September 25, 2023

New Parks and Outdoors Committee and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The council is considering the creation of a Parks and Outdoors Advisory Committee. The committee will advise the Parks and Outdoors Department and the city council on how to best invest in city parks and outdoor programming. The council is slated to vote on the creation of the committee over the next two weeks. Committee applications are now open.

SEPTEMBER 19 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Strategic Planning Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation on the Administrative Hearing Officer’s (AHO) enforcement of Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) regulations.
  • The city has identified 267 STVRs operating in violation of regulations and will be sending out 30 notices each week.
  • Violations will be heard by the AHO, who has the authority to fine up to $500 per day per violation.
  • There was some discussion about the ability of the AHO to use City Court resources.

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation from the Economic Development Department, including:
  • an explanation of the various training and employment programs the department supports,
  • an explanation of the various entrepreneurship and business development programs the department supports,
  • an explanation of the various affordable housing programs the department supports
• The council heard a presentation from the Department of Equity and Community Engagement, including:
  • a summary of the recent department restructuring,
  • an explanation of the various community engagement programs the department supports,
  • an explanation of the newly created Office of New Americans,
  • an explanation of the programs the Neighborhood Services division supports, including efforts to bring the number of Neighborhood Associations back to pre-COVID levels. Currently there are 85 associations, with a goal of 100 by the end of the year and 130 by June 2024.
• The council heard a presentation regarding the creation of a Parks & Outdoors Advisory Committee.
  • The committee will be made up of 9 members appointed by city council members and 6 members appointed by the mayor. Each member will serve a 3 year term.
  • The committee will advise the parks department on the city council.
  • The Parks and Outdoors department is asking the city council to vote on the creation of the committee on September 26th and hopes to hold the first meeting in November.
  • Committee applications are now open.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council voted on a number of planning and zoning requests, including:
  • A reconsideration of a rezoning for 1619 Gray Road. Previously the request was denied. Councilman Ledford moved to reconsider. The request was approved with conditions.
  • A request to rezone 5431 Hixson Pike and a request to rezone 5422 Old Hixson Pike were deferred until December 19.
• A request to rezone 1115 E 14th Street was deferred until September 26.
  • A request to rezone 1710 S Holtzclaw Ave and a request to rezone 2910 Calhoun Ave were deferred until October 3.
• The council voted to authorize a franchise for Uniti Fiber LLC, allowing them access to city right of way (first reading).
• The council confirmed the appointment of Sharon Mickel to the Hixson Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will confirmed the appointment of Whitney Brazil to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council approved the acceptance of a donation of $70k in materials to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
• The council approved amendments to the Employee Information Guide.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Darnell Walker to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Matt McDonald to the Historic Zoning Commission.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Rosalyn Ruffin to the Office of Family Empowerment Board.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Laura Wright to the Stormwater Regulations Board.
• The council approved the acceptance of a ~$4.7M Blue Cross Healthy Places grant for the renovation of Sheila M. Jennings Park.
• The council approved a number of Public Works, Technology Services, and Wastewater contracts.
• The council approved 1 routine purchase, a $5.5M contract for city wide technology services from CDW Government Inc.
• Three citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

SEPTEMBER 26 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on the authorization of a franchise for Uniti Fiber LLC, allowing them access to city right of way (final reading).
• The council will vote on three right of way closure requests (final reading).
• The council will vote on the creation of a new Parks and Outdoors Advisory Committee (first reading).
• The council will vote on a request to rezone 1115 & 1117 E 14th Street from R-3 to R-T/Z (first reading).
• The council will vote on an amendment to the section of the city ordinance governing liens (first reading).
• The council will vote on an agreement with First Baptist Cares to serve as the fiduciary agent for the Lighthouse Collective.
• The council will vote on an amendment to the Economic Impact Plan for the development of the North River Commerce Center Industrial Park.
• The council will vote on a number of IT, Public Works, and Wastewater Contracts.

OCTOBER 3 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on the creation of a new Parks and Outdoors Advisory Committee (final reading).
• The council will vote on a request to rezone 1115 & 1117 E 14th Street from R-3 to R-T/Z (final reading).
• The council will vote on an amendment to the section of the city ordinance governing liens (final reading).
• The council will vote on two rezoning requests (first reading).
• The council will vote on the appointment of Sandra Norwood to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council will vote on the issuance of up to $46M in general obligation bonds.
• The council will vote to accept the current financial year report from the Chattanooga Business Improvement District and approve the budget for FY2024.
• The council will vote on the application for a National Parks grant.
• The council will vote on two Public Works contracts.