Chattanooga City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026

The City Council met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 7:29 PM UTC to discuss and vote on ordinances, resolutions, purchases, and committee reports. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Parks and Public Works committee, which featured presentations on the National Park City Seeds Initiative, the Coolidge Park Blue Way access, and the Brainerd Levy improvements. The council also addressed public comments and conducted votes on several agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinances under final reading (Items A–H) were taken as a package and approved, except Item A was later reconsidered and denied. Items not pulled were approved unanimously.
• Resolutions Items B and C (office lease and option to renew with Chattanooga Housing Authority) were approved as a package.
• Purchases (fleet renewal, public works renewal, wastewater additional repair) were approved as a package.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Smith (1308 Hicks and Pike) expressed appreciation for the city's planned traffic interventions on Hicks and Pike but urged extending the proposed one-lane northbound restriction to slow speeding (60–70 mph observed). He requested support for state speed cameras and noted 100% neighborhood agreement from a recent survey.
• Shirley Moon (District 8) played a voicemail from a police officer returning her call about a persistent neighborhood issue but stated she has been unable to reconnect. Councilman Elliott and the police chief agreed to stay behind to assist her.

Discussion Items

• National Park City Seeds Initiative – Brian Smith (Interim Administrator, Parks and Outdoors) and Chris Wilson (Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga) presented year-two plans to transition from a city-led to a community-led movement. A "seed drive" (npcseeds.org) aims to collect 100 actionable ideas (seeds) and plant 10 in 2026, with focus on collaboration, pilot projects, and nature as a shared asset. David Little John (via remote) emphasized quality-of-life and economic prosperity.
• Coolidge Park Blue Way Access – Monica Kinsey (Economic Development) and Mia Rourke (Tennessee Riverline) presented a 675-foot multi-use floating dock with ADA kayak launches, rowing sections, fishing pier, and six boat slips. The project is driven by the planned 18-month closure of the South Shore Riverfront (starting November 2026) for renovations, and aims to retain $20 million in event economic impact. The dock would also support Audubon Society access to McClellan Island.
• Brainerd Levy Improvements – Chip-and-seal resurfacing of 3.2 miles of the levy trail (10 ft wide) from Shallifer Road to near Camp Jordan, plus a connector from Ramsey Center. Includes wayfinding signage, accessible routes, and parking. Total city match of $494,847 (corrected from $594,000). Construction expected to begin late summer/fall 2026 and complete by summer/fall 2027 pending grant awards.
• First Reading Ordinance Deferral – Councilman Burrs stated he would deny Item C (rezoning at 5813 Lee Highway) because the applicant has been offered an alternative special exception solution, deferring action.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Final Reading: Items A–H approved as a package. Later, Item A (closing a right-of-way) was reconsidered and denied (Vice Chair Noel motioned, citing need for access from both north and south ends). All other final reading ordinances passed.
• First Reading Ordinance (Item C, 5813 Lee Highway): Deferred (motion to deny noted).
• Resolutions:
  • Item A (Catherine Peary appointment to Head Start Governing Board) approved.
  • Items B and C (lease and renewal) approved as package.
  • Item D (naloxone box pilot at Miller Park) approved.
  • Item E (contaminated soil disposal for Alton Park Connector, up to $250,000) approved.
  • Item F (special exception permit for liquor store at 2220 Hamilton Place Blvd) approved (7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain).
• Purchases: Three renewal/repair purchases approved (fleet: $250,000; public works: $543,000; wastewater: $395,000). A sole source purchase for police forensics software ($37,370) reported.
• Sole Source Purchase: Technology Services license for GrayKey mobile forensic tool to stop iPhone 72-hour timer, avoiding travel to TBI.
• Committee Reports:
  • Parks and Public Works committee meeting held (see Discussion Items).
  • Education and Innovation committee meeting on 311 rescheduled to a work group.
  • Economic Development committee meeting (April 7) will hear Urban History update on the Bent.
• Other Business: Certificates of compliance issued for Total Wine & More (Hamilton Place) and Speedway (Bonnie Oaks). Donation of $500 from St. Elmo Community Association to fire department for workout equipment.
• Next Steps: Public input sessions for dock/levy projects on March 25 (Grimes Center, 5 PM) and March 26 (Ramsey Center, 6 PM). Council will receive more details on blueprint program outcomes from Associated General Contractors.