Chattanooga City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026: Public Hearing on Raccoon Mountain Water Budget Amendment and Proclamations
Chattanooga City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026
The Chattanooga City Council met on May 19, 2026, to conduct a public hearing on a proposed $3.5 million budget amendment for extending city water to Raccoon Mountain, recognize two individuals with proclamations, and handle regular business including zoning changes, contract approvals, and a discussion on a violence intervention consultant. The meeting began at approximately 3:45 p.m. and concluded after votes on all items.
Proclamations
- Everett Plant Day: Councilman Harvey presented a proclamation declaring May 19, 2026 as "Everett Plant Day" in honor of 101-year-old WWII veteran Everett Plant, who served in General Patton's Third Army, received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and remains a Chattanooga resident.
- Officer Eli Rogers: Council Vice Chairman Elliott recognized Officer Eli Rogers of the Chattanooga Police Department for rescuing a four-year-old and her mother from a burning home on May 1, 2026. Rogers kicked down the door, carried the child to safety, and returned to suppress flames.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved minutes from the previous meeting.
- All items on final reading (7A-G) passed without objection, including several zoning ordinance amendments.
- First reading items (8A, 8B) passed, including a scenic corridor sign prohibition and a rezoning for Ferris Road/Crane Road properties to institutional use.
- Resolutions 9A (EPB reappointment), 9C (Walnut Street Bridge change order #4), 9D (Alton Park Connector change order #1), 9E (rescinding prior resolution for Alton Park disposal fees), and 9F (Birchwood landfill liner construction) were approved.
- Purchases (wastewater software extension, police tagging systems, two armored rescue vehicles) and an RFP for parks security services were approved.
- Sole source purchases for crime scene scanning software and surveying equipment were reported.
Public Comments & Testimony (Public Hearing on Budget Amendment)
The public hearing ran from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., with 2 minutes per speaker. The following residents and supporters spoke in favor of the budget amendment to bring city water to Raccoon Mountain:
- Bill Haley (Raccoon Mountain resident, 19 years): Described well collapse in 2024, hauling water weekly from a hydrant at John A. Patton Wreck Center, a 30-mile round trip. At 74, the task is increasingly difficult.
- Karen Haley: Thanked Councilman Henderson for his work on the project; noted two-plus years without water.
- Tess Wentland (property owner): Cannot build on Raccoon Mountain without city water; cited stories of dry wells and tens of thousands of dollars wasted.
- Michael Shamborski (20-year resident): Well collapsed after fracking attempt; now hauls water from a spring in Georgia (30-mile round trip). Raised fire safety concerns: only one road, heavily wooded area.
- Bet Golson (mother of five, expecting sixth): Asked council to help steward the community for future generations.
- Simon Drevenchuk (resident): Noted limited water access creates fire protection, emergency response, and growth concerns.
- El Zar Driving Chunk (resident): Well ran dry; now hauls water from Ringgold, GA.
- Zeke Wheeler (District 1, non-resident): Supported funding as a Chattanooga resident.
- Julie Shimborski (20-year resident): Spent over $20,000 on well; expressed safety concerns about wildfires and lack of safe drinking water.
- Caroline Shannon (District 2): Spoke in support of the Golson family.
- Davis Smith (District 6): Supported as a practical and emotional issue.
- Tyler Golson (father of five): Thanked Mayor Kelly's administration for work; said funding is the only remaining step. Cited Philippians 4:6-7 as a source of peace.
- Lonnie Carter (part-time resident): Invested $25,000 in water infrastructure; wants to retire on the mountain with reliable water.
- Kelly Shimborski (grew up on mountain): Cannot stay overnight with four children due to water limits; properties are unsellable without loss.
- Ryan Borkin (District 3): Urged council to love neighbors by providing clean water and safety.
- Hugh Huffacre (property owner): Paid $60,000 for a dream home design; creek dried up; well-drilling risks; cited an AI calculation showing quick tax repayment based on Black Creek extension.
- Chris Silva (property owner): Cannot build without water; supports moving forward.
- Phineas Shannon (neighbor of Golcons): Observed Tyler's late-night water runs.
- Helen Byrne Sharp (District 7): Blamed Tennessee legislature for 50-year-old loophole allowing developers to avoid infrastructure requirements; noted Chattanooga is not in the water business (served by Tennessee American Water); project is expensive per customer.
- Joe Pleva (commercial realtor): Supported despite cost-effectiveness concerns.
- Cooper Jacks (resident, 1.5 years): Asked council to treat Raccoon Mountain residents as their own constituents.
- Representative Greg Vidal (guest): Noted decisions made with best facts; encouraged stepping up now to save future costs.
- Sherry Ford (Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association president): Supported the request.
- Steve Bennett (East Lake resident): Emphasized the opportunity to show the nation's greatness.
- Teresa Owens and Yvonne Alvarez (supporters): Yvonne asked supporters to stand.
Discussion Items
- Budget Amendment for Raccoon Mountain Water: Councilman Henderson noted the ordinance will be read for first reading on May 26, 2026. Councilman Clark expressed solidarity, stating that 50 years of delayed infrastructure cost the city an estimated $25 million in lost revenue. He called the issue a matter of principle.
