Eric Brackins

The meeting included discussions and approvals for various city projects and services. An agreement with American Municipal Services Corporation (AMS) was approved for collection services of uncollected citations. A proposal from Astro Turf for turf replacement at the Ripken Experience was approved. Bidding phase services from CDM Smith for the Dollywood Lane phase 1 roadway widening were approved. A bid from Dugan & Meyers for a membrane thickener for the wastewater treatment plant was approved. Sponsorship for the WVLT weather camera for the department of tourism was approved. The 2026 patriot festival entertainment was approved. A bid for dumpsters for the sanitation department was rejected for rebidding. A 5311 grant for fiscal year 2025-2026 to replace a trolley and extend a maintenance agreement and a UROP grant for fiscal year 2025-2026 to use for operating expenses for the mass transit department were approved. An agreement with Ross/Fowler for architectural and engineering services for Patriot Park was approved. Change order # 2 from George W Reagan for the community center locker room renovation was approved. A bid from Kings Development Group for the fencing of the new landing pad was approved. Kathy Gwinn was appointed to the library advisory board. A contract with Evertech for temporary information technology staffing services and google business plus annual renewal were approved. Volunteer Primary Care, LLC was selected to conduct the fire department annual physicals. An assistance to firefighters grant for training for the fire department was approved. Surplus medical bags were donated to the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department. The manager's report included updates on the new city hall, planning commission meeting, Halloween Spooktacular event, and Winterfest kickoff.

The meeting addressed defining short term rentals, establishing operational permits with the Fire Department, and a bid for the collection system manhole rehabilitation project. Also discussed was a change order for fiber runs in the new fire station, a bid for the Community Center locker room renovation, and paving for City Park Drive and the area around the new storage building. The council addressed the final payment for the traffic signal project, the annual maintenance agreement with TDOT for parkway rights of way, and the right of way purchase for tracts related to the Westside Connector Project. The council also acknowledged the success of a recent career quest event.

The meeting addressed several key items, including an ordinance to close and abandon a portion of R.O.W. and accept a revised turn-around design at Laurel Drive. A change order for the Old Mill bridge project was approved due to increased costs for steel, rebar, and concrete. The commission also approved the purchase of dumpsters for resale, water/sewer pipe fittings, an evidence/key inventory project for the new police department, an annual Axon maintenance contract for the police department, an FCC survey for the new police department radio tower, vehicle equipment and installs for the police department, and a purchase agreement for the police department's K-9 Apollo. Additionally, the library was authorized to apply for the Tennessee America 250 grant. A contract was approved with Horner Building Company for the new city hall building and campus improvements project, and a mitigation credit sales agreement was approved for the LeConte Center expansion project. The second regularly scheduled council meeting in December was canceled.

The City Commission Work Session included discussions on several topics. These included the review of a potential helipad location at the public works compound, defining short term rentals, and establishing operational permits issued by the Pigeon Forge Fire Department. The commission also reviewed the Dollywood Roadway Project, focusing on bridge widening using STBG funds, and building plans for the new city hall building. Additionally, there was a discussion about a property donation from Pigeon Forge Methodist Church and a change needed to the resolution naming the Public Information Officer as the Public Records Request Coordinator.

The meeting addressed various topics, including concerns about flooding on Waldens Creek Road. The commission approved an ordinance defining short-term rentals and requiring operational permits from the fire department. They also approved an amendment to the annual appropriations for the fiscal year 2025-2026. Additionally, resolutions were passed to authorize funds for an actuarial study related to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and to authorize purchases through Omnia Partners Cooperative. The commission discussed and approved a GMP Amendment with Garney Construction for the Douglas Lake Rater Water Intake Project, as well as paving city streets based on the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. They also considered and approved contracts with Axon for drone replacement and maintenance for the police department and to purchase AXON interview room equipment. Further discussions included the purchase of a K-9 and training for the police department, acceptance of a School Resource Officer grant, an agreement for emergency services with Sevier County Fire/Rescue, and the donation and sale of surplus equipment from the fire department. The commission also approved the purchase of a compact utility tractor for the park maintenance department, safety railing for the parks and recreation department, paving projects at Wear Farm Park and the greenway, and renovations for the tennis court restrooms. They also discussed and approved site preparation for landing zone construction, the purchase of HVAC units for the community center, and the purchase of tracts for the westside connector road project, as well as a request for condemnation for the same project. An agreement with RRM Real Estate, LLC for the construction of a city street and an agreement with Civic Plus for an update to the city's website and agenda management system were also approved.