John Prine and Marianne Faithfull, among others. Lucinda Williams once called him “the greatest unknown songwriter in the country,” and Steve Earle said, “R.B. Morris is the reason I started writing poetry.”

“It's a powerful thing for Mayor Rogero to begin the tradition of a Poet Laureate for the city,” Morris said. “The legacy of the poets and writers who have come from Knoxville give the position great esteem and expectations from the start. It's a very special honor to be able to serve here at the beginning. I can accept it for all the poets and writers that are in our city now, and that includes all the great songwriters who are living and working here.”

Rest of the story HERE.

MPC asked to modernize zoning laws

Mayor Madeline Rogero proposed that the Metropolitan Planning Commission conduct a complete review and update of the City’s zoning ordinance since it hasn't undergone a thorough review in roughly 50 years and many of the current provisions are so obsolete that they hinder quality sustainable development, according to her office.

As it stands, the City Council has approved a measure to fund the cost - some $300,000 - that will allow the MPC to hire and direct a consultant to start the review.

“Our zoning ordinance was written decades ago, for land-use patterns of a very different era – the post-World War II suburban model,” Rogero said. “The ordinance may have made sense then. But as we’ve grown, and lifestyle choices have changed, the ordinance no longer fits our needs in 2016.

“In many cases, the outdated, rigid ordinance actually prevents some neighborhoods from achieving their full potential. We need an up-to-date ordinance that protects the things we all value in our neighborhoods and commercial areas while allowing the kinds of smart, sustainable growth that will move Knoxville forward.”

Rogero said public input is encouraged – and needed.

“This will not be a top-down review,” she said. “We need to hear what works best from residents, business owners and developers. I look forward to everybody’s help in making this new zoning ordinance insightful and comprehensive.”

The list of issues to be discussed is lengthy in overhauling and modernizing such an old zoning ordinance. MPC will be smoothing out a variety of inconsistencies and gaps in the existing ordinance. For example, the ordinance update will establish clear and objective standards that can be used to help guide consistent use-on-review decisions.

Among the issues to be addressed: 

• Is more flexibility needed in allowing mixed-use development in commercial districts?
   
• The existing ordinance lacks uniform, consistent landscaping requirements, and flood-zone development standards are unclear.
   
• Standards for lighting do not take advantage of current technology to reduce the light impact of new development and redevelopment.
   
• Regulations of setbacks in current non-residential districts make it difficult or impossible to redevelop many of the properties located in the older sections of the City initially developed prior to World War II.
   
• Standards for preserving the community character of the City's residential neighborhoods can be clarified and strengthened.

The MPC review will look at best practices and hear from Knoxville community and business leaders about what requirements they would like.

Rogero to participate in U.S.- China climate-carbon summit June 7-8

Rogero

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will jet set to Beijing next week to participate in the second U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit, where mayors from the two countries will demonstrate commitment to climate action and share experiences in building low-carbon, climate-resilient communities with U.S. and Chinese state and local government, private sector, and civil society leaders, according to one of the wordiest press releases I've read.

(Yes that was all one sentence although I added the "jet set" part. Heh.)

The Summit is set for June 7-8 at the Beijing International Hotel Convention Center.

“When nations across the world committed to climate action through the Paris Agreement in December 2015, our city had already demonstrated leadership and progress in planning for a low-carbon future,” Rogero said in a statement. “The United States and China are the two largest contributors to carbon emissions globally, but we are also coming together to work toward solutions to climate change. Our work as cities will help enable both countries to meet the ambitious climate targets announced by President Obama and President Xi in November 2015 and to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals."

She added:  “That’s why local leaders from both countries are convening for the second year in a row, this year in Beijing, to demonstrate the strength of our intentions and our work to form smart cities of the future. By attending and participating in this Summit, we will share successful policies and practices that we are already implementing here in Knoxville, such as comprehensive energy efficiency improvements that reduced the energy use intensity of City buildings by more than 20 percent between 2010 and 2015.  Sharing this information will encourage stronger local action in cities across China, and we’ll hear ideas from other participants about additional steps we can take to make Knoxville more sustainable and resilient.”

