January 22, 2024

January 22 City Council Update

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• I recently released an interview with Red Bank Mayor Hollie Berry, providing a brief civic overview of the city of Red Bank. This is the first of what I hope will be several episodes dedicated to some of our smaller neighboring municipalities. Search for “Chattanooga Civics” on your favorite podcast app to listen.
• The city council canceled their January 16 meeting due to inclement weather. The agendas have been updated appropriately.
• The city council will be holding a work session at 2pm on Tuesday, January 23 in the city council conference room to discuss the proposed ordinance updating city regulations on skates, skateboard, scooters, and other non motorized transportation. The work session will be open to the public and may also be streamed on the city council YouTube page.
• The city council will be holding an Affordable Housing Committee meeting during the 3:30 agenda session on Tuesday, January 23 in the city council chambers. The committee will discuss two Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) requests. The meeting will be open to the public and may also be streamed on the city council YouTube page.
• The city council will be holding a work session at 1pm on Tuesday, January 30 in the city council conference room to discuss proposed changes to the city zoning code. The work session will be open to the public and may also be streamed on the city council YouTube page.

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.
• 4 citizens 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 23 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 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 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 and Wastewater contracts.

JANUARY 30 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 an amendment to the city electrical and gas inspection codes (first reading).
• The council will vote on a number of lease agreements, grants, and donations.
• The council will vote on one Public Works contract.