GREENEVILLE CITY COUNCIL — September 1, 2026 AI-GENERATED, SPEAKER-LABELED TRANSCRIPT — UNOFFICIAL. Auto-transcribed (Whisper) and speaker-diarized (pyannote) from the town's public Facebook video, then speaker names mapped from roll call and context. Speaker labels are best-effort and may be imperfect; a few voices could not be identified ([Unclear]/[Unknown]). This is a best-effort aid, NOT an official record. The Town of Greeneville's official minutes are the authoritative source. Source video: https://www.facebook.com/TownofGreeneville/videos/1789543952055319/ Generated by GreeneTN (greenetn.com) — not affiliated with the Town of Greeneville. ====================================================================== [Unknown] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Mayor Cal Doty] And I think we've probably got a little bit of information about her and her history. And we're going to recognize her for a few minutes, and then we will let her escape. [Cathy Osborne (Interim City Manager)] So, Jenny, you're going to correct me. I went and did my history, but Jenny has served a total of 14 years as a member of the Board of Mayor and Alderman from 1999 to 2009. And then she came back on the board in 22, in April of 22. And then later in 23 is when our, I mentioned before at our last meeting, is when the charter was changed. And that is when we started to go to a four-year term for our city council members, because that was when the name changed from Board of Mayor and Alderman to the Greeneville City Council. And there's a good picture. And then look at Tim, too. Oh, my goodness. so she when she came on board in 2022 um then in 2023 the charter changed and um renamed everyone the city council as city council members and then um she served a three-year term because to get us to a four-year term the first round for ward one um their terms were extended to three year and then it went to four years and now we're on a consistent four-year term um but miss jenny kid Ed, well, we truly appreciate your years of service to the town of Greeneville. Thank you. [Mayor Cal Doty] Just very quickly, I want to say thank you. I appreciate all you've done, all you've done to help me and our town, and very proud to have had the opportunity to work with you. and we've got a couple little things that we would like to give you and I've also got somebody else that's going to come up and make a little presentation so we'll ask T.J. Maness from EMS to come up for just a second. [T.J. Manis (Greene County/Greeneville EMS)] Did I say Maness? It's Maness. This guy right here is always butchering it. My 11 year old's always the first one to call him out when it happens so we just got to get that right no like Kathy said um Ms. Kidwell she joined the Greene County Greeneville EMS board in May of 2022 and I remember her first meeting because she kind of sat there like a lost little puppy dog I don't know much about EMS and and I told her I said don't worry you know the general public really don't know a whole lot about EMS but we're we're here we're going to help you through and from day one she was involved she asked questions um if she wanted to know she asked until she found out and you know lo and behold her and her husband was even subject to show up for some fellowship and food almost every year during ems week i think they would come by and and break bread with us and fellowship and um just just want you to know you're welcome to even Even though your term on the council has expired, you're welcome to come visit, fellowship, eat, whenever. But we do want to thank you for your service to the EMS board. [Ginny Kidwell (outgoing council member)] Thank you very much. You want me to come down there? Better for pictures. I got my stuff. [Cathy Osborne (Interim City Manager)] 1 of those for you. [Unclear] Jenny, and also like to you this is difficult. [Mayor Cal Doty] And invited the planning commission. Service there you were there for 4 years and this last time and we all appreciate that. [Unclear] On development services. Thanks. Wow. I'm glad I brought Robin. Yes. [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] Yeah. [Unclear] You want the door. [Mayor Cal Doty] I understand and then we also got a certificate saying that it's in recognition of your 14 years of service on the city council. So, again, thank you so much. Thank you. [Ginny Kidwell (outgoing council member)] pardon just give me a microphone um i'm not gonna make a long speech i just want to say thank you first and foremost to the citizens of this town to the town employees and to all of these friendly sweet faces that sit here and endure this process and are vested in our community I have a special feeling for the council members. Tim Teague and I, as you saw, we were just little children when we came on this board. But it's been a pleasure. We've had some rough times. But by and large, I think everybody has the town of Greeneville as in their hearts and in their minds, the best interest of this town. and I certainly hope that continues. I hope you all will call on me if I can be of service. If any of the new council members want to seek counsel, I'll be very candid. And as I told Mr. Botta, I'll tell you where all the bodies are buried. So thank you all. It's been a pleasure. And if you don't mind, Robin and I are going to go somewhere right now. so thank you all very much bye bye come on let's give her another hand applause [Unknown] applause applause applause applause and thanks to Robin for sharing [Ginny Kidwell (outgoing council member)] oh I didn't even say [Unknown] laughter [Flint Carter (Ward 1)] thank y'all bye bye [Unclear] The next thing we'll do is through the administration of office. I would like to ask Angela Varda and David Hoff to come up. [Unclear] You can come up and start. [Unknown] Thank you. [Unclear] Go ahead. Doesn't matter. [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] All right, I must say. This are for me to. [Unclear] My father with your friends. Right. I honor to. [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] Previous ceremony for. I, and you'll buy it to a bottom you saw this where song we swear that I will support the Constitution. Support the Constitution, and I will pay the laws of the United States. I will data was the United States and. I will in all respects observe the provisions of the charter, the provisions of the charter, the ordinances of the town of Greville, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of council member, the duties of the office of council member of the town of Greville, Tennessee. city of breman tennessee to which i have been elected which i've been elected and which time about to assume i'm about to assume so [Unclear] hey mr carter [Flint Carter (Ward 1)] I will support the Constitution. [Unclear] I will support the Constitution. I will support the Constitution. I will, I will almost that. Preservation. Thank you. Councilman. