August 21, 2023

Officer Involved Shooting, Area Plans, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Mayor Kelly has released a statement on the police shooting of Roger Heard, Jr. Chief Murphy also provided updates at both the city council agenda session and business session. The case is currently under review by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

• The Regional Planning Agency is kicking off a new area planning process. Area plans “serve as general policy guides for physical development and help inform capital investment and zoning decisions.” You can find out more and fill out a survey at https://planchattanooga.org/.

• I recently released an interview with the City of Chattanooga’s Chief Housing Officer, Nicole Heyman, discussing the city’s efforts to increase housing affordability. You can listen here.

AUGUST 15 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The monthly Strategic Planning Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation on the Regional Planning Agency’s area planning process. Area plans “serve as general policy guides for physical development and help inform capital investment and zoning decisions.” You can find out more and fill out a survey at https://planchattanooga.org/.

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council discussed proposed amendments to the Short Term Vacation Rental regulations. The proposed changes are primarily administrative adjustments to the regulations passed in May.
• The council heard a presentation from HCDEdConnect.
• The council heard an update from Police Chief Murphy about the recent shooting of Roger Heard, Jr. The case is currently being reviewed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council approved an ordinance amending the General Pension Plan (final reading).
• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases (final reading, see minutes for full details).
• The council confirmed the appointments of Toccora Johnson-Petersen and Joyce Jackson to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council approved a number of Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).
• The council approved 7 routine purchases, including a ~$1.2M purchase of three new heavy duty trucks for the Public Works department from Labrie Environmental Group.
• The council approved the release of one Request For Proposals (RFP) for a strategic partner to develop and manage a home repair program for low-income homeowners.
• Eight citizens addressed the council. The majority spoke on the recent shooting of Roger Heard, Jr. Upon being told that no questions would be answered during the public comment session several dozen people left the council chambers. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

AUGUST 22 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an ordinance amending the General Pension Plan (final reading).
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases (final reading, see agenda for full details).
• The council will vote on the appointments of Toccora Johnson-Petersen and Joyce Jackson to the Head Start Governing Board.
• The council will vote on a number of Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).

AUGUST 29 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests and Right of Way closures (see agenda for full details).
• The council will vote on the appointment of Anne Fricker to the Animal Control Board.
• The council will vote on an agreement with the Chattanooga Housing Authority to rapidly rehouse formerly homeless individuals for an amount not to exceed $100k.
• The council will vote on changes to the Employee Information Guide.
• The council will vote on the waiver of $8.5k in park rental fees in support of the Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival.
• The council will vote to apply for and, if awarded, accept a $125k grant from the Benwood Foundation for the National Park City Initiative and the Miller Park Improvement Project.
• The council will vote on a ~$95k joint funding agreement with the US Geological Survey to operate real-time stream gages on local creeks.