6/3/25 Chattanooga City Council Meeting

Chattanooga City Council Meeting Summary - June 3, 2025

Note - we're including more details this week due to the budget discussions/changes taking place in the 2025-2026 Operations Budget.

Meeting Opening

  • 4:08: Chairwoman Jenny Hill calls the meeting to order.
  • 4:15: Councilman Henderson leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • 4:49: Councilman Henderson reads from Isaiah 40:31 and leads a prayer.
  • 5:16: No special presentations. Motion to approve minutes passes without objection.

Agenda Discussion (5:27 - 36:32)

  • 5:27 - Budget Amendment Discussion:
    • Councilman Henderson proposes an amendment to the fiscal year 2025-2026 operations budget, reappropriating $5 million from contingency and renewal/replacement funds to a new line item called "earnest money for sworn fire and police compensation." This aims to address fire and police pay without fully burdening taxpayers.
    • Councilwoman Dotley is expected to move the ordinance to the floor, allowing Henderson’s amendment.
    • Phil (likely city attorney or staff) confirms the amendment will be read into the minutes.
    • Discussion held during strategic planning; no further comments raised.
  • 7:34 - Budget Ordinances:
    • Fiscal year 2025-2026 operations budget on first reading.
    • Capital improvements budget on first reading, requiring a roll call vote with a simple majority.
  • 7:52 - Resolutions Overview:
    • Councilwoman Hill notes a question about Resolution A (waiving community center rental fees) and opens the floor for other resolution questions.
    • Councilman Clark addresses Resolution A, responding to concerns from Councilwoman Hill and Councilman Davis about waiving fees for the Chattanooga Bandits Elite AAU basketball team at the East Chattanooga Community Center.
      • Hill questions the precedent of waiving fees, potential deposits, and whether this applies to pay-to-play teams (e.g., CrossFit gyms, elite soccer teams).
      • Clark clarifies this is a temporary fix (May 14 - July 2, 2025) to make community centers accessible, especially for low-income youth. The $200 fee is prohibitive, and the resolution is not a precedent but a one-time waiver until the fee structure is revised in the legislative committee.
      • Clark notes the team was previously allowed free use until a fee chart was enforced last year. The team is not fully pay-to-play; funds cover equipment, and donors (including Clark) support costs.
      • Hill expresses concern about the resolution’s language, “to include all future dates and times to be approved by the administrator,” suggesting open-ended free use. Clark and Phil confirm the intent was for May 14 - July 2 only, and the language needs revision.
      • Councilman Elliot supports the waiver, emphasizing the need to lower barriers for youth in underutilized facilities. He notes the city often waives fees for larger organizations.
      • Councilman Henderson supports the waiver but suggests amending it to remove the “future dates” clause to align with the intended temporary period.
      • Vice Chairwoman Null (District 8, where the center is located) supports removing the “future dates” clause to address concerns.
      • Clark confirms the resolution is for practice, not tournaments, and involves African-American boys mentored by city workers, not an elitist group.
  • 22:22 - Other Resolutions:
    • Economic Development: Three resolutions (B, C, D) to be taken as a package.
    • Finance: Two resolutions (E, F) for the capital plan and bond issuance, requiring roll call votes.
    • Wastewater: Two resolutions (G, H) with no questions raised.
    • Parks and Public Works: One resolution discussed later.
