8/7/25 Chattanooga City Passenger Vehicle Board

🕘 Call to Order (23:15)

  • Meeting called to order at 3:49 PM. Sunshine Law reminder.
  • Minutes from prior meeting — Approved (motion/second; voice vote “aye”).

🚖 Permits & Transfers (23:58–25:10)

  • New Driver Temp Permit: Richard Bridgeman (Nooga Taxi) — Approved.
  • Driver Renewals: 0.
  • Privilege Transfer: T908 from J. Easter → R. Bridgeman — Approved.
  • All fees/paperwork paid & complete.

⚖️ Old Business (24:19–24:26)

  • Mercury Taxi v. Mercury Transportation — Pending in court; board awaiting outcome before further action.

🗣️ Public Comment & Board Discussion (25:21–47:04)

Mercury case scope (25:33–26:59)

  • Clarification requested on whether violations are encompassed by the pending lawsuit.
  • Board reiterated: holding further action until court ruling.

Towing ordinance updates & rate process (27:08–47:04)

  • Speaker: Mark Shackleford (Shackleford Towing; VP, TN Tow Assoc.).
    • Flagged new state laws (effective 7/1/2025 and 7/1/2026) impacting towing reporting and private property towing; asked to modernize city ordinance (antiquated/15+ years).
    • Requested meeting with board/city to draft revisions; also asked status on rate increase update (pending ~2 years).
  • Board/City Attorney:
    • Board can recommend ordinance changes to City Council; staff to coordinate with Chris Anderson / Council on drafting.
    • Agenda item set for September meeting to hear detailed proposal; Shackleford to email materials ahead for review.
    • Noted ordinance language on annual inflation-based rate adjustments:
      • Ref: Chattanooga City Code §35-160(B)(4) — “Provide an annual increase every January based on the annual inflation increase… to be approved each year by the Record Board.”
      • Board to confirm data source (“inflation increase” not specifically defined) and process (board approval, then Council action if required).
    • Acknowledge city rotation rate is a maximum (towers may charge less); add-ons (dollies, winching, cleanup) are per ordinance; state/county rates often higher than city.
  • Next steps:
    • September meeting: formal agenda item for towing ordinance cleanup & rate process; board to allocate adequate time (not limited to 2–3 min).
    • Staff to seek update from Chris Anderson on pending rate increases (note: message indicates two increases may be due).
    • City Attorney to review inflation source and any state preemption implications.

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