The Neighborly Notice - Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Debbie Helsley
Vol. 18, No. 20 – Tuesday, May 27, 2025
PDF version: https://bit.ly/NeighborlyNotice-2025-05-27To subscribe to this newsletter via email, fill out this form http://eepurl.com/b2Rk9T. You will then receive an automated email. Reply to this automated email to secure your free subscription.
1. City Council Holds Workshop This Thursday
2. Parks and Rec Challenge Grants Due
3. Mayor’s Youth Council Applications Due
4. Housing and Neighborhood Development Seeks Input
5. Health Department Offers Free Dental
6. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
1. City Council Holds Workshop This Thursday
Knoxville’s City Council will hold a workshop on Thursday, May 29, at 4 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room of the City County Building, 400 Main Street.
The City Council will hear a presentation on the local option sales tax increase proposal by the mayor and her staff, and the City Council will have the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons.
All are welcome to attend the workshop to learn more.
2. Parks and Recreation Accepting Challenge Grant Applications
The City of Knoxville’s Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for their 2025 Challenge Grants between now and June 27, at 4:30 p.m.
These grants are provided to nonprofit projects associated with public parks or recreation facilities within the City limits.
The grants are available to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status community groups, homeowner associations, schools, Scout troops and other organizations.
Recipients of a challenge grant will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of a single project, up to $3,000.
In past years, grants have been used for playground equipment, water fountains, benches and landscaping. The Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department has been awarding challenge grants to nonprofit groups for more than 25 years.
Challenge Grants may also be used to promote activities in City Parks and on Greenways. Grants can provide matching funds for various fitness classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi, or other activities. Passive programming for activities such as painting and birdwatching will also be considered. Approved activities must be on City Park properties, and all other rules associated with the Challenge Grant Program will apply.
In order to receive a grant, the projects are preferred to be on City owned or leased property; however, they must be related to a facility that is available to all residents on a yearly basis.
The grant funding may not be used to purchase a new facility, regular maintenance, or for the purchase of individual or team equipment.
3. The Mayor’s Youth Council Applications Due This Week
The Mayor’s Youth Council Applications are due on Saturday, May 31.
Terms of service will begin in August. The application can be found on the City of Knoxville’s website. Students chosen for the council will serve starting in August 2025.
Students in grades 8-11 can apply. Students serve collaboratively as members to identify and address issues around community organizing, leadership, and advocacy. As representatives of Knoxville’s youth, Council members will be responsible for elevating youth voices through consistent communication with young people living in Knoxville.
Mayor’s Youth Council members convene monthly to learn about local government structure and municipal services. They also work together to identify and address issues in their chosen action areas – Homelessness, Violence Prevention, Civic Engagement, Sustainability, and Mental Health and Trauma – through community organizing, leadership and advocacy.
If you have any questions or comments, contact Emily Norris, Youth Engagement Coordinator, at Eno...@KnoxvilleTN.gov.
4. Housing and Neighborhood Development Seeks Public Input
The City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HND) Department is seeking public input on its Draft Five-Year (2025-2029) Consolidated Plan and Year One (2025-2026) Action Plan.
The Consolidated Plan sets funding priorities for an expected $15M+ (over five years) of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) dollars for affordable housing, homelessness, economic development, and other community development activities.
The Year One Action Plan specifically describes funding priorities for the first year of the Consolidated Plan period beginning July 1, 2025.
A dedicated web page was set up in August 2024 to keep people informed of how they can be involved in the planning process and to share information. Please see www.knoxvilletn.gov/consolidatedplan to review the draft plans and find more information on the following:
June 7 – Draft plans are available for review for 30-days
July 1, 6 p.m. – Public Hearing, Public Works Building, 3131 Morris Avenue, (Teams link will be available June 30)
July 7 – End of 30-day public comment period
July 13 – Submission Deadline
If you are not able to view the information online, you may visit the HND office and/or contact Linda Rust at 865-215-2357, or at City of Knoxville HND Department, P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901. Comments are accepted by mail to that address or by email to LR...@knoxvilletn.gov.
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Individuals with a disability who require an accommodation in order to participate may contact the City of Knoxville’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Brewer Cook at 865-215-2034 or sc...@knoxvilletn.gov no less than 72 business hours (3 business days) prior to the public hearing and/or the end of the public comment period.
If you have Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and want to request language translation services, contact the Human Resources Department at tit...@knoxvilletn.gov, or 865-215-3100 at least 48 hours (2 days) prior to the public hearing and/or the end of the public comment period. Please submit your requests for translation and/or accommodations as early as possible after the draft plans are available to ensure you have time to receive it, read it, and comment if you wish, before the comment period concludes on July 7.
5. Health Department Offers Free Dental Services
The Knox County Health Department’s (KCHD) School-Based Dental Program is offering free dental services for children and young adults at two locations this summer.
You will need to make an appointment for the following days:
- June: 3-6, 9-13, 16-18, 23-27, 30 and July 1.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Interpreters will be available)
KCHD’s West Clinic: 9000 Executive Park Drive, Suite A301B
These dates are for ages 1-21.
- July 7-10, 14-17
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Interpreters will be available)
Centro Hispano: 201 3rd Ave.
These dates are for ages 4-21.
Please call 865-215-5131 (English) or 865-215-5109 (Spanish) to make an appointment.
Patients will receive education, screenings, exams, and a variety of other services.
More than 45 percent of all U.S. children experience tooth decay by age 19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Let’s help Knoxville be a city where this preventable disease is minimized.
6. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
To add your neighborhood event or meeting to the Google calendar, call 865-215-3232.
Other Calendars
Additional online calendars that cover events outside the neighborhood realm include:
- Arts & Culture Alliance (There’s More to Knoxville)
- Arts & Fine Crafts Center Classes (City of Knoxville)
- City of Knoxville General Calendar
- Parks and Rec Community Programming
The City of Knoxville requires a permit to operate a short-term rental property. Details and a list of short-term rental permits are located on the City’s website here.
About This Newsletter
** This Advisory is produced on most Tuesdays of the year.
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