Public Meetings - Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Chattanooga City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, for a business meeting that included a special presentation from Police Chief John Chambers on immigration enforcement and data, followed by a budget committee meeting covering financial policies, a bond update, and a budget research presentation. The meeting also included public comment periods and routine approvals. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the previous week's meeting without objection. - Approved four purchases: tree planting ($56,135), a garbage truck ($254,630), an overgrowth abatement services blanket agreement (up to $350,000 annually for four years), and a one-year extension for bypass pump equipment rental ($1,800,000 estimated annual spend). - Approved an emergency purchase for mold remediation at the police service center ($1,217,481.78). - Approved resolutions appointing Duane Bush Sr. and Sandra Norwood to boards, and deferred a resolution on council rules of operation until February 17. Public Comments & Testimony - Edward Hewitt (District 9) thanked Chief Chambers for the presentation and praised the Chattanooga Police Department's crime reduction, but argued that the department does not need additional funding given the improved statistics. - Lauren Hurley (District 7) thanked the council for the presentation and acknowledged that CPD is following the law, but expressed concern that even lawful arrests can lead to deportations, eroding trust in the Hispanic community. She urged the council to find ways to reassure undocumented residents that they can call police without fear. - Nifsy (District 4) criticized the state's anti-sanctuary laws and urged the council to use their platform to support immigrant communities, attend local rallies, and provide legal aid and education. She invited council members to weekly gatherings at Miller Park. - Mark Shackleford (towing operator) requested help from the mayor's office regarding a cost-of-living rate increase for towing operators, noting that the Transportation for Hire Board has not been able to process it. Councilwoman Dotley noted a placeholder on the agenda for three weeks out. - Julia Henderson (District 8) thanked the chief for the presentation and acknowledged the importance of police, but stressed that legality does not always equal morality, and urged the council to find ways to help the community. Discussion Items - Special Presentation by Police Chief John Chambers: Chief Chambers addressed concerns about a reported 47% increase in ICE detentions in Hamilton County. He presented data showing that CPD arrests overall decreased by 5% in 2025 (to 7,658 individuals), and that arrests of Hispanic individuals declined to a three-year low. He attributed the reported increase to a change in state law (HB 2124, effective July 1, 2024) that requires law enforcement to report immigration status, but noted that CPD does not have access to immigration databases and does not target individuals based on ethnicity. He also discussed the 287(g) program, stating CPD has no intention of participating. He highlighted a 48% reduction in homicides and the lowest number of non-fatal criminal shootings since 2013. He emphasized that CPD's focus is on violent crime and community trust, and announced a pilot project to build relationships with the Hispanic community. - Budget Committee Meeting: The council reviewed proposed financial policies developed with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). These include: - One-Time Revenue Policy: Limits use of non-recurring revenues to one-time expenditures or paying down liabilities. - Volatile Revenue Policy: Treats excess revenues from volatile sources (e.g., interest) as one-time revenues. - Structurally Balanced Budget Policy: Commits the city to balancing recurring revenues with recurring expenditures. - Fund Balance Reserve Policy: Sets a target range of 20–30% of revenues (current FY25 ended at 27.7%). Councilman Henderson suggested exploring a strategic gold reserve to protect fund value, and Councilman Elliott supported incremental pay raises tied to CPI. - Bond Update (PFM): The city issued $35.42 million in 2026 general obligation bonds at a true interest cost of 2.976%, with 17 bids received. The city's credit ratings were affirmed (AA+ by Fitch, AAA by S&P). Total outstanding debt after issuance is approximately $156 million. - Budget Research Update (Dr. Akov): Presented a draft report covering revenue and expenditure trends, property tax scenarios, sales tax volatility, pension fund analysis (fire/police pension funding ratio at 63%, general pension at 80%), and fiscal health measures. He suggested adopting peer cities for benchmarking and using incremental approaches to pay and revenue. Key Outcomes - Police Presentation: No formal action was taken, but the council expressed appreciation for the chief's transparency and data. - Council Rules of Operation: Resolution was deferred to February 17 to allow for a revised version. - Financial Policies: The council will continue to refine the four policies, with a target to bring them to a vote in early March as a basis for the FY27 budget. The item on a strategic gold reserve was added for further research. - Bond Update: The debt obligation report was accepted as informational. - Budget Research: The council will schedule additional education sessions to discuss the report further. Dr. Akov will also compile a list of peer cities. - Public Comments: The council acknowledged the towing operator's request and noted a future agenda item. No other immediate actions were taken on immigration-related concerns.

