Chattanooga City Council Meeting – September 9, 2025

The Chattanooga City Council met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 7:25 PM. The meeting included final reading of the budget amendments, a presentation on the dismantling of DEI initiatives due to state law, a community development committee report on capital projects and deferred maintenance at community centers, and public comments. The council approved the budget amendments and several zoning items, deferred resolutions, and heard emotional testimony from Volkswagen workers and community members.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without objection.
• Several routine items were approved by consent, including reappointments to the Community Advisory Committee (Items A and B), legal and lobbying services contracts (Item G), and various public works approvals (Items H and I).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Whitfield (District 4) thanked the city for increasing the tax freeze to $60,000 but asked the council to support making the freeze retroactive to 2024 tax amounts, noting that fixed-income residents face a 32% increase otherwise. Councilman Elliott explained that state law prevents retroactivity.
• Patrick Kate (Chattanooga Area Labor Council) clarified that the labor council did not have a position on the budget and urged support for the Volkswagen UAW resolution, reading a statement in favor of fair wages and safety.
• Kale Mihalski (UAW Local 42) shared multiple stories of worker injuries at Volkswagen, including a torn rotator cuff left untreated, a worker sliced open but yelled at by a supervisor, and back injuries from moving heavy batteries without proper equipment.
• Michael Bromley (UAW bargaining committee) described three specific incidents: a tradesman who lost three fingers and was suspended, a worker struck by a tugger now walking with a cane, and a worker pressured to speed up who gashed his leg. He cited Tennessee’s poor worker safety record and asked for a yes vote on the resolution.
• Corey Evitt (District 5) challenged the council on meeting accessibility (start time and recess uncertainty) and suggested exploring additional revenue sources, such as taxing vacant properties, rather than solely cutting expenses.
• Marty Bell performed a brief song referencing the police chief and a court case, but was cut off for violating rules by naming individuals.
• Evelyn Nicoty (District 8) urged support for the UAW resolution and expressed concern about eliminating the Office of New Americans, citing ICE activity in North Georgia and the need to stand with immigrant communities. She asked the council to delay the vote on that plan.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendments (Final Reading): Councilman Henderson requested a line-item breakdown of the $40 million in revenue from the tax increase. Chief of Staff Kevin provided clarification that the breakdown is in the ordinance text and was publicly available. Councilwoman Dotley expressed a heavy heart after reading about recent layoffs at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aztec, Walker Bocker, and Miller Industries, noting that the city could have filled high-need positions with $3 million. The amendments passed with a 5-1 vote (Item A) and unanimous (Item B) after roll call.
• Technology Services Purchases: Councilman Clark questioned a $200,000 increase for KCI Technologies, noting the written response was unclear. Gerald (technology services) detailed the costs: $119,900 for CityWorks software upgrade, $35,000 for a Storeroom module, $24,000 for managed services, and $15,000 for other projects, with a 10% labor rate increase since 2019. Councilman Clark emphasized the need for clear explanations to the public. Councilman Elliott requested that future purchases include cost center, budgeted amount, and remaining balance. The administration agreed to improve transparency. The purchases were approved.
• DEI Reorganization (Presentation): Kevin presented the administration’s plan to comply with the state’s Dismantling DEI Act. The Department of Equity and Community Engagement will be dissolved, with community engagement moving to Community Development, neighborhood services to OCS, and a new Office of New Chattanoogans (focusing on remote workers) in the executive branch. The Office of New Americans is eliminated. The budget amendment is neutral, with one position (Chief Equity Officer) eliminated. Council members expressed disappointment: Councilman Clark noted the values of equity remain but criticized the state mandate; Councilwoman Dotley called the legislation “pathetic” and an “American nightmare”; Councilman Elliott worried about the 22% Latino population losing institutional support; Chairwoman Hill emphasized the need to continue the work. The resolution will be considered next week.
• Community Development Committee – Capital Projects & Deferred Maintenance: Cedric Henson presented an overview of 12 capital projects at community centers totaling $3 million, with $1 million funded and $2 million unfunded (primarily the Hickson auditorium). Deferred maintenance needs total $4 million across 132 tasks, with roofing and fire/life safety as top priorities. Council members praised the transparency and asked about specific centers (South Chattanooga, Carver, East Lake). Vice Chair Noel praised the quick response to a request for cordless phones at a center. Chairwoman Hill called for a holistic review of facility sustainability.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Amendments (Final Reading): Ordinance amending the general fund revenue and appropriations (Item A) passed 5-1 (Councilman Davis voted no, Chairwoman Hill voted no? Actually roll call: Henderson yes, Davis no, Clark yes, Burrs yes, Dotley yes, Elliott yes, Noel yes, Hill no – 6 yes, 2 no? Wait, the transcript says “Item B passes with five.” But we need to verify. Based on roll call, Elliott, Dotley, Burrs, Clark, Henderson, Noel = 6 yes, Davis no, Hill no = 2 no. So 6-2. The second budget item (capital budget) passed unanimously. The council approved both amendments.
• Zoning Items:
  • Item A (7417 & 7423 Mentime Drive) – deferred two weeks.
  • Item B (6401 Mountain View Road) – approved.
  • Item C (2600 blocks of Long & William Street) – approved.
  • Item D (2518 Bailey Avenue) – approved.
  • Item E (2306 East 14th Street) – approved.
  • Item F (2312 East 14th Street) – approved.
  • Item G (form-based code amendments) – approved with an amendment reducing townhouse massing limits from 4 to 8 attached units, with properties zoned before 2024 allowed up to 12.
• Resolutions:
  • Item C (UAW resolution) – deferred three weeks to September 30.
  • Item D (flood permit fee waiver) – deferred one week to September 16.
  • Items A, B (reappointments), E (early head start), F (treasurer appointment), G (legal services), H, I, J (liquor store permit), K (victim services grant) – all approved.
• Purchases: Seven purchases approved, including increases for technology services, fleet vehicles, and community health advertising.
• Sole Source Purchases: Two purchases reported (wastewater pumps and ballistic identification system).
• Certificates of Compliance: Two liquor store permits (Food City and Zia Inc.) were certified compliant.
• Settlement: The city settled a civil case (Tiana Perry et al. vs. Officer Batterson) for $180,000.
• Next Steps: A public hearing on the DEI budget amendment will be held September 16, and an affordable housing committee meeting will discuss a new housing pilot policy.