Susan Ball

The board discussed a special events beer permit application for the Newport Main Street Bloom Fest, which was deferred pending City Council approval and notification of local police and fire officials. Additionally, an on-premise beer permit application for Joe's Sport Bar & Grill was reviewed but postponed to a future meeting after the applicant failed to attend a required occupancy meeting with the fire inspector.

The Beer Board reviewed and approved an application for an on-premise beer permit submitted by Chole Hayes for Rissa's Restaurant & Bar located at 571 West Broadway, Newport, Tennessee.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting included a public hearing regarding donations to the Newport Main Street Program and the Isaiah House. The City Administrator provided updates on a banking security issue, FEMA funding status, and the fiscal year budget. Key actions included the re-appointment of a member to the Equalization Board, the approval of donations to the Newport Main Street Program and the Isaiah House, and a review of the annual audit. The board also passed resolutions to hire professional services for a stormwater mitigation project, accept a grant for the 250th anniversary of the United States, and authorized grant funding for the LPRF. Furthermore, the board approved the hosting of the Bloom Fest, a systemwide plan update, and various bids for a community center dehumidification system, fire hoses, air packs, and animal control cages.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding the second reading of Ordinance #2026-01, a Budget Amendment for the City of Newport. Key agenda items involved consideration for the re-appointment of Derrick Whitson to the Beer Board and discussion concerning the appointment for the Cocke County Municipal Solid Waste Planning Region. New business focused on the second reading of the Budget Amendment Ordinance, consideration of a resolution to annex territory off Rankin Road, and applications for grants for the Newport Fire Department (TN Highway Safety Grant) and the Newport Farmer's Market (TN Agricultural Enhancement Grant). The agenda also covered authorizing food trucks for the Farmer's Market and entering into a contract with McGill & Associates for Engineering & Architect Services for Parks & Recreation, as well as opening bids for the repair of the Outdoor Pool at Newport City Park.

Key discussions included an update from the City Administrator regarding FEMA and insurance claims for the police department building, noting the need for arbitration and an engineering study. It was reported that the city's audit would be late for the third consecutive year due to delays from Newport Utilities. The rules were suspended to adjust the agenda order. New business involved the approval of Resolution #2026-01, which changes the City Charter to add the mayor and an alderman back to the Newport Utilities Board, increasing its size to seven members. Resolution #2026-02 was approved to name an alley between Main Street and Broadway. Resolution #2026-03 was passed, authorizing Newport Utilities to apply for Economic Development Administration Disaster Recovery Funding. The board approved revisions to the Downtown Revitalization Project Overview, including changes to developers for Main Street buildings and adding the First Baptist Church project. Authorization was given for Parks & Rec to submit an Intent to Apply for the 2026 Outdoor Recreation Public Grant. A support letter for Newport Utilities' Tennessee Grid Resilience Grant application was approved. The board also approved drafting a letter from City Council to the Newport Utilities Board detailing citizen complaints. Cocke County EMA Director Joe Esway presented on Mission 183, and Alderman Hansel raised concerns about truck zoning enforcement in the Jones Circle area and the quality of roadway restoration after Newport Utilities work. Bids were approved for a new work truck ($47,377.40), a used tractor package ($13,000), and a utility vehicle ($12,000.86) for Parks & Rec. Re-appointments to the Newport Housing Authority Board and Police Civil Service Board were noted.