6/24/25 Chattanooga City Council Meeting

Chattanooga City Council Meeting Summary 6/24/25

  1. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Call to Order | Pledge & Invocation (3:16)
  • Pledge led by Councilman Harvey; prayer for peace and guidance; goal of a productive meeting.
  1. πŸ“œ Minutes (4:36)
  • Motion to approve prior minutes passed (no objection).
  1. πŸ—‚ Agenda Overview (4:51–10:17)
  • Final Readings: None (4:51).
  • Planning – 1st Reading: Map corrections related to Baylor School (5:03).
  • Resolutions Preview: Economic Development; Family Justice Center grant; administrative confirmations; UTC interlocal (no city cost); Public Works; Planning item (liquor storeβ€”see below).
  • Liquor Store (4850 Hwy 58): Councilman Clark signaled a 1-week deferral due to new RPA developments (8:06–8:39).
  • Purchases preview (8:45–10:10): multiple items; bottle-free coolers explained.
  1. πŸ”₯ Fire Chief Search – Process Update (Steve Wilson) (12:07–22:49)
  • Applicants: 6 internal (captain/chief ranks). Two rounds of interviews β†’ finalists.
  • One-on-ones: Mayor + Public Safety Chair Henderson; council Qs to Clerk for Henderson to ask.
  • Field testing: Engagement survey action plan + community/peer panel scenario.
  • External input: Retiring chief + union reps. Finalist β†’ Exec Committee/Mayer β†’ add to Future Considerations; meetings with all council prior to confirmation.
  • Timeline: Next few weeks; candidate list sharing to be checked with HR/Attorney.
  1. πŸ’Ό Economic Development Committee (23:17–1:01:06)
  • COVID Neighborhood Reinvestment Loans: 46 issued; 43 current, 2 closed but paying, 1 default; maturities ~next 3 years. District lists available.
  • Small Business Grants (statutory): 4 awardees this year (dept staffed 4 months) created ~48 jobs combined.
  • Innovation Grant: InterSign (D9) – 22 eligible jobs; ~$3M in 3D printing equipment.
  • Workforce (tech-only): BuildWithin + Chattanooga 2.0 pilots; ~$143K remains.
  • TIFs:
    • Black Creek: ~$4.5M city increment generated; ~$3.38M to IDB; 20-yr horizon.
    • MLK Extension (β€œbaby TIF”): ~$2.5M paid to lender; 15-yr horizon (D7).
    • North River Commerce Center: ~$360K paid; ~$10M TIF; includes Soccer Rd improvements (D2).
    • The Bend: Phase 1 infrastructure (~$15M) complete; no vertical yet; sales tax sharing included; 20-yr horizon.
    • Stadium TIF (D7): 30-yr, $115M; ~$56K city increment reserved to date.
    • East Chattanooga Rising (Tubman): Behind schedule post-COVID; update market analysis + RFP for remaining parcels (target August), ongoing community engagement (D9).
  • PILOTs: Notables: Coca-Cola (D6), STŌMP, M&M Industries (D9) ending 2025, OP Mobility (ending 2025), Steam Logistics (D7), Nunally (garage), Volkswagen, Pure Graphite, NOVONIX.
  • Steam Logistics (focus): Exceeded capex on John Ross building rehab but under job target (59 vs 360 commitment). Council requested clawback terms review & timeline (ramp-up to 10/2026), plus written update.
  • Urban Grocery Recruitment: Prior $50K fund mostly expended; no current funding; District 5 priority flagged.
  • Bend update: Council requested a site presentation/visit; critical to One Westside.
  1. πŸ—³οΈ Voting Session: Ordinances/Resolutions/Actions (1:48:41–1:56:21)
  • Planning Item 8A – Ordinance (PASSED) (1:48:50–1:49:10):

β€œAn ordinance to approve corrections to the official zoning map as referenced below.”

  • Economic Development – Items A & B (PASSED as package) (1:49:10–1:50:33):A. β€œA resolution authorizing the administrator for the Department of Economic Development to enter into a first agreement to exercise option to renew with the Hixson Youth Athletic Association, Inc. in substantially the form attached for the use of the athletic fields and associated buildings located on tax map numbers 100O J-A-006, 100O J-A-007.01, 100O J-A-002.01, and 100O J-A-010 for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029 with a continued annual rent of $1.”B. β€œA resolution authorizing the transfer of $200,000 from the City of Chattanooga capital funds set aside for the Walnut Street Bridge renovation to the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to be used for small business mitigation during the renovation to include a 5% administrative fee to the Chamber for an amount not to exceed $10,000.”
  • Family Justice Center – Item C (PASSED) (1:50:39–1:51:16):

β€œA resolution authorizing the Family Justice Center to apply for and, if awarded, accept the FY25 OVW Grants to Improve the Criminal Justice Response Program funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to support a high-risk intervention team initiative across Hamilton and Marion Counties to enhance the Family Justice Center services to victims of violence and abuse for an amount not to exceed $750,000.”