- Section 108 Loan Guarantee for Faircloth-to-Voucher Program: The council discussed a resolution authorizing CHA to borrow up to $7.8 million via HUD's Section 108 program to support 1,200 Faircloth vouchers and development of 2,000 affordable housing units across 11 projects. Staff clarified the city would not carry the debt; CHA would be responsible. Funds can only be used for specific eligible activities.
- Walnut Street Bridge Change Orders: Councilwoman Hill commended the project's cost control; the city's fiscal commitment has decreased due to grants.
- Violence Interruption Consultant Norman Kerr (Item for future consideration): Vice Chairman Elliott and Councilman Clark questioned renewing a contract with Norman Kerr for $1.5 million over three years. They requested evidence of measurable outcomes and suggested deferring the item for further education. The chief explained the contract is for scaling the program and ensuring compliance with DOJ funding.
- Withdrawn Item: Resolution 9B (Walnut Street Bridge change order #3) was withdrawn by administration for modifications.
Key Outcomes
- Public Hearing Closed: The council closed the public hearing on the FY26 budget amendment at 4:45 p.m.
- Votes on Consent Items: All consent items passed unanimously, including zoning changes, Walnut Street Bridge change orders, Alton Park Connector changes, and landfill contract.
- Purchases and RFP Approved: All three purchases and the RFP for parks security were approved.
- Future Meetings: Budget education session scheduled for May 26 at 10 a.m.; budget town halls on June 1 (Chattanooga Downtown Library, 6-7 p.m.), June 4 (Carroll Burrus Family Justice Center, 6-7:30 p.m.), and June 14 (Hickson Community Center, 2-4 p.m.).
- Committee Reports: Councilman Clark reported all preschoolers in the Department of Early Learning met or exceeded target proficiency goals.
Public Comments (End of Meeting)
Missy Crutchfield (Highland Park, District 9) urged the council to create a low-barrier shelter for the unhoused, especially those with pets, and highlighted the eviction of an encampment on Hooker Road just before cold weather. She called for sensitivity training and questioned directives from Nashville.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. I'll call to order the May nineteenth meeting of the Chattanooga City Council. If you would please stand and join me in a Pledge of Allegiance Star Flags. And then we'll have a public hearing on a proposed amendment to our current fiscal year twenty twenty-six budget. That will be a time when members of the public who wish to address council specifically about that budget amendment are welcome to do so. And we'll explain a little bit more when the time comes, kind of the procedure for that. We'll do the same thing with our agenda items for next week's meeting, um, as well as items that are on our agenda three weeks or later from today. We like to work ahead and be well prepared. Um, so we'll do that as we normally do. Uh, we do not have any committee meetings or department uh reports today. Um, and so after we've gone over all the agenda items, we'll take a brief recess. We will need to have a brief attorney client meeting with our city attorney as we frequently do during our recess. And then when we come back after our recess, we'll be voting on all of the items on tonight's agenda that we've looked at uh earlier in the meeting, as I mentioned. And after all of that, at the end of our meeting, we'll have another opportunity for the public to address the council, and that time will be not limited to our budget amendment, but that'll be a time when members of the public can address us on on anything they'd like to. Um, and you'll have uh three minutes each to do that. Um, and our city attorney at that time will go over some rules and and regulations for that at the very end of our meeting. Um so I did see um that joining us today we have State Representative Vital. Want to recognize you and welcome you. Thank you for being here today. Um and then I will from here turn things over to Councilman Harvey for a special proclamation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um was eating at mission barbecue in my district and just the great district four. It doesn't rhyme like the great district eight, but it's still pretty cool. Uh was eating at mission barbecue in district four and uh met an interesting gentleman who happened to be celebrating his 101st birthday that day, and uh I said, man, I gotta I gotta get to know this guy. So uh sat down with him, had lunch, and learned all about his story, and it quickly uh became clear to me that we should do uh a uh joint proclamation uh to recognize this veteran in the service to his country. So I'm gonna ask Everett if you'll come up. I think he he drove he did a cross-country trip trip just last year to Canada, didn't you? You drove yourself to Canada. Well, I yeah, I didn't okay. Well, that's another story for another time. Um is one of the members of the administration want to join me in this pro joint proclamation, former councilman, now deputy chief. All right, Everett. Um, whereas the mayor and the Chattanooga City Council recognized the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding and remember the veterans who fought for our freedom. And whereas Nazi Germany declared war on the United States on December the 11th, 1941, once again endangering that freedom. Whereas Everett Plant, born April the 4th, 1925, answered the call of his country and joined the United States Army. Mr. Plant, when asked why he joined the Army, said I had to do something for the country. Mr. Plant served in General George S. Patton's Third Army in the 80th Division, 317th Infantry. One evening on night patrol, Everett stepped on a German landmine. Still today, Everett has shrapnel lodged in his neck, shoulder, and spine. Everett received the Purple Heart for his injury and the bronze star for his bravery. Now, whereas at 101 years old, resides in the city of Chattanooga and continues to love his country. When asked if he would do it all over again without hesitation, he answered, no question. Whereas the mayor and the Chattanooga City Council this day recognized the sacrifice, bravery, and dedication of Everett Plant to the cause of freedom. Do hereby declare May the 19th, 2026 as Everett Plant Day in the City of Chattanooga. Thank you, Mr. Plant, for your service to our great nation.
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