                                                   

Rogero’s invitation from the White House to participate in the summit follows the City of Knoxville’s commitment to local climate action here in Knoxville as well as a strong commitment by the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of over 500 mayors and city officials pledging to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and track progress transparently. Erin Gill, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability, will also attend to participate in Summit proceedings.

Proposed budget: No tax increase

Rogero

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero unveiled her proposed budget on Wednesday, a $302.68 million spending plan that doesn’t include a tax increase but features funding dedicated to a number of major initiatives including streetscapes and community service organizations.

The overall budget is about a 4.5 percent increase from the current one, but officials said the additional revenues came from natural growth.

In addition, the budget includes a $212.5 million general fund - which covers most of the city's day-to-day operations - that is an almost 3 percent from the current budget.

The plan will cover the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Rogero, during her presentation at Zoo Knoxville, emphasized the momentum and economic development occurring across the city – and also the need to ensure that all residents share in the growing prosperity.

“Stronger, safer neighborhoods are more than quality police and fire protection and more than bricks and mortar,” Rogero said, speaking to a crowd of hundredse. “Strengthening the social fabric and ensuring success for families and youth are even more essential.”

The streetscape project for a four-block section of Magnolia Avenue from Jessamine to Bertrand streets represents the largest new capital investment in the budget, at $4.39 million.

The project was first proposed in the Magnolia Avenue Corridor Plan adopted by City Council in 2009, and has been in various stages of public input and design for the past two years. The eventual plan is to redesign all of Magnolia Avenue from downtown to Burlington, to make it more attractive and safer for local residents drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders.

Rogero also reiterated her commitment of a $250,000 capital grant to The Change Center, a new recreation and jobs center for young people on Harriet Tubman Street that was announced April 20.

She also proposed an additional $50,000 for the City’s Save Our Sons initiative to reduce violence and increase opportunities for young men and boys of color, doubling its programming capacity.

Further, she included another annual commitment of $250,000 for the Great Schools Partnership to support Community Schools in center city neighborhoods.

Among other highlights of the proposed budget:

• $2.7 million for sidewalks and crosswalks across the city, including $750,000 for sidewalks within school Parental Responsibility Zones and another $750,000 for new sidewalk construction;
•  $1.3 million for an advanced traffic management system (ATMS), which will allow networked, responsive timing of traffic signals to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion and pollution;
• A combined $1.25 million in grants to local arts, culture, community and social service nonprofit organizations;
• $1 million for development of greenway corridors;
• $5.8 million for the City’s annual street paving program, plus $3 million for phase 2 of the Pleasant Ridge Road project, $1.5 million for Kingston Pike improvements and $1.12 million for improvements at Merchants Drive and Clinton Highway;
• $726,500 for economic development efforts through Innovation Valley, the Knoxville Chamber, the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center and the Visit Knoxville Film Office;
• $731,000 for homelessness efforts, in staff positions, case management contracts and grants;
• $500,000 for the Historic Preservation Fund, to help fill financing gaps for renovation or restoration of historic properties;
• $300,000 for public art, including $50,000 to support Dogwood Arts’ “Art in Public Places” program;
• $200,000 toward a program for pre-arrest diversion of individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues.

Knoxville City Council will consider the budget on first reading at its May 10 meeting, followed by Council’s public budget hearing on May 17. The budget is scheduled for final adoption at Council’s June 7 meeting.

Rogero to present budget Wednesday

Rogero

Knoxville Mayor Rogero will unveil her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and present her "state of the city" address noon Wednesday at Zoo Knoxville.

The event is open to the public.

According to a release:

"Hundreds of community and civic leaders will hear the Mayor’s plans for continuing to strengthen the local economy, enhance neighborhoods and quality of life, and ensure a greener, more sustainable future."

Parking will be available in the zoo parking lot (which will include designated ADA parking spaces), as well as the parking lots at Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center. Buses will be shuttling guests between the Chilhowee parking lots and the event venue.

