7A: Closes unopened right-of-way at 2200 block of East 21st Street/2100 block of South Lyerly, subject to conditions.
7B: Abandons sewer easement at 1500 block of Mercer Street (1,439 linear feet).
7C: Abandons sewer easement at 7500 block of Standifer Gap Road (320 linear feet).
Motion by Councilman Ledford to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Ordinances on First Reading:
8A (Alternate Version, Mayor’s Office):
Amends Chattanooga City Code Chapters 3A (off-premise advertising) and 3B (on-premise advertising). Adds yard sign rules: non-political signs (e.g., garage sales, real estate) limited to 15 days before and 30 days after events; political signs excluded from this, must be removed 15 days post-election. Motion by Councilman Ledford to substitute and approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
8B (Alternate Version, Mayor’s Office):
Amends Chattanooga City Code Chapter 32 (Tree Ordinance). Key changes: Tree Commission (9 members, 5+ professionally trained); exemptions for sewer utility work; notable tree status removable by owner with 30-day notice, retained notable trees get 2:1 credit; 90-day effective date delay; 6-month council review, annual Tree Commission reviews. Motion by Councilman Ledford to substitute and approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
8C (Transportation):
Closes unopened right-of-way at 700 block of Woodland Avenue. Motion by Vice Chair Hill to defer to April 15, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
8D (Transportation):
Closes unopened right-of-way at 2600 block of Williams Street, subject to conditions. Councilwoman Dotley amended to strike two easement conditions (power/communication and utility clearance), amendment seconded, passed with voice vote; then approved as amended, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
8E (Transportation):
Closes unopened right-of-way at part of 5500 block of Florida Avenue, subject to conditions. Motion by Councilwoman Dotley to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Resolutions:
9A-C (Package, Council Office):
9A: Reappoints Bob Gear to Parks and Outdoors Committee (District 1, Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 13, 2028).
9B: Reappoints Paul Dar to Parks and Outdoors Committee (District 4, Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 13, 2028).
9C: Appoints Shakira to Parks and Outdoors Committee (District 5, Apr 2, 2025 - Apr 1, 2028).
Motion to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
9D-N (Package, Mayor’s Office):
9D: Appoints Rebecca Brooks to Chattanooga Public Art Commission (Apr 2, 2025 - Apr 1, 2028).
9E: Appoints Jack Wood to Chattanooga Public Art Commission (Apr 2, 2025 - Apr 1, 2028).
9F: Reappoints John Ford to Electric Power Board (Mar 31, 2025 - Mar 30, 2030).
9G: Reappoints Helen Pinkerton to Community Advisory Committee Region 8 (Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 17, 2028).
9H: Reappoints Armeilia Williams to Community Advisory Committee Region 9 (Nov 8, 2024 - Nov 7, 2027).
9I: Reappoints Victor Rodriguez to Community Advisory Committee Region 5 (Apr 3, 2025 - Apr 2, 2028).
9J: Reappoints Janice Gooden to Community Advisory Committee Region 9 (Feb 22, 2025 - Feb 21, 2028).
9K: Reappoints George Ricks to Community Advisory Committee Region 6 (Feb 22, 2025 - Feb 21, 2028).
9L: Reappoints Donna Sunder to Community Advisory Committee Region 6 (Feb 22, 2025 - Feb 21, 2028).
9M: Appoints Steve Dunn to Community Advisory Committee Region 5 (Apr 3, 2025 - Apr 2, 2028).
9N: Appoints David Morris to Community Advisory Committee Region 6 (Apr 2, 2025 - Apr 1, 2028).
Motion to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
9O (City Attorney):
Amends Resolution 300075, revising public records policy per Tennessee Code Annotated Section 107504A with updated forms. Motion by Councilman Ledford to defer to April 8, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
9P-T (Package, Parks/Public Works/Wastewater):
9P: Authorizes agreement with Tennessee River Gorge Trust for river access point development off Terminal Road ($75,000, up to $100,000 with city approval). Vice Chair Hill abstained.
9Q: Authorizes application/acceptance of $60,000 National Recreation and Parks Association grant for Every Kid Outdoor Program.
9R: Awards contract to Tri-State Roofing Contractors LLC for Fire Station 17 roof replacement ($123,474, $12,300 contingency, total $135,774).
9S: Amends Resolution 31171 with CTI Engineers Inc. for landfill groundwater monitoring, increasing by $216,500 to $365,500.
9T: Rescinds Resolution 32410, amends Resolution 32292 with CTI Engineers Inc. for landfill repairs, increasing by $310,000 to $795,000.
Motion by Councilman Hester to approve (with Hill’s abstention on 9P), seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Purchases:
Approved:
Fleet: Increases fueling station equipment contract by $4,947 to $317,920.
Public Works: Year 2 renewal with Southeastern Materials, 3% increase, $1,900,000 annual spend.
Fire: Extends Agreement 557576 to Sep 14, 2025, no additional funds.
Fire: One-time purchase of protective gear dryers from Dry Gear Solutions, $147,320 (sole source).
Fire: One-time purchase of rescue system from North American Fire Equipment, $231,722 (sole source).
Police: One-time purchase of fitness equipment from Fit Works, $124,118 (Sourcewell contract).
Motion to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
RFP:
Economic Development: Seeks consultant for housing outreach strategy. Motion to approve, seconded, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Sole Source Reported:
Wastewater: Portable bubbler flow meter system, $29,887.
Other Business:
Parks and Public Works Committee (Councilman Hester):
Approved minutes. Reviewed ordinances 7A-C (final reading), 8C-E (first reading), and resolutions 9P-T. Vice Chair Hill deferred 8C to April 15; Councilwoman Dotley amended 8D to strike easement conditions.
Planning and Zoning Committee (Councilman Ledford):
Approved minutes. Discussed cases:
20250040: Deferred to April 29 by Councilwoman Burrus for companion case alignment.
20250036: Deferred to April 15 by Councilwoman Noel due to opposition (single-family character concerns).
20250043: Deferred to April 15 by Councilman Smith for new council input, suggested conditioning to site map.
20250046: Councilwoman Dotley requested presentation; rezoning from RN-15 to RN-2 for duplex at 5281 Usher Drive approved by staff despite neighbor concerns over adjacent property management; likely deferral pending applicant talks.
Item G: Zoning map correction for three properties (e.g., Tennessee River Gorge Trust) to restore lost uses.
April 8 agenda includes deferred item 9O, final reading of 8A-B, and runoff election impacts. April 15 and 29 agendas include deferred zoning cases and ordinances.
Committee Reports:
Councilman Smith: No report.
Councilman Ledford: Covered planning/zoning cases and text amendments (CMU-1/CMU-2, conditions clarity).
Councilman Hester: Parks and Public Works met, no further report.
Councilwoman Burrus: Requested deferral of 20250040 to April 29 for companion case.
Councilwoman Coonrod: Urged support for SB1177/HB689 (rights restoration bills), encouraged voting by April 8.
Councilwoman Noel: No report.
Councilwoman Dotley: No report.
Vice Chair Hill: No report.
Public Input:
Mr. Bell: Attempted to speak but was barred until April 10 due to a prior city attorney letter; he cited constitutional rights but was asked to sit.
Rebecca Marshall: District 3 resident, praised Councilman Smith for resolving Hixson High School band equipment issues (mold damage) in 2023, thanked council for service.
Janice Gooden: District 8 resident, encouraged voting by April 8 (early voting ends April 3), thanked outgoing members Smith (multitasking), Ledford (zoning leadership), Hester (kindness), and Coonrod (advocacy).