On February 5, 2026, at 3:35 PM, the Passenger Vehicle for Hire Board convened. The board approved minutes from the January meeting, discussed driver permit renewals, and received updates on pending rate increase recommendations and a legal case involving Mercury Cab. Public comment highlighted frustration over delays and a request for the mayor's office to attend future meetings. Consent Calendar - The board approved the minutes from the January meeting. - Driver permit renewals for Mercury Taxi and Nouga Taxi were approved after confirming all fees and paperwork were complete. - The yearly fee for horse-drawn carriages was paid by Chattanooga Carriage Company. - New driver permits and temporary permits issued: zero. Public Comments & Testimony - Mark Shackle (Chakram Recovery) expressed frustration that the board has repeatedly recommended a rate increase with no action from the city council. He requested that Chris Anderson (mayor's office) attend board meetings to provide answers, noting that the zoning representative typically attends other board meetings but not this one. The board agreed to email the city attorney's office to request Chris Anderson's presence at the next meeting. Discussion Items - Rate Increase Recommendation for Taxi and Tow Companies: The chair reported that a recommendation for a 3% rate increase for taxi and tow companies had been sent to Chris Anderson for the city council agenda but had not yet been scheduled. Jonathan Easter (Nuga Taxi) clarified that the taxi companies did not request a 3% increase; rather, they sought rates aligned with other major Tennessee cities (Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis) and surrounding states (Alabama, Georgia). He noted that the 3% figure appeared to come from the tow companies' inflation-based adjustment. The board discussed the need to ensure the recommendation accurately reflects the taxi industry's proposal. - Update on Mercury Cab and Murdering Transportation Lawsuit: The board noted that the lawsuit remains pending, with discovery motions and continued hearings. No action can be taken until a court outcome is reached. - Request for Chris Anderson to Attend Meetings: Following public comment, the board agreed to formally request that Chris Anderson appear at future board meetings to provide updates and answer questions directly. Key Outcomes - The board approved a motion to keep the rate increase recommendation on its agenda until the item is added to a city council agenda. The motion carried. - The board will contact the city attorney's office to request Chris Anderson's attendance at the next meeting. - No other action was taken on the pending lawsuit; the board will wait for further court developments.

The Chattanooga Beer Board convened on February 5, 2026, to address routine approvals, beer permit applications, and violation hearings. The board approved the minutes of the January 15, 2026 meeting, considered several beer permit requests, and affirmed a 30-day suspension for The Dream along with a $1,000 fine. A tribute was paid to long-time board member Ron Smith, who had recently passed away. Approval of Minutes - The board unanimously approved the minutes of the January 15, 2026 meeting. Beer Permit Applications - Regulatory Approvals Reported: The regulatory division reported that several beer permits had been approved: BJ's Wholesale Club (carry-out beer, 401 Northgate Mall Drive), The Waymark Chattanooga (consumer carry-out, 736 Broad Street), and a temporary permit for Smart Music Project's Sweetheart Market (February 7-8, 2026, with rain date February 14). - Cabanas Nightclub & Event Center (Deferred): The application for Cabanas (1378) was carried over from the previous meeting due to an incomplete FBI background check. The representative provided only one page of a three-page background check. The board voted to defer the application to the next meeting, pending submission of the full background check and completion of fire marshal inspections for other associated businesses. - Mean Jeans LLC (Approved): A permit (1384) for Mean Jeans at 1800 East Main Street was approved. The application involved adding new members to the LLC, including Emerald Street Asylum LLC. The board confirmed ownership details and the surrender of an old permit. Motion passed unanimously. - Game Day Social LLC (Approved): A permit for Game Day Social at 9453 Bradmore Lane was approved. The business is a new restaurant replacing Martha Ann's. The owner, Peter Gibson, confirmed no prior beer permit in Tennessee. The board noted the need for proper training and ABC permits for servers. Motion passed unanimously. Previous Beer Violations - The Dream – 30-Day Suspension and Fine: The hearing officer recommended a 30-day suspension of the beer permit for The Dream, plus a $1,000 fine. The board affirmed the recommendation. The suspension will run on the business's operating days (Thursday through Sunday). The board set the suspension period from February 19, 2026, to April 11, 2026, covering 30 operating days. The $1,000 fine must be paid within seven days. The board also noted that TABC had been notified of the violations. - Dollar General – Continued: The hearing officer's recommendation for Dollar General was continued because no representative appeared. The board noted that Dollar General had failed to appear multiple times since the violation in September 2025. Discussion included the need to determine whether Dollar General is a responsible vendor, with a contact number for the Chattanooga TABC office provided (423-634-6434). No action was taken. Public Discussion and Other Matters - Distributor Responsibility: A board member raised a question about whether it is legal for beer distributors to sell to establishments with expired licenses. The city attorney indicated she would research the state statute. It was noted that establishments face storage limits regardless of purchase source. - Tribute to Ron Smith: Board members offered condolences for the passing of long-time board member Ron Smith, who served as a volunteer for many years and was known for his institutional knowledge and dedication to Chattanooga. Key Outcomes - Minutes of January 15, 2026 approved. - Cabanas beer permit application deferred to next meeting. - Mean Jeans beer permit (1384) approved unanimously. - Game Day Social beer permit approved unanimously. - The Dream: 30-day suspension affirmed, to run from February 19 to April 11, 2026, on operating days; $1,000 fine due within 7 days. - Dollar General hearing continued. - City attorney to investigate distributor selling to expired license holders. - Meeting adjourned.

