October 2025
Public Works receives award
Johnson City Public Works won the 2025 Mark Miller Project of the Year award from the Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association (TCAPWA) for the West Walnut Street Corridor Redevelopment Plan by meeting the association’s highest standards of excellence. Awarded on Sept. 24 during the TCAPWA annual conference, this crowning achievement recognizes the hard work and contributions of Public Works staff, who dedicated years of services to realizing this project.
As part of the TCAPWA award criteria, Public Works was
shown to have demonstrated a strong commitment to safety protocols throughout construction. The project excelled in community support, with staff’s continued efforts to minimize disruptions, maintain accessibility, and engage with residents and business owners along the corridor.
“Despite challenges associated with aging infrastructure and historical complexities that created unique site factors, crews prevailed in delivering on a project that adds to the community’s quality of life,” said City Engineer Wallace McCulloch. “I am proud to have worked on this project and with the dedicated crews who helped take this downtown corridor from neglected to a hub of connectivity. It is an honor to have been recognized by the Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association.”
Continued on page 2 Send your suggestions to cojcnews@johnsoncitytn.org.
Public Works award continued
The West Walnut Corridor revitalization is a $41 million investment that transformed the gateway between downtown and East Tennessee State University. The project delivered a pedestrian-friendly streetscape with on-street parking and a dedicated bike lane. The project replaced outdated infrastructure with modern upgrades to water and sewer systems, storm drains, utilities, and sidewalks. Public Works incorporated traffic-calming features such as raised intersections and subtle curves to improve
safety and mobility with landscaping to soften the look and feel.
“Through its dedication, teamwork, and engagement, the employees of Public Works, Water and Sewer Services, and other City departments exemplified the values of our organization and the standards that this award honors,” said City Manager Cathy Ball. “I could not be more proud of the fine staff who GO. ALL. OUT. in service to our community each and every day.”
An Employee Benefits Portal has been installed on all desktop computers. By clicking the icon, employees will have access to a one-stop resource for all benefits offered to staff by the City of Johnson City. The website houses policy information, claim forms, provider resources, and much more.
Look for the icon on your desktop today
POLICE SHOUTOUT
On Oct. 8, Officer Robert Hall was caught on camera Going All Out for a stranded motorist with a flat tire on Interstate 26. A photo posted on Facebook by Scannerfood captured Officer Hall’s dedication and excellence at the side of the road. Thank you, Officer Hall for lending a hand.
Buffalo Mountain designation seeks preservation
At the Oct. 2 City Commission meeting, commissioners approved the Buffalo Mountain Strategic Plan, a community-informed vision that balances ecological preservation with improved
access, safety, and education at Buffalo Mountain City Park. The plan will guide future City decisions and support partnerships, investment, and long-term stewardship.
The Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, also received approval to recommend Buffalo Mountain City Park for designation as a State Natural Area by the Tennessee Division of Natural Resources. If approved, this designation would help preserve the park’s native species and
natural habitats under state conservation standards.
With the plan approved and the designation under review, improvements are already underway. Trail Operations Manager Josh Collins and his crew have replaced two bridges, built a rock staircase, rerouted the Noggin’s entrance out of the stream bed, and improved the lower parking lot. A short trail connecting the upper and lower lots is expected to be completed by the end of October.
The Oscar Award goes to ... Nick Harrison
Multimedia Specialist Nick Harrison, with help from his Communications and Engagement coworkers, the Fire Department, and Public Works, recently produced a video for the Stormwater Division that delivers a frighteningly creative message. Inspired by the 1970s Stephen King classic IT, Nick created a public service announcement reminding residents which items do not belong in stormdrains. Despite limited resources, Nick’s talent, along with the performances of Main Street Director Lindsey Jones (as Stormwaterwise) and Public Information Specialist Kevin Brown’s son, Augie (as Georgie), bring to life a chilling
scene of waste and debris flowing into the city’s stormdrains and then into our streams and natural areas. Watch the video by clicking the image below, if you dare.
October 2025
Fire Department educates during October
October is Fire Prevention Month. This year, the JCFD teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association to spread the word about potential dangers of lithiumion batteries. This year’s theme is Charge into Fire
Safety – Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.
