August 14, 2023

Animal Control Board, Police Advisory Review Committee, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The mayor has formalized a partnership with the city of Trostyanets, Ukraine. A 50-member working group will “determine the best way to apply their talents to supporting Trostyanets”. This is a volunteer group, and no city funds are being allocated to Trostyanets. You can read more about the agreement here.
• The city council is reforming the Animal Control Board and is still seeking nominations for districts 2, 4, 5, and 7. You can submit your application or nomination here.

• On August 8 the council voted to place a moratorium on the Police Advisory Review Committee until the ordinance can be revised to comply with new state laws:

  • State law now limits police review committees to 7 members to be appointed by the mayor and approved by council (PARC is currently a 9 member board, with each council member appointing one member).

  • The police review committee must appoint an executive director, which would likely be a paid position (this position does not currently exist and adds substantial cost to the committee).

  • Police review committees must be open to the public (currently they are closed due to the discussion of ongoing investigations).

  • Police review committees cannot review investigations prior to closure of an investigation, meaning that any disciplinary decisions will already have been made before the committee can review the case.

AUGUST 8 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council discussed proposed amendments to the Short Term Vacation Rental regulations. The proposed changes are primarily administrative adjustments to the regulations passed in May.
• The council heard a presentation about the impending closure of the 12th street sanctioned homeless camp. The city had released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to manage the camp, but no proposals were submitted under the requested budget of $100k. Help Right Here, the current manager of the camp, is requesting ~$81k to continue managing the camp until February and providing an “off-ramp” for the current residents.
• The council heard a presentation about the reformation of the Animal Control Board. The board is still seeking nominations for districts 2, 4, 5, and 7. Animal Services is managed through CPD. Currently they run a contract through McKamey for animal control calls, but CPD will be managing the administrative role for the Animal Control Board.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases (final reading, see minutes for full details).
• The council approved a moratorium on certain sections of the Police Advisory Review Committee (PARC) ordinance in order to comply with state law (final reading). Councilmembers Hester, Ledfor, Smith, Henderson, and Dotley voted in favor of the moratorium. Councilmembers Coonrod, Berz, and Hill voted against.
• The council approved an ordinance amending the General Pension Plan (first reading).
• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases (first reading, see minutes for full details).
• The council approved the allocation of $35k in American Rescue Plan funds to Olivet Baptist Church for youth training programs.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Chip Baker and Harriette Stokes to the Metropolitan Airport Authority.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Reginald Jordan to the Stormwater Regulations Board.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Lee Helena to the Form-Based Code Committee.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Cynthia Coleman to the Passenger Vehicle-For-Hire Board.
• The council approved two Residential Planned Unit Development Special Exceptions permits.
• The council voted to support an application for a US Department of Transportation Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant.
• The council approved a change order to a contract with Alfred Benesh & Company to provide engineering services for the Shallowford Road widening project, total cost of ~$1.1M.
• The council approved 5 routine purchases, including a $2.4M purchase of law enforcement management system software from Mark 43.
• Three citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

AUGUST 15 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an ordinance amending the General Pension Plan (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (final reading, see agenda for full details).
• The council will vote on the appointments of Toccora Johnson-Petersen and Joyce Jackson to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council will vote on a number of Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).

AUGUST 22 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (first reading and final reading, see agenda for full details).
• The council will vote on the allocation of ~$18k in American Rescue Plan Funds to the Chattanooga Zoo to provide paid employment opportunities to Chattanooga Area high school students.
• The council will vote to allow the Department of Technology Services to accept $25k in American Rescue Plan Funds for enhanced street and pedestrian lighting in district 8.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Eric Smith to the Animal Control Board for District 8.
• The council will vote on a number of purchases and agreements for the Library, the Office of Community Health, Parks and Outdoors, and Public Works (see agenda for full details).