The Chattanooga City Council convened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 20:22 UTC (3:22 p.m. local) to address a range of legislative, planning, and public safety matters. The meeting included reports on emergency food assistance, proposed air pollution control fee increases, a comprehensive update from the Land Development Office (LDO), rezoning cases, and public testimony regarding federal immigration enforcement. Several items were approved, deferred, or scheduled for future discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Jessica Cantor Chow (District 8, Oak Grove) expressed concern about ICE presence in the community and requested that the city explore all legal avenues to prevent federal immigration enforcement from operating in Chattanooga. She also urged against the city opting into the 287(g) program that would deputize local police for federal immigration enforcement. - Sophia (Signal Mountain resident) echoed concerns, asking the council to protect jurisdictions and districts against ICE activity, calling recent federal actions violent and urging the council to act in the community's best interest. - Blake Wright (District 9) referenced Chief of Police John Chambers’ suggestion to submit FOIA requests regarding increased arrests turned over to ICE. He argued that police oversight is the chief’s responsibility and that the city should redirect public safety dollars to expand public transit, noting that 83-89% of top 25 charges could be addressed with non-police investments. He called for declaring a transportation state of emergency. - Lauren Hurley (District 7, Alton Park) urged council to continue applying pressure to dissolve the 287(g) contract with ICE, and emphasized that local police are effectively doing ICE’s work by arresting people for minor violations and then transferring them to county jail where ICE can pick them up. - Jonah Epperson (District 5 or 9) asked for clarification on the 287(g) agreement and requested statistics on how many people have been deported from Chattanooga by ICE. - Nips (veteran, District 5/6 area) expressed anger and fear over current federal actions, stating she swore an oath to the Constitution and that local compliance with ICE undermines due process. She called on council to oppose ICE intimidation tactics. Discussion Items - Food Bank Emergency Funds Report: Melissa Blovens, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, reported on the use of $40,000 in emergency funds granted by the council on November 18, 2025, during the federal shutdown and SNAP disruption. She noted a 40% surge in demand over 13 days, and that 60,000 neighbors (including 15,000 children) face food insecurity. Food costs have risen 25% since 2020 and are projected to increase another 3-6% in 2026. The funds enabled extended hours, extra food per cart, and support to local pantries. Council members thanked her and asked about zip-code-level data. - Air Pollution Control Fee Increase: Ron Drew Miller, Executive Director of the Air Pollution Control Bureau, and Togo Kentrell, Air Monitoring Manager, presented a proposed 25% increase in emission fees for non-part 70 sources and a presumptive minimum for major sources (Part 70), last raised in 2017. The increase aims to keep local jurisdiction and align with EPA recommendations. The board voted to approve the increases on November 10, 2025, after a 30-day public comment period with no comments and a public hearing with no attendees. Fees are lower than other Tennessee agencies because Chattanooga permits on allowable rather than actual emissions. Council members asked about how fees help control air pollution; staff explained permitting, inspections, and monitoring of particulate matter and ozone. - Planning and Zoning Committee Cases: - Jenkins Road (District 4): Request to rezone from RN1-6 to TRN2 for a 47-unit townhome development, adjacent to a proposed new park. Approved by Planning Commission with conditions. Councilman Harvey indicated he would add conditions. - East Brainerd Road (District 4): Rezoning from RN1-6 to CC for a parking lot expansion; staff recommended CTMU zone with condition to combine properties. No opposition. Councilman Harvey requested a landscaping buffer. - 4412 Dodds Avenue (District 7): Rezoning from RN2 to CC for restaurant/office/food truck; staff recommended CTMU zone. Approval recommended. - 1810 South Kelly Street (District 8): Rezoning from RN2 to TRN3 for townhouse development; Oak Grove Neighborhood Association supported with conditions (height limit, no front parking, residential only). Councilman Elliott asked to connect with applicant. - 2212 Bailey Avenue (District 9): Rezoning from RN2 to TRN3 for a quadplex; no opposition. Councilman Elliott requested contact with applicant and neighborhood association. - Ordinance Amendments: Two amendments were presented: one to the Board of Zoning Appeals to add membership/meeting details and sign appeal powers; another to align flood hazard regulations with FEMA definitions. Questions were raised about council oversight of BZA decisions regarding for-profit group homes. - Land Development Office (LDO) Update: Darien Gilkinson, Assistant Director of Land Development Services, presented a detailed update on LDO improvements across four pillars: People & Expertise, Process & Technology, Partnerships & Outreach, and Performance & Accountability. Highlights included filling long-standing vacancies (code enforcement fully staffed for first time in over a decade), electronic permit stamping, new permit types, quarterly stakeholder meetings, a centralized performance dashboard, and a cultural shift toward problem-solving. Future plans include additional headcount, moving code enforcement to the downtown office (DRC), and implementing “ball-in-court” tracking metrics in OpenGov. Council members praised the progress and commitment to customer service. Key Outcomes - Rezoning Approvals: - 59 Pine Grove Trail (District 8) rezoned from RN1-6 