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] I started to say, you're going the wrong way. Going the wrong way. Okay, congratulations. [Unclear] Mr. Carter. [Unknown] Got it. [Mayor Cal Doty] Get this on after roots. Okay, well, my friend Danny's not here, so I'd like to ask Josh, can you come up and lead us in prayer? And then I'm going to ask Flint to lead us in the pledge. [Unknown] Good start. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. Can everybody stand up, please? [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] Lord, I praise you to be with us today. I praise you, Grant, this council wisdom and strength to make decisions for the town of Greeneville in the best interest of your will. In your name I pray. Amen. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] Amen. [Flint Carter (Ward 1)] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Unclear] Okay. Okay. [Mayor Cal Doty] I can't see what that says. Address new city council members. Okay. As far as mayor's comments go, got a couple of proclamations that were jointly written by the town and the county, and I'm going to ask Christina Potts to go over those. [Christina Potts (Marketing & Media Specialist)] I'm not going to read all this. It's a little bit long, but it is a very important one. We have a proclamation for September 11th. So, whereas, as our nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, we pause in solemn remembrance of a day that forever altered the heart of America. On that morning, the United States endured the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil carried out by violent extremist organizations responsible for immense harm and loss of life. In the face of devastation, the courage, heroism, and resolve displayed by ordinary citizens, first responders, and communities across the nation revealed the extraordinary strength of the American character. In the days, in the hours, days, and months that followed, Americans stood together in unity, offering countless acts of kindness, compassion, generosity, and unwavering love for country and neighbor. And whereas in the aftermath of our national shock, grief, and recovery, survivors, family members of 9-11 victims, first responders, communities, civic organizations, and governments across the nation began holding annual ceremonies of solemn remembrance, gatherings that honored the lives lost, reflected how our nation was changed, and paid tribute to the enduring strength of the American people. And I'm going to skip a little bit down. There was a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001. The Congress designated every September 11 as Patriot Day, and by public law, also approved April 21, 2009, the Congress requested the annual observance of September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, charging the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this nationwide effort. Whereas, I'm going to skip down a little bit more, each year, September 11th reminds us of how much we lost that day in life, in promise, and in our sense of national innocence, and how deeply our country and the psyche of every American were affected. Yet, from our mourning grew strength, strength, courage, vigilance, resolve, and renewed national pride. Each year, we recommit ourselves to American patriotism, service, and unity in honor of those who lost their lives that day and those who have since given their lives in recovery, rebuilding, and the ongoing fight to secure liberty and peace. So this will actually be, this will be affixed on the 11th day of September 2026 Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. Okay. Thank you. Lynn Broyles and Andy Broyles asked us if we could add this proclamation. So we've had this as a joint proclamation with the county. So this is on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD, are a group of lifelong conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. And these conditions may influence learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, impulse control, reasoning, judgment, social interactions, and everyday functioning. whereas research estimates that as many as one in 20 U.S. school-aged children may have FASD, yet FASD frequently goes undiagnosed or is mistaken for other behavioral learning or developmental conditions, leaving many individuals without the understanding or support they need. And I'm going to skip down a little bit. it. Whereas individuals may never receive an FASD diagnosis and may instead be identified with other learning, behavior, developmental, or mental health concerns without the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure ever being recognized, making appropriate treatment, educational strategies, services, and family support more difficult to identify. Whereas this message of this year's awareness is awareness, acceptance, support. Look beyond the behavior, see the person, support the family. This reflects Greene County and the Town of Greeneville's commitment to compassion, understanding, and community-wide resilience. This will be for the month of September, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month. [Unclear] Thank you. Okay. [Mayor Cal Doty] I had my 50th year high school reunion last weekend. That was a whole lot of fun. It's hard to believe. Yes, I did. 50, yes. [Council member] That's your house born. [Mayor Cal Doty] Thank you. Thank you. