Call to Order | 🇺🇸 Pledge & Invocation  (5:06–5:46)
Chair called the Chattanooga City Council to order for Tue, Sept 23, 2025; Councilwoman Dotley led the Pledge and invocation. (5:06)
Agenda Review & Updates (Work Session)  (5:46–13:34; 13:34–17:09)
Budget items: Two budget-related votes on final reading; roll-call planned for first-reading ordinances. (5:46)
Planning (Dist. 4): Postponed item likely ready; Councilman Harvey to confer with developer. (6:00–6:24)
Resolutions preview: Early Learning, Economic Development, IT. (6:24–7:00) • HB/eviction prevention funds: Megan (admin) clarified FY25–26 money is for the Eviction Prevention Initiative (EPI), mainly Legal Aid (access to counsel). Separate “renter insurance” pot exists; usage still being worked out. (6:30–7:48)
Wastewater “water reuse implementation” resolution (Item H): Admin requested withdrawal to do value engineering with state coordination; will return later. (8:01–8:32; 1:15:19 later formal action)
Head Start item added late (Item 9B): Notice of Award (NOA) arrived late; added to prevent payment pauses to partners. Existing collaboration contracts continue; new contracts still need approval. (8:38–10:17)
Purchases preview: Question on James A. Henry (Westside) gap funding — admin will provide full timeline/cost match info later; kitchen equipment purchase was always a City expense (not tied to lost grant funds). (10:33–12:05; 12:23–12:46)
Next Tuesday note: National Night Out is Tue, Oct 14; council will meet at 2:00 PM to accommodate events. (12:57–13:22; reiterated at 1:05:06)
Next Week’s Agenda: Resolution 9B (supporting UAW/Volkswagen “conversations”) — sponsors request to withdraw on Sept 30 meeting rather than table. City Attorney confirmed proper procedure is to move to withdraw when it’s up. (13:34–15:03) • Co-sponsor remarks (Clark): Council supports unions broadly but will avoid intervening in private contract matters; admin’s good-faith inquiry noted. (15:03–16:27)
Future Considerations: No questions. (16:43–17:02)
Recess to attorney–client; return at 4:30. (17:09)
Meeting Resumes (1:05:06) & Announcement
Reminder: National Night Out Tue, Oct 14 — Council meets at 2:00 PM. (1:05:06–1:05:23)
Ordinances – Final Reading (Roll-Call Votes)
7A: “An ordinance amending Chattanooga City Code Part 2, Chapter 2, by repealing Article 12 and amending Article 16 in lieu thereof and further amending Chattanooga City Code Part 2, Chapter 16, Section 16-64 and Chapter 31, Section 31-361 to comply with Public Chapter PC 494 and Public Chapter PC 458.” — PASSED 7–0. (1:05:29–1:06:41) • Roll call: Yes—Henderson, Davis, Harvey, Clark, Dotley, Vice Chair Null, Chair Hill.
7B: “An ordinance to amend the operations budget, Ordinance No. 14239 (FY 2025–2026) to amend Section 5 to provide for reallocation of appropriation to the Department of Equity and Community Engagement in compliance with the Dismantling DEI Act (May 2025 TN law) resulting in dissolution of that department, restructure/consolidation of certain departments; and to amend Section 70 due to administrative changes during FY 2025–2026 to reallocate available appropriations for certain new or changed positions.” — PASSED 7–1. (1:06:47–1:08:09) • Roll call: Yes—Elliott, Clark, Harvey, Davis, Vice Chair Null, Chair Hill, (Dotley recorded but inaudible context); No—Henderson.
Ordinances – First Reading (Planning)
Item A (Case 2025-0123): “Rezone 7417 & 7423 Menton Dr. from RN-16 to RN-13, subject to certain conditions.” — APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS (as listed in the item) on first reading. (1:08:16–1:09:12) • [Conditions text not read aloud; referenced as in the packet.]