to IL (Industrial Light) with five conditions related to parking, access, and use. (Motion passed unanimously) - 2802 Curtis Street (District 9) rezoned from RN1-5 to TRN2 with condition that all parking be in rear alley (Brown Alley), no parking on Curtis Street. (Motion passed) - 3014 Dodds Avenue (District 9) rezoned from IH to CC with conditions: no animal care outdoor area, no gas station, no live entertainment secondary use, no liquor store, no nightclub, no outdoor market, and no drive-through. Applicant agreed. (Motion passed) - 2003 Wilcox Boulevard (District 9) deferred to February 17, 2026, due to canceled neighborhood association meeting and requirement that applicant be present. (Motion passed) - Resolutions: - Approved two resolutions authorizing $40,000 each to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga for construction of affordable homes at 2217 and 2113 Davenport Street. (Passed) - Approved resolutions appointing Luke Kaiser and William Benford as special commission police officers (unarmed) for the Chattanooga Parking Authority to serve as parking ambassadors. (Passed) - Purchases: Four purchases approved: 1. Courts and justice software subscription and maintenance from Tyler Technologies ($125,424.60). 2. Gearbox for UNOX tank system from SPX Flow Technology ($89,873). 3. Increase of $50,000 for biosolids data management system services (new annual estimate $250,000). 4. Baseline application and community assessment services from Foundations for Families ($55,800) for Early Learning Head Start. - Committee Reports: - Budget & Finance Committee will meet next week to cover FY26 budget overview, bond report, and financial policies (with PFM and Dr. ACOF). - Legislative Committee postponed two weeks to February 17, 2026. - Future Agenda Items: - A presentation on immigration enforcement and police data is scheduled for the next council meeting (February 10, 2026) at the 3:30 p.m. special presentation session, requested by Chairwoman Hill to clarify facts and procedures. - Councilman Harvey announced a new 15.62-acre park for District 4, funded by an $800,000 TDEC grant and $800,000 in matching city funds, with thanks to former Councilman Darren Ledford and parks staff. - Public Comments Acknowledged: Council members responded to public testimony, with Chairwoman Hill expressing personal concern over federal ICE tactics and affirming Chattanooga’s welcoming character, while noting city authority limits. Councilman Elliott validated fears but reminded that local hands are tied due to state law preemption. Councilman Harvey encouraged attending the next meeting for data clarification and expressed trust in Police Chief John Chambers. The meeting adjourned after council members acknowledged the public’s engagement.

The Chattanooga City Council met on February 3, 2026, at 6:59 p.m. to discuss special exceptions permits (primarily for liquor stores) and proposed changes to council rules, including chair pro tem selection, voting thresholds, and council expense reimbursements. The meeting began with a unanimous approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. Discussion Items Special Exceptions Permits - Council reviewed a recent ruling that treating special exceptions (e.g., for liquor stores) as administrative approvals limited council’s discretion to deny. Councilwoman Dotley argued that council should retain authority due to district-specific knowledge and provided data from the Chattanooga Police Department on crime in a half-mile radius around a proposed liquor store. She cited code 5-109(c) regarding public health, safety, morals, and general welfare as a basis for denial. - Councilman Henderson suggested amending the code like payday lending regulations to limit the number or density of liquor stores in an area. Councilman Clark noted that Plan Chattanooga has not yet been formally adopted, but could serve as a guide. - Councilwoman Burrs proposed adding a pre-application checklist requiring applicants to submit police and code enforcement data for a defined radius. Councilman Harvey raised vaping stores as a related concern, noting a new state law effective January 1, 2026. - Council agreed unanimously (show of hands: 7-0) to continue having special exceptions permits come to council. They directed the city attorney to draft code amendments strengthening language in Chapters 5 and 38, including alignment with Plan Chattanooga, distance restrictions, and public safety data requirements. The draft is to be reviewed at the March 17 strategic planning session. Council Rules – Chair Pro Tem Appointment - Chairwoman Hill proposed allowing the chair to appoint a pro tem in advance for meetings where both chair and vice chair are absent. Councilwoman Dodge opposed, arguing the existing election process is democratic and simple. Councilman Harvey noted potential conflicts if the appointed pro tem is also absent. Council declined to adopt the proposal, preferring to retain current election by membership when needed. Council Rules – Voting Threshold (Five Votes Requirement) - Chairwoman Hill questioned the rule requiring five “yes” or five “no” votes for any action, which effectively requires a unanimous vote when only a quorum of five members is present. Councilwoman Clark argued it is undemocratic and may contradict Robert’s Rules. Councilman Davis supported changing to a simple majority of the quorum to prevent intentional absences from blocking votes. Councilman Henderson noted the rule also applies to boards (BOZA, IDB, etc.). Council directed the attorney to research the pros and cons and report back on March 17. Council Rules – Expense Reimbursement and Transfers - Chairwoman Hill proposed increasing the annual per-member expense reimbursement from $6,000 to $10,000 and clarifying that funds can be used for a broad range of council expenses (not just travel). She also proposed allowing transfers of surplus funds between council members within the fiscal year. Councilwoman Dotley