On Monday the Knoxville City Council met in regular session.

The main item on the agenda was the second consideration and possible waiving of third consideration and final approval for the city of Knoxville to ban the use of fireworks within city limits. Chief Jim Mitchell with Knoxville Fire and Rescue who spoke during the fireworks discussion asked the council to put the ban in place and to give lawmakers a better chance to clear up the confusing law before next year.

The council voted to approve the banning of fireworks by a 4-1 vote with only Council Member Rick Kingery voting no.

Two tourism committee grant requests were approved by the council. One request was for the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce to receive $1,000 for the shuttle bus during the Nationals. The second request was for $1,000 to be used for the Peace Tree Brewing Company’s Brews and Muse event in September.

The council voted to approve title changes for the current City Clerk, to Assistant City Manager and current Deputy City Clerk be appointed as City Clerk. Fire Chief Jim Mitchell then spoke again and requested $1,500 from the Knoxville Fire Department Memorial Fund to be used to buy new uniform shirts for the department. City Manager Aaron Adams gave a presentation on the city’s long term planning which featured improvements to the airport, new tennis courts for the high school and new additions to Youngs park which includes the construction of a new skate park.