KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville City Council on Tuesday is set to discuss an agreement that aims to improve emergency communications and a measure to approve small pension payments to the family of a Knoxville Police Department officer who recently died.
They're also set to vote on a measure toward building a new public boat dock at Suttree Landing Park. As part of the proposal, Knoxville would work towards getting a grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to help pay for it.
Additional information about the meeting and the proposals is available below.
Knoxville leaders will discuss whether to approve a resolution that effectively takes steps towards building a new public boat dock at Suttree Landing Park. The city would work towards getting a $400,000 reimbursement grant from the TWRA to help pay for the dock, and would pay up to $135,000 more to build it.
If approved, the project would start construction by the end of 2024, according to the city.
The dock would be built near the western end of Waterfront Drive, across from Volunteer Landing Yacht Club Condos, according to a map from the city.
Knoxville City Council will also discuss whether to approve pension payments for the family of a KPD officer who died after a training run in February. Wisbens Antoine was training to become a police officer and was set to be sworn in on March 4. However, he collapsed and was taken to the hospital on Feb. 23.
Before his March 4 swearing-in ceremony, KPD Chief Paul Noel said he was sworn in early at the hospital. A classmate gave the oath on Antoine's behalf because he could not say it himself. He said he died as an officer of KPD — not a recruit.
City spokesman Eric Vreeland said Antoine was considered a city employee.
Knoxville City Council will vote on whether to give family members pension payments after his death. One payment would be for $250 per month for his widow, and the other would be for $75 per month for each of his daughters.
The monthly pension for his wife would continue the rest of her life, Vreeland said. The pension payments for Antoine's daughters would continue at least until they reach 18 and perhaps a bit longer if they enroll in college, Vreeland said.
According to the resolution, the pensions were recommended by the city's pension board.
Knoxville City Council will consider a proposal aimed at improving emergency communications by giving the Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency access to an antenna and shed for emergency communications at a Sharp's Ridge property owned by the city.
The city said the emergency management agency acts as the central point of coordination for local government to prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. It said said KEMA already uses radio repeater communications devices on Sharps Ridge for emergency purposes.
The city also said KEMA often works with the Middle East Tennessee Emergency Radio Service for auxiliary radio communications for emergencies, and special events.
The new memorandum of understanding would establish a framework that that lets KEMA and METERS to co-locate communications equipment at the Sharps Ridge site to support and deliver public safety communications in Knoxville.