  • Appointments/Reconfirmations (1:51:16–1:54:11):D. Gerald Neold, Chief Information Technology Officer β€” RECONFIRMED.E. Carissa Jones, Administrator, Early Learning β€” RECONFIRMED.F. Philip A. Knobblet, City Attorney β€” RECONFIRMED.G. Carol Hunter, Administrator, Community Development β€” FAILED (no second).H. April Feth, Administrator, Parks & Outdoors β€” CONFIRMED.
  • Interlocal with UTC – Item I (PASSED) (1:54:51–1:54:52):

β€œA resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, an instrumentality of the State of Tennessee, that establishes a framework for formulating and managing agreements and sharing revenues and expenditures related to existing and future collaborative federal research awards between the City and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in substantially the form attached.”

  • Public Works – Item J (PASSED) (1:55:27–1:55:42):

β€œA resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to award Contract No. T-25-012-201 FY25 Roadway Rebuild to APAC Atlantic, Inc. d/b/a Tally Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,555,405 with a contingency in the amount of $255,595 for a total amount of $2,810,000.”

  • Planning – Item K (Deferred 1 week to July 1) (1:55:50–1:56:21):

β€œA resolution approving a new special exceptions permit for a new liquor store located at 4850 Highway 58, Suite 130, Chattanooga, Tennessee.” (Motion by Clark; approved to defer.)

  1. πŸ’΅ Purchases & Contracts (1:56:31–1:58:16)
  • Approved:
    • Police vehicle equipment β€” 4-year blanket, up to $600,000/yr; awarded to Dana Safety Supply and Trucker (Trucker?) Lighthouse.
    • Bottle-free water coolers β€” 4-year blanket, up to $50,000/yr; Aqua Systems.
    • Police uniforms β€” 4-year renewal, 13% increase, new est. $279,700; Summit Uniforms.
    • Landfill dual-shaft shredder β€” sole source $538,723; Shred-Tech.
  • Sole Source Reported: Portable water measuring device β€” $24,867 (Stormwater).
  1. πŸ§‘β€βš–οΈ City Attorney – Certificates of Compliance Note (2:00:06–2:03:05 & 2:23:41–2:24:13)
  • Explained retail liquor certificate of compliance criteria (felony checks; location compliance; license count). Item 12B (QuickTrip #7141, 5042 Summit Spring Way) held; form to be updated for new council and re-presented (majority vote required).
  1. πŸ—£οΈ Public Comments (2:03:05–2:23:36)
  • Jim Olsen (3:04:30): Riverpier Landing resident; opposes Riverfront plan siting (restaurant/cafΓ©/trees) blocking condo river views; requests siting changes.
  • Jeff Meldall (2:06:32): Acting President, Chattanooga Area Labor Council; announces newsletter; supports UAW Local 42 negotiations; distributed posters.
  • Hope Heni (2:09:54): MLK/Riverfront resident; praises recent bike/ped improvements; asks for continued investment & safer grocery access.
  • John (Highland Park) (2:12:37): Cites social capital & tactical urbanism; proposes quick-build safety corridor near schools/park; offers pro bono support.
  • Bob Edwards (2:15:55): Owner of former Missionary Ridge Baptist Church site; proposes Missionary Ridge Park and cemetery care; criticizes RPA communication; seeks multi-gov’t coordination.
  • Caleb Miholski (2:20:03): VW worker/UAW bargaining committee; details cost-of-living/healthcare stress; urges council support for livable wages & fair contract.
  • Admin Statement (Steve Wilson) (2:21:57): Admin affirms confidence in Carol Hunter despite reconfirmation failure; commits to collaboration.
  1. 🧭 Committee Reports & Forthcoming Items (1:58:23–2:00:06)
  • Economic Development: Follow-ups on Steam Logistics (clawbacks/timeline), The Bend update, and urban grocery strategy.
  • Planning & Zoning: Committee next week.
  • Legislative (July 1): Urban chicken ordinance.

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