1. Call to Order | 🇺🇸 Pledge & Prayer (0:14–2:01)
• Meeting called to order by Chairwoman Hill. Councilman Davis led Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, with emphasis on flood victims and gratitude for first responders.

2. Public Hearing: FY2026 Budget Amendment (Mayor’s Proposal 1.93) (2:07–1:19:10)
• Chaired by Councilwoman Rakita Dotley.
• Chief of Staff Kevin Rohe presented overview:
– Rate adjusted down from 1.99 to 1.93 (vs. previous 2.25 and alternate 1.69).
– FY26 general fund revenue: $345M → $390M (+$44.9M).
– $31.5M for operations (esp. police & fire), $13.35M for capital (7% increase).
– Median household cost ≈ $34/month.
– Chattanooga remains below Knoxville/Nashville in per capita operating dollars.
– Tennessee maintains 3rd lowest overall tax burden nationally.

3. Public Comments (Selected)
Speakers had 2 min. each, limited to 1 hour; all provided district/address.

Supporting 1.93 proposal:
• Donna McConico (Signal Centers) – nonprofit sector relies on strong city services (11:13).
• Bagagoyaji (UTC student body president) – investments keep young people in Chattanooga (15:22).
• Leanne Wilds (District 2) – “two Chattanoogas,” need for equity, services hit hardest in under-resourced neighborhoods (16:49).
• Dr. Ernest Reed (District 9, Second Missionary Baptist) – warned “you can keep up better than you can catch up” (18:49).
• Harriet Whitaker (District 8, realtor) – services cost more like groceries, compromise plan reasonable (21:03).
• William Ladd III (District 8, First Baptist Cares) – higher values require higher community investment (22:55).
• Jeremiah Chambers (UTC student, District 8) – collaboration, equity, investment in disadvantaged communities (25:15).
• Emily O’Donnell (Legal Aid, District 7) – eviction prevention yields high public ROI (27:29).
• Jessica Stewart (SEIU Local 205) – on-call pay for city employees hasn’t risen in 10 yrs. (29:18).
• Shironda Brown (Sister RN & Friends, District 8) – mental health & youth programs need funding (40:29).
• Catalina Kay (firefighter’s wife, District ?) – firefighter burnout, Station 21 staffing urgent (43:51).
• Multiple CPD officers & FOP Pres. Chris Mullenix – spoke on retention crisis, secondary jobs, and morale (50:29–1:07:06).
• Stephen Russell (Wastewater Dept., SEIU) – $10/day on-call pay outdated, solidarity with UAW (1:09:15).
• Stephen West (Public Works) – all city employees underpaid; firefighters/police deserve raises too (1:15:04).

Opposing or urging caution:
• Daniel Bradley (District 3) – “Trojan horse,” taxes doubling from reassessment, demands audit (13:03).
• Michael Whitfield (District 4, fixed income) – 32% increase unaffordable; wife in memory care (31:21).
• William Lloyd (District 4) – $153M discretionary funds exist, use that before taxing more (34:13).
• Blake Wright (candidate, District 11) – urged compromise at 1.69 with targeted cuts (36:02).
• Joe Degatano (District 2) – ~47% of funds to police/fire, but families can’t absorb $34 more/month (38:15).
• Vivian Hershey (District 1, age 80+) – 25% tax increase crushing on seniors (42:43).
• Kelvin Scott (District 8) – urged long-term sustainable solution, not short-term fix (46:09).
• Edward Huitt (District 9) – police/fire already covered; focus on rest of city (47:41).
• Sabrina Daniel (4410 Maryland Dr) – freeze unfilled positions, use discretionary fund (48:07).
• John (District 9) – both budgets fund police/fire; conversation should focus on differences, zoning/development key to sustainability (1:11:20).
• Frank Collins (District 1) – sees waste in public works, taxpayers also work multiple jobs (1:13:32).
• Chris Dooley (District 6) – ex-fire/police, supports 9% raise for first responders but urges transparency, protection for seniors (1:17:19).

Procedural Notes:
• Chair Dotley reminded: alternate public hearing next week (Aug 26) for Councilman Henderson’s 1.69 proposal.
• Vote scheduled Aug 26; final adoption Sept 9.

4. Council Business Meeting (1:23:25–2:10:06)
• Ordinances Final Reading: Items A–F approved (zoning changes on Lupton Dr, Joiner Rd, Bonnie Oaks Dr, Patent Town Rd, Broad St, plus map corrections).
• Ordinances First Reading:
– Abandonment of sanitary sewer easements (Mercer St, Luptonville, Palmet St). Both approved.
• Resolutions Approved:
– Appointment: Ronica Bryant to Sports Authority Board (District 5, term to 2031).
– $269K reimbursement to D. James LLC for Broad & 8th sidewalk structural fill.
– UTC contract for SMART grant traffic management (USDOT).
– TN Tourism Enhancement grant application for Coolidge Park “Live & Electric” ($100K + $100K match).
– Public Works contract change order with J. Brennan Construction (+$128,973; contingency $50K; new total $2.14M).
• Purchases Approved:
– Backhoe loader ($133,565).
– Portable CNG refueling station ($112K).
– 3 International dump trucks ($521,523).
– New Holland tractor + mower ($179K).
– Renewal: CMI equipment ($170K).
– Durich plug valves ($66,760).
– RFP: Risk Management – third-party claims administrator.

5. Committee & District Reports (2:05:12–2:09:45)
• Davis – District 3 Town Hall Aug 24, 2–4 PM, Hixson Community Center.
• Clark – thanked flood responders, Brainerd donation drive raised $1K cash + $20K supplies.
• Elliott – District 9 Town Hall successful, flood assessment data still being collected.
• Dotley – reviewed FY26 budget timeline (votes Aug 26, Sept 9).
• Burris – District 6 Town Hall Aug 21, 6 PM, Tyner Community Center.
• Other members expressed gratitude to first responders and community during flood recovery.

6. Public Forum (2:10:06–2:14:32)
• Speaker: Money Bell – raised lawsuit claims (25C9119, Circuit Court), alleged $211B+ owed, accused county/city of misconduct.

7. Adjournment

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