6/17/25 Chattanooga City Council Business Meeting

Chattanooga City Council Meeting Summary - June 17, 2025

Overview

The Chattanooga City Council convened on June 17, 2025, at 5:11 PM for a regular business meeting. The meeting included a pledge of allegiance, an invocation, a special proclamation, agenda discussions, ordinance approvals, resolution approvals, purchase approvals, and a legislative committee report on the proposed single stair ordinance. Public comments were also addressed.

Opening Ceremonies

  • Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Councilman Davis.
  • Invocation: Delivered by Pastor Jamie Venoi from Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, focusing on guidance for the council's community-building efforts.

Special Presentation

  • Proclamation for Anthony O. Sammons: Mayor Tim Kelly presented a proclamation declaring June 17, 2025, as "Anthony O. Sammons Day" in recognition of Sammons' retirement after nearly two decades of service to Chattanooga. Key points:
    • Sammons served since June 2006 in roles including Deputy Administrator of Neighborhood Services and Community Development (2006), Deputy Administrator of Economic and Community Development (2013), Deputy Chief Operating Officer (2017-2021), Administrator of the Department of Community Development (2021-2023), and Chief Equity Officer (2023-2025).
    • The proclamation highlighted his dedication, servant leadership, and contributions to city departments and partnerships.
    • Sammons expressed gratitude to God, his family, mayors (Littlefield, Berke, Kelly), colleagues, and team members, pledging to continue community service post-retirement.

Agenda Discussion

  • Minutes Approval: The council approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
  • Ordinances on Final Reading: Five zoning ordinances were approved as a package (details below).
  • Resolutions: Discussed and approved resolutions for departments including Economic Development, City Attorney’s Office, Public Works, Wastewater, and Police (details below).
  • Purchases: Six purchases were discussed, including a debated wastewater purchase for fitness equipment, and approved as a group (details below).
  • Sole Source Report: One sole source purchase for educational material was reported.
  • Future Considerations: A new format for future agenda items was introduced to provide background and address council questions early. Feedback was requested.
  • EPB Bond Report: The city attorney reported on $100,900 in bonds issued for the Electric Department, fulfilling the Tennessee Comptroller’s annual reporting requirement.

Legislative Committee Report

  • Single Stair Ordinance Discussion:
    • Presented by Vice Chairwoman Hill, the proposed ordinance allows multifamily residential buildings up to five stories with a single entrance/exit, aligning with recent Tennessee legislation (effective April 2024).
    • Key Provisions:
      • Limits buildings to five stories (not six, as allowed by state law).
      • Allows up to four units per floor, with a maximum of 20 dwelling units per building.
      • Requires sprinklers, one-hour fire-resistive construction, non-flammable pressurized stairwells, and a maximum 20-foot travel distance from unit doors to the stairwell.
      • Enhances ventilation with more windows, increasing usable square footage and density.
    • Purpose: Facilitates affordable "missing middle" housing (20 units or less) by reducing construction costs and enabling small-scale development on urban lots.
    • Safety Considerations: Reviewed by Chattanooga and Tennessee Fire Chiefs. Data shows multifamily buildings have lower fire risks than single-family homes (e.g., 400 apartment fire deaths vs. 2,580 total in 2020). The ordinance maintains safety with sprinklers and proximity to exits.
    • Fiscal Note: Vice Chairwoman Hill committed to provide a fiscal note on city implementation costs before advancing the ordinance.
    • Stakeholders: Developed by affordable housing staff (Hannah VanDenHeuvel, Megan Richards), with input from AIA Chattanooga, Fire Marshal, and policy support from Chris Logan.
    • Council Feedback:
      • Councilwoman Dotley requested a fiscal note.
      • Councilman Clark sought fire safety details, noting the ordinance may enhance safety.
      • Councilman Davis inquired about sprinkler costs (~$30,000 per unit), which could offset density gains.
      • Councilman Ellis confirmed no conflict with elevator ordinances.
      • An unnamed council member emphasized compliance with state law and the International Building Code exception.

Ordinances on Final Reading

The following ordinances amended Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning Ordinance):

  1. Item A: Rezoning of 29 West Bell Avenue
    • Description: Rezoned from RN-1.5 (Residential Zone) to C-NT (Neighborhood Transition Commercial Zone).
    • Outcome: Approved.
  2. Item B: Rezoning of 806 Spears Avenue
    • Description: Rezoned from RN-1.5 (Residential Zone) to RN-1.3 (Residential Zone), subject to certain conditions.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  3. Item C: Lifting Condition on 1107 North Road
    • Description: Lifted condition number five from Ordinance Number 13838 (Case Number 2022-0057) on property at 1107 North Road, revising previous conditions.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  4. Item D: Rezoning of 7404 Tyner Road
    • Description: Rezoned from RN-2 (Residential Zone) to C-C (Commercial Corridor Zone), subject to certain conditions.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  5. Item E: Rezoning of 6525 Hunt Drive
    • Description: Rezoned from RN-6 (Residential Zone) to RN-3 (Residential Zone), subject to certain conditions.
    • Outcome: Approved.