Guests should come into Zoo Knoxville using a separate, clearly marked entrance designated for the State of the City Address. Staff will be on hand to direct guests. The State of the City Address will be held in a new Zoo Knoxville event space, near Kids Cove and the carousel. A light lunch will be served.

If you plan on attending, please call the City’s 311 Call Center to RSVP or to ask questions about logistics for the event.

Mayors prepare for Hall tax cut

A move by state lawmaker to cut and eventually repeal Tennessee’s Hall income tax on stock and dividends could force local governments to either cut services or raise taxes to make up the financial difference.

Knox County and Knoxville, however, should be fine. For now.

Still, local mayors are not happy with the cut.

At issue is a tax that affects about 2 percent of the state households and mostly its wealthiest residents. The state taxes income from taxable stock dividends and certain interest.

Knox County the past five years has received between $2.2 million and $4.5 million from the tax. Knoxville during the same time period has received between $4 million to $12.5 million.

“I am opposed to the move to cut and eventually abolish the Hall tax,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “The City of Knoxville budgets about $4 million a year for Hall tax revenues. That’s the equivalent of about 10 cents on our property tax rate. In order to give what amounts to a small tax cut for the wealthiest people in the state, our Legislature is shifting millions of dollars a year in public services onto the backs of middle- and lower-income residents.”

Any amount that comes in over what the city budget gets invested directly into needed public infrastructure, like sidewalks, bridge repairs, and streetscapes.

The bill state lawmakers approved on Friday will cut the income tax this year and repeal it in 2022.

For Knox County, the immediate cut is expected to be as much as $500,000.

“In politics people are always taking credit for things but you’re not getting the full story,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “It sounds great to eliminate a tax – but you’ve got to realize – it only affects 1 percent of the population, usually the wealthiest of our population. It’s serious business. Some of these smaller communities – it could really hit them hard. And some of the bigger ones rely more heavily on it – some of our more wealthy counties.”

When asked whether the hit would affect services, Burchett said he didn’t think it would for Knox County.

“That’s why I’ve been fiscally conservative all these years,” he said. “We made cuts and we have monies that we can apply to other things. We’re not going to cut services mainly because our fiscal budgets have been incredibly conservative, and (the Knox County) Commission has done a good job on holding the line on spending.”

But, the mayor said no state legislators contacted local officials about the bill.

BY THE NUMBERS

Below is a look at the revenues received by the county and city during the past five years.

Knox County Halls tax revenues

• 2015: $4.5 million
• 2014: $2.2 million
• 2013: $3.2 million
• 2012: $2.9 million
• 2011: $2.7 million

Knoxville Halls tax revenues

• 2015: $8.4
• 2014: $9.2
• 2013: $12.5
• 2012: $3.9
• 2011: $7.3

E-911 panel recommends cutting ties with long-time director Coker

Bob Coker

In a move that was not unexpected, a panel of emergency responders and local leaders on Monday recommended cutting ties with the embattled executive director of the Knox County E-911 Center.

In a 4-0 vote, the personnel committee for the E-911 Board of Directors agreed to pay Bob Coker three months' worth of salary, which amounts to almost $34,700.

In addition, Coker, who has come under fire for months now, will get another $1,225 to cover his unused vacation time.

The full E-911 Board of Directors meets Wednesday morning and is expected to approve the deal.
The panel also recommended placing Alan Bull, the center’s technical services manager, into the interim executive director position.

“Ultimately, we agreed it was in the best interest of all parties if we ended the contract,” said Stan Sharp, chief of the Knoxville Fire Department and chairman of the personnel committee.

Coker, the center’s director for the past decade, faced a scathing employee review, problems with the department’s dispatch system and controversy over a multi-million dollar radio contract – all within the past year.

Further, last month a number of board members expressed dissatisfaction with his overall performance and questioned his leadership.

On Monday, the panel members talked briefly about their options. They could try to fire him with cause or sign off on a proposal hammered out between Sharp and Coker.

