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The Knoxville City Council met in special session last night. The first item discussed was that of City Manager duties between Dick Schrad’s scheduled retirement and when new City Manager Harold Stewart takes over in June. Schrad stated that he was not willing to take a contract extension as if he worked at all in the month of May he would lose his retirement benefits. He did offer to continue to assist the city department heads and staff with the Park Lane TIFF and enterprise zone agreements. The council stated that they appreciated Schrad’s proposal and willingness to help make the transition as easy as possible. Schrad stated that he has a great sense of loyalty to the city and department heads and wanted to help them have an easy transition. Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada was recommended as an interim City Manager to fill in following Schrad’s retirement at the end of the day Friday. He says Losada has agreed to help and step into the interim position. The council is expected to appoint Losada into the position at Monday’s meeting.
The second item on the agenda was discussion in regards to a building at 106 E. Robinson Street. Planning and Zoning Administrator Cindy Glick stated that a local bank that currently owns the building may be willing to gift the property to the City to be repaired and sold or leased to tenants. Glick, Schrad and Fire Chief Mike Roberts stated they were concerned with this as there have been two fires in the past two years, both in the month of January, where more than 1,000 gallons of water was dumped onto the property. Roberts stated that the residential portion of the building is up to fire code though Glick questions the structural stability of the building. Glick contacted three different companies for bids and two responded with the quotes ranging between $1,500 and $5,000. The council advised Glick to contact the bank to see if they would be willing to help share the inspection costs and confirm that both bidders knew exactly what they were submitting quotes for.

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