Please join Mayors Bill Haslam and Mike Ragsdale for Knoxville/Knox County's Second Annual Neighborhood Conference. This event is a partnership between Knox County, the City of Knoxville, East Tennessee Community Design Center, Center for Neighborhood Development, and Council Of Involved Neighborhoods.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
8:00 a.m.
Knoxville Convention Center
2nd Floor Park Concourse
Our goal is to help neighborhood associations more efficiently utilize government services. We want to reach out to our neighborhoods and empower them to make a difference in this community.
The conference will focus on several issues that affect neighborhoods and feature keynote speaker Dr. Bruce Wheeler, Professor of History, University of Tennessee.
Lunch will be provided and there is no cost to attend. Sign up quickly. Space is limited! For more information call 865-215-HELP
Conference Agenda
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Conference Registration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Visit Exhibition Booths
9:00 AM to 10:15 AM
BREAKOUT SESSIONS A
Session One: Zoning
Facilitated by David Watson, East Tennessee Community Design Center This workshop offers a panel discussion and audience interaction question period regarding issues of zoning for both Knox County and the City of Knoxville. Topics for discussion will be: "What is the process for creating, adopting, and appealing a Zoning Ordinance?" "What is the Major Road Plan, how was it developed and what does it mean?" "What are "Minimum Subdivision Requirements?" Panel representatives:
Mark Brown, Vice-Mayor City of Knoxville
Buzz Johnson, Metropolitan Planning Commission
David Collins Knox County Commissioner & Board of Zoning Appeals
Susan Brown, Chair, Metropolitan Planning Commission
Session Two: Neighbor to Neighbor
Facilitated by Edward Eckenrod, Center for Neighborhood Development This session provides the opportunity to hear from neighborhood leaders on the successes and challenges of their community organizations, and to learn how to create a more cohesive neighborhood. Representatives of the Knox County Office of Neighborhoods and the City of Knoxville's Community Development Division will also be there to share how they can support the efforts of neighborhood organizations. Panel representatives:
Diana Conn, Old Sevier Community Group
Jim Warchol, West View Community Action Group
Henry Anderson, Burlington Homeowners & Residents
Ronnie Collins, Alice Bell-Springhill Neighborhood Association
Session Three: Traffic Calming
Facilitated by Mike Hammond, Knox County CommissionerIs there a speeding problem on your streets? Find out about traffic calming measures that may be taken to deter speeding. Representatives from the city and the county will discuss traffic calming procedures that a neighborhood association can take to implement safer streets. Panel representatives:
Bruce Wuethrich, Senior Director of Knox County Engineering & Public Works
Bill Cole, City of Knoxville Traffic Engineering
Member of Neighborhood Association with traffic calming in place
Knox County Sheriff’s Office patrol division
Knoxville Police Department patrol division
Session Four: Neighborhood Beautification
Facilitated by Whitney Stanley, Council Of Involved Neighborhoods This session will highlight the importance of maintaining and improving the appearance of our City and County neighborhoods. Keep Knoxville Beautiful will introduce methods that neighborhoods can use to create and sustain clean-ups, beautify their surroundings with plantings, etc., and bring pride to the residents within the community. You will hear from individuals who have had great success with beautification programs. Neighborhood leaders will learn how these organized efforts can bring unity, strength, and more active participation to neighborhood groups.Panel representatives:
Tom Salter, Keep Knoxville Beautiful
Bob Santore, South Knox Beautification Committee
Scott Frith, Halls Business & Professional Association
Terry Faulkner, Bearden Beautification Committee
Paul Kelley, Oakwood-Lincoln Park Neighborhood
10:45 AM to 12:00 NOON
BREAKOUT SESSIONS B
Session Five: Neighborhood Safety
Facilitated by Stephanie Cook, City of Knoxville Do you have some concerns about safety in your neighborhood? Join us for a session on neighborhood safety and crime prevention. Learn ways to be proactive in preventing burglaries, vandalism, and how to start a neighborhood watch program in your area.Panel representatives:
Brian Stannard, Knox County Sheriff’s Department
Knoxville Police Department
Member of successful Neighborhood Watch program
Moderator of "37917" list serve
Session Six: Codes
Facilitated by Grant Rosenberg, Knox County Office of Neighborhoods Do messy neighbors bother you? Is there a particular piece of property in your neighborhood that is an eyesore or blight? Is there a neighbor in your area that you believe is causing a nuisance with their pets or running an illegal home occupation? Come to this workshop to learn what steps City and County government can take to inspect and cite these owners. Representatives from Knox County and City of Knoxville Codes Enforcement along with Environmental Health and Animal Control will take part in a panel discussion. Panel representatives:
Bruce Wuethrich, Knox County Engineering & Public Works
David Brace, City of Knoxville Public Service
Dave Head, Knoxville/Knox County Animal Control
Ron Nease, Knox County Environmental Health Department
Session Seven: Roots/Heritage of Our Community
Facilitated by Kevin DuBose, Division Director City of Knoxville Community Development Attend this workshop and be surprised to discover all the hidden treasures we have in Knox County. Learn about what makes us "Uniquely Knoxville" and how we can use everything around us to make our community the best in the state. Come so you will know where to take your family and friends when they visit Knox County. This course will help you get acquainted with everything we have to offer as a community. It will also give you some insight into the riches of our past and how they will carry us into our future. Presented representatives:
Gloria Ray, President/CEO of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation
Mickey Mallonee, Director of Special Events, City of Knoxville
Session Eight: Legal Workshop for Neighborhoods
Facilitated by John Schoonmaker, Council of West Knox HomeownersThis workshop will give a brief overview of what legal steps a neighborhood can take in matters that cannot be addressed by government agencies. How does a neighborhood establish and enforce neighborhood covenants? What are the most appropriate steps to take when rallying for or against challenges in your neighborhood? Panel representatives:
Lawyer
County Commissioner rep
City Council rep
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bruce Wheeler