"I think it is reasonable," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, a panel member. "Certainly that middle ground – whenever you have to push a termination for cause it takes time; it’s not good for the organization. And I think we’ve seen accomplishments over Mr. Coker's term and I think we’ve seen some things we’d like for improvements and this is a good middle ground."

Coker declined to comment Monday.

Coker’s current contract ends June 30, 2017 but it would automatically roll over for another year beginning July 1. The contract has a provision that the 11-member board of directors can terminate him with a majority “plus one” vote, and pay him his salary for the following six months. But, if the board finds cause to fire him, then it doesn’t have to cover his pay.

Coker, who took over the center in 2005 and earns about $130,000 annually, can step down on his own but must give a 60-day notice.

Board members during the past year have expressed disappointment in Coker a number of times. There’s been problems with the center’s $6.2 million computer-aided dispatching system, or CAD, which faced several cost overruns during its implementation.

In addition, twice last year the board declined to approve an almost $9 million contract that would replace the radio system emergency responders use to communicate between each other.

Board members also questioned whether Coker tried to influence the bidding process.

Harris Communications won the bid, but the board declined to sign off on the contract, and expressed interest in continuing to work with Motorola Solutions, which has served the center for decades.

Board members accused Coker of trying to bring Harris on board without going through an official selection process.

Coker has denied the accusations.

Past Knoxville annexations at stake

Gov. Bill Haslam says he is concerned about a controversial bill that would let neighborhoods annexed after 1998 vote to leave their cities.

The State House approved the deannexation bill Monday night by a vote of 65-24.  The Senate could vote on the bill later this week.

The growing deannexation debate could ultimately shrink six cities in Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Johnson City, Kingsport, and Cornersville.

For more than six decades, communities across Tennessee could simply pass an ordinance to forcibly expand their city limits, whether the people who owned the annexed property liked it or not.  In 2014, the state passed a law requiring residents to vote in favor of joining a city before their property can be annexed.

Knoxville voluntarily stopped forcible annexation more than a decade ago when Bill Haslam was mayor.

However, the 1990s and early 2000s were a time of rapid expansion under former mayor Victor Ashe.
Knoxville grew by 26 square miles during his time as mayor, mostly through what was nicknamed "finger annexation" that extended the city limits in the shape of fingers along the interstates.

Map of Knoxville city limits.

Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero said she opposes the deannexation bill and believes it goes too far by trying to turn back the clock 18 years.

"These are properties that have been part of the city for a couple of decades," said Rogero.  "We have not heard an outcry for deannexation, so we're a little puzzled why this is actually making its way through the legislature.  Plus, Knoxville already stopped forcible annexation more than a decade ago."

Rogero said deannexation would present a large problem because the city has installed water, sewer, and other services in those neighborhoods.

WBIR 10News searched our archives for stories about residents upset with annexation in Knoxville after 1998.  One neighborhood was the Mount Pleasant subdivision near Clinton Highway and Schaad Road in the summer of 2000.  We contacted the same people in those stories from 2000 and none of them still lived in the annexed neighborhood.  We also visited the neighborhood and spoke to several residents, but all of them moved to the subdivision after it was part of the city.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero

 The same way many people may have bought property because it was in the county before annexation, today's residents may have purchased the same property specifically because it was inside the city limits.

"You have so much turnover, a lot of people may have moved into an area expecting it to be part of the city where they enjoying police protection, fire protection, 311 services, brush pickup, all of those things we provide that you don't get outside of the city," said Rogero.

Deannexation means the city would also lose out on some property taxes.  Rogero said if every annexed neighborhood left the city, it would add up to around $377,000 in annual property taxes.  That figure is actually much smaller than you may expect based on how much property Knoxville annexed in the late 1990s.  Rogero noted only residential property would be eligible for deannexation and much of Knoxville's annexed property was zoned for commercial use.

