July 31, 2026 transcript
City Council · Special called session · Supplied transcript
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4:32 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Mr. Perry McAllen, Councilman Perry McAllen.
4:41 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Let's bow our heads, Father God. We thank you for this time that we're doing our city business, and thank you for your wisdom that you'll be here with us, your understanding of our citizens, and everything that we can do for our citizens and their will. In your will, we thank you all for all of this, and the people, and the patron, in the group that's working with us in this endeavor. We thank you in Jesus' name, Amen.
5:13 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Attention, salute, pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
5:36 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
This is a special called meeting for discussion, consideration, and possible actions regarding the request of the Patriot Memorial Project, and that's the only thing that can be discussed in this meeting. And this time, Miss Missy, roll call, please.
5:52 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Council Member McCowan
5:54 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
here.
5:55 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Council Member Dugan
5:56 · John Duggan (unverified label)
here.
5:57 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Council Member Sherland
5:59 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
here.
6:00 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Vice Mayor Curtis here. Mayor Eaton present.
6:06 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
This time, citizens' comments, and there was nobody signed up, so we're going to be moving on to to the new business for the discussion, consideration, and possible actions regarding and requests from the Patriot Memorial Project for the proposed World War II memorial.
6:24 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
Mayor, I have a motion.
6:26 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Yes, sir.
6:27 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
I would like to move that the City of Athens contribute $15,000 to the Patriot Memorial Project, specifically to be used for painting of the mural on the downtown property, that's my motion.
6:48 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
There a second? There he'll second. I'll second it. I'll second it. Go ahead.
7:00 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
In our hotel motel tax that we receive, and we've set up a line item budget for it. This year, the beginning budget for that fund was $850,000. The ending bud, the ending amount for that after this year's new budget was adopted. Considering if all things take place that were budgeted for in the hotel motel tax line items, the ending budget would be 600 $767,700 in that fund. There is a line item in that hotel motel tax budget portion of the city budget for public art And I believe that's where we should place this $15,000. The money is there in the fund. Also, I would point out that, and you can correct anybody can correct me because I don't know the name of that mural downtown. I'll call it the Bird Mural. The city gave contributed $8,000 to that mural. The mural of Ronald Reagan. The city contributed $4,000. The city and the citizens and the downtown businesses have been in an uproar for years to have this something done about this building downtown on the corner, and the city has exhausted every avenue of trying to find ways to get that covered up. Every legal avenue was explored. There's nothing the city can do, period, legally. So when this came up about the mural, first of all, I was stunned that that it was something that would be agreed to, and knowing that the citizens want this, have been crying and screaming about wanting this thing covered up, and this mural is a World War II type mural, which will have we've already it's all been explained to us. It's a World War II theme mural, and I believe it it would be beneficial to the city, the businesses, and to the citizens to participate in having this done.
10:00 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Thank you. I I'd like to say the reason why I second this because all the citizens have been coming to me. What in the world are you all going to do? You know, well, nothing we legally at the point could do, and and I've had out of towners that come in the city. What in the world is that? That that's you know that's not good for your city. So I have not had one citizen negative. I mean about clean that up. I wanted to make an impact that the city of Athens is going to make an impact and say yes, and we're going to put some money in. And I read, I know we spent $8,000 on one situation and 4000. But I wanted to let the citizens know that we are serious about this. That's the reason why I second my motion. Thank you.
11:00 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
I appreciate the group being here in support of this, and I do just have one question, just for clarity, if this is okay. But I just want to confirm that, as part of the arrangement with the entity that controls the building, either the property owners or the entity that has control of the building and the wall, that there is no arrangement for a monetary consideration to be paid to them as part of this agreement. Is that correct? Okay, I just wanted confirmation of that. That's the only commenter question I have. And
11:37 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
and the motion was to specifically designate the money specifically for the creation of the mural can't be used for anything else,
11:50 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
mr. Dugan.
