1/22/25 Chattanooga City Council Meeting Part 1

I. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance (2:00)

II.  Welcome & Recognition (2:35)

  • Mayor Tim Kelly recognized.

III.  Announcements (2:58)

  • No special presentations.

IV.  Meeting Minutes (4:04)

  • Minutes approved with no objections.

V.  Committee Meetings & Recess (4:14)

  • Budget and Finance Committee meeting announced regarding a budget ordinance amendment.
  • Parks and Public Works Committee meeting announced.
  • Brief recess planned after the current order of business.

VI.  Agenda Review (4:33)

  • Final Reading: Several zoning requests on second reading.
  • First Reading:
    • Public Works: Ordinance deferred one week until January 28th due to ongoing conservation easement negotiations.
  • Resolutions:
    • Council Office:  Two resolutions.
    • Economic Development:
      • Chief Cleford requested a one-week deferral of the Neonx pilot agreement.
    • Mayor's Office: One appointment.
    • Planning:
      • "A resolution approving a special exemption permit for property located at 4610 Rossville Boulevard from the 1,000 ft. separation requirement from a church as required in Chattanooga City Code Section 38-306(11) to allow a retail beer permit."
      • Councilwoman Dooley announced her intention to deny the permit, citing concerns about the existing businesses in the area and the impact on sustainable development.
    • Police:
      • "A resolution authorizing the Chattanooga Chief of Police to donate two Harley-Davidson motorcycles to the Forgotten Child Fund."
    • Other Business: Certificate of compliance related to the denied special exemption permit.

VII.  Review of Proposed Agenda for January 28th (8:01)

  • Items on first reading this week will move to final reading next week.
  • First Reading:
    • Finance: Budget amendment ordinance.
      • Public hearing scheduled for February 4th.
      • First reading moved to February 11th to allow for 10 days' notice.
    • Planning: One item.
  • Resolutions:
    • Economic Development: Two items, including the new pilot policy (Item 9B).
      • Councilwoman Hill anticipated the pilot policy would not be ready for a vote next week.
      • Chief Cleford agreed to move Item 9B to February 4th to allow for further discussion and feedback.
    • Family Justice Center: One item.
    • Mayor's Office: One item.

VIII.  Purchase Items (10:52)

  • No questions or concerns from the council about the purchase items.

IX.  Future Considerations (3-Week Outlook) (11:04)

  • No items brought before the council.

