January 15, 2024

January 15 City Council Update

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The city council is considering a proposal to rewrite the city zoning code. You can view the proposed code here. The city will be hosting a public input session at 5:30pm, Wednesday January 17 at the Family Justice Center. The city council will be holding a work session (open for public viewing) to discuss the new code at 1pm on January 30 in the council conference room.

JANUARY 9 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation from the Department of Parks and Outdoors regarding proposed changes to park reservation fees.
• The council discussed several zoning requests.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council approved an amendment to the Administrative Hearing Officer ordinance, adjusting the Levy of Civil Penalties (first reading).
• The council voted on a number of rezoning requests (first reading), including: - Withdrawing a request to rezone 5126 and 5132 Strickland Circle from R-2 to R-3. - Deferring a request to rezone 5116, 5120, and 5134 Highway 58 from C-5 to C-2 until January 23. - Withdrawing a request to rezone 824, 830, and 910 Doddson Avenue from C-2 to UGC.
• The council approved a request to abandon unopened right-of-way on Chickamauga Ave and Pennsylvania Ave (first reading).
• The council confirmed the appointment of Dr. Patty Skates and Hank Wells to the Health, Educational, and Housing Facility Board.
• The council approved the acceptance of two grants, one for band equipment of Hixson highschool, another for equipment donation to the fire department.
• The council approved a number of Public Works and Wastewater contracts.
• The council approved the application for a $200k grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation for neighborhood connections.
• The council approved 7 routine purchases, including a $4M purchase of Computer Components and Services from Dell Marketing LP.
• The council was informed of one emergency purchase, $500k in homeless support services from Chatt Regional Homeless Coalition.
• The council was informed of new debt obligations. On December 19, 2023, EPB issued ~$112M in revenue bonds with an interest rate of ~3.96% and a maturity date of September 1, 2043.
• 4citizens addressed the council. Topics were split mainly between pedestrian safety and support for city rec center employee Geral Perry. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

JANUARY 16 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an amendment to the Administrative Hearing Officer ordinance, adjusting the Levy of Civil Penalties (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (final reading).
• The council will vote on a request to abandon unopened right-of-way on Chickamauga Ave and Pennsylvania Ave (final reading).
• The council will vote on amendments to the fees for city facility rentals (first reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (first reading).
• The council will vote on the authorization of a ten year agreement with the State of Tennessee to maintain the area beneath Olgiati Bridge for bus and handicap parking at no cost to the public.
• The council will vote on the acceptance of a donation of a floating dock from the Chattanooga Tourism Company for use in events.
• The council will vote on a number of Public Works contracts.

JANUARY 23 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on amendments to the fees for city facility rentals (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (first reading).
• The council will vote on a number of lease agreements and grants.
• The council will vote on the scheduling of a public hearing on February 20 regarding the deannexation of 4615, 4703, and 4713 Mountain Creek Road, as requested by the owner.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Paula Wilkes, Sharon Law, and Berton Whitaker to the Library Board of Directors.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Paul McGinnis, Susan Dailey, Dough Dailey, and Mark Stolpmann to the Board of Plumbing Examiners.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Thomas Snow to the Metropolitan Airport Authority.
• The council will vote on one Public Works and one Wastewater contract.