Athens City Council met for its regular meeting Monday, addressing temporary housing structures and fiscal appropriations, as well as honoring members in their final term.
The meeting began with the City and Safety Services Committee discussing the AEP Easement at the end of Kenny Drive to provide power service to the Raymer Playground area, which was moved to first reading.
The Finance and Personnel Committee’s Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia 2025 membership payment also advanced to first reading.
After establishing a quorum, council members approved minutes from the previous regular and special meetings.
The agenda included three ordinances for third reading, one for second reading and two for first reading. Three one-reading resolutions were also presented, recognizing Councilmembers Solveig Spjeldnes and Jeff Risner, and Council President Sam Crowl for their years of public service. All three resolutions passed unanimously.
Council Clerk Debbie Walker added that a grove of trees planted on Stimson Avenue will include a tree named in honor of each departing member.
Two of the ordinances for third reading, 0-120-25 and 0-139-25, drew extended discussion.
Ordinance 0-120-25, concerning appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2026, passed after clarification and debate.
Ordinance 0-139-25, addressing temporary housing structures, has been discussed at 11 previous council meetings. Council members and residents debated the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Councilmember Jessica Thomas expressed frustration that her proposed amendments had not been accepted.
“That was voted down by the member here who is against it right now,” Thomas said. “It’s another case where I’m going to reiterate, it doesn’t matter what, it doesn’t matter where, there’s just people who are against helping people.”
Thomas’s comments prompted reactions from the audience, President Crowl called for order and Swank requested a Point of Order, noting the remarks were indirectly directed at him.
“The Point of Order is of quorum of this council, and I was called out there, sir, not by name, but by inference,” Swank said. “And that is what the people in the audience objected to.”
After further discussion, the ordinance passed in a 6-1 vote.
The third ordinance, concerning a special right-of-way use permit at 43 S Court St. to add a balcony to an existing building, passed with minimal discussion.
Ordinance 0-141-25, scheduled for second reading, had the rules suspended to allow an immediate vote on a bill needing payment before year-end and passed unanimously.
The first-reading ordinances, 0-142-25 and 0-143-25, also had the rules suspended to authorize early action and passed unanimously.
No additional announcements or public comments were made, and the meeting adjourned after over two hours.
