8/5/25 Chattanooga City Council Meeting

🇺🇸 Call to Order | Pledge | Invocation | Minutes (6:27–6:59) – Led by Councilman Henderson; minutes approved.

1. 📝 Mayor’s Remarks (24:01–27:00)

  • Apologized for tone at prior budget session; emphasized urgency of funding police, fire, and paving amid inflation.
  • Accepted responsibility for Fire Chief appointment process; stressed moving city forward within limited time.

2. 📜 Ordinances – First Reading

  • 8A (1:36:31): Close/abandon unopened ROW (200 blk Tiemont St., alt version) – Approved.
  • 8B (1:37:09): Close/abandon unopened ROW (unit blk Chamberlain St.) – Approved.

3. 📑 Resolutions

  • A (1:37:33): Senior Tax Freeze – Raised income cap to $60,000 (state max). Attempted amendment for retroactive applications withdrawn; legal/finance clarified 2024 window closed. Approved unanimously.
  • B (1:47:57): Fire Chief Appointment – Confirmed Mayor Kelly’s appointment of Terry Nolles. Vote 7–0–2 (Dotley, Noell abstained). Chief Nolles thanked Mayor, Council, and firefighters.
  • C (1:50:21): CDRC Appointment – Emanuel Douglas (term 8/6/25–8/5/28). Approved.
  • D–F (1:50:58): TDOT Agreements – US-41 improvements; SR-2 & SR-148 rockfall mitigation. Approved.
  • G–H (1:52:09): Honorary Street Co-Namings – Central Ave (Miltonell Jackson Sr. Ave.); W 45th St (Florence High Ave.). Approved; ceremony planned to unveil with prior Irma Choice naming.
  • I (1:53:59): Wastewater On-Call Contracts – 22 firms, ~$1M annually. Approved.

4. 💰 Purchases & Contracts (1:55:25)

  • Janitorial supplies (renewal, +8.8%) – $170K.
  • HR: Pharmacy benefit manager vendor name update (Epiphany Rx → Navitus Health Solutions). No cost change.
  • Harley-Davidson police motorcycle service (renewal, +3%) – $61K.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2-month extension, no added funds).
  • Playground equipment for James A. Henry Campus Hub – $234,538.
  • Sole source notices: MPO training portal ($30,590); Hartzell fan parts ($20,293).

5. 🏗️ Planning & Zoning Committee (29:30–57:32)

  • Hixson Pike (Case 053): CC→IL (storage containers). Staff/PC deny.
  • Pinewood Dr (Case 054): RN-2 townhomes. Staff/PC deny.
  • Bonnie Oaks Dr (Case 089): RN-16→CN-T (office). Staff deny; PC approve w/ office-only condition.
  • Patten Chapel Rd (Case 090): Remove 150’ setback; approve w/ single-family only.
  • South Broad (Case 105): CMU-1→CR (drive-thru coffee). Staff deny; PC approve w/ condition (no access to Charger Dr).
  • Joiner Rd (Case 112): CNT/RN-16→RN-3 (multi-family). PC approve w/ Joiner Rd widening, turnaround dedication.
  • Black Creek Map Correction: Clarify zoning equivalency to RN-1-3, density cap 8 du/ac.

6. 📊 Budget & Scheduling (1:59:04–2:10:02)

  • Ad Hoc Budget Meeting: Aug 12, 1:30 PM.
  • Public Hearings: Aug 19 (Admin proposal), Aug 26 (Council alt).
  • First Reading: Aug 26; Second Reading: Sept 9.
  • Ensures tax bill deadlines met; provides transparency and input.

7. 🗣️ Public Comments (2:10:09–2:56:34)

  • Senior Tax Freeze & Affordability: Strong support for higher cap; concerns about retroactivity and outreach.
  • Budget/Tax Rate: Mixed – some opposed “massive hike,” others backed $1.99 millage to fund fire/police pay and avoid layoffs.
  • Pension Liability: Multiple speakers warned of growing liability, credit downgrades, urged reform.
  • Unions & Labor: SEIU supported on-call pay expansion; solidarity voiced with UAW VW workers.
  • Fire & Police: Firefighters described pay gaps, retention struggles, readiness risks; opposed cuts at expense of safety.
  • Process & Transparency: Criticism of Fire Chief appointment process, redistricting appeal, prior industrial site deals.

8. 🔜 Next Dates

  • Aug 12: Ad Hoc Budget Meeting (alt version).
  • Aug 19: Public hearing – Admin proposal.
  • Aug 26: Public hearing – Council alt & First Reading.
  • Sept 9: Second Reading (budget/tax rate).

9. 🌳 Mentions

  • South Chattanooga honorary namings: Miltonell Jackson Sr., Florence High, Irma Choice.

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