2026 7 21 Minutes Regular Session signed

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1\'IINl.11.:-. OF RECLlAR SK~Sto\ 
1'11e~da)·, July 21, 202h 
NEW BUSINESS 
A. Resolution 2026-18, a Resolution Declaring the Intent of the City of Athens, Tennessee to 
Reimburse Itself for Certain Expenditures in the Aggregate Principal Amount of Not to 
Exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) Relating to Municipal Projects of the City 
and the Athens Utilities Board with the Proceeds of Bonds or Other Debt Obligations to Be 
Issued by the City of Athens, Tennessee. 
Council approved Resolution 2026-18 on a motion by Vice Mayor Curtis, seconded by 
Councilmember Duggan. 
Points raised during discussion included the difference between the Twelve Million Dollars 
($12,000,000) discussed during the work session and the Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) 
being presented. It was clarified that the original amount included Six Million Dollars 
($6,000,000) for Athens City Projects and Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) for Athens Utilities 
Board Projects. Following the work session, Athens Utilities Board requested an additional Three 
Million Dollars ($3,000,000) to be added so that all projects could be included under the same 
resolution. Athens Utilities Board projects include a water tower and sewer improvements, and 
they would be responsible for repaying any funds borrowed on their behalf. 
PASSED 
Roll call vote: 
YEAS: Mccowan, Duggan, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: Sherlin 
B. Funding TDOT Entrance Improvement - Congress Parkway and Lee Drive 
Council approved entering into a cost-sharing agreement with River Stone Construction for 
the entrance improvement at Congress Parkway and Lee Drive, estimated total project cost 
of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) and the City of Athens funding one-half of the 
cost, estimated at One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), on a motion by 
Councilmember Duggan, seconded by Councilmember McCowan. 
During discussion, it was explained that the proposed improvements are intended to address the 
existing median configuration at the Congress Parkway and Lee Drive entrance, which currently 
requires some drivers to make unsafe movements into traffic. 
PASSED 
Roll call vote: 
YEAS: Mccowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
C. First Reading of an Ordinance 1159 to amend Title 1, Chapter 1-II of the Athens City 
Code by Adding Section 1-46 Establishing Compensation for the Mayor and 
Councilmembers Pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the Charter of the City of Athens, 
Tennessee 
Councilmember Sherlin made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 1159, 
seconded by Councilmember McCowan. 
Councilmember Sherlin moved to amend the original motion to include annual cost-of-living 
adjustments .(COLA) in the ordinance, as discussed in the work session. The motion to amend 
died for lack of a second. 
During discussion, it was explained that the new charter prohibits any increase in compensation 
during a councilmember's term of office, and that a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) would be 
considered an increase in compensation. While the previous City Charter allowed COLA 
adjustments, the new Charter does not permit such adjustments during a councilmember's term of 
office but does allow compensation adjustments to be made by ordinance, provided that no 
increase takes effect during the current term of office. 
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