supported with an approval process (e.g., email request and acknowledgment). Councilman Clark asked for a list of allowable expenditures; Councilman Elliott requested historical spending data. The attorney noted that funds cannot be rolled over between fiscal years per charter appropriation rules. - Council unanimously agreed (show of hands) to the increase to $10,000, reword the rule to cover “council expenses,” and allow transfers between members with a documented approval process. The city attorney will draft revised language. Council requested a five-year spending breakdown (travel vs. other expenses) and a clear list of acceptable purchases from the procurement department. Other Discussion - Councilman Clark requested updating committee names (e.g., “Community Development Committee” instead of “Equity and Community Development”) and suggested forming a Human Resources committee for employee appeals. Council agreed to consider these in future strategic planning. Key Outcomes - Special Exceptions Permits: Council voted unanimously to retain council authority and directed the city attorney to draft code amendments for stronger denial criteria, with review on March 17. - Chair Pro Tem: No change adopted; existing election process remains. - Voting Threshold: Research ordered; decision deferred to March 17. - Expense Reimbursement: Increase to $10,000, broader expense categories, and inter-member transfers approved in principle; formal language to be drafted and brought for a vote at the next meeting. - No formal ordinances were adopted at this meeting; all changes require future votes.

This meeting of the Chattanooga Industrial Development Board (IDB) covered the approval of prior meeting minutes, a clean audit report for fiscal year 2025, quarterly progress updates on two major wastewater projects, an explanation of the purchasing process for economic development software, and a comparative review of IDB staffing models across Tennessee. The board also discussed local contractor participation and future staffing considerations. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the January 5, 2026 meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public addressed the board. Discussion Items - Audit Report and Management Representation Letter: Gary Williams of HHM CPAs presented the FY2025 audit results. The audit received a clean opinion with no significant deficiencies, material weaknesses, or compliance issues. Operations were consistent with FY2024, except for a $28 million increase related to E2I2 initiatives. The board passed a resolution ratifying the execution of a management representation letter with HHM. Weston Porter, City CFO, confirmed the letter is standard and required by auditing standards. The audit has already been filed with the state comptroller's office. - Quarterly Project Updates – Wastewater Department: Mark Heinzer, wastewater administrator, provided updates on two projects: - E2I2 Wet Weather Storage Facility: Located near the I-75/I-24 split, this project reduces sanitary sewer overflows. It is 55.74% complete, on budget and schedule. Total project cost is approximately $153 million. - Class A Power Project: An overhaul of processes at the wastewater treatment facility, including water and biosolids treatment. The basis of design report was recently received; the project is 25% complete on the design phase and slightly behind schedule due to extended alternatives analysis, but still on track for overall completion. No budget issues yet. - Board member Phil questioned local contractor and worker participation in the $153 million project, noting that some contractors are based outside Chattanooga (e.g., Birmingham). Mr. Heinzer agreed to provide data on local expenditures and number of local contractors. Another board member noted significant local concrete supply and trucking, suggesting substantial local involvement. - Overview of Purchasing Process for CivicServe Economic Development Software: Sharita Allen, Senior Advisor for Economic and Workforce Development, explained the procurement process that led to the $44,000 CivicServe software purchase (funded from administrative fees on TIFs). Staff had previously brought the item to the board without full documentation; this overview clarified the steps: IT research and discovery, vendor review and scoring, and reference checks. A report in the board packet included evaluations of multiple vendors. Board members asked about references and local vendor involvement. Staff committed to providing more thorough documentation for future funding requests. - IDB Staffing Comparison: Winston Brooks, Director of Economic Development, presented a comparison of IDB administrative models across Tennessee’s largest cities (Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Clarksville-Montgomery). Key findings: - Chattanooga and Nashville operate with minimal staffing (1–2 dedicated staff plus shared city resources). - Memphis uses a separate organization (EDGE) with 9 dedicated staff, supported by higher fee structures and additional operations (port authority, foreign trade zone). - Knoxville uses the Knoxville Community Development Corporation with 1–3 staff. - Clarksville-Montgomery operates through a county-led economic development council with 3 staff. - Board members discussed the possibility of the IDB paying its own staff (currently the board has no employees). Winston Brooks agreed to further explore implications, including fee schedule adjustments and the option of leasing employees from the city. Key Outcomes - Resolution Approved: The resolution ratifying the management representation letter for the FY2025 audit passed unanimously. - Data Requested: The board requested a breakdown of local contractor expenditures for the wet weather storage facility. - Staffing Research Ongoing: Staff will continue to assess IDB staffing models and report back with more details, including Hamilton County’s IDB and potential funding mechanisms.

