Summary of Chattanooga City Council Meeting - Feb 11, 2025
Budget Amendments (Finance Section):
Two budget items introduced: amendments to the general operating budget and capital budget.
Vice Chair Hill praised the GFOA report for enabling a risk-based analysis of reserve requirements, stressing the importance of preparing for risks like recessions or natural disasters.
Financial Policy Request (Vice Chair Hill):
Requested the administration to draft within 80 days (by May 2, 2025):
Structurally balanced budget policy.
Reserve floor and ceiling policy.
One-time revenue policy.
Volatile revenue policy.
Based on GFOA recommendations; Hill supported the amendments, noting healthy thresholds but urging clear future policies.
Planning and Zoning:
No ordinances on final reading.
Councilman Hester reported on a neighborhood visit (District 8) regarding a development, suggesting a deferral to March 11, 2025, for community education, tied to Case 2024-0193.
Vice Chair Hill, stepping in as chair later, oversaw zoning votes.
Resolutions:
Discussed parks, public works, and wastewater items from the prior week; no major comments raised.
Committee Reports:
Public Safety Committee (Chair: Councilwoman Bley):
Humane Society Presentation (Jim Kennedy):
Addressed a $268,100.87 city property tax delinquency (part of $535,000 total with county) due to a clerical oversight during relocation and leadership changes.
Proposal: HS pays the city, then the city appropriates the same amount back as a donation (not reimbursement); approved with no objections.
Legal Note: State law prohibits tax forgiveness; appropriation method used instead.
Chief Chambers’ 100-Day Update:
Focused on culture (collaboration, high standards), recruitment (20+ cadet academy), retention, and leadership training (e.g., Magnus training, EQI assessments).
Launched Police Activities League (PAL) and expanded crisis co-responder unit; praised for visibility and community engagement.
Economic Development Committee (Chair: Henderson in absence of Councilwoman Coonrod):
Reviewed PILOT Policy Version 13 with Sharita Allen:
Purpose: Economic development tool for recruitment and retention.
Key Features: Removes IDB delegation, targets state and Chattanooga industries (e.g., manufacturing, professional services), uses a matrix for eligibility (jobs, wages, investment, special factors like local hiring), updated application with layoff questions, 3-year review cycle.
Process: Set for vote on February 18, 2025, as Version 13 (or 14 if amended).
Ordinances on First Reading (Next Week’s Final Reading):
Ordinance 8A - Operations Budget Amendment:
Amends Ordinance No. 14118 (FY 2024-2025).
Appropriates $29,975,500 from general fund reserves: $11,975,500 for capital projects, $18,000,000 for pension fund contingency; reallocates due to department dissolution.
Passed (8 yeses).
Ordinance 8B - Capital Budget Amendment:
Amends Ordinance No. 14119 (FY 2024-2025).
Increases capital budget by $11,975,500 from reserves.
Passed (8 yeses).
Zoning Cases (Planning Section):
Case 2024-0193 (Item C):
Rezone 3854 Bonding Oaks Drive from RN-16 to TR-RN-3; deferred to March 11, 2025 (8 yeses).
Case 2025-00004 (Item D):
Rezone 4306 North Access Road from RN-16 to I-Light Industrial; conditions limit industrial uses; approved alternate version (8 yeses).
Case 2025-00004 (Item E):
Rezone 6515 Hunt Drive from RN-16 to RN-3; conditions include no excess on Hunt Drive; approved (8 yeses).
Case 2025-00006 (Item F):
Rezone 2619, 2621, and unaddressed Long Street property from RN-3 to TR-RN-3; approved (8 yeses).
Case 2025-0014 (Item G):
Rezone 2403 Glass Street from RN-2 to C-TMU; conditions agreed; approved (6 yeses, 2 noes).
Ordinance H - Zoning Code Amendments:
Amends Ordinance No. 14137; adds definitions, permits “office” in RN-3, updates BZA and alcohol sales rules; approved (8 yeses).
Resolutions (Package Votes):
Items A and B: Head Start board appointment and Justice for Families grant ($600,000); approved (8 yeses).
Items C-H (Parks, Public Works, Wastewater): Included landfill adjustments, gym floor contract ($122,300), and special police officer appointment; approved (8 yeses).