  • 23:04 - Purchase Requests:
    • Councilman Elliot asks about a $500,000 Canon purchase, mistakenly thinking it’s for cameras. Clarified as Canon copiers (digital scanning/copying machines).
    • Seven purchase requests reviewed, no further questions.
  • 24:16 - Next Week’s Agenda:
    • Vice Chairwoman Null corrects the legislative committee meeting date from June 10 to June 17, 2025. Topics include:
      • June 17: Single-stair discussion.
      • July 1: Urban chickens (rescheduled from June 17 at Councilman Henderson’s request due to his absence).
    • Councilwoman Hill notes planning and zoning meeting today, chaired by her due to another member’s absence.
    • Councilwoman Hill questions the early learning Head Start resolution (Item A) authorizing $90,000 to a non-contracted vendor. No answer yet; follow-up promised next week.
    • Councilman Elliot asks about American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocations:
      • Kevin (likely administration official) explains ARP funds shifted to an RFP process under the Kelly administration. Many requests are for repeat funding from ARPA projects. A detailed breakdown is promised.
      • Elliot seeks remaining ARP funds; Chelsea Sadler (grants program manager) will provide details.
      • Elliot emphasizes reviewing long-funded organizations’ effectiveness for future allocations.
      • Councilman Clark asks about ARP interest ($211,000, per Kevin) and whether organizations receive multiple funding sources. A 15-year funding breakdown was provided earlier.
      • Kevin clarifies unallocated ARP funds are in an interest-bearing account, designated as revenue loss, with no return deadline per Treasury rules.
  • 35:51 - Future Considerations:
    • On-call blanket contracts discussed; no questions raised.
  • 36:25 - Planning and Zoning Committee:
    • Karen (likely planning staff) presents cases with opposition:
      • Item C (Case 00086): Lifting conditions at 1107 Northmore Road (Tucker Baptist Church, across from Brainerd High School).
        • Pastor Gary Hathaway represents the church. Original 2022 R3 zoning had conditions on height and unit density.
        • Residents raised flooding and height concerns. Staff recommends lifting the unit density cap (from 63 to 79 units) but retaining the height limit (three stories max).
        • Hathaway agrees to keep the height condition. A new developer (not Michael Kenner or Pinrose) is involved; Karen and Councilman Clark will confirm the name for Councilwoman Dotley.
        • Dotley recalls past opposition due to Pinrose’s poor reputation and seeks developer details, given the site’s proximity to Brainerd High School.
        • Clark supports 79 units, citing new zoning laws allowing higher density. The site plan is flexible (e.g., smaller one-bedroom units).
        • Hill notes the church’s goal of mixed-income senior housing, where more units improve fiscal viability.
      • Item D (Case 0075): Rezoning 7404 Tiner Road to C-C commercial corridor (similar to C2) for a two-story office building by the Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.
        • Adjacent resident opposed due to stormwater and Sonia Lane access concerns (partly outside planning scope).
        • Staff and planning commission recommend approval with conditions limiting use to medical office and parking, compatible with the area’s commercial transition.
      • Zoning Map Correction: In Councilman Harvey’s district, corrects an equivalency zone error from pre-1966 zoning to allow ongoing development.
    • Motion to approve planning and zoning minutes passes without objection.
  • 51:20 - Attorney-Client Meeting:
    • Meeting recesses for an attorney-client session, resuming at 5:15.