The Chattanooga City Council met on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at approximately 2:23 PM. The meeting was called to order by the Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation, and a moment of silence commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz. The council addressed several agenda items, including rezoning requests, resolutions, purchases, and received presentations from the Parks and Outdoors Department, Head Start, and the 311 system. Public comments included concerns about immigration enforcement and legal matters. Several votes were taken, and committee meetings were scheduled. Consent Calendar - Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without objection. Public Comments & Testimony - Monty Bell (District not specified, but address given as 727 East 11th Street): Criticized the council for decisions affecting his life, referenced a court case (docket 25C919), and stated he would address the matter through legal means. He expressed frustration with the council's involvement in his personal affairs. - Evelina Krtay (District 8): Expressed concern over the increase in arrests and deportations of undocumented neighbors by the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) in 2025, citing data from the Times Free Press. She alleged targeted enforcement against the Hispanic community and demanded transparency on tax dollars used for immigration enforcement. She questioned why traffic violations often lead to arrests rather than citations. - Blake Wright (District 9): Urged the council to use their political and social power to protect neighbors from aggressive immigration enforcement. He acknowledged legal limits but encouraged collaboration with county officials and law enforcement to pursue a less combative approach. Discussion Items - Opening Business & Administrative Items: The council discussed several agenda items. Councilwoman Dotley requested a condition for a rezoning (2802 Curtis Street) requiring all parking to be in the rear alley (Brown Alley). The item was moved to first reading and approved as amended. Another rezoning (511 Roswell Street) was tabled pending resolution of equivalency mapping issues. A zoning item (30-14 Dodge Avenue) was deferred one week at the request of the sponsor. - Resolutions: The council approved multiple resolutions: - Authorizing $150,000 from the Economic Development Fund to the Chattanooga Airport for a small community air service grant to support new non-stop service to Houston (United/SkyWest) beginning March 20, 2026. - Amending the records retention schedule to include the Family Justice Center. - Accepting a financial contribution (up to $303,000) from a private nonprofit for renovations to the Chattanooga Skate Park. - Authorizing a three-year agreement with Waterways nonprofit (not to exceed $192,000) to continue the Rain Smart Yards program, with added homeowner agreement clauses including native planting requirements, maintenance standards, and a three-strike noncompliance rule. - Authorizing a construction manager at risk (CMAR) contract delivery method for certain wastewater and public works projects. - Purchases: Two purchases were approved: a year-four renewal for Big Woody’s Tree Service (4% increase, new estimated annual spend $754,000) and a transfer of grant management software agreement from Amptal Fund to UNA Solutions. - Parks and Outdoors Annual Report (Presenter: April Firth, Administrator): Reported on 2025 accomplishments, including over $70 million in economic revenue from eight major events (all larger than previous year), $275,000 in savings from volunteer work, and only two weekends without events or programs. Highlights included smart trash cans with sensors, a heat map for asset management, in-house gravel repair saving thousands, and mowing reduction using native grasses. Deferred maintenance backlog stands at $35 million. Upcoming 2026 projects: Heritage Park opening, new skate park/dog park, Province Park, Walnut Street Bridge park, Alton Park Connector phase one, Lookout Valley fields, Coolidge Park bandshell, Stringers Ridge improvements, DuPont Park refresh, and riverfront groundbreaking. Initiative for 2026: streamlining events, deploying Placer AI to track park usage, and focusing on 10-minute walk goal (currently 30-35% coverage, target 55%). Therapeutic Recreation Division (Elaine Gossett) showcased adaptive equipment (beach wheelchairs, kayaks) funded by grants. Director Greta Hayes highlighted the successful Athletes Unlimited women’s pro softball event (sold out) and potential for a future permanent team. Council requested detailed economic impact breakdowns. - Rain Smart Program Discussion: Councilman Clark introduced ecologist Daru Ziggler, who showed a video demonstrating how a Rain Smart installation on one property eliminated flooding on three adjacent properties after a 3.5-inch rainfall. She explained that native plants establish faster when not competing with lawn grass, improving water capture and aesthetic. This reinforced the value of the new program condition requiring native-only plants in modified areas. - Head Start Program Update (Presenters: Caritza Jones, Department of Early Learning Administrator; Miranda Clark, Head Start Director): Head Start serves 585 slots (8-weeks to 5-year-olds) with a comprehensive approach including early learning, health, and family engagement. Current enrollment challenges due to a previous grant hold, a fire, and flooding; recovery underway. Staffing has improved through wage increases (reducing class ratios from 17:1 to 15:1), $500 incentives for hard-to-fill positions and bilingual staff, and a partnership with Lipscomb University for free bachelor’s degrees. Budget: approximately $15 million total from three federal grants (CH, HP, CACFP) plus $350,000 city supplement. School readiness