9/30/25 Chattanooga City Council Meeting

Chattanooga City Council — Meeting Summary (Sept 30, 2025)

1. Call to Order | 🇺🇸 Pledge & Invocation (7:05)

  • Meeting opened by Vice Chair Null; minutes approved.
  • Agenda preview: 1 item on final reading; ordinances for Public Works & Police.
  • City Attorney: clarified police ordinance fix — added https:// to URL; single copies of incident/traffic reports & background checks free of charge.

2. Purchases & Sole Source (8:00)

  • No renewals or emergency purchases.
  • Sole Source: Vector Security — Head Start/Early Learning fire & alarm systems (proprietary, already installed citywide).

3. Future Considerations (8:33)

  • Street Paving Pilot: injection-based product; sets in 30 min; extends life 10–15 years; ~50% cheaper than paving. Councilors sought early allocations; staff stressed citywide rollout if budgeted.
  • Recycling Pilots: New Terra Compost (food scraps) & Hill City Ventures (glass) funded by TDEC grant (~$210K match). Voluntary sign-up; kiosks in districts with recycling centers (1,2,4,6,8).
  • Council members requested grant line-item breakdown and caption fix.

4. Parks & Public Works Committee (9:00)

Trust for Public Land (TPL) Presentation:

  • Local projects: Stringer’s Ridge, South Chickamauga Greenway (12 miles), Riverpark expansions, White Oak Connector, Alton Park Connector.
  • Funding: $250K+ regranted to community partners.
  • Schoolyard program: East Side (ribbon 2026), Hardy Elementary next.
  • Pending: Crabtree Farms connector, District 4 park, South Chattanooga EPA grant dispute (possible 2026 resolution).

Public Works Updates:

  • Permitting: processing ~30% faster; quarterly contractor forums.
  • Brush/Bulk Pickup: hybrid system; staff shortages; exploring 311 calendar tool.
  • 311: coding overhaul; outreach planned in English/Spanish; weekly reviews.
  • Ditch cleanup requests: logged for Opal Dr, Mimosa Cir, Aspen Ln, Inwood Ln.

5. Economic Development Committee (8:20)

North River Commerce Center TIF Amendment:

  • Extended deadline to Dec 31, 2031.
  • Revised investment trigger: 800K sq ft or $100M.
  • Permitted uses broadened to manufacturing, lab, office (retail/hospitality excluded).
  • Developer Rise Partners: 415K sq ft built; $50M invested; $9.4M public infrastructure; jobs exceeded commitments.

Northgate Mall / Hixson Infrastructure TIF:

  • Infrastructure-only (replace failing private sewer/water loops serving mall + 13 parcels).
  • Council Q&A:
    • Concerns: guardrails on transfers, sales tax capture legality, alignment with Plan Hamilton (compact, walkable vision).
    • Skepticism: Mall redevelopment viability; desire for clawbacks if terminated.
    • Action: Resolution amended to require third-party review (waiver struck).
  • Timeline: IDB public hearing Nov 3; Council action Dec–Jan.

6. Ordinances & Resolutions (3:27)

Final Reading:

  • Ord. rezoning 7417 & 7423 Mento Dr from RN-16 → RN-13 (with conditions).

First Reading:

  • Ord. closing unopened right-of-way (7200 blk Nor Rd).
  • Ord. amending City Code Ch.16 §1657 (fingerprints & record checks; single copies free; web link updated).

Resolutions:

  • Appointment: Brent Goldberg to IDB (Dist. 9).
  • UAW Local 42 support resolution withdrawn.
  • Approval to accept Northgate Mall TIF application (as amended to require 3rd-party review).
  • Senior Tax Freeze revised per 2026 TN Code adjustment.
  • Conservation services agreement w/ Trust for Public Land ($150K, FY25–26).
  • Public Works: blanket contract renewal for demolition (Tower Construction, $650K).
  • Wastewater: Big Ridge Pump Station #14 repairs (J. Brennan Construction, $324,885).
  • Appointments: Ariana Schoolover & Trevor Fam as Special Commission Officers (McKamey Animal Services).

7. Purchases (3:37)

  • Public Works trailer – $71,679.
  • Kelly Building office furniture – $68,994.
  • Wastewater gas renewal – $385,000.
  • Wastewater cubicles – $52,447.
  • Technology Services cameras – $284,620.
  • Sole Source: Vector Security (Head Start fire/security, 4-year agreement; $30K/yr).

8. Public Comments (3:42)

  • Anna Gall (Dist. 8): Pride Week events; invited council to parade & Ross’s Landing festival.
  • John John (Dist. 9): Two student cyclists hit at Holtzclaw/Bailey; urged adoption of Vision Zero.
  • John LaRroza (Dist. 2): Fatal Market St Bridge crash; called for lane reduction, guard rails, sidewalk buffer.
  • Hope Peney (Dist. 7): Single mom; spoke on safe routes for kids biking; Market St unsafe.
  • Pam Durham (Dist. 2): Petition on neighborhood speeding (Birmingham Dr); raised WIlcox Blvd safety/cost concerns.
  • Wanda Henry (Dist. 5): Requested help obtaining open records from CPD & Sheriff’s Office.
  • Joshua David Capellish: Veteran advocate; praised police/fire pay raises; urged more veteran support; called for safety investment.