June 5, 2023

City Budget, Lots of Board Appointments, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• On June 6 the city council will host a public hearing on the proposed FY23-24 budget. The council will hold their first vote on June 13 and their final vote on June 20. You can view the proposed budget at budget.chattanooga.com. You can also view a budget overview here.

MAY 30 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council discussed the diversity of city boards. Chris Anderson, Senior Advisor to the Mayor for Legislative Initiatives, reported that they have received few applications from minority residents for several of the boards.
• The council heard a presentation from the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition regarding their response to the closure of the Budgetel.
• The council heard the Police Advisory and Review Committee quarterly report.
• The council heard a public safety report from the Police Department.
• The council heard a presentation on the Eviction Prevention Initiative.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation from the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga
• The council held a public hearing regarding the Mountain Creek Cooridor Study.
• The council voted on several rezoning cases, including:
  • Deferring a request to rezone 2701 Benton Avenue from M-1 to R-2 until June 6.
  • Deferring requests to rezone 7707 and 7717 Lee Highway from C-2 to UGC until June 13. The rezoning would allow the full conversion of existing hotels into apartment complexes. If the rezoning is not approved the hotels may still be converted, but will have fewer units.
  • Deferring a request to rezone 2844 Eblen Drive from R-1 to M-2 until June 6.
  • Withdrawing a request to rezone 5910 Shaw Avenue from R-1 to M-1.
  • Deferring a request to rezone 103 South Greenwood Avenue from r-1 to UGC until August 1.
• The council approved two Right Of Way closures (final reading)
• The council approved on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Funds:
  • ~$12k to the Parks and Outdoors Department for a swing set at Hill City Park Playground.
  • $25k to the Kiwanis Youth Foundation for a playground at Jack BEnson Heritage Park.
  • $15k to Olivet Baptist Church for their Second Chance Recidivism Program.
• The council authorized a partnership with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence to apply for a 5-year, $750k grant.
• The council confirmed the appointment of J.W. Cole to the Beer & Wrecker Board
• The council confirmed the appointment of David Hudson, James Boshears, Anna Massey, John Coffelt, and Mike Price to the Stormwater Regulations Board.
• The council authorized an application for a $2M Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant.
• The council voted to rename the Triangle Park Pavilion to the Melinda Hickey Memorial Pavilion.
• The council authorized a grant application for a $3M USDOT electric vehicle changing grant.
• The council voted on several public works contracts (see agenda for details).
• The council approved 6 routine purchases, including a ~$345k purchase of OMCS hosting from AST Corporation.
• Several citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

JUN 6 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed FY23-24 budget. You can view the proposed budget at budget.chattanooga.gov.
• The council will vote on a request to rezone 2701 Benton Ave from M-1 to R-2 (final reading).
• The council will vote on an amendment to the section of city code regarding abatement of liens (first reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (first reading).
• The council will vote on two Right Of Way abandonment requests (first reading)
• The council will vote on the appointment of Nadia Kain to the Industrial Development Board.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Gertha Lee-Sharp to the South Region Community Advisory Commitee.
• The council will vote on the appointments of Daisy Madison and Brett Smalley to the Sports Authority Board.
• The council will vote on the lease of space in the Family Justice Center to Hamilton County Mental Health Court for $1/year for 4 years.
• The council will vote on new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policies and Procedures.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Michale Mallen as the Administrative Hearing Officer.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Nicole Heyman to the Chattanooga Housing Authority board.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Deacon Hicks Armor as chairman of the Carter Street Corporation.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Ronald Parson to the Passenger Vehicle for Hire Board.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Brooklyn Lucas and Amanda Wagner to the Community Advisory Committee, Region 1.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Mark Heinzer as the Administrator for the Wastewater Department.
• The council will vote to authorize a grant application for a $25M Safe Streets for All grant.
• The council will vote to authorize a grant application for a $15M Urban and Community Forestry Grant.
• The council will vote to authorize a $200k agreement with Rhea and Bradley counties for biosolid sludge disposal.

JUN 13 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an amendment to the section of city code regarding abatement of liens (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (final reading).
• The council will vote on two Right Of Way abandonment requests (final reading)
• The council will vote on the FY23-24 proposed city budget (first reading). You can view the budget at budget.chattanooga.gov.
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (first reading).
• The council will vote on a number of leases and property transfers (see agenda for details).
• The council will vote on the appointment of Declan Mangan-Lamb to the Community Advisory Committee - Region 3.
• The council will vote on a Cost Savings Incentive Program Policy to grant bonuses to city employees who come up with significant innovations for the improvement of city government.
• The council will vote on a number of Public Works contracts (see agenda for details).