September 5, 2023

Housing Action Plan and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The Mayor’s office has created a policy playbook to expand affordable housing in Chattanooga. You can [read more about the plan here.(https://mayor.chattanooga.gov/?p=672). You can watch the presentation explaining the plan to city council here. Over the coming weeks I will be recording some Instagram Reels to help break down the contents of the plan. Stay tuned here.

AUGUST 29 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation from Nicole Heyman on the city’s new Housing Action Plan.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council voted on a number of rezoning requests and Right of Way closures (see agenda for full details).
• The council confirmed the appointment of Anne Fricker to the Animal Control Board.
• The council approved an agreement with the Chattanooga Housing Authority to rapidly rehouse formerly homeless individuals for an amount not to exceed $100k.
• The council deferred a vote on changes to the Employee Information Guide to September 12.
• The council approved the waiver of $4.5k in park rental fees in support of the Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival.
• The council voted to apply for and, if awarded, accept a $125k grant from the Benwood Foundation for the National Park City Initiative and the Miller Park Improvement Project.
• The council voted to accept a donation of playground equipment and installation from PlayCor for Harris Johnson Park, and provide matching funds not to exceed $95k.
• The council approved on a ~$95k joint funding agreement with the US Geological Survey to operate real-time stream gauges on local creeks.
• The council approved 4 routine purchases, including a $1M contract for peracetic acid (used in wastewater services) from BAR Environmental.
• The council approved the issuance of one Request For Proposals for the recruitment and retention of unemployed/underemployed/underserved persons into building trade apprenticeship programs.
• The council was notified of one emergency purchase of liquid oxygen (used in wastewater services) for ~$80k from Linde, and one sole source purchase of compactor parts for ~$27k from Vulcan Industries, Inc.
• The city was introduced to the new Executive Director of the Chattanooga Public Library, William O’Hearn.
• One citizen addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

SEPTEMBER 12 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on a number of rezoning and planning requests.
• The council will vote on the authorization of a voluntary brownfield agreement for 159 Hamm Road.
• The council will vote on the authorization of two $40k grant to Habitat for Humanity to construct a house at 223 and 231 Canary Circle for affordable homeownership.
• The council will vote on the authorization of an agreement with the state of Tennessee for a 10 year renewable lease at 1931 Reggie White Boulevard.
• The council will vote on the authorization of an interlocal agreement with Hamilton County to establish and operate a housing navigation source.
• The council will vote on amendments to the Employee Information Guide.
• The council will vote on the authorization of two police grants.
• The council will vote on a number of Public Works and Wastewater Contracts.