1. Call to Order & Minutes (1:26)

• Meeting opened by Chair.
• Minutes approved without objection.

2. Proposal: New Council Staff Position (1:47–29:04)
📌 Presented by Councilman Elliott; extensive discussion followed.

• Purpose: Add a new full-time role to support policy research, legislative development, project management, PR/communications, and community engagement.
• Concerns & Questions:
  • Avoid duplication with Mayor’s Office constituent services.
  • Suggestion to rename “Constituent Support” → “Council Support” (Henderson).
  • Pay range flagged as potentially high (HR study gave GS-21).
  • Question of management oversight since Council is part-time (Dotley, Harvey).
  • Proof-of-concept suggested: leverage intern Trinity as a trial before full hire.
  • Possibility of part-time or phased rollout.
  • Role overlap with existing Council support staff questioned (Clark).
• Mixed Support:
  • Pro: Adds needed legislative capacity, especially research.
  • Con: Timing not ideal due to budget constraints (Harvey).
• Next Steps: Job description refinement; possible agenda item for vote after consensus.

3. ARPA Funding Requests – Agency Presentations (29:11–1:02:19)
Each agency given 5 minutes to justify requests pulled from prior agenda.

• Chambliss Center for Children (29:35)
  • Request: $500K toward $6.5M capital campaign (roof, windows, housing repairs).
  • Already raised $5.9M; City previously gave $500K in last campaign.
• Chattanooga Zoo (33:10)
  • Request: Support for new $4M veterinary hospital.
  • Rationale: Required by AZA accreditation; current hospital outdated.
  • Testimony included live hedgehog Giza as example of need.
• Chattanooga 2.0 – Future Fund (38:50)
  • Initiative: $150 seed college/career savings accounts for every kindergartner & middle schooler (25,000 students goal).
  • Matching funds available via TN Treasury for low-income families.
  • Request: Continued investment; Council’s FY25 contribution leveraged major foundation/state support.
• Hope for the Inner City (46:43)
  • Focus: 50-year-old East Chattanooga nonprofit with six programs.
  • Request: Funding for dental clinic upgrades (equipment outdated; poor residents lack coverage).
• Bethlehem Center (49:39)
  • Focus: Youth after-school, summer, adult programs; also food insecurity (farm, eggs).
  • Request: Funding for major electrical overhaul in 1960 building (safety/security).
  • Acknowledgement: Dr. Reginald Smith transitioning to Urban League CEO.
• Launch Chattanooga (54:35)
  • Focus: Entrepreneur training & Kitchen Incubator (food startups, caterers, food trucks).
  • To date: 892 trained; 642 businesses started; $4.2M revenue generated.
  • Request: $65K for covered outdoor patio → supports food truck Fridays, product tastings, FDA-compliance needs.
  • ROI emphasized: patio enables workforce development, events, community culinary support.

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