11:52 · John Duggan (unverified label)
Well, well, it was pretty hot, Mike. You know, oh, I think the city has mixed feelings on this. I don't think everybody's gung ho in one direction, and I am not against any type of beautiful mural. By the way, I love every one of them downtown, but the controversy behind the building itself as a whole is is questionable because there's still even with our attorney's not here to answer any legal issues, anything done today could be legal issues down the road. Because from what I'm looking at from an email that I got, the name on one contract is not coinciding with stuff with legal issues with the name that was listed, you know, names are not lining up. There's a few red flags that I'm seeing. Also, I just went through Facebook comments. I'm not going to name names for safety's sake. I'm just going to just go through some comments. These are citizens' concerns. They may not have time to come here and and voice their concerns. Some people just don't like to do things in public, but yet do it on Facebook, which is public, by the way. One person said, "I don't think the the city should give be giving money towards it. That would just further complicate things and get them in more unnecessary entanglements with certain people. I believe private donations should be more than sufficient to cover the cost. Another person said, since this is on private property, however, it it happens if what happens if individuals change or the individual changes his mind midway through the through the course and revert to using profanity. I also believe that if the project moves forward, it should be funded through private donations rather than taxpayer dollars. Hardworking taxpayers should not be asked to fund something that could ultimately prove to be misleading and deceptive. You know these are little legitimate concerns. Another one says, "I wonder if the possible action is is the county partnering and donation as well. So they were questioning this meeting whether the county was going to partner and donate also. Another one is I'm not entirely sure why the public gets an opinion here. If somebody owns the building privately, it's privately owned, so so they feel like it it should be done privately. You know, looking at the past history concerning the building itself, if even one significant issue arises with the project, there's a possibility he could decide to cancel it. And you know, dealing with civil court is a whole different thing than than other courts. It takes a little longer. Another, to me, this is the legitimate concern. And I know the motion is dealing with a separate funding mechanism, but this is to me it's very legitimate. Not to mention the council cut the funding to the nonprofits total. Let's see, nonprofit they normally support by 10% So can you justify giving money to any other nonprofit? Why is it that the city council is involved at all? It looks like hush money, you know. Let's see. But you know, those are just some legitimate concerns that we don't have answers for. Number one, like I said, our attorney's not here, so we don't have any. We've not looked at a legal contract. I think we should, before we agree to any funding, we should have something in writing, considering the history of multiple lawsuits that we've had down the road. You know, I'm I I want to protect the citizens, and I trust what you're doing fully. It's outside factors that worry me. It's it's and I'm like I said, I totally am for this, but it it looks questionable when we're quick to throw money at at a problem, and and like one person stated, it looked like hush money just to let it go, and and but and I know you're legitimate group, and I appreciate what the work you do and everything. Yeah, it's just it's the building itself. I think we're we're moving into dangerous territory where we're saying you can deface your building to get attention for a long time, and you know, and then the city will just help pay to get it covered up. That's just me throwing that out there, trying to put concerns out there for the citizens, I've got mixed feelings myself.
17:05 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
mr. Mayor, sir. First of all, I would like to say the comments always on Facebook are utter stupidity. Most people are just keyboard warriors that are too afraid to come here and openly face the city, and for whatever reason, I you know I put no merit in what the Facebook gang has to say, and I I don't participate in Facebook much anymore. Period. I'm on there. I own a group, but somebody else manages it now. But that aside, the other murals the city contributed to were private property. The contract. is not between the city and the individuals. It's between the Patriot Project and the individual who owns the building. We're here today not to discuss contracts and legal issues. We're here today just to offer a contribution toward the painting of this mural, which we've done many times in the past. Which and John, I understand your position, Councilman Dugan, I understand where you're coming from. There are some out there who are vocal the other way about this, but the greater majority of of people in this city want that thing gone, and this is what they have screamed and yelled at us. They have emailed us. They have been here and and talked at that podium about it, wanting that thing, wanting us to do something about it. We have explored every avenue to have something done. A private group finds a way to get this taken care of, and we're sitting here trying to discuss the the merits of legal issues. That's between them and and mr. Whiting or or the the trust company-and they've worked that out. All we're here to do today is to vote on whether or not to make a contribution toward painting of this mural, which is a good thing. It is a good thing, and I just I don't understand the the fight against it when they've been screaming their heads off for years to get something done. Here it is. I I believe. Bewildered by it. So,
20:03 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
so this is hotel motel tax money. This is not the people's. So, just to make it funny, yeah, it's travelers. So let's let's clarify that. Okay.
20:14 · John Duggan (unverified label)
Yeah, that's what I said. Let's
20:15 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
let's clarify that. This is hotel motel that we can use. The only thing I want to know if we could use money, you know, to contribute to this, and all the citizens will go. Every citizen I ever talked to get it done. They just want to get it done, so that's why I support this.
20:37 · John Duggan (unverified label)
I just don't like rewarding bad behavior. I don't. I don't live in that way. You can behave badly in the city and get all the attention you want, and then the city's going to pay you down, just so we can cover it up. That's just. I. I wasn't raised to cover up bad behavior.
20:59 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Any other comments?
21:02 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Except that's. that needs to be said. I think the the the feedback from real people out in the community the past couple weeks has been overwhelmingly very positive, and I think being with some folks this week talking about this led to us talking about our family members that were World War II veterans, and were there's so few of them left. And I think, if I recall this correctly, McMinn County sent per capita more people to fight in World War II than anywhere else in the country, that's what's really important. That's really, I think, what we're here today to do is to provide some money to a nonprofit that is seeking to turn a negative into a positive, and to encourage all of us and the next generation to remember those people that came before that that really fought, and it's it's an us or them war. Okay, we hope we don't ever have another one, but we need to remember those people that that did that. My grandfather, many people probably sit on this dais, our family members.