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] Wasn't even a thought in me. I wasn't even thought of on my end. Anyway. [Mayor Cal Doty] We also have a visitor today. He's come into the meeting. He's going to be part of our Citizens Academy. So welcome, Enrique. I'm glad we're glad to have you here. And I hope you learn a lot over the next couple of weeks. As far as public comments go, Tracy Solomon has something he would like to say. [Tracy Solomon (citizen)] yeah i just wanted to address the new folks on the council as well as the council mayor council especially two members congratulations and thank you for your willingness to serve our community just wanted to go through a couple of things here you both have a lot of support coming to you from this community community. There will be difficult decisions, there will be pressure, competing interests, strong personalities, and people who are very comfortable with the way things have always been done. I would ask that you not let that discourage you and that there are far more people supporting you than you'll probably ever hear from. We want you to ask the hard questions, insist on transparency, think independently, and make decisions based upon what is right for all of Greeneville even when doing so is difficult the decisions made in this room have real consequences they can create jobs or they can cost us jobs they can attract investments or drive it away they can increase public trust or erode it they can build this community up or they can tear it down years from now people may not remember every vote or every controversy but they will live with what those decisions created. You have an opportunity to leave Greeneville better than you found it, stronger economically, more open to opportunity, and governed in a way that earns and deserves the public trust. Again, I thank you for having the courage to step forward and serve this community. Each of you will be in our prayers, and all of us are hopeful for a better tomorrow. Thank you both. Thank you. [Council member] Thank you, Tracy. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay, we'll go on to unfinished business. And I do want to say thank you guys because it's not easy. And a lot of people are not willing to step out. Tim's comments at our last meeting about if you feel like you want to make a difference, don't be afraid to reach out and volunteer. So thanks, guys. Unfinished business item 7.1 is consideration to approve the minutes from the regularly scheduled meeting held on August 18, 2026. Those were sent out last Friday, so you've had a chance to read them. Does anybody have any questions or comments, or do I hear a motion to approve? So moved. Second? [Council member] Second. Second. Second. [Mayor Cal Doty] Is there any further discussion? All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those against, like sign. Motion carries. Thank you. Item 8 is consent agenda items. Does anyone want to remove any item on the consent? Okay, seeing none, do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda items? [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] I make a motion to accept them. [Mayor Cal Doty] Do we have a second? Second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against, like sign. Motion carries. New business item 9.1 is police department presentation on electric bike classifications and Tennessee laws pertaining to them. I asked Chief Pierce to come in and talk about this. This had been kind of talked about a lot around town, and they've gotten some good activities that have gone together, and I think it's made a difference already. [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] It seems to have. I won't go through the whole presentation here. If you want to go to our Facebook page, we do have the slides posted on there back when we did our community meeting last month or July. July. But just to kind of tell you, kind of keep you up to date on what happened, there was some concern this summer over e-bikes and what was allowed and what wasn't allowed and a lot of maybe misinformation or just not knowing information. And that's not only from the public, but from us as well, because some laws were, some legislation was getting passed July 1, So we were kind of in between on that as well. [Unclear] But it doesn't matter. It's just so they can see. [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] In July, during our SRO camp, our school resource officer, Larry Gilbert, conducted a class with those 100 or so students about e-bikes and bike safety. and then the next week we we held a community meeting here in the boardroom there was about 12 people that attended that was also the night where we had tornadoes coming through so I was happy to have 12 come out but it was a good good presentation officer Allison Whitmer she conducted that presentation which is a little bit part of it but then we had a question and an answer session with about eight or nine adults and 34 kids in the room. And it was a, I think a very productive and got a lot of information out with that. Um, our media partners, uh, after that, WGHL, WGRV, Greeneville Sun, and some others posted, posted some information, had some articles, uh, I think we got some information out to parents and the community as well. Well, there's not really a way I can quantitatively tell you. You know, we had this many calls or it took away this many calls, but I can tell you there were enough calls at the beginning of the summer that we knew something was wrong, that there was concern. So we knew something needed to be done, and it seems like now, I guess, through information, we don't have that many calls or concerns coming in. So that might just be because kids are going back to school or could be from our great job at giving information