Ordinances and Resolutions (1:49:10 - 2:20:09)

  • 1:49:16 - Planning Ordinance (Item 7A):
    • Ordinance: Amends Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, to rezone 1500 East 14th Street from RN-1.5 to TRN-3 with conditions.
    • Motion: Councilman Elliot moves to approve; passes unanimously.
  • 1:49:50 - Budget Ordinances (First Reading):
    • Item 8A (Operations Budget):
      • Ordinance: Fiscal year 2025-2026 operations budget, starting July 1, 2025, setting tax rates, payment schedules, penalties, and amending code sections for paid leave and other provisions.
      • Motion: Councilwoman Dotley moves to approve.
      • Amendment: Councilman Henderson moves to amend Section 5A, reducing contingency to $950,156 and renewal/replacement to $1 million, reallocating $5 million to “earnest money for sworn fire and police compensation” until a separate ordinance addresses pay raises.
        • Councilman Elliot supports, emphasizing taxpayer relief.
        • Councilman Clark supports but asks why not $10 million (half the $17-20 million gap). Henderson notes agreement on additional sources is needed.
        • Councilwoman Hill seeks administration’s commitment to find $5 million more for a 50/50 split (general fund/taxpayers). Kevin confirms commitment, citing efficient budgeting ($545 million vs. $559 million inflation-adjusted 2022 budget) and plans to review operational changes.
        • Roll Call Vote (Amendment): Yes (Henderson, Davis, Harvey, Clark, Elliot, Dotley, Null, Hill). Passes 8-0 (one absent).
        • Roll Call Vote (As Amended): Yes (Elliot, Dotley, Null, Henderson, Davis, Harvey, Clark, Hill). Passes 8-0.
    • Item 8B (Capital Budget):
      • Ordinance: Allocates funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 capital improvements.
      • Motion: Councilwoman Dotley moves to approve.
      • Roll Call Vote: Yes (Henderson, Davis, Harvey, Clark, Elliot, Dotley, Null, Hill). Passes 8-0.
  • 2:09:25 - Zoning Correction (Item 8C):
    • Ordinance: Corrects zoning map for a pre-1966 equivalency zone in Councilman Harvey’s district.
    • Motion: Councilman Harvey moves to approve; passes unanimously.
  • 2:10:08 - Resolutions:
    • Item A (Council Office):
      • Resolution: Waives East Chattanooga Community Center gym rental fees for Chattanooga Bandits Elite AAU basketball practice on eight Wednesdays (May 14 - July 2, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM), valued at $1,600, “to include all future dates and times to be approved by the administrator.”
      • Amendment: Councilman Clark moves to strike “to include all future dates and times” to limit the waiver to specified dates. Passes unanimously.
      • Motion (As Amended): Councilman Clark moves to approve. Councilwoman Hill opposes, citing precedent concerns. Passes 7-1.
    • Items B, C, D (Economic Development, Package):
      • Item B: Authorizes premises use agreement with Rivermont Youth Athletic Association for athletic fields at 3325 Dixie Drive (tax parcel 118KA009) for four years at $1 annual rent.
      • Item C: Authorizes premises use agreement with Lakeside Youth Association for athletic fields at Swan Road (tax parcel 129CA018) for four years at $1 annual rent.
      • Item D: Authorizes option to renew with Chattanooga Flying Disc Club for disc golf courses for one year (through June 30, 2026) and amends notification information.
      • Motion: Passes unanimously.
    • Item E (Finance):
      • Resolution: Adopts a 5-year capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2026-2030.
      • Roll Call Vote: Yes (Elliot, Dotley, Clark, Harvey, Davis, Henderson, Null, Hill). Passes 8-0.
    • Item F (Finance):
      • Resolution: Expresses intent to issue bonds for public works projects.
      • Roll Call Vote: Yes (Henderson, Davis, Harvey, Clark, Dotley, Elliot, Null, Hill). Passes 8-0.
    • Items G, H (Wastewater, Package):
      • Item G: Awards contract W-21-012-103 to Jacobs Engineering Group for consent decree program management, year 4 of 5, not to exceed $3.3 million.
      • Item H: Awards 4-year blanket contract to TNT Concrete LLC for paving and concrete repair (W-24-029-201), estimated $1.5 million annually.
      • Motion: Passes unanimously.
  • 2:16:38 - Purchases:
    • Seven purchases approved:
      1. Canon multi-function devices, 3-year agreement, $500,000 annually (Canon, state contract).
      2. Library marketing automation system, 5-year agreement, $131,713.99 (SpringShare, sole source).
      3. Fleet, Lee Smith renewal, 4% increase, $28,000 annually.
      4. Fleet, one-month extension, no additional funds.
      5. Wastewater, trench/shore boxes, $66,220 (Iron Lot, best bid).
      6. Wastewater, pumps/accessories, $100,697.50 (Dupron, sole source).
      7. Human resources, increase agreement 561691 by $72,000, total $615,000 annually.
    • Motion: Passes unanimously.

Committee Reports (2:18:50 - 2:20:09)

  • Councilman Henderson, Davis, Harvey: No report.
  • Councilman Clark: Equity and Community Development Committee meeting on June 10, 2025.
  • Councilman Elliot, Councilwoman Dotley: No report, but Dotley thanks council for budget work.
  • Vice Chairwoman Null: Legislative committee meetings on June 17 and July 1, 2025.
  • City Attorney: Announces settlement with Reeves Young for Moccasin Bend wastewater contracts (W-17-021-0201, W-18-201), paying $2.3 million remaining balance.

Public Comments (2:21:04 - 2:29:23)

  • Bonnie Bell: Discusses open records request non-compliance and mentions 17 felony charges against Chief Celeste Murphy.
  • Lee Helena: Praises Chattanooga Police Department’s Community Police Academy for transparency and community trust.
  • Miller Brown: Proposes opening Missionary Ridge tunnels to pedestrians/cyclists before reopening to cars, highlighting Brainerd Road’s lack of multimodal infrastructure.

Adjournment (2:29:29)

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