2022 06 21 City Council

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ATHENS CITY COUNCIL  
MINUTES OF MEETING 
October 18, 2021 
 
The Athens City Council met in an adjourned meeting on October 18, 2021, at 5:30  p.m. with Mayor 
Perkinson presiding.  This was a continuation of the August 10, 2021 called meeting and was held at the 
Southeast Tennessee Trade & Conference Center  inside Athens Regional Park .  Following the pledge of 
allegiance and upon roll call, the following members were present: 
 
 Curtis, Pelley, Witt-McMahan, Lockmiller, Perkinson 
 
The following decisions were made and ordered made a part of the records of the Athens City Council.  A 
video recording of the entire proceeding is maintained in the permanent records for the City , and is 
incorporated herein as a part of these Minutes. 
 
Mayor Perkinson stated that City Attorney Chris Trew would again serve as the moderator.  Attorney Trew 
advised reminded the Council that the August 10, 2021 meeting ended with the testimony of City Manager 
Sumner addressing item number VII on the agenda  for the August 10 Called Meeting.  Council Member 
Pelley requested that the Council continue the meeting with further discussion regarding item number VII 
pertaining to the claim of retaliation made by Chief Couch.  Council Member Witt -McMahan and Vice 
Mayor Lockmiller requested that Chief Couch be given time to speak to rebut any of the testimony made 
during the August 10, 2021 meeting.  City Attorney Trew advised the Council that after the August 10, 
2021 meeting the City of Athens had received a letter from Mr. Couch’s attorney representing Chief Couch 
stating that he intends to file a lawsuit against the  City.    City Attorney Trew advised the members of 
Council that they should be mindful of a threat of litigation from Chief Couch when asking questions or 
making comments during this meeting.    
 
Chief Couch was administered and took an oath to testify truthfully.  Chief Couch read a prepared 
statement summarizing his concerns with Athens City government and City Manager Sumner.  After 
reading his prepared statement, Chief Couch further stated he would not answer any questions and 
immediately left the meeting.   
 
Council Member Pelley requested that he be allowed to ask questions of City Manager Sumner concerning 
the claim of Chief Couch that City Manager Sumner had engaged in retaliation toward him.  City Manager 
Sumner was administered and took an oath to testify truthfully. Council Member Pelley read from a 
prepared statement and thereafter questioned City Manager Sumner about various issues. Council 
Member Witt- McMahan and Vice Mayor Lockmiller questioned City Manager Sumner about various 
issues.  City Manager Sumner responded to questions asked by Council Member Pelley, Council Member 
Witt-McMahan and Vice Mayor Lockmiller. 
 
The testimony of Chief Couch and City Manager Sumner are each contained in the referenced video 
recording. 
 
Item number VIII was the next matter to be considered, and City Attorney Trew read the following into 
the record: 
 
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