out. I don't know what that is, but it seems like parents understanding the classifications and what you can and can't do and what you need or don't need. I think that helped them kind of be parents and kind of understand what they can allow their child out to do. But as you can see here, real quick, three classifications of e-bikes, one, two, and three. One and two, anyone under 16 years old must wear a helmet. That's the new law that went into effect July 1st. Class three bikes, it doesn't matter your age. Helmets are required for that. Class 1, 2, and 3, they do have pedals. So in order to be an e-bike, they have to have pedals on them. So if they don't have the pedals on them, then you get into the motorized bicycle, the motor scooters, and that's where you end up having to get a license, register the vehicle, get insurance on it, and it's basically treated kind of like a vehicle. vehicle. The other slide she put together was basically just a general bike safety. You know, wear your helmet, know the rules of the road, stay on the right side of the road if you're on a bike. You know, it had to be as close to the right side of the shoulders as you can. Vehicles, when you're passing a bike, you got to give a three-foot buffer. You can't just run up on somebody you know unfortunately we've had some recent cases in the region where fortunate but don't carry passengers unless it's designed for it so if you have a bike with one seat on it don't carry three of your friends on it a white lamp in the front red reflective in the back for safety but By the rules of the road, know that you're on a bike and vehicles are vehicles, and you're not going to win that collision. So be extra cautious if you're on a bike. Vehicles, if you're out and see a bike, make sure you're extra cautious around them. They may not see you. They may not understand. So we've got to share the road, and I'll use it. [Mayor Cal Doty] Thank you. I really appreciate you doing this. I think it has made a difference, and Kathy and I talked about it quite a bit earlier, and we haven't talked about it at all recently, so that's a good thing. So thank you for getting it out and about, and I know that you will continue sharing that during the school year. [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] Larry Gilbert, like I said, he is going around to the school throughout the school year, and he's going to be giving that presentation as much as he can throughout the schools our SROs are. So hopefully at least let the kids know kind of what we expect of them and what's expected if they get out in the neighborhoods and be safe. [Mayor Cal Doty] Thank you. Well, it's all for safety. Seeing people doing wheelies down Main Street with cars in front and behind and around. [Council member] Chief, what about street legal golf carts? What age do you have to be? [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] So if it's street legal and it's registered, you'd have to have a license. So you'd have to be 16. If it's good to ride on the street and it's legal on the street, then you'd have to have a registered insurance and you'd have to have a license for that. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] Are there any restrictions, like age restrictions, on like a middle school-aged kid riding the E-Box on the road? I know if it doesn't have pedals and it's considered motorized, you'd have to have a license, but like the E-Box? [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are basically just like a standard bike. So parents just have to kind of know where their kids are and know that, you know, don't let them just drive down the road because they can be out there. Right. Unfortunately, there's not a – that was kind of where we thought legislation was going to go, but it didn't. So, yeah, they're just – it's just a standard bike. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] So you mentioned rules of the road, and if you've got a 12- or a 13-year-old, there's a few years before that's going to be something they're going to be focusing on. [Chief Josh Pierce (Greeneville Police)] That's what we're trying to get with Officer Gilbert's kind of thing is kind of let him know kind of those tips, stop at stop signs, even though you're on a bike, that doesn't mean you can go through a stop sign or a red light or know what green, yellow, red means and staying off. [Mayor Cal Doty] Or go from one sidewalk across the street to another sidewalk and then back and put the black shirts on at 10 o'clock at night. Okay. Well, thanks again. [Unclear] Thank you all. Thank you. Thanks, Chief. [Mayor Cal Doty] All right. Item 9.2 is consideration of appointment to fill a vacant council member seat on the Greeneville Municipal Planning Commission. Is there anybody that would like to volunteer for this? [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] Mayor, I had previously served on that as a citizen appointed by you. And with Council Member Kidwell's departure from the board, I'm willing to continue serving in that position for the remainder of my term. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay, I guess we have to vote on this. So do I hear a motion to approve Matt for the Greeneville Municipal Planning Commission? Motion. Do I hear a second? Second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against, like sign. Motion carries. Item 9.3 is consideration of appointment to fill a vacant council member seat on the Robey Adult Center Advisory Committee. Do I have someone that would like to apply for that? [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] I would like to apply for that position. Groby. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve Mr. Botta? So moved. Is there a second? [Council member] Second. [Mayor Cal Doty] Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against, like sign. Motion carries. item 9.4 is consideration of appointment to fill a vacant council member seat on the greenville green county library board is there someone that would like to do this [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] i'm interested but i want to give our new council members the first dibs at it i wouldn't want to take all the fun i'm not sure i'm welcome back at the library since i was a child [Council member] I'll try. [Mayor Cal Doty] Aaron? Okay. So would you like to do it? [Council member] If you would like to do that, there's some more coming up, I think. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. [Matt Hensley (Ward 2)] I would be willing to do it if Aaron will have me. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve Matt for the library board? [Council member] Motion. [Mayor Cal Doty] Is there a second? Second. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. [Unknown] Aye. [Mayor Cal Doty] Those against, slight sign. Motion carried. Item 9.4 is consideration of appointment to fill the vacant council member seat on the historic zoning commission. What are you grinning about, Amanda? Always. Is there somebody who would like to? [Council member] I will do that. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve Mr. Carter? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against like sign. Motion carries. Item 9.6 is consideration of appointment to fill vacant council member seat on Greene County EMS. Is there anybody that would like to? I will do that. Okay. Okay. Do I hear a motion to approve Mr. Flint as the Green County EMS candidate? I make a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against like sign. Motion carries. Good job, guys. Thank you. [Unknown] [Mayor Cal Doty] You're going to grab him before he gets away? Okay. Item 9.7 is consideration to approve the bid proposal for the repair and restoration of the chimneys at the T. Elmer Cox Genealogical and Historical Library. [Library Director] Good afternoon and welcome, gentlemen. It's really, we're glad to have you here. So for a couple of years, the chimneys at the T. Elmer Cox Library have been in bad repair. Recently, about six months ago, one of the chimneys started to collapse and the bricks fell inside. They are leaning. It is a hazard and they need to be fixed. So we put out for bid to repair and restore the chimneys. It's in the historic zoning district, so they will be repaired as they were. There won't be any changes. So we got two bids. The lower bid was skyline restoration for $18,750. And if you want to know what that includes, I'd be happy to go over the list. But I would like to accept that bid and get that work done so that that does not become a bigger issue. [Mayor Cal Doty] Have you planned for this? [Library Director] Have I planned for it? [Mayor Cal Doty] Have you planned for it? Where's the money coming from? [Library Director] I'm going to make it come. No, we did have in what Laura and I called the library reserve. What is it? They've got money in their fund balance to take care of that. Oh, yeah, in the fund balance. We did have some money that was left over at the end of the fiscal year at the library because we're a joint venture sort of. We get to carry that money over. So there is money to do that. It's not in the budget, but we do have the money to pay for that. [Mayor Cal Doty] Okay. And Skyline's done a lot of work around town, and they always do a good job. [Library Director] They do an excellent job. And they are going to – one of the things, extra things, we did have there – we did have on the bid to need protective caps installed for additional protection. But they're going to actually custom build them to make them look appropriate and nice. Thank you. Anyway, I would like to be able to accept that bid and get that work started. [Mayor Cal Doty] So we have a recommendation. Do I hear a motion to approve? So moved. That was a motion. Do I hear a second? [Council member] Second. [Mayor Cal Doty] Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against, like sign. Motion carried. [Library Director] Thank you very much. I appreciate it. [Mayor Cal Doty] Thank you. you. Item 9.8 is consideration to approve the bid award to purchase a roll-off container trailer for landfill. Hello, Mr. Morrison. Yes. I had the opportunity to go out and kind of tour the landfill with Mr. Morrison on Friday. I am, yeah, I'm still, I'm just unbelievable. I believe we've got a lot of work that we need to do out there, don't we? [Mr. Morrison (landfill)] Yeah, quite a bit coming up. So we approved the roll-offs the last time, the 60-yard containers, and this is the trailers or the trailer. I'm going to start with singular right now. I'm going to try to just buy what we're going to need and try to do some trial runs with it and see how it'll all work out. So we may purchase another one once we get into hauling stuff. But right now, we'll just get what we need. So this will be the trailer that pulls it, and it's a sole source item because this type trailer don't have a frame, and it's able to bend upwards, and it's more stable in a landfill because they don't have a tipping floor or nothing down there. So this is the sort of trailer we'll need for that that'll pull that 60-yard container. It will be from the funds that have been approved in the past for the equipment for hauling of our cash flow, our cash account, I guess I should say. Okay. [Mayor Cal Doty] So you've got a recommendation. Do I hear a motion to approve this recommendation? We have a motion for Mr. Ahman to do this. Mr. Teague, try to help me remember in the future to say who does what. Do I hear a second? [Angelo Botta (Ward 1)] I second. [Mayor Cal Doty] We have a second by Mr. Botta. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. [Mr. Morrison (landfill)] those against like sign motion carries thank you glad to show you around it was [Mayor Cal Doty] good it's interesting all right do I hear a motion to adjourn so moved is there any further is there a second any stick around for pictures everyone all All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those against, like, sign. Motion carries. Thank you. [Unknown] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.