March 6, 2023

Open Data Week, City Election Changes, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The city has announced that March 4-10 is Open Data Week. “This week is all about the power of data to set goals and track progress, and how you, as a resident, can access and use our city’s data!” You can find more information on city social media pages.
• On February 28 the city council approved an amended version of new STVR regulations (first reading). You can read the full proposal here.
• On February 28 the city council voted to send a letter to Governor Bill Lee in response to the Statement from President Biden on marijuana reform. You can read the full letter here.
• On March 14 the city council will vote on an amendment changing the time of elections and adding term limits for city council (first reading). If the amendment passes it will go on the next ballot as a referendum. This amendment seeks to align city elections with county elections on the first Tuesday in August. It also seeks to place a limit of 4 terms for city council representatives. You can read the full amendment here..
• On March 14 the city council will vote on an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.

FEBRUARY 28 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a quarterly report from the Department of Community Development, mainly regarding community center programming.
• The council heard a presentation from United Way of Chattanooga regarding their new management over the 211 service hotline.
• The council discussed moving city elections to align with county elections.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases (see agenda for full details).
• The council approved an amended version of new STVR regulations (first reading). You can read the full proposal here.
• The council deferred an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations until March 14 (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.
• The council confirmed the appointment of J.T. McDaniel to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• The council voted to send a letter to Governor Bill Lee in response to the Statement from President Biden on marijuana reform. You can read the full letter here.
• The council approved a number of lease agreements and public works contracts (see minutes for full details).
• The council approved 6 routine purchases, including a ~$2M purchase of garbage trucks.
• Several citizens addressed the council. The majority of those commenting were speaking in support of Esai Navarro, the former head of the Office of New Americans who was recently fired. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

MARCH 7 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on new STVR regulations (final reading). You can read the full proposal here.

• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases.

• The council will vote on the appointments of Jackie Simpson, Jon Jon Wesolowski, Quintin Howard, and Matt Adams to Community Advisory Committees.

• The council will vote on the partial forgiveness of wage overpayment to city employees due to bookkeeping discrepancies.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Richard Beeland as Administrator for the Department of Economic Development.

MARCH 14 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on an amendment changing the time of elections and adding term limits for city council. If the amendment passes it will go on the next ballot as a referendum. This amendment seeks to align city elections with county elections on the first Tuesday in August. It also seeks to place a limit of 4 terms for city council representatives. You can read the full amendment here..
• The council will vote on an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases, including:
  • a request to rezone 5103 Central Avenue to UGC for the construction of multi-family housing. RPA staff recommended denial, Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The case had significant neighborhood opposition at Planning Commission.
  • a request to rezone 1414 East 49th Street to R-2 for the construction of a duplex. RPA staff and Planning Commission both recommended denial.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Linda Kirk, De’Jha Billingsley, and Neda Long to the South REgion Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will vote on a resolution “consenting to the execution and delivery by the Industrial Development Board of the City of Chattanooga of certain documents providing for the release of a portion of Debt Service Reserve Account monies of the Industrial Development Board in connection with the Industrial Development Board’s Chattanooga Lease Rental Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2018A (tax-exempt) and Chattanooga Lease Rental Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2018C (taxable); directing the Trustee for such bonds to enter into certain documents in connection therewith and authorizing certain actions related thereto.
• The council will vote on the annexation of 5619 Clark Road at the request of the property owner.
• The council will vote on two Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).