The Knoxville City Council considered several funding projects at its meeting Tuesday night, including renovations to the Knoxville Convention Center and building a new walkway and stage in World's Fair Park.
The council voted in favor of commissioning a $60,000 sculpture to be placed outside the State Street parking garage.
The sculpture, which will be commissioned from artist John Medwedoff, will be placed outside the main entrance of the garage. The funding for the sculpture would come from money allocated to the Public Arts Committee for purchasing public art in the city.
"It gives people who live here and who visit here an immediate sense of place," said Staff Liaison for the Public Arts Commission, Liza Zinni. "You're not just anywhere else. You're here. Public art is a reflection of the character of the people. Their humor, their points of view, their work ethic."
The council also considered on first reading an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals through companies like Airbnb. The ordinance would require owners to obtain a permit, pay taxes and fees like hotels and only rent out a property in which the owner lives.
The city has held a series of workshops on the proposal over the past several months.
During Tuesday night's meeting, the council discusses potential regulations and heard from three more people on the issue. The changes the council made to the potential ordinance will now move back to the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The City Council hopes to pass a short-term rental ordinance by the end of the year.
Council members also voted Tuesday on repairs to the public docks on Volunteer Landing near Calhoun's on the River. The docks were damaged when a boat hit them earlier this year.
The council authorized the mayor to accept a $350,000 grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to replace the docks.
Council also approved $2 million for renovations to the Knoxville Convention Center.
The money allows the Public Building Authority to move forward with roof replacement, new HVAC and plumbing and redesigning the interior and bathrooms.
Mary Bogert, who works with the convention center management company SMG, was there to answer questions about the renovations and marquee sign.
She spoke about how important the convention center is to the city, and how much money it brings in.
In other business, the council decided to spend $3 million to put a walkway and stage area in World's Fair Park.
This allows more events to come to the park, and improves drainage and electrical access for everyone.