2026 1 12 Work Session PACKET

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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02 
 
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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE, TO APPLY 
FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE TENNESSEE AMERICA 250 GRANT PROGRAM –  
FOR FOOTSTEPS THROUGH HISTORY: AMERICA 250 AT HERITAGE PARK, A 
HISTORICAL WALKING TRAIL. 
 
WHEREAS, the City of Athens has obtained an LPRF Grant for ongoing improvements 
at Heritage Park which includes the addition of a walking trail scheduled to open in 2026; and 
 
WHEREAS, Heritage Park was originally dedicated on July 4, 1976, in recognition of the 
Bicentennial Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America; and 
 
WHEREAS, Heritage Park’s rededication will occur during the year of the 
Semiquincentennial (250th) Anniversary of the United States of America and the Fiftieth (50 th) 
Anniversary of the original dedication of Heritage Park; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Tennessee America 250 Grant Program provides funding for projects 
which document, preserve, and/or interpret the history of the state and its many local communities; 
and 
 
WHEREAS, Footsteps Through History: America 250 at Heritage Park will consist of a 
permanent, outdoor, humanities-based public exhibition featuring interpretive signage along the 
walking trail currently under construction to share the interconnected history of the United States, 
the State of Tennessee, and the City of Athens; and 
 
WHEREAS, the City of Athens desires to submit a grant application to the Tennessee State 
Museum under the Tennessee America 250 Grant Program to request funding in the amount of 
Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) to provide for the design, manufacture, and installation of 
the interpretive signage; and 
 
WHEREAS, the proposed project represents a long- term public investment that will 
promote historical storytelling, expand access to humanities education, encourage community 
engagement, and support physical well-being through active use of public spaces. 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 
OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE, THAT: 
 
The City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to prepare and submit a grant 
application to the Tennessee State Museum under the Tennessee America 250 Grant Program 
requesting $20,000.00 in funding for Footsteps Through History: America 250 at Heritage Park, a 
permanent, ADA-accessible historical walking trail and public exhibition. 
 
The Mayor, City Manager, or their designee is further authorized to sign all necessary 
documents, agreements, and assurances on behalf of the City of Athens in connection with this 
grant application. 
 
ON MOTION BY ______________________________________________________,  
 
SECONDED BY _______________________________________________________,  
 
said Resolution adopted and approved by roll call vote on the 20th day of January, 2026. 
 
 
 
    
ATTEST:   Larry Eaton, Mayor 
    
    
Randall Dowling, City Manager    
    
APPROVED AS TO FORM:    
    
    
Christopher M. Caldwell, City Attorney