22:16 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Yeah, man. Yeah,
22:17 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
I think that's what's really important as we sit here
22:22 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
tonight. else? Say this, and then we'll be done. We have been, you know, I understand Councilman Dugan his his thinking on this. I truly do. The murals that we've had in the the other ones we've given to, there's not been a an issue with with these with any of these individuals, but there there's still some issues. Even even the cities gets threatened every day for more lawsuits, but moving forward, we've been trying to revitalize downtown for a long time, and tourism dollars. This is what this hotel motel tax is for, and if we can, we had we just had the Japanese students down here from Ishihaya, Japan. They were absolutely amazed with all the murals downtown. Besides the one with all my name and all of the everybody else's name on the wall, but but they were just excited. And me personally, I think moving forward, we need to revitalize downtown. It needs to be done. Sometimes we have to suck our pride up and and move forward. And saying that, I think this is going to be a great thing for us to build downtown with Main Street, with with all these these entities. I know we've got a store owner here today, and and I'm I'm telling you, we've got to we've got to bring people downtown, and and this with having all these murals, this is a good opportunity to have some tourism to come downtown and start visiting. So I'm looking at a different limelight, and I understand, Councilman Dugan. I understand 100% what you're saying, and I agree with you. But I I think it's time for us to to look at what we're going to do for downtown of Athens, Tennessee. So, any anything else, gentlemen?
24:37 · John Duggan (unverified label)
Can I make one amendment before we get voted down? Whether this passes or not, amendment is to make sure our attorney has finished reviewing the documents and sees that there is clarity. No way of coming back on the city.
25:00 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Can I can I before you make your amendment? Can I make a statement about this? I do have Chris Caldwell on on standby for a phone call. Okay, so we can put him on there. He has looked at the whole contracts. There was some things that I didn't agree with, and you you brought one of them up, and we addressed, and Chris Caldwell did too, but there is nothing that our city attorney has seen. But if you want me to get him on on a call, I'll be more than happy. He's waiting
25:32 · John Duggan (unverified label)
so that the naming the the naming in a different manner doesn't it any stipulation. No, sir. And
25:40 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
I can I can clarify that if you let me call him, if you gentlemen let me call him for a second,
25:46 · John Duggan (unverified label)
let's make that clarification. Put that out there. I want
25:48 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
to make a statement. You can call him. Why are we talking about a contract that we have nothing to do with? Period. Well, it's between them and him, but or the the trust
26:02 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
protecting the city, but the money that we're going to be spending in that's what we're here for.
26:06 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
We're here to talk about a contribution.
26:08 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Yes, sir. That's correct.
26:10 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
Hey, mayor.
26:11 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Hey, I got you on speakerphone, and you've got a and you're on your you've got the my mic right next to you, so everybody's hearing you.
26:20 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Yes.
26:20 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
We want to make sure the contract's okay for the city of Athens, and I'm going to give it to you now. Go ahead.
26:29 · Chris Caldwell (unverified label)
I was given purview to review the contract between PMP, that's Patriot Memorial Project, and mr. Whiting and his brother. The contract's fully executed. It preserves, maintains the mural. It's quite good between the two. It is an agreement, and if the city wishes to provide any kind of assistance with the project, that would be up to the council.
26:53 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Now, one question that I had brought up to you and and and Councilman Dugan, John Newton brought up was Glenn Whiting's wife's names on the deed, and he's he's the one that signed the contracts. We're just, and I know this is a contribution, but still, some of the people were wanting to know about if there's any kind of issues with that,
27:24 · Chris Caldwell (unverified label)
I not being counseled to Patriot Memorial Project. There's privative contract between those two. I believe they're also aware that you know the original trustee, as stated on the deed, and yes, you are correct. That deed, as recorded many many years ago, had Miss Connie Ammerman, if my recollection is right on that. And since that time, mr. Whiting has asserted that there has been a successor trustee. In fact, I believe it's co-trustees of the Glenn Whiting and Randy Whiting. Those are the two that have been working with PMP on this. Although there is no certificate of trust recorded with the registrar's office, to my knowledge.
28:06 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Gentlemen, is there any other questions? You good?
28:11 · John Duggan (unverified label)
Yeah, I'm good.
28:11 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Okay, gentlemen. Good. Hey, mr. Crodwell, I appreciate your time, and you have a great vacation. Okay, boss. All
28:18 · Chris Caldwell (unverified label)
right, Mayor. Appreciate it. You all have a good weekend. Bye
28:22 · John Duggan (unverified label)
bye. Yeah, I wanted to make sure clarification was out there because I didn't want to spill any beans that didn't need to be put out there.
28:29 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
Okay. Any other questions? Let's have roll call.
28:33 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Councilmember McCowan.
28:34 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Aye.
28:35 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Councilmember Dugan.
28:37 · John Duggan (unverified label)
Abstain.
28:39 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Councilmember Sherland. Aye. Vice Mayor Curtis, aye. Mayor Eaton,
28:45 · Larry Eaton (unverified label)
aye. Passes 41401. Aye. So if there's no other, there's no other things on this special session. I hear a motion to adjourn. So move. I hear a second. Roll call.
29:02 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Councilmember McCowan.
29:04 · Perry McCowan (unverified label)
Aye.
29:04 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Councilmember Dugan. Aye. Councilmember Sherwin.
29:08 · Steve Sherlin (unverified label)
Aye.
29:09 · Jordan Curtis (unverified label)
Vice Mayor Curtis. Aye. Mayor Eaton. No.