KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville City Council's Tuesday meeting will include proposals spanning an array of subjects.
One proposal could lead to an increase in revenue for the city, hiking its hotel-motel tax rate by 1% to help fund tourism-related expenses. Another proposal would bring in a nature center to help prevent invasive species from spreading in specific areas in Knoxville.
Members will also hear an appeal over a decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals which said that a grease recycling site was not following zoning rules.
More information about some of the most significant proposals on the agenda is available below.
Hotel-Motel Tax Increase - PASSED ON FIRST READING
Knoxville leaders will soon consider increasing the amount that hotels and motels pay in taxes. That additional revenue could be spent on tourism-related expenses.
The proposal would increase the tax rate from 3% to 4%, resulting in around $2.2 million more in city revenue. Currently, money made from hotel and motel taxes can only be used to pay down debt from the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Convention Center.
If the proposal passes, the city will also be able to use the money on tourism-related initiatives. Those projects could include repairs to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Convention Center, World's Fair Park and other tourism-related facilities.
The tax is primarily paid by Knoxville tourists, and if it passes the proposal would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The city council would need to pass it on first and second readings before the tax rate would increase.
Appeal on zoning decision regarding - REJECTED
Knoxville City Council could overturn a zoning decision regarding a business that garnered dozens of complaints about the smell it produces.
Liquid Environmental Solutions on Galaway Street works in non-hazardous liquid waste management, providing grease trap services to restaurants and grocery stores while also providing food waste services. But, according to some neighbors, it produces a rancid smell.
According to the resolution, on Dec. 14, 2023, the Knoxville zoning administrator made the determination Liquid Environmental Solutions was not in compliance with city code that says a processing facility's work must be done in a "completely enclosed building." Then in June 2024, the company filed an appeal and the Board of Zoning Appeals denied it the next month. The company then appealed to the city council on July 31, 2024.
According to the appeal, Liquid Environmental Solutions believes the director of plan reviews and inspections misinterpreted the city code that applies to outdoor storage tanks at its facility. The appeal will be heard on Tuesday.
According to a letter sent to the company from Peter Ahrens, the city's director of the Plans Review and Inspections Department, the zoning review was disapproved.
If council members pass the resolution, it would overturn the zoning administrator's determination.
A resolution could give Ijams Nature Center around $108,890 to prevent the spread of invasive species. The money would be so the nature center could hire a "Weeds Warrior Community Liasion" and buy tools to combat invasive species, among other kinds of work — helping Knoxville cut down on invasive species on over 30 acres of land.
The project is expected to result in the restoration of six parks and a greenway, as well as develop a volunteer-based program that combats invasive species, the "Invasive Species Strike Force."
The team could be modeled across Tennessee and will meet quarterly. It will be managed by Knoxville leaders as well as Ijams, bringing together people to strategically cut down on invasive species.
The overall project includes another $116,110 to help the city pay for contractor work and the restoration of recreation areas, which would be responsible for removing invasive species from most of the land in the plan. The city said the project is funded through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, and funding spans 4 years.
In the first year, Ijams will buy tools and protective equipment for volunteers, as well as develop educational programming. The nature center will also need to hire the new Weeds Warrior Community Liasion.
In the second year, the nature center would need to offer four invasive species removal educational programs. They will also need to offer educational programs in the next two years. Ijams would also need to organize an invasive species removal project from at least an acre of public parks or schools per year.
The city council will also vote on a resolution that's required by state law after the Knoxville Fire Department got an ambulance as well as a state license to use it. According to the city, the ambulance is meant to help the fire department maintain a "dedicated medical standby unit" at fire calls.
The fire department got a license to use the ambulance from the Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Emergency Medical Services on Aug. 7, 2024. However, state law required the city council to affirm that even though its municipal fire department has an ambulance, Knox County would continue providing ambulance services inside the city.
The resolution said although Knox County would continue being the area's primary ambulance provider, the fire department's new ambulance could be used as a medical standby unit at fire calls or during emergency incidents including hazardous materials response, special events, training exercises or law enforcement operations.