The month kicked off with a proclamation from the Johnson City Board of Commissioners observing Oct. 5-11 as Fire Prevention Week. To distribute information in a fun and interesting way, Communications and Engagement launched a social media campaign recognizing the week. If you have not followed the Fire Department on social media,
you are encouraged to check out their Facebook and Instagram.
The Department is also providing fire prevention information to our city’s youth. Sparky made a visit to Niswonger Children’s Hospital, and the Department has school visits scheduled throughout the month. Lastly, the Police Department invited the JCFD to use their Community Roundtable platform to spread the word about fire safety.
Police offer Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Police Department will team up with East Tennessee State University’s Bill
Gatton College of Pharmacy and Insight Alliance for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. JCPD and partner organizations will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs for disposal. The initiative, organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way for the community to get unused and expired medication out of their homes.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place at
the Municipal and Safety Building parking lot, 601 E. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Collection sites will not accept syringes, needles, or illegal drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain in their original container with the cap tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Residents unable to attend National Prescription Drug Take Back Day may use the JCPD’s year-round prescription drug disposal service in the lobby of JCPD headquarters, 601 E. Main St., Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Important update: Change to W-2 delivery
Historically, W-2s have been printed and delivered to employees in their department. Beginning in January 2026, W-2s will no longer be printed and delivered; instead they will be accessible electronically in Oracle. Termed and/or retired employees will have their
W-2s mailed to the address on record with Human Resources.
Information Technology requests that everyone verify their access to Oracle and reset passwords if necessary. Closer to January, detailed instructions on how to access W-2s in Oracle will
be provided. After W-2s have been published in Oracle, various times will be scheduled for employees to drop into locations for assistance with accessing and printing. IT recognizes this as a big change and will answer any questions that arise because of the adjustment.
Parks and Recreation receives four awards
Johnson City Parks and Recreation took home multiple honors at the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association conference awards ceremony.
Hundreds of parks and recreation professionals from across Tennessee gathered at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport for the 74th annual conference. While Kingsport Parks and Recreation served as host, staff members from Johnson City, along with numerous volunteers, were instrumental in organizing the event.
The conference wrapped up with an awards ceremony at the convention center and a celebration at Hunter Wright Stadium.
Johnson City Parks and Recreation earned four awards recognizing their work throughout the year. The awards won were:
• Ethnic Minority Interest Section Donald Stanton Award – Langston Centre Community Health Task Force
• Municipal/County Interest Section Robert Horsley Award – Program Coordinator Kevin Mast
• Special Events Award – Candy Land Board Game at King Commons Park
• Innovative Program Award – Flight Simulation Experience
Congratulations, Parks and Recreation on your well-earned awards.
City leadership asks for your input in survey
The employee survey launched on Oct. 20. We conduct this survey every three years, and the responses received are considered as City leadership makes decisions that impact employees. Changes that have been implemented based on feedback from previous surveys include:
• Opening Employee Health Center 5 days a week
• Offering Coffee with Cathy conversations with the city manager
• Starting the Johnson City Leadership Academy
• Rolling over-the-maximum accrual vacation
time into sick leave instead of a “use it or lose it” policy
You should have received an email the week of Oct. 20 with a link to the survey. The email came from Polco with the subject line: Johnson City needs your opinions! Take the 2025 Employee Survey now! If you did not receive the email or deleted it accidentally, scan the QR code below to be directed to the survey. It will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please complete it only once.
If you have questions, contact Sarah Nobles at snobles@johnsoncitytn.org or 423-434-5973.
Police Department plans for annual event
The Police Department is excited to announce the 11th annual Shop with a Cop event will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Shop with a Cop is a partnership between JCPD and Johnson City Schools that pairs law enforcement officers with elementary school children for an evening of holiday fun and shopping.
Applications for this year’s program will be accepted Oct. 13-Nov. 12. Applications can be downloaded from the City’s website at www. johnsoncitytn.org/shopwithacop, and will be available for pick-up at the Records Office, 601 E. Main St.
Completed applications will be accepted by email (swac@johnsoncitytn.org), mail (Johnson City Police Department, 601 E. Main St., Johnson City, TN 37601 Attn: Shop with a Cop), or hand delivered to the JCPD at the above address.
The Shop with a Cop program assists not only the participants but their entire family. In 2024, the program assisted 74 families. Each
child in the household is provided presents and winter clothing, and the family receives a holiday food box.