"We would lose some tax dollars, but it could also potentially cost us more to provide services because there would be a patchwork of houses that are in or out of the city.  You have these donut holes and the city would not be contiguous, so it would be an inefficient way to provide services," said Rogero.

State lawmakers in favor of the bill say the law would give people an opportunity to make a decision that was made for them.  They also point out residents would be able to vote to stay in their respective cities.

The bill says a referendum could take place if 10 percent of an area's population petitions for a deannexation vote.

Full details on the deannexation bills can be found at the links below:

House Deannexation Bill 0779 - Tennessee General Assembly

Senate Deannexation Senate Bill 0749 - Tennessee General Assembly 

JWP extension discussion revisited

Almost three years after local leaders effectively killed a state proposal to extend the James White Parkway in South Knoxville, the matter is again stirring debate with city officials and transportation authorities about whether to resurrect the plan.

Earlier this week, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer told East Tennessee leaders that the state wants to make nearby Chapman Highway safer, but to do so would mean revisiting proposed work on the parkway.

The initially proposed extension would stretch the four-lane bypass to Governor John Sevier Highway and cost up to $140 million.

State officials say that is still the best option to make Chapman Highway safer.

Citing letters sent in July 2014 to Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, state officials noted that crash rates along Chapman will “continue to worsen” due to “increased anticipated traffic volumes.”

The letter said that improving the popular thoroughfare is limited because of its natural design, and to do so would cost as much as $60 million.

TDOT spokesman Mark Nagi told WBIR 10News on Thursday that the state’s solution for Chapman “has remained the same.”

He called the highway a “challenging roadway” because of multiple changes in elevations, limitations in visibility and heavy traffic.

“There are things we can do on Chapman Highway but there is only so much we can do,” he said.
City officials, however, are adamant that the state’s solution is no good and would tear through the South Knoxville Urban Wilderness, the crown jewel of South Knoxville.

“We said that was not a priority for our region. There are so many projects locally and across the state that are already identified as priorities,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “What we do agree on . . . is that safety improvements are critical on Chapman Highway. That’s where we should be focusing our efforts. That’s where we agree.”

City officials also noted that traffic hasn’t necessarily increased on Chapman Highway during the past 15 years. In fact, it’s actually decreased, according to TDOT records.

In 2000, some 32,730 vehicles traveled long Chapman between Moody Avenue and Stone Road, the stretch that James White Parkway travelers would bypass if the extension was built. In 2014, that number dropped to 28,400.

“We have never reached the traffic counts for the original rationale of the parkway relies upon,” Rogero said.

The renewed interest in the extension comes in the wake of a luncheon Schroer hosted Wednesday with officials to address regional transportation projects, their challenges and how they line up with the state’s budget.

During the luncheon, Schroer questioned why the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, or TPO, voted to remove the James White Parkway extension from its Transportation Improvement Program in August 2013.

He suggested that officials reinstate it, particularly in light of the three deaths from a wreck that occurred along Chapman Highway near Simpson Road last month.

The state will not spend money on a project without the TPO signing off on it.
Rogero is a member of the TPO.

“I don’t understand if you can blast through ridges, valleys and neighborhoods for the James White Parkway extension, why you can’t do what you need to do to widen or improve Chapman Highway,” she said. “Clearly if you wanted to make Chapman Highway safer the state can figure out how to do that. We do it all the time for roads throughout the state.”

TDOT has tentatively set an April 21 public meeting to talk about ways to improve safety and traffic flow along Chapman Highway.

2nd suit filed over fair's gun ban

A second Knox County lawsuit has been filed against the city of Knoxville and Mayor Madeline Rogero over their decision to ban guns from the Tennessee Valley Fair in Chilhowee Park.

Liston Matthews and Kimberly Bergeron filed the action Thursday in Knox County Chancery Court.  The lawsuit had been expected.

Other defendants include Police Chief David Rausch.

Matthews and Bergeron argue their rights as permit carriers were impeded and they suffered because the city refused to let carry permit holders bring firearms last fall onto the fairgrounds.

For decades, the fair has operated in September at Chilhowee Park in East Knoxville.

