Chairman Henderson opened the meeting, noting it was March 25, 2025. He led the pledge and offered an invocation, reflecting on Proverbs 11:14 and thanking outgoing council members for their service, praying for their future. No special presentations were scheduled. Minutes approved without objection.
Ordinances on Final Reading:
7A: Amends FY 2024-2025 budget, appropriating $67,546.48 (2019/2023 taxes) and $203,461.12 (2021/2022 delinquent taxes) from Humane Educational Society, totaling $271,200 after payment. Passed with roll call vote (7-0).
7B-D (Grouped):
7B: Rezones 1907 Stuart Street from RN-15/IH to TRN-3.
7C: Rezones 2800 Curtis Street from RN-15 to RN-13.
7D: Rezones 2401 East Main Street from C-C to C-TMU.
Motion to approve by Councilman Ledford, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Ordinances on First Reading:
8A-C (Grouped, Parks and Public Works):
8A: Closes unopened right-of-way at 2200 block of East 21st Street/2100 block of South Lyerly, subject to conditions.
8B: Abandons sewer easement at 1500 block of Mercer Street (1,439 linear feet).
8C: Abandons sewer easement at 7500 block of Standifer Gap Road (320 linear feet).
Motion to approve, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Resolutions:
9A-C (Package, Council Office):
9A: Confirms Rudolph Foster to Board of Zoning Appeals (District 5, June 9, 2024 - June 8, 2027).
9B: Confirms Kenneka Jones to Health, Educational, Housing Facility Board (District 9, March 19, 2025 - July 6, 2027).
9C: Expresses appreciation for outgoing council members, awards city-issued devices as ongoing policy. Vice Chair Hill requested legal opinion (pending from City Attorney Noblett).
Motion to approve, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
9D-F (Package, Economic Development):
9D: Authorizes renewal with Chattanooga Housing Authority for Sheila Jennings Wellness Center (through March 31, 2026).
9E: Accepts $56,640 from Bethlehem Center for Empowering Minority Communities through Swimming Initiative (Parks and Outdoors).
9F: Approves change order with Reeves Young LLC for MBWWTP improvements ($29,382.58 increase, total $11,353,372.21).
Motion to approve, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
9G (Planning):
Approves special exceptions permit for boutique wine and cheese shop at 50 Frazier Avenue (applicants Joseph and Heather Degatano, Bill Reed). Vice Chair Hill confirmed conditions: Tennessee agriculture license, 10% non-alcohol sales, 900 sq ft max display. Passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Purchases:
Approved:
Parks & Outdoors: 4-year renewal with Weedman Lawn Care, 5% increase, $123,375 annual spend.
Grants: Extension and $23,400 increase with UHY Advisors (through June 30, 2025), total $148,400.
Fleet: One-time purchase of milling machine, $398,310.86 (Sourcewell contract).
Parks & Outdoors: One-time purchase of greens maintenance equipment, $124,870.58 (Sourcewell contract).
Motion to approve, passed with voice vote (no opposition).
Deferred:
Economic Development RFP for housing outreach strategy consultant, deferred to April 1 by Vice Chair Hill.
Other Business:
Certificate of Compliance: City Attorney Noblett recommended approval for Cheese Tax LLC (wine and cheese shop at 50 Frazier Avenue, District 2). No issues noted.
Discussed next week’s ordinances (April 1): off-premise/on-premise advertising (sign ordinance) and tree ordinance. Presentations given:
Sign Ordinance: Darren Ledford presented updates (no comprehensive update in 25+ years), separating off-premise (Chapter 3A) and on-premise (Chapter 3B) signs, aligning brightness standards, adjusting wiring and size rules. Councilwoman Dotley and Councilman Ledford requested redline versions; training for BOZA planned.
Tree Ordinance: Chris Anderson outlined updates (first major revision in decades), including new definitions, tree commission roles, professional forester hiring, urban forestry planning, tiered permits ($100-$500), bonding for buffer trees, tree bank, 36-inch DBH requirement per acre for developments over 1 acre, and notable tree registry. Councilwoman Dotley raised valuation and enforcement concerns; redline requested.
Future Considerations:
April 1 agenda includes sign and tree ordinances on first reading, deferred RFP, and landfill groundwater monitoring (Summit and Birchwood, Districts 6 and others).
Committee Reports:
Councilwoman Noel: Noted District 8 tree planting benefits.
Councilwoman Dotley: No report.
Councilman Smith: No report.
Councilman Ledford: Noted April 1 Planning and Zoning meeting.
Councilman Hester: Referenced Parks and Public Works awareness.
Vice Chair Hill: No report.
Councilman Ledford also requested Vice Chair Hill sing “Happy Birthday” to City Attorney Noblett (celebrated).
Public Input:
Andrew Jones: Spoke on leadership and transparency, citing his Army Ranger experience (11 deployments). Quoted leadership maxims (e.g., Ralph Nader, John C. Maxwell), criticized eroding amendments (First, Fourth), and demanded real-time tax dollar transparency on chattanooga.gov. Identified as an “anomaly” stirring the pot for Americans.
Conclusion
Approved budget amendments, zoning changes, sewer abandonments, board appointments, and a wine/cheese shop permit. Deferred an RFP for housing outreach. Previewed sign and tree ordinances, addressing modernization and canopy protection. Public input emphasized transparency.
