2025 10 2 Called Session

Unverified text extraction. Check the original page for numbers, names, and layout.

ATHENS CITY COUNCIL 
MINUTES OF CALLED SESSION 
The Athens City Council met in special called session on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 5:30 
p.m. in the Athens City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor Eaton presiding. Vice Mayor Curtis 
led the invocation. Councilmember Sherlin led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
Roll call: 
PRESENT: 
ABSENT: 
Duggan, Pelley, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
None 
The following decisions were made and ordered to be part of the records of the Athens City Council. 
PUBLIC NOTICE 
SPECIAL CALLED SESSION 
Notice is hereby given to all residents of Athens, Tennessee, and to all interested persons, that a 
Special Called Session of the Athens City Council will be held at Athens City Hall, 815 North 
Jackson Street, Athens, Tennessee, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025. 
The purpose of this meeting is to: 
1. Authorize the City Manager for international travel from October 26, 2025 to November 
1, 2025 to attend the SEUS Conference in Tokyo, Japan with the City Mayor, McMinn 
County Economic Development Authority, and Tennessee State Delegation; and travel to 
Isahaya, Japan to meet with city officials to strengthen the Sister Cities Program. 
Citizens will have the opportunity to provide public comments. Prior to the start of the meeting, 
all individuals wishing to address the City Council must sign in on the sheet provided at the 
entrance to the Council Chambers. 
For additional information, please contact the Office of the City Manager at (423) 744-2702. 
Isl 
Larry Eaton, Mayor 
POSTED: 9/30/2025, 1:30 PM 
CITIZEN'S COMMENTS GERMANE TO THE AGENDA 
1. Abby Burke Carroll commented on the list of questions she had regarding the trip to Japan. 
2. Dale Newman commented in opposition of the taxpayers paying for a trip to Japan. 
3. Linda Long against the city paying for the trip and said funds could be used elsewhere. 
4. Jerry Withrow wanted to know the "point of this". 
5. John Coker opposed to the trip to Japan. 
NEW BUSINESS 
A. Authorize the City Manager for international travel from October 26, 2025 to November 1, 
2025 to attend the SEUS Conference in Tokyo, Japan with the City Mayor, McMinn County 
Economic Development Authority, and Tennessee State Delegation; and travel to Isahaya, 
Japan to meet with city officials to strengthen the Sister Cities Program. 
Vice Mayor Curtis moved to authorize the City Manager's international travel; seconded by 
Councilmember Duggan.