Area Served
The Middle-East Chapter serves the surveying communities of Knoxville, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. These counties include: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Monroe and Union.
Chapter Dues Full Member- $25.00 Junior Member- $12.50
Where We Meet First Thursday each Month
Please contact our secretary John Winter
Meeting Minutes – Thursday, May 7, 2026
Meeting was held at Famous Dave’s on Kingston Pike at 6:10 p.m. by Mark Driver.
The agenda was as follows: Treasurer’s Report – John Winter Beginning Balance: Income: Expense: Current Balance: Certificate of Deposit $1,888.18 $0.12 (interest) $30.00 (Dues) $250.00 (Donation) $2.00 (statement mailing fee) $2,196.30 $5,311.09 (Statement has been moved to quarterly reporting)
Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was approved on the first reading.
(McCellan / Ward) Old Business Discussion of the FFA Convention that was held in Gatlinburg. There were 4 volunteers manning the booth and gave out almost all of the T shirts to mostly high school students and said they felt it was a successful outreach effort.
Discussion of digital drawing submittals. Folks should add “Preliminary for Review” on all unsigned drawings to be sure that there is no confusion on whether a drawing is final or not.
Yearly reminder / discussion of ticks and the reality of Alpha Gal disease. Use bug spray on skin and clothes.
Discussion of the new legislation that creates a misdemeanor for removal of property corners.
Discussion of the TAPS seminars at the last conference and that they were well received by the attendees.
Discussion of needing 3 names for the BOE seat for 2027. The term limit will be 4 years moving forward.
New Business Discussion of how AI is impacting surveying:
Mike Messina said he uses it to review drawings against the surveying regulations.
Jacob Foster said he uses it to review plan drawings against regulations as well.
Steve Ward mentioned the deed reader software.
David Young with TVA said he uses it to run in the long deeds for TVA tracts and can enter it into cad from the software. Might be worth getting just for that.
Gary Clark mentioned the use of “pocket lidar” using phones and processing in Pix 4D. Mention of the new slam lidar equipment that Trimble has and possibly getting a demo setup at one of the upcoming meetings. Discussion of the lawsuit by 360 Drone that was shut down by the courts for performing survey work without a license.
Discussion of TDEC requiring a 25’ buffer from drainage and utility easements creating no buildable area on some smaller lots and properties.
Members Present Mark Driver (#2422) VP Gary Clark (#1329) John Winter (#2717) Sec/Treas Ethan Phillips (#3172) Bruce McClellan (#696) Bryce Buckner (#3407) Guests Present John Brantley Jacob Foster (#3500) Mike Messina (#3328) Stan Hinds (#967) Stephen Ward (#2342) Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. (McClellan / Ward)