Last year, 85 children participated in Shop with a Cop thanks to the generosity of area businesses and residents. Anyone who would like to assist in the mission this year may access shopping lists at www.johnsoncitytn. org/shopwithacop.
The public can also contribute to Shop with a Cop at no cost. In partnership with Kroger Community Rewards, a portion of all grocery sales with a linked Kroger Savings Card account will go to JCPD’s Shop with a Cop. To link your Kroger Savings Card, sign into your Kroger account, and under account settings, select ‘Community Rewards.’ Choose Shop with a Cop – Johnson City Police by name or by number PH158.
Volunteers Needed
Wrapping party – Help JCPD get the gifts ready for the big night! Dec. 1, 4-7 p.m., Police Training Facility, 899 Riverview Drive (Bull Rowland Boulevard).
Volunteers are needed for the night of Shop with a Cop on Dec. 10.
Email swac@johnsoncitytn.org for details
Fire Department offers lifesaving training
The Johnson City Fire Department (JCFD) is now accepting registrations for its next handsonly cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course, scheduled for Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the JCFD Training Facility, 2832 W. Walnut St.
The quarterly training is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to public safety and was developed in response to valuable feedback from the community. The free class
Fire Calls for Service
The JCFD responded to 860 calls for service during September. That’s an increase of 33 calls from the previous month.
Here’s the breakdown:
• Fire – 16
• Medical – 483
• Other – 361 (includes anything that is not a fire or medical call)
provides residents with the chance to learn essential lifesaving skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Participants will train on hightech Brayden CPR manikins, which use animated LED lights to provide real-time feedback on compression quality and blood circulation. In addition to hands-only CPR, the class also covers fire safety, including proper extinguisher use. A digital flame simulator paired with a laser training extinguisher
offers a realistic, risk-free learning experience.
“Preparedness starts before the emergency,” said JCFD Chief David Bell. “By offering these trainings, we’re giving residents the tools and confidence they need to step in and make a difference when seconds matter.”
For additional information call (423) 975-2840, or register online at www.johnsoncitytn. org/handsonlycprclass
Congratulations new hires, promotions, retirements
New Hires - September
Thomas DeMello - Fire
Malakhi Guess - Water and Sewer Services
Daniel Johnson - Water and Sewer Services
Ava Miller - Parks and Recreation
Joshua Babb - Public Works
Devin Lane - Water and Sewer Services
Raena Dickerson - Police
Michael Poole - Police
Shane Lyons - Police
Aaron Rios - Police
Micah Oliver - Water and Sewer Services
Zachary Pullham - Water and Sewer Services
Devon Smith - Water and Sewer Services
Stephen Wilder - Transit
Shoutout: Thank you!!!!
Special thanks to Rich Marosites, Wayne Douglas, and Matt Gratigny from Parks and Recreation for creating the Luck of the Draw slot machine featured at Main Street Days. The slot machine provided hours of fun and entertainment, bringing smiles and delight to many festivalgoers. We appreciate the Parks and Recreation crew for their time, effort, and creativity in bringing this project to life.
Promotions - September
Jackson Sallee - Parks and Recreation
Christopher Taylor - Public Works
Retirements - September
Russell Ricker (16) - Transit
Tommy Shane Malone (20) - Fire
October 2025
FLU SHOT SCHEDULE 2025
FREE
SEASONAL FLU SHOTS
For ALL Employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) & their Spouses
*NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY* Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of each clinic.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Water / Sewer Complex (Drive-Thru Clinic)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Transit (Transit Training Room) Please enter through W. Main Street entrance of building
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Street Department
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025_
6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – City Hall (Commission Chambers)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION, PATIENCE & COOPERATION!
Unfortunately, this year we are NOT able to extend this offer to other dependent family members or retirees. The City’s health plan through BlueCross/BlueShield usually covers Flu Shots. Most physicians’ offices are providing “clinics” to administer the vaccine without an office visit co-pay. Check with your physician’s office for details and verification of coverage. Flu vaccines are also available at the Employee Health Clinic.
***PLEASE NOTE***
There will be no make-up dates so please try to attend one of these clinic dates. Contact for additional information: Department of Risk Management 434-6006
***PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY SO YOU CAN ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE FOR THE SHOT***
Please Post On All Department Bulletin Boards
