July 25, 2022

July 25, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS

• Early voting for the August election is running through July 30. You can see the schedule here and you can find your sample ballot here.
• The city and county have announced a joint plan to support a new Lookouts Stadium at the U.S. Pipe site as part of the efforts to revitalize the South Broad district. You can read about the plan here.. You can listen to my in-depth interview about the project on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Bike Chattanooga is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary with free rides and more on July 28. Find out more here.
• The City of Chattanooga has created 10 Community Advisory Committees to provide direct input into the operation of the Chattanooga Community Centers. You can apply for a committee here.
• On July 19 the city council held the second of two votes to remove the elderly low income or disabled homeowner exemption from stormwater. The city will still be offering assistance with these fees, but waiving the fees is not allowed under state law.
• On July 19 the city council voted to approve an Economic Development Plan for the North River Commerce Center Industrial Park. This plan includes an $8.7M, 20-year TIF to pay for new public infrastructure supporting the Industrial Park.
• On July 26 the city council will vote to confirm Kay Baker, Mary Anne Hensley, and Sylvester Harris to the Police Advisory and Review Committee.
• On July 26 the city council will vote on an intent to review the Chattanooga South Broad district TIF (Lookout Stadium).
• On July 26 the city council will vote to approve the Chattanooga Relief and Recovery Allocation Plan. This is the allocation of $30M in ARP funding. You can read more here, and you can see a list of all the organizations receiving funds in the July 26 agenda.

JULY 19 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The meeting recording can be found here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

Rezoning Ordinances – final reading:

• Passed: Unaddressed property on Fringe Road - Andrew Stone
• Passed: 5117 Gooden Lane, 1326 Mayfield Lane, & an unaddressed property on Gadd Road – Pratt & Associates
• Passed: 1302 Gadd Road – Michael Long
• Passed: 1248, 1259, & 1281 Lester Lane – ASA Engineering
• Passed: 1413 North Concord Road and 6906, 6931, 6957 and an unaddressed property on the 6900 block of Concord Circle – Neuhoff Taylor Architects
• Passed: 7548 and 7554 Igou Gap Road – WH Holdings
• Passed: 1820 and 1830 Gray Road – James Perry
• Passed: 2000 Gunbarrel Road and 7555 Goodwin Road – EAH Acquisitions, LLC
• Passed: 1558 Vance Road – Brantley White
• Passed: 1126 E. 8th Street – Sarah Crocker
• Passed: 2101 Soth Watkins Street – Len’Torry Coleman

Other Ordinances – final reading:

• Passed: An ordinance amending the structure of the Public Arts Commission.
• Passed: An ordinance to remove the elderly low income or disabled homeowner exemption from stormwater fees in order to stay in compliance with state law.
• Passed: An ordinance to amend the rental rates for municipal parks.

Rezoning Ordinances – first reading:

• Deferred to August 2: Unaddressed property in the 7500 Block of Standifer Gap Road – ASA Engineering
• Passed: 1850 Newell Road – Alex Spears
• Passed: Unaddressed property in the 300 block of North Highland Park – Edward Thrasher

Resolutions:

• Passed: A resolution approving an Economic Development Plan for the North River Commerce Center Industrial Park. This plan includes an $8.7M, 20-year TIF to pay for new public infrastructure supporting the Industrial Park.
• Passed: A resolution authorizing an award of $40k to Habitat for Humanity to construct an affordable home at 227 Canary Circle.
• Passed: A resolution authorizing an award of $40k to Habitat for Humanity to construct an affordable home at 3420 Kirkland Avenue.
• Passed: A resolution to amend Resolution No. 28348, “A resolution authorizing Administrators and Directors of the City of Chattanooga to apply for and, if awarded, accept grants under $25,000.00,” to accept grants under $50,000.00 only if they do not require matching funds and do not place operational obligations on the City, and those grants awarded will be reported to the City Council not less than on a quarterly basis.

Other:

• 12 routine purchases and 2 emergency purchases were approved
• The Economic Development Committee met to discuss the Lookouts Stadium project and will meet again on August 16 for a discussion on Workforce Development. They also announced the Construction Career Center will open on July 26 from 9:30am to 4:00Pm at All Good Coffee Shop.
• The Equity and Community Development Committee will meet on August 2.
• The Public Safety Committee will meet on July 26 to hear the Police Advisory and Review Committee Quarterly Report and to consider changes for the PARC ordinance.
• Many citizens addressed the council, primarily to express their opinions for and against the American Rescue Plan allocation process and outcome.

JULY 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The meeting agenda can be found here.

Rezoning Ordinances – final reading:

• Unaddressed property in the 7500 Block of Standifer Gap Road – ASA Engineering
• 1850 Newell Road – Alex Spears
• Unaddressed property in the 300 block of North Highland Park – Edward Thrasher

Resolutions:

• A resolution to confirm the appointment of Kay Baker to the Police Advisory and Review Committee.
• A resolution to confirm the appointment of Mary Anne Hensley to the Police Advisory and Review Committee.
• A resolution to confirm the appointment of Sylvester Harris to the Police Advisory and Review Committee.
• A resolution authorizing an award of $40k to Habitat for Humanity to construct an affordable home at 278 West 36th Street.
• A resolution approving an STVR at 1789 E 12th Street, applicant Carmen Patty.
• A resolution authorizing the lease of office space at 1715 E Main Street to the Forgotten Child Fund, Inc. for 3 months at a rate of $1 per month.
• A resolution authorizing the lease of warehouse space at 1815 E Main Street to the Forgotten Child Fund, Inc. for 3 months at a rate of $1 per month.
• A resolution authorizing the exemption of the City of Chattanooga and its affiliated boards and commissions from certain procedures of the application process for Tax Increment Financing when the City of Chattanooga and its affiliated boards and commissions initiate the TIF approval process, because the City of Chattanooga and its affiliated boards and commissions are seeking approval for Tax Increment Financing related to the redevelopment of the South Broad District, and following all procedures for Tax Increment Financing required by the State of Tennessee.
• A resolution of intent to review the Chattanooga South Broad district TIF.
• A resolution authorizing a lease agreement for a communication facility on Windrock Mountain for a term of 3 years at a rate of $1,600 per year with rent escalators after 3 years.
• A resolution authorizing a lease agreement for a communication facility on Cross Mountain for a term of 3 years at a rate of $1,600 per year with rent escalators after 3 years.
• A resolution approving the Chattanooga Relief and Recovery Allocation Plan (see agenda for full details).
• A resolution authorizing a change order to a contract with Talley Construction to extend the contract by 3 months.