Chattanooga City Council Meeting May 26, 2026: Raccoon Mountain Water Project Approved
Chattanooga City Council Meeting Summary – May 26, 2026
The Chattanooga City Council held its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, beginning with an invocation and pledge. The meeting included agenda review, votes on multiple ordinances and resolutions, committee reports, and public comments. Key actions included first-reading approval of the Raccoon Mountain water service project and creation of a legislative affairs position.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from the previous meeting.
- Three purchases approved: a knuckle boom truck ($311,794), three F550 trucks for fire department ($234,992), and synthetic turf for John A. Patton baseball field ($862,560).
- Final reading rezoning of properties at 1812-1818 Ferris Row and 7301-7309 Crane Road from RN-1 to INST (institutional).
- Final reading rezoning of 6206-6218 Vance Road from RN-1, IH, and IL to RM-1 and IL, subject to conditions (building height, construction traffic from south only, privacy fence).
- First reading rezoning of 1128 East 13th Street from RN-3 to TRN-1, subject to conditions (alley access, single-unit detached with optional ADU, off-street parking).
- Resolution authorizing application for HUD Section 108 loan guarantee program (passed).
- Resolution authorizing application for Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All implementation grant of $17 million (passed).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Angela Tuttle (District 2, Manchester Park Neighborhood Association) expressed support for $150,000 in the capital budget for a pocket park, citing health and community benefits. Councilwoman Hill noted the partnership with Trust for Public Land.
- Audrey Ramsey (Chattanooga Aquatic Project) advocated for swimming lessons at community center pools, highlighting drowning risks for African American children and proposing year-round curriculum integration.
- Kat Zwitter and Joan shared personal experiences of homelessness, thanked the council for converting the airport into permanent supportive housing for women and children, and urged consideration of low-barrier shelter options for individuals and couples.
- John, a formerly homeless individual, emphasized the need for housing options for couples and those with barriers.
- A resident from Utah spoke in support of low-barrier housing for homeless individuals.
- Tyler Rolson expressed profound gratitude for the council’s approval of the Raccoon Mountain water project, stating the decision will benefit future generations.
Discussion Items
- Raccoon Mountain Water Service Project (Ordinances 8A & 8B): Councilwoman Burrs raised concerns about the $3.5 million appropriation, noting lack of written connection agreements and unclear reimbursement timelines. She proposed two amendments: (1) requiring 80% of existing and undeveloped property owners to sign connection agreements before funding, and (2) implementing an availability fee for non-connecting properties. Councilman Henderson opposed the amendments, arguing they could jeopardize the project and that property values would increase once water is available. Councilwoman Noel stated her opposition, believing public dollars should address broader infrastructure needs. After debate, the council voted on the original ordinances.
- Vance Road Rezoning: The three conditions for the IL zone (maximum 2.5 stories/35 feet, no construction traffic from north end of Vance Road, privacy fence) were confirmed as part of an alternate version and approved.
- 1128 East 13th Street Rezoning: Councilwoman Hill confirmed that an alternate version with three conditions was read; the ordinance passed on first reading.
- Legislative Affairs Position (Other Business): Vice Chairman Elliott moved to include a new legislative affairs position in the budget. Councilwoman Burrs expressed concern about potential overlap with existing resources and wanted more vetting. Councilman Clark supported the position as an additive to council’s legislative duties. The motion passed with one no vote.
Key Outcomes
- Raccoon Mountain Water Project: Ordinances 8A (general fund appropriation) and 8B (capital budget increase) passed on first reading by a vote of 6-2, with Councilwoman Noel voting no and Councilwoman Burrs voting present. The project allocates $3.5 million to extend water service, with expected $1 million reimbursement from Tennessee American Water over 10 years and $500,000 in additional property tax revenue over 10 years (as estimated by the property assessor).
- Vance Road Rezoning: Passed on first reading with conditions.
- 1128 East 13th Street Rezoning: Passed on first reading with conditions.
- HUD Resolution and Safe Streets Grant: Both passed unanimously.
- Legislative Affairs Position: Motion to include the position in the budget passed (one no vote).
- Public Hearing: The council announced a public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget for the following week.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. I call to order the May twenty-sixth meeting of the Chattanooga City Council and recognize Councilman Harvey for Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation. Um this afternoon I have the unique privilege of introducing my mother, who will be bringing us uh our invocation this afternoon. Uh mom is not the only title that she holds. She currently serves as the Hamilton County team leader for the Tennessee governmental prayer lines. She is the former prayer committee chair for Governor Bill Lee's faith-based and community initiatives. Perhaps this is where I get uh a little bit of my love for public service and love for our community as well. Um she's both the creator and producer of the local television show Chattanooga Stronger Together, which is featured on our uh local PBS station, WTCI. Uh, this is a show that features our local nonprofits that are often in dire need of funding. Her show has helped hundreds of nonprofits survive and thrive. She is what I think of when I think the hands and feet of Jesus. She's not your typical volunteer. She's ministered to prostitutes, fed the hungry, and volunteered to teach Muslim immigrants English in their own homes right here in downtown Chattanooga. Thank you, Mom, for making a difference in the lives of others. I hope I didn't make you emotional. Right before do our prayer. If you don't mind provide us with prayer this afternoon. May this chamber be filled with respect and a sincere desire to serve the greater good of this city that we love. Father, we're reminded in the book of Proverbs, where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety. Well, we ask you to bless our city's mayor, Tim Kelly, our elected officials, our leaders, first responders, our businesses, schools, and every family and district represented here. May your peace, protection, and your divine favority. We recognize Chattanooga as a very special and unique city, rich in history and spirit, and in many ways, she's the heart of Tennessee. Father, I ask you to pour a blessing upon us, as you have spoken in Deuteronomy. Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. May all decisions made here tonight be filled with integrity and humility and a spirit of unity. Give these leaders wisdom to serve their districts that will make our Chattanooga a stronger and better place to live. In Jesus' name, Amen. Thank you. And welcome everyone to our meeting this afternoon. Welcome, sir. Thank you for being here. And also at the beginning of our meeting each week, we like to give a kind of a rundown of how the meeting operates. You'll know what to expect. Our meeting is broken up into two parts. And the first part of our meeting here will look at our agenda for the night, the things that we'll be voting on tonight. And there'll be a time for council to ask questions or make any comments about those items. We'll then do the same thing with our agenda for next week. And also for items that are coming before us in three weeks or later. We like to work ahead and be well prepared and look at things ahead of time. So after we do that, we'll also look at the purchases that are before us tonight for approval to see if any council members have questions or concerns about those. Um that we sometimes do. And so after we look at all of our agenda items, uh present and future, uh, we'll take a recess where we will need a brief attorney client meeting with our city attorney during that recess. When we come back from our recess, we will then vote on all the items on our agenda for tonight. And once we're done voting, um, there will be a time for public comment where anyone who is here who wishes to address the council uh will be recognized to do that at the podium down front, and we'll explain the rules for that when the time comes at the end of our meeting. Um, council, um, if I could get a motion on the minutes from our previous meeting. So a motion and a proper second, and the minutes will stand as published. Um council, look with me if you would at this week's agenda and hit your lights if you have any questions. We do have a couple of items on final read. Uh Vice Chairman Elliott, you're recognized.
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