Resolutions

The following resolutions were approved:

  1. Item A: Economic Development - Vincent Properties LLC Agreement
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Economic Development to renew a three-year lease with Vincent Properties LLC for 1,200 sq. ft. of office space at 221 River Street (Tax Map Number 135-0-03) for the Department of Parks and Outdoors. Monthly costs: $2,575 rent + $36 HVAC maintenance fee = $2,611 total.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  2. Item B: City Attorney - Legal and Lobbying Services
    • Description: Authorized the City Attorney’s Office to engage 17 firms for legal and lobbying services: (1) Baker Donelson, (2) Bass Berry and Sims PLC, (3) Butler Snow LLP, (4) Chambliss Bahner and Stophel PC, (5) Gearhiser Peters Elliott and Cannon PLLC, (6) Adam Swafford with McGuire Woods, (7) Miller Martin PLLC, (8) Tidwell and Associates PC, (9) Evans Harrison and Hackett PLLC, (10) Brian Coffelt of Title Guaranty and Trust Company of Chattanooga, (11) Logan Davis of Davis and Hoss, (12) Tune Entrekin and White PC, (13) Jones Title Company LLC, (14) Robinson Smith and Wells, (15) Bridge Public Affairs, (16) Phillip M. Myers, (17) Trevor Ashley.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  3. Item C: Public Works - CTI Engineers Inc. Contract Renewal
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Public Works to renew Contract No. S-21-009-101 with CTI Engineers Inc. for landfill deficiency recommendations and repairs to liner, leachate, and gas collection systems at City and Summit Landfills, year four of four, for $900,000.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  4. Item D: Public Works - Roofing Contracts
    • Description: Authorized a four-year on-call blanket contract (No. E-25-010-201) for roofing inspections, repairs, and maintenance with (1) Tri-State Roofing Contractors LLC and (2) Porter Roofing Contractors, for $500,000 annually, for use by all departments.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  5. Item E: Public Works - Design and Plan Production Services
    • Description: Authorized a four-year on-call blanket contract (No. S-25-002-100) for design and plan production services with 10 firms: (1) WSP USA, (2) Barge Design Solutions Inc., (3) Jacobs Engineering, (4) Consor Engineers LLC, (5) Alfred Benesch & Company, (6) Arcadis US Inc., (7) Ragan Smith Associates Inc., (8) L.I. Smith & Associates Inc., (9) Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., (10) Civil Site Design Group PLLC, for $1.5 million annually total, for use by all departments.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  6. Item F: Public Works - Hamilton County Agreement
    • Description: Authorized Mayor Kelly to execute an agreement with Hamilton County for the Court’s Community Service Program to schedule workers for litter pickup on city streets, for $60,000 in FY2026.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  7. Item G: Wastewater - Signal No. 2 Pump Station Improvements
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Wastewater to award Contract No. W-20-029-201 for Signal No. 2 Pump Station Improvements to J. Brennan Construction Inc. for $4,419,999, with a 10% contingency of $441,999.90, totaling $4,861,998.90.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  8. Item H: Wastewater - SSES and Rehab Blanket Contract Renewal
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Wastewater to renew on-call blanket Contract No. W-22-021-100 for SSES and rehab (Consent Decree) with Sack Construction LLC (Old Fort, IL) and Inliner Solutions (Orleans, IN), year three of four, for $10 million annually.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  9. Item I: Wastewater - Manhole Raising/Lowering Contract Renewal
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Wastewater to renew blanket Contract No. W-22-018-201 for raising/lowering manholes for Tennessee state paving projects with Professional Concrete Finishing Inc. (Chattanooga, TN), with a 2.65% price increase due to material and personnel cost escalation, year three of four, not to exceed $500,000 annually.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  10. Item J: Wastewater - Manhole Rehabilitation Contracts
    • Description: Authorized the Department of Wastewater to enter four-year blanket contracts (No. W-23-006-201) for manhole rehabilitation with (1) CK Masonry Company Inc. (Nashville, TN) and (2) APE Atlantic Inc. DBA Talley Construction (Rossville, GA), for $1.5 million annually.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  11. Item K: Police - Gary Sinise Foundation Grant
    • Description: Authorized the Chief of Police to apply for and accept the Gary Sinise Foundation First Responder Grant to fund a rescue task force with the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments for medical response during large-scale events and tactical operations, not to exceed $10,000 for one year.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  12. Item L: Police - CAP Index Inc. Agreement
    • Description: Authorized the Chattanooga Police Department to enter a partner subaward agreement with CAP Index Inc. for research and innovation on BJA Project 2023-1712 (Capacity Building Grant), extendable by mutual written notice until September 30, 2025, for $60,000.
    • Outcome: Approved.

Purchases

The following six purchases were approved as a group:

  1. Wastewater - Overhead Crane Maintenance
    • Description: New four-year blanket agreement for overhead crane maintenance and repair with Chattanooga Crane and Hoist (low bidder), not to exceed $100,000 annually.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  2. Fleet - APRO Renewal
    • Description: Year three renewal with APRO, including an 11% price increase due to labor costs, for $250,000 annually.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  3. Technology Services - Amplify Grant Management Software
    • Description: Increase of $14,875 to agreement PA-1000387 for Amplify grant management software, new annual spend of $79,875.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  4. Wastewater - Fitness Equipment
    • Description: One-time purchase of fitness equipment from Fit Works for $83,897.91, using Sourcewell contracts, for wastewater employees to promote health and retention.
    • Outcome: Approved after discussion addressing concerns about cost and access restrictions.
  5. Early Learning - Name Change
    • Description: Name change from Institutional Wholesale Company Inc. to US Foods for agreement PA-1000477 for frozen and dry food.
    • Outcome: Approved.
  6. Police - Fire Alarm System Installation
    • Description: One-time purchase for fire alarm system installation with Gallagher and Associates (low bidder) for $83,871.36.
    • Outcome: Approved.

Sole Source Report

  • Early Learning - Educational Material
    • Description: Sole source purchase for educational material for $24,618.
    • Outcome: Reported.

Public Comments

  • Marty Bell (WBEL News): Addressed the council regarding a 17-year effort to obtain personal records, alleging issues with judicial and law enforcement actions. He referenced legal disputes, arrests, and records involving the 11th Judicial District Court, demanding accountability. His time concluded after three minutes per council rules.

Adjournment

  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 PM, following public comments and committee reports.

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