data shows motor skills strengths, but language skills lagging (post-COVID trend). Council discussed expanding hours beyond the current 8 AM–2 PM to support working families; a pilot at the new James A. Henry site (opening August 2026) will test before/after care. Councilman Clark requested cost analysis for full-day expansion. - 311 System Update (Presenter: Kevin Roig, Chief of Staff): Reviewed the history of 311 and recent migration to the GoGov platform. Problems included integration issues and backlogs from the flood, but a cross-departmental team has been scrubbing and optimizing service request types. Over half of 134 request types have been improved with proactive, tailored status communications (e.g., “ordered, shipped, delivered” model). Emphasis on accurate communication, reducing manual processes, and integrating with other city systems. For brush/bulk pickup, the city moved from on-demand to a route-based system (same zones as garbage collection) to improve consistency and predictability. Council members expressed concerns about user-friendliness of the app, especially finding pickup dates; the app now includes a zone map and schedule. Councilwoman Dotley suggested a simple directive: set items out Monday morning for that week. Councilman Henderson requested a work session to further discuss 311 and route logistics. - Committee Reports: - Parks & Public Works Committee (Councilman Davis): Met and discussed Rain Smart program and annual parks report. - Education & Innovation Committee (Councilman Harvey): Met with presentations on Head Start and 311; called for a future work session on 311. - Community Development Committee (Councilman Clark): Canceled February meeting; rescheduling in February to cover homelessness policy. - Budget Committee (Councilwoman Dotley): Meeting scheduled for February 10 to discuss financial policies, PFM bond report, and preliminary study from Dr. A. Cove. Key Outcomes - Approved Resolutions: - Economic development fund grant for airport (unanimous). - Records retention schedule amendment. - Skate park contribution acceptance. - Rain Smart program three-year contract with Waterways (with added homeowner conditions). - CMAR contract delivery method authorization. - Approved Purchases: Big Woody’s Tree Service renewal ($754,000 estimated annual spend) and grant software transfer to UNA Solutions. - Rezonings: - 5920 Pine Grove Trail: Amended version (added condition limiting use to parking, no oversized vehicles) passed on first reading; scheduled for second reading next week (February 3). - 30-14 Dodge Avenue: Deferred to February 3. - 511 Roswell Street: Tabled (referred to BOSA). - 2802 Curtis Street: Approved as amended (parking only in rear alley). - Next Steps: Parks and Outdoors annual report to be provided in written form with economic impact data. 311 work session to be scheduled. Head Start expansion cost analysis to be considered in upcoming budget. Homelessness policy discussion moved to a work group.

The Chattanooga City Council held its regular business meeting on January 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM (presumed). The meeting included approvals of routine items, discussion of a proposed $150,000 airport service subsidy, debate over enforcement of the Rain Smart native plant program, public comments, and the announcement of the passing of community leader Dr. Tommy Brown. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously without objection. - Wastewater easement (Item 7A): An ordinance to close and abandon a sanitary sewer easement on a 10-foot-wide easement near the 2400 block of 15th Avenue was approved by voice vote with no discussion. - Planning items B through H (final reading): A package of six planning and zoning ordinances was approved by voice vote. These included: rezonings at 2420 East 12th Street (RN2 to RN3), 5601 Tennessee Avenue (IH to RN13), 1513 Chamberlain Avenue (RN15 to RN13), lifting of conditions at 2409 East Main Street and at 1747 Gumbarrel Road/7233 Crane Road, and amendments to Section 38 (zoning ordinance) concerning application processes and measurement graphics. - Purchases: Three purchase requests were approved: a $2,063,200 annual technology services extension (three months), a $887,000 increase for human resources services, and a four-year blanket agreement for firefighter uniforms not to exceed $90,000 annually (awarded to North America Fire Equipment). A sole source purchase for a wastewater drive assembly ($31,841.26) was reported and noted. Public Comments & Testimony - Josh Branham (Governmental Affairs Director, Greater Chattanooga Realtors) presented 2025 housing data for Chattanooga: approximately 4,700 listings (4.5% increase), 2,780 closed sales (5% decrease), median sales price $340,000 (3% increase), and average days on market rose to 45 (from 37). He noted that lower interest rates are expected to boost activity. - Helen Vern Sharp (District 7, Accountability for Taxpayer Money) urged the council to be more careful when approving 20-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements, arguing that policy changes, not project-by-project reactions, are needed to protect future taxpayers. - Marshall Bowser (District 8) and several other speakers (Nathaniel Bankett, Ned Powell, Katie Curtis, Lotus) spoke in support of the Waterways/Rain Smart program, emphasizing the ecological and flood-mitigation benefits of native plants. They argued that a 10-inch height restriction would preclude most native species and undermine the program's effectiveness. Some noted that the program had clear maintenance instructions and had reduced flooding in their yards. Lotus (District 5, owner of Button Bush Farm and Nursery) highlighted the economic stimulus for small native plant growers and sold-out sales events. Discussion Items - Airport Service Subsidy (Resolution