Although it's commonly referred to as a park, the city argues Chilhowee Park is actually an entertainment venue. As a result, a state law that allows permit holders to bring guns onto public park grounds does not apply, the city argues.

Matthews and Bergeron, however, argue they had a right to bring their weapons to the fair because it is a park and they say they suffered because they weren't able to attend while armed.

In October, a Loudon County woman filed a similar lawsuit in Knox County Circuit Court.

The Tennessee Firearms Association on Thursday hailed the court action.

According to Rogero, no one challenged the ban at the gate during the fair. Several people were found to have weapons. But they put them away before entering the fair, according to Rogero.

According to Rogero, fair organizers had asked that gun-carriers be prohibited from bringing weapons into the fair.

Ashe added to Open Government board

Victor Ashe

Well, this could be interesting. The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government has added former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe to its board of directors.

Victor, a columnist for The Shopper, has been feuding recently with current Mayor Madeline Rogero. In fact, it's gotten to the point where she's making any of his record requests go through the attorney's office, something she's not requiring for other members of the media (Rogero has stated that she doesn't consider Ashe a member of the media).

In addition to Ashe, the following also were added to the board:

• Braden Boucek, litigation director and representative for The Beacon Center of Tennessee
• Hedy Weinberg, executive director of ACLU-TN
• John Williams, attorney with Tune, Entrekin & White, P.C.
• Larry Wood, general manager of WNWS-FM, NewsTalk 101.5 FM in Jackson

TCOG, according to its website, is a non-partisan organization founded in 2003 whose mission rests on the belief that citizen access to government information, through public records and public meetings, is crucial in allowing informed participation in a democratic society, and is an essential component in government accountability.

“These board members reflect a diversity of background and experiences, but each has a rich history in Tennessee and share a common viewpoint that transparency in government in our state is essential,” said TCOG Board President Doug Pierce said in a released statement. “TCOG’s educational programs have been growing, and we hope to continue to improve understanding of the rights of citizens to know what their government is doing, and to promote a culture of openness in government at all levels.”

You can read more about the appointments RIGHT SMACK HERE.

Meeting set to discuss future of Civic Auditorium and Coliseum

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, City staff and consultants from Conventions, Sports and Leisure International will discuss the recently completed feasibility study for the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum at a Jan. 14 public meeting at 6 p.m. in the Civic Auditorium located at 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave., according to a news release.

You can find the study RIGHT SMACK HERE.

The study considers three alternatives: retaining the current structures with minimal upgrades; renovating and redeveloping the complex; and completely replacing the complex.

Cost estimates for various options within those alternatives range from $26 million to $279.5 million. The study also estimates the direct and indirect economic benefits of each of the scenarios.

For anyone unable to attend the public meeting, comments can be submitted via email to comments@knoxvilletn.gov.

Phase I of Cumberland Avenue project finished; celebration now planned

The city will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the reconstruction of Cumberland Avenue at 4 p.m. Jan. 6.

The event, which will be hosted by Mayor Madeline Rogero, City Councilman Nick Pavlis and other Council members, will take place in the grassy area just north of the Three Rivers Rambler depot, 2560 University Commons Way; parking available in the lot south of the depot.

Phase I of the reconstruction of Cumberland Avenue, between the Alcoa Highway ramps and 22nd Street, has ended – on time and under budget. Improving traffic flow was a key objective of the Phase I work. Synchronized traffic flow at Metron Center Way and a dedicated turn lane onto northbound Alcoa Highway have lessened decades-long issues with congestion.

Phase II work is underway in the section of Cumberland Avenue between 22nd and 17th streets. Scheduled to be completed in August 2017, the reconstruction will change the existing four-lane street on the eastern end of the corridor to a three-lane cross section with a raised median and left-turn lanes at intersections.

In both the Phase I and Phase II work, Cumberland Avenue sidewalks are being widened, and utility infrastructure relocated and upgraded, to create a more attractive, safer, pedestrian-friendly corridor.