June 19, 2023

City Budget Receives First Approval, ONE Westside TIF Presentation, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• On June 13 the city council unanimously approved the FY23-24 proposed city budget on first reading. The final reading will be on June 20. You can view the budget at budget.chattanooga.gov.
• One June 20 the city council will vote on an intent to proceed with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program with Urban Story Ventures in support of the One Westside Project. (Disclosure, I am the civil engineer on the project.) This vote is not a final approval. If this vote passes the TIF will proceed to the Industrial Development Board for review. You can watch a presentation on the proposed plan here. You can read more about the plan here.
• On June 27 the council will vote on the authorization of an Agreement on the Establishment of Partnership Relations between the City of Trostyanets Ukraine and the City of Chattanooga. You can watch a presentation on the proposed agreement here.
• On June 27 the council will vote on the adoption of the Parks & Outdoors Plan.

JUNE 13 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation on the Mayor’s Working Group to support Trostyanets, Ukraine. No taxpayer funding will be used. The program seeks to build relationships and share experience and expertise with Trostyanets. You can watch the full presentation here.
• The council heard a presentation on the capital improvement plan.
• The council heard a presentation on the ONE Westside TIF,which leverages new property taxes generated by the Bend development to pay for new parks, infrastructure, and the Westside Evolves affordable housing plan.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council approved an amendment to the section of city code regarding abatement of liens (final reading).
• The council approved a number of rezoning cases (final reading).
• The council approved two Right Of Way abandonment requests (final reading)
• The council unanimously approved the FY23-24 proposed city budget (first reading). You can view the budget at budget.chattanooga.gov.
• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases (first reading).
  • The council deferred requests to rezone 7707 and 7717 from C-2 to UGC in order to fully convert two existing hotels to apartments. The council will consider these requests again on July 11. If the request is not approved the hotels may still be converted to apartments, but there will be fewer overall units allowed. There was considerable opposition to the cases.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Whitney Sickels to the Animal Control Board.
• The council approved a number of leases and property transfers (see agenda for details).
• The council confirmed the appointment of Declan Mangan-Lamb to the Community Advisory Committee - Region 3.
• The council approved 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 approved a number of Public Works contracts (see agenda for details).
• The council approved 1 routine purchase, a $150k purchase of vehicle oils, lubricants, and fluids from Hunter Oil Company, Inc.
• The council approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a real estate agent to represent the city..
• Three citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

JUNE 20 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on the FY23-24 proposed city budget (final reading). You can view the budget at budget.chattanooga.gov.
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (final reading).
• The council will vote on an amendment to the Chattanooga Air Pollution Control Ordinance to incorporate updated federal regulations (first reading).
• The council will vote on the appointment of Sherrie Ford to the Lookout Valley Region Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will vote on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds:
  • $10k to the Lighthouse Collective for middle-school educational services.
  • ~$25k to the Chattanooga Police Department for equipment.
  • $20k to the Chattanooga Police Department for the creation of an LGBTQ+ liaison.
  • $40k to First Baptist Cares for mental health programs.
  • $10k to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for community development programming.
  • $20k to New Monumental Baptist Church for wrap-around programming facilities.
  • $100l for the establishment of a school resource center at Tyner Academy.
• The council will vote on an intent to proceed with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program with Urban Story Ventures in support of the One Westside Project. Disclosure, I am the civil engineer on the project. This vote is not a final approval. If this vote passes the TIF will proceed to the Industrial Development Board for review. You can read more about the plan here.
• The council will vote to accept ~$229k as the city’s share in surplus property sale from Hamilton County.

JUNE 27 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an amendment to the Chattanooga Air Pollution Control Ordinance to incorporate updated federal regulations (final reading).
• The council will vote on an amendment to the section of city ordinance regulating the Beer Board vacancies, chairmanship, and secretary (first reading).
• The council will vote on the authorization of an Agreement on the Establishment of Partnership Relations between the City of Trostyanets Ukraine and the City of Chattanooga.
• The council will vote on the adoption of the Parks & Outdoors Plan.
• The council will vote on a number of other issues, please see the agenda for full details.