for Next Week): Kristen Beam (VP Air Service Development) and Tina Keith (VP Finance, Chattanooga Airport) presented a request for a $150,000 city contribution to a Small Community Air Service Development Grant (SCASDI) to support new United Airlines service to Houston (two flights daily). They explained that the money acts as a risk-mitigation subsidy, only used if flights fail to meet load factor targets over two years. Councilwoman Burris and Councilman Clark expressed strong support, noting the economic development benefits for attracting employers (e.g., Volkswagen) and the need for Chattanooga to “play the game” of subsidizing air service, as other cities do. The item will be voted on the following week. - Rain Smart Program Enforcement (Next Week's Agenda): Councilman Clark raised concerns that residents not enrolled in the program must comply with the 10-inch grass height code, while program participants receive an exemption. He argued this raises equity issues and that new enforcement guidelines should be approved by council rather than administratively. City staff clarified that the exemption is already in the city code and that enforcement follows a separate administrative agreement. Councilman Elliott expressed support for the program but acknowledged the need for clarity on enforcement. The Waterways contract ($192,000) is scheduled for a vote the following week. - Tribute to Dr. Tommy Brown: Councilman Elliott announced the passing of Dr. Tommy Brown, a longtime community activist and advocate for Black representation on the council. He noted that her efforts led to the current four Black elected officials (up from one). The council observed a moment of silence. - Winter Storm Preparations: Councilman Henderson asked about the city's readiness for a potential heavy snow event forecasted for the weekend. Chief of Staff Kevin Roy confirmed that an emergency operations briefing was being held and that public works would begin brining on Friday if needed. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved. - Wastewater easement (Item 7A) approved. - Planning package (Items B-H) approved. - Ordinance First Reading Item 8A (5813 Lee Highway rezoning) was deferred to March 17, 2026, pending a special exception. - Ordinance First Reading Item 8B (5920 Pine Grove Trail rezoning) was approved with four conditions (access limited to cars only, exit-only gate on Pine Grove Trail, etc.). The applicant, Matthew Stratton, agreed to the conditions on the record. - Purchases approved (three items plus sole source noted). - Airport subsidy resolution, Rain Smart program contract, and other next-week items will be considered at the February 3, 2026 meeting (or sooner).

The Chattanooga City Council held a strategic planning meeting on January 20, 2026, at 7:01 PM. The primary agenda item was a presentation from Tennessee American Water regarding a new federal EPA mandate requiring utilities to inventory and replace lead service lines. The company sought to inform council members about the process, address concerns about water safety, and request assistance in communicating with constituents. Presentation by Tennessee American Water - John Sparkman, Director of Engineering at Tennessee American Water, presented with other local leadership. He explained the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule revisions (2021 and 2024) that require all water utilities to develop an inventory of service line materials for both the company side (main to meter) and customer side (meter to house). - The company serves approximately 90,000 customers in Chattanooga. Of those, about 63,000 addresses have an "unknown" material status, 3,500 have identified lead service lines on the company side, and the remainder are known non-lead. Records show lead was used on the company side during two periods: 1923–1929 and late 1941–late 1944. After 1988, lead was federally banned for service lines. The customer side material is unknown unless the house was built after 1988. - The inventory phase runs through 2027, with a replacement phase from 2027–2037 to become lead-free. The company is using records review, customer self-reporting, and future canvassing/test holes to identify materials. A public website allows residents to check their address and self-report material type. - John Sparkman emphasized that water remains safe to drink; the company regularly tests 50 homes with lead service lines every three years and consistently meets EPA action levels. However, council members raised concerns about potential health risks even at low levels and the lack of financial assistance for homeowners who need to replace their side of the line. - Council discussed: the difference between company and homeowner responsibility; the need for filters as an interim measure; coordination with schools; and the importance of not alarming the public but still encouraging replacement. Councilman Elliott thanked the company for early engagement. Councilman Hill asked about city plumbing codes that may have banned lead before 1988. Councilwoman Berz asked about financial remedies for low-income residents; the company said those details are still being worked out. - The company provided a communication toolkit for council members and expressed willingness to return for updates. Other Business - Council noted upcoming strategic planning items: the Family Justice Center will present on their new strategic plan on February 3, and there are open board appointments. - At the end of the meeting, the council briefly entered an attorney-client session (not streamed) to discuss a legal matter. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were taken. The council received information and will follow up with Tennessee American Water as the inventory progresses. Council asked the company to return in about a year with an update.