X.  Budget and Finance Committee Meeting (11:34)

  • Ordinance 8A:
    • "An ordinance to amend the operations budget ordinance number 14118 known as the fiscal year 2024 through 2025 operations budget to amend sections 5 and 5A so as to appropriate $29,977,500 from general fund reserves of which $11,977,500 to various capital projects; increase contingency appropriation of $18 million for one-time payment to the fire and police pension fund; to provide for reallocation of appropriations to the department of innovation delivery and performance following administrative decisions which have resulted in the dissolution of that department; to reallocate appropriations between certain departments; and to amend section 7D due to administrative changes during fiscal year 2024 through 2025 to reallocate available appropriations for certain new or changed positions."
  • Mayor Kelly's Remarks:
    • Expressed appreciation for the council's consideration of the supplementary budget.
    • Emphasized the importance of running the city in a capital-efficient manner.
    • Highlighted the strategic priorities addressed in the budget, including critical infrastructure, public safety, and shoring up the police and fire pension fund.
    • Acknowledged the council's role in deciding how to allocate funds.
  • Presentation by Weston Porter, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, and Mandy Green, Chief Operating Officer:
    • Explained the rationale for the budget amendment, including the strength of the city's financial reserves.
    • Detailed the proposed allocation of funds:
      • 73.4% for critical infrastructure and public safety.
      • 12.6% for community development, housing, and parks.
      • 8.1% for tech innovation and the local economy.
      • 5.9% for public health, education, and mobility.
    • Emphasized that the amendment would still leave the city with a healthy reserve balance.
    • Critical Infrastructure and Public Safety Projects:
      • Intersection detection cameras ($360,000).
      • Mobile traffic count trailers ($50,000).
      • Modern Traffic Management Center ($500,000).
      • Street light upgrades ($200,000).
      • Lookout Valley infrastructure upgrades ($632,000).
      • CPD property room upgrades and HVAC upgrades ($200,000).
      • Fire department turnout gear drying racks ($120,000).
      • Fire department swift water rescue vehicle ($80,000).
      • Sewer lateral street repairs ($3,000,000).
      • Leaf vacuum trucks ($500,000).
      • Pedestrian safety improvements from Fernway to Barton ($500,000).
      • Crossroad improvements ($1,000,000).
      • Sidewalks for Cassandra Smith Road and Big Ridge Elementary ($700,000).
      • Rossville Boulevard beautification ($250,000).
      • Quick-build transportation and safety projects ($150,000).
      • Raccoon Mountain water infrastructure ($500,000).
    • Parks and Community Development Projects:
      • Tennessee River Blueway Trailhead kiosk and parking ($100,000).
      • Sports turf field for East Side Elementary ($100,000).
      • Heritage Park inclusive playground ($250,000).
      • Mowing equipment for municipal golf courses ($100,000).
      • Mountain bike pump track feasibility study ($100,000).
      • Park signage at Glenwood, Summit, Softball, and Warner Park ($100,000).
      • Pavilions at Lake Hills Park ($40,000) and Murray Hills ($40,000).
      • Carta feasibility study for transit-oriented development ($75,000).
      • Expansion of the 3D printed shelter program ($100,000).
      • East Lake satellite parking lot ($120,000).
      • Glenwood Room divider ($25,000).
      • Feasibility study for gym floor restoration and bathroom renovation at Carver Recreation Center ($150,000).
      • ADA button for the front door at Eastdale Recreation Center ($7,500).
      • Exterior lighting for Eastdale Recreation Center ($50,000).
      • Parking lot gates for Ramsey Recreation Center ($45,000) and Shepherd Recreation Center ($45,000).
      • Transport vans for Carver, Avendale, and East Chattanooga Recreation Centers ($150,000).
    • Technology, Innovation, and Local Economy Projects:
      • DOT grant match for an automated test track ($600,000).
      • Retail recruitment downtown and facade improvement grant program ($250,000).
      • ADA project at the Houston Museum of African American Culture ($35,000).
      • Visitor concierge booth at the Chattanooga Airport ($78,000).
    • Public Health, Education, and Mobility Projects:
      • Preliminary engineering and upgrades to collocate the Rape Crisis Center at the Family Justice Center ($455,000).
      • Feasibility study for new library locations in East Brainerd ($50,000) and Northgate ($50,000).
    • Optimizing Operations:
      • Reorganization and consolidation of constituent services.
      • Moving IDP functionality to the Mayor's Office.
      • Implementing a one-platform system for constituent services.
    • Fire and Police Pension Fund:
      • $18 million strategic transfer to help close the funding gap and reach the state comptroller's recommended 60% funding level.
  • Council Discussion and Questions:
    • Councilwoman Dooley:
      • Asked for clarification on the sewer lateral street repairs and how those issues are reported.
    • Councilman Leford:
      • Asked if the focus on infrastructure improvements is indicative of a continued mindset for the future.
    • Councilman Hester:
      • Thanked the administration for addressing critical needs in Lookout Valley and Raccoon Mountain.
    • Vice Chair Hill:
      • Requested information about the 3D printed shelter program.
    • Councilwoman Coonrod:
      • Expressed gratitude for the investments in District 8 recreation centers.
    • Councilman Leford:
      • Asked about the potential for generating revenue from the automated test track.
    • Vice Chair Hill:
      • Emphasized the importance of clawback provisions in contracts.
    • Councilman Leford:
      • Asked about the city's comfort level with the remaining reserve balance after the amendment.
    • Vice Chair Hill:
      • Requested an update on the GFOA study of the city's reserves and stressed the importance of having that information before voting on the amendment.
    • Councilman Henderson:
      • Asked for clarification on the increase in the general fund reserve balance from the projected amount during the FY25 budget process.
    • Councilman Leford:
      • Thanked Chris Hopkins, Pension Fund administrator, for his work and inquired about the impact of the $18 million contribution on the fund's health.
    • Councilwoman Coonrod:
      • Expressed support for the pension fund contribution as a member of a first responder family.
    • Councilman Smith:
      • Highlighted the progress made in improving the pension fund since 2013 and the importance of reaching the 60% funding milestone.
    • Councilwoman Coonrod:
      • Requested more information about the collocation of the Rape Crisis Center at the Family Justice Center.
    • Councilman Leford:
      • Expressed excitement about the feasibility study for a new library location in East Brainerd and thanked the administration for their collaboration and responsiveness.
    • Councilman Smith:
      • Expressed appreciation for Mandy Green's work and responsiveness to his questions.

XI. Parks & Public Works Committee Meeting (1:13:07)

  • Ordinance 8A:
    • "An ordinance closing and abandoning the unopened right-of-way in the 300 block of Ann Street as detailed on the attached map, subject to certain conditions."
  • Vice Chair Hill's Remarks:
    • Provided details on the conservation easement negotiations related to the abandonment and the potential for using this approach in similar situations across the city.
  • Closing Remarks:
    • Councilman Leford thanked Jeremy from Public Works for his leadership and responsiveness.

XII. Recess (1:16:28)

  • Meeting recessed at 5:15 PM.

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