Resolutions – Votes & Key Details
A & B (taken together) — PASSED. (1:09:12–1:10:46) • A: Early Learning: Construction agreement with James D. Fiser (d/b/a James Fiser Construction) for 21st Century Child Development Center, 257 Bailey Ave; term through May 31, 2026; total $75,000. (1:09:18–1:10:03) • B: FY25–26 Head Start collaboration contracts (64 children; up to 233 days): 1) Chamberlain Center for Children (24 kids ages 1–3) — not to exceed $277,922. (1:10:03–1:10:12) 2) Maurice Kirby Early Head Start (24 kids ages 8 weeks–3 yrs) — not to exceed $277,922. (1:10:12–1:10:26) 3) Children’s Academy (16 kids ages 1–3) — not to exceed $185,282. (1:10:26–1:10:37) Total not to exceed $741,126. (Amounts rounded)
C: Transfer $500,000 from Economic Development to Health, Educational & Housing Facility Board (HEHFB) for eviction-prevention program (as approved in FY26 budget) — PASSED. (1:11:03–1:11:37)
D: CIO to extend DataDriven LLC blanket (Watson field-based reporting for CPD) for 24 months; annual limit not to exceed $75,000; two-year max $150,000 — PASSED. (1:11:37–1:12:07)
E: Amend Res. 32207 to state River City Company will provide services for “Evolving Our Riverfront Parks” framework; complete construction documents between City & Hamilton County; 2nd interlocal agreement cost $2,200,000 — PASSED. (1:12:22–1:12:59)
F & G (Walnut Street Bridge) — PASSED. (1:12:59–1:14:51) • F (E-13-00022-01): Change Order #2 with Southern Road & Bridge LLC for unforeseen structural steel repairs, lighting, shades, new CCTV; increase $585,829; contingency $500,000; revised total $40,874,965. (rounded) (1:13:07–1:13:50) • G (E-13-00021-03; TDOT PIN 128099.004): Change Order #3 with Volkert & Associates for additional steel inspection, repair details, construction admin; increase $435,343; new total $1,331,485. (rounded) (1:13:50–1:14:34)
H (Wastewater): Water use & reuse implementation (Clark Construction Group LLC) — WITHDRAWN at admin request for value engineering. (1:14:51–1:15:39)
I: THSO grant (DUI enforcement): Apply/accept $275,000 (10/1/2025–9/30/2026) for CPD overtime, supplies, training, travel, equipment — PASSED. (1:15:39–1:16:17)
Purchases – Approved (Nine)  (1:16:24–1:22:10)
Public Works: Furnish/install kitchen equipment, James A. Henry Head Start Complex — Supreme Restaurant Equipment — $141,796. (re-advertised; best bid) (1:16:33–1:16:57)
Parks & Outdoors: Year-4 renewal — Scenic City Arborists; 9% increase; new annual est. $198,730. (1:17:17–1:17:30)
Fleet: 10 emergency lighting packages for police vehicles — Federal Signal — $58,710 (State TN contract). (1:17:38–1:17:46)
Technology Services: Vendor name change on agreements PA10550 & PA10169 from AST (Application Software Technology) to IBM. (1:17:53–1:18:05)
Wastewater: Emulsion polymer (Blanket 559327) — increase $500,000; new annual est. $2,400,000. (1:18:12–1:18:27)
Technology Services: Expanded video storage subscription (city camera footage) — Avidex — $111,528 annually x4 years (OMNIA contract). (1:18:33–1:18:49)
Technology Services: Car adapters & printers for police vehicles — Tyler Technologies — $229,760 (Sourcewell). (1:18:56–1:19:07)
Technology Services: Federal workforce development platform (sole source) — BuildWithin — $150,000 (one-time). (1:19:12–1:19:25) • Discussion: Council asked for policy guardrails on vendor increase requests; Purchasing: increases only annually; require justification; buyer & department review/negotiation. (1:19:36–1:20:56) • Budget transparency tool: Staff on track to provide agenda spend/budget/fund breakdowns by end of month. (1:21:07–1:21:24)
Sole-Source Purchase Reported (Info Only)  (1:22:10–1:22:41)
Technology Services: Fingerprint identification system annual maintenance & support (CPD) — Academia Identity & Security — 3-year agreement; est. annual $31,113. (rounded)
Committee Reports & Upcoming Items  (1:22:47–1:24:12)
Economic Development Committee: New project slate next week; hold questions until presentation. (1:22:52–1:23:10)
Parks & Public Works: Next week — Trust for Public Land presentation; Wastewater presentation rescheduled. (1:23:21–1:23:39)
Settlement reported: Phyllis Kahn v. City of Chattanooga, Case No. 24-178, Hamilton County Circuit Court Div. I — $100,000. (rounded)
Public Comments  (1:24:38–1:26:42)
No speakers came forward; attorney did not read rules. (1:24:38–1:25:23)
Council remarks: Appreciation for International Bluegrass Music Association event; kudos to staff and partners; city’s built environment praised for festival readiness. (1:25:04–1:26:36)
Adjournment  (1:26:36–end)
Motion to adjourn — PASSED. Meeting adjourned. (1:26:36–end)
Flags / Mentions
Special venues/parks referenced: Miller Park and Miller Plaza (festival layout).
No mentions of Montague Park or Sculpture Fields.
Website Summary (compact)
Final Readings: PC 494 / PC 458 compliance code updates PASSED 7–0; DEI dissolution/reallocation PASSED 7–1.
Planning: Menton Dr. rezoning to RN-13 approved w/ conditions (first reading).
Resolutions: $2.2M riverfront parks docs (River City Co.) PASSED; $500k to HEHFB for eviction prevention PASSED; CPD: DataDriven (Watson) 2-yr extension (up to $150k); THSO DUI grant $275k approved.
Walnut St. Bridge: Change Orders +$585,829 (construction) & +$435,343 (CEI); new totals $40.87M and $1.33M.
Wastewater water-reuse contract: WITHDRAWN for value engineering.
Purchases: 9 approved incl. James A. Henry Head Start kitchen ($141,796), CPD vehicle tech, video storage ($111,528/yr x4), polymer increase (new est. $2.4M/yr). Sole source: fingerprint system maint. ($31,113/yr).
Legal: $100,000 settlement in Kahn v. City.
Announcements: National Night Out Tue Oct 14 — Council meets at 2:00 PM; UAW/VW resolution to be withdrawn Sept 30 meeting.
