April 17, 2023

Noise Ordinance Update, Sessions, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• On April 11 the city council appointed Raquetta Doteley as Chairwoman and Jenny Hill as Vice Chairwoman.
• On April 11 the city council approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan funds.
• On April 11 the city council approved the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) Program Ordinance (first reading). This program opens up financing options for commercial properties seeking to make clean energy and resiliency improvements.
• On April 11 the city council approved an update to the noise ordinance (first reading). The proposed ordinance places restrictions on car horns, yelling in the streets, dogs, loud vehicles, construction work between 8:00pm-7:00am, refuse collection between 9:00pm-7:00am, lawn equipment between 8:30pm-7:00am, and fireworks after 11:30pm (except Juneteenth, 4th of July, New Years Eve). You can read the proposed ordinance here.
• On April 11 the city council will vote on the appointment of Ross Pitcairn as the Administrator for the Department of Public Works. You can view a public forum with Mr. Pitcairn here.
• The City of Chattanooga will be hosting two virtual community education sessions to allow citizens to learn about the budget formulation process and priorities for the 2024 budget. These sessions will be on April 19, 6pm-7pm and April 20, 12pm-1pm. You can sign up here..
• The City of Chattanooga announced a 40% reduction in the number of unsheltered people compared to this time last year. You can read more about the city’s efforts to combat homelessness here.

APRIL 11 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council discussed amendments to the proposed noise ordinance updates.
• The council discussed the possibility of establishing a reparations feasibility study.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• On April 11 the city council appointed Raquetta Doteley as Chairwoman and Jenny Hill as Vice Chairwoman.
• On April 11 the city council approved an update to the noise ordinance (first reading). Councilwoman Coonrod asked for several amendments to the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance places restrictions on car horns, yelling in the streets, dogs, loud vehicles, construction work between 8:00pm-7:00am, refuse collection between 9:00pm-7:00am, lawn equipment between 8:30pm-7:00am, and fireworks after 11:30pm (except Juneteenth, 4th of July, New Years Eve). You can read the proposed ordinance here.
• Voting yes (on ordinance as amended by Councilwoman Coonrod): Henderson, Hill, Ledford, Hester, Dotley, Noel, Coonrod. -Voting no (on ordinance as amended by Councilwoman Coonrod): Smith, Berz.
• The council voted on a number of rezoning requests.
• The council approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan funds:
  • $5k to Miracle League of Chattanooga
  • $10k to New United Missionary Baptist Church
  • $15k to Pathway Young Adult Program Inc.
  • $5k to Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults, Inc.
  • $10k to the I AM Foundation
• The council will vote on the conveyance of of a 50% interest in 1806 S Hawthorne Street to Hamilton County.
• The council will vote on a resolution to join the State of Tennessee in amending the Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Abatement Agreement.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Marco Salenda and Mark Miller to the Stormwater Regulations Board.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Ross Pitcairn as the Administrator for the Department of Public Works.
• The council approved the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) Program Ordinance (first reading). This program opens up financing options for commercial properties seeking to make clean energy and resiliency improvements.
• The council will vote on the waiver of $1,600 in park rental fees for the Walk Run Pedal Jamz Festival at Coolidge Park.
• The council will vote on a ~$4.2M contract with Robert Roberts, LLC for New Fire Station 15.
• The council will vote on the appointment of several municipal employees as special unarmed police officers.
• The council will vote on a $1.5M contract with Talley Construction for on-call sanitary sewer installation and repair services.
• The council approved 1 routine purchase, a ~$346k Risk Management Information System contract with Origami Risk LLC.
• Several citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

[The meeting minutes can be found here.](https://chattanooga.gov/city-council/agendasminutes-by-date/9-city-council/3814-minutes-2023

APRIL 18 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an update to the noise ordinance (final reading).
• The council will vote on the C-PACER program (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning ordinances.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Brian Erwin to the Health, Educational, and Housing Facility Board for District 7.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Jane Elmore and Terry Ladd to the Library Board of Directors.
• The council will vote on the reappointment of Mina Sartipi to the Electric Power Board.
• The council will vote on the reappointment of Nicole Heyman to the Chattanooga Housing Authority Board.
• The council will vote on a ~$886k contract with SCS Field Services for Birchwood Gas Extraction System Additions.

APRIL 25 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on the reallocation of ~$1.4M from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development that was set aside for the acquisition and conversion of a hotel to a homeless shelter. The grant will be reallocated to Community Development Block Grants.
• The council will vote on a ~$79k increase to a contract with AstroTurf to replace the turf in Jim Frost stadium. The increase is due to needed subgrade remediation.
• The council will vote on two Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).