By Mike Steely
The Knox County Commission meets today, and it’s the final meeting for four of its members.
District 3 Commissioner Gina Oster, defeated in her bid for re-election, will be chairing her final meeting. At-large Commissioners Larsen Jay and Kim Frazier, defeated in the Republican primary for Knox County Mayor, are leaving, as is District 7 Commissioner Rhonda Lee, who was defeated in her bid for Knox County Sessions Judge.
The commission has more than 58 items on the agenda, most of which are assigned to the consent agenda and will be approved with one vote. Several other notable items will be up for discussion and a vote, and some of those were discussed in last week’s agenda review meeting.
An emergency ordinance regarding the sheriff’s use of Flock cameras is on the agenda and may pass, as the commission agrees with Mayor Glenn Jacobs on cancelling the agreement.
The mayor and finance department are asking for approval of a ground lease agreement with Strong Stock Farm LLC for use of farmland at 8217 Rutledge Pike. Knox County Chief Financial Officer Chris Caldwell told the agenda review session last week that the letter of intent has become a signed lease in order to submit a funding request to the state. He said the county wants to create an Agricultural Expo Center there for events and possibly as a new location for the Tennessee Valley Fair. The 20-year lease with three 10-year extensions, if approved, would disappear if state funding is not granted.
The redevelopment of the Andrew Johnson Building on Gay Street is on the agenda with its existing tax break in question. The owner of the former county-owned building has been told to begin demolition and construction within 60 days or default on the purchase.
The North Waterfront Redevelopment Plan in downtown Knoxville is also up for discussion, as is the future of the Fairview Technology Center, where some former classrooms may be converted to housing or the site sold.
A tax break for DWF John Sevier LLC is on the agenda that would permit half of the units to be rented at a reduced rate. South Knoxville residents are opposing those Payments in Lieu of Taxes.
The establishment of a Pedestrian Beverage Zone in the Belltown Commons residential area is also on the agenda for approval.
Commissioner Damon Rawls’ proposal to prohibit large outside investors from purchasing single-family homes for rental is on the agenda for its second reading. Another proposal on final reading, put forth by Commissioners Shane Jackson and Adam Thompson, would require a second reading by the commission of any future county budget proposed by the mayor.
