By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Although the Knoxville City Council’s session Tuesday evening saw many local nonprofit groups granted city funds, some council members continue to question how those groups were chosen above other nonprofits.
C.O.N.N.E.C.T Ministries, for instance, was granted $186,100, and Councilman Denzel Grant said he was disappointed and called the funding a “double investment.” He said the grant duplicated efforts already underway that fund community-based violence prevention. Councilwoman Amelia Parker echoed Grant’s concern about city grants. The funding passed in a 6-2-1 vote, with Grant and Doug Lloyd voting “No” and Charles Thomas abstaining.
Another nonprofit funding resolution, dispersing $213,499 to 13 different community groups, was questioned by Grant, but the vote passed 8-1 with his lone opposing vote.
A grant to Helen Ross McNabb Center of $121,000, for violence outreach and coaching, passed with a 6-3 vote with Grant, Lloyd and Parker voting against.
In other action, the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan passed with Grant saying that the full plan of action for Chilhowee Park should have been included in the multi-page proposal. He also said the proposal was received only two weeks before the deadline for state and federal funding.
Attorney Charles Swanson said the full plan couldn’t be attached to the paperwork sent to the council, but that there were links to it in the message.
The membership of the new advisory group for Chilhowee Park, which begins meeting in the Jacob Building on Tuesday, was also questioned. Mayor Indya Kincannon replied that she, Grant and Councilwoman Debbie Helsley chose the members. Councilman Charles Thomas had some concerns that the group did not include people who represent some residents.
Most councilmembers, like Nathan Honeycutt, praised the work going into the master plan which he called “a fantastic job.”
The vote to approve the plan was 8-1, with Parker voting “No.”
