City Council - Regular Meeting

I'll call to order the Tuesday, October 13th meeting of the Chattanooga City Council. If you would please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you and welcome, everyone. Thank you for joining us a little bit earlier today so that council can get out to the national night out events in our different districts with CPD this evening. Just to give everybody an idea of how our meeting operates, you'll know what to expect. We do operate in two parts. The first part of our meeting is what we call the agenda session, where we will go through all of the items before us for a vote tonigh

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. It's mentioned last week, planning item 2026-0044 for rezoning. I plan to deny. I did want to read this statement into the record, and Mr. Attorney, please advise if I... I need to have anything additional. I did do some research and a big thank you to the Chinook Police Department's Crime and Intelligence Analysis Unit. I plan to deny zoning case number 2026-0044 based on significant public safety concerns documented by the Chinook Police Department within the surrounding area during the past year. They provided data that included from October 12th, 2025 to Octob

Okay, that works. And that's it. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

Okay, thank you. Thank you. Councilwoman Hill, you're recognized.

Thank you. I wanted to let Council know that item D, case 20-26-0110, the applicant has made a formal request to withdraw that item. And so I will be moving to withdraw.

and vice chair elliott i'm sorry uh yes vice chair elliott you recognize thank you mr chair for planning item uh 2026-0099 i would like to defer this item this afternoon for one week until october 20th nothing wrong has happened i just have not had a chance or haven't heard back from the Neighborhood Association. They had a meeting with this advocate, and I think they're all aligned on everything. I just need to get updates on how that conversation went so we can put the proper conditions on it. I don't want to go forward without making sure I hear what they agreed to. So once I get that, we s

Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you. Councilwoman Burrs, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just looking over our notes from our meeting last week where Councilman Henderson asked that item number 20260105 be withdrawn, and so I'll be making the motion on his behalf today to withdraw that. He also made a comment about item C, which is 20260106 to defer one week depending on the the turnout or the conversation that we have during the business meeting. Right. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Chairman Davis. Karen Renning, I've got a question regarding planning item number 2026-0117 as it relates to the Cromwell Road rezone. that's currently located on the property i've got a question regarding some conditions i like to place on the property um more so if you could start off just kind of give me some examples of what is allowed in the cn neighborhood commercial zone i know you mentioned last week that their specific intent was to only allow it for daycare purposes but without conditions If the daycare does not go there, could you specify what type of items or what type o

Just for the record, this is a rare zone. This is a new zone to us, at least for me on the council, that we don't have very many of them throughout the city. Is that correct?

And that transitional zone meaning more small scale?

Could you clarify and read that for the record, please?

Yeah, that was going to be my question because I think it mentioned something about a drive-thru.

What I like to do, Karen and Mr. Chair, in reference to this, I think I want to defer it. I need more time to work out conditions in regards to this. Specifically, this zone does allow for some commercial uses that are not compatible with the residential area off Cromwell Road. And being that it's at the intersection across the street from Vulcan and some of the industrial development that we have planned in the planned Chattanooga, I'm not certain without conditions that if we allow the church to place a daycare there, it's not limited just to daycare and the property could sell and be opened

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE PLANNING ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA? ALL RIGHT. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS HERE. WE DO HAVE RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE A FEW RESOLUTIONS THIS EVENING, BUT NOT MANY. AND COUNCILMAN CLARK, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN DAVIS. Under resolutions on the council office, there's a resolution confirming the appointment of Brad Shumpert to the Industrial Development Board for District 5 for a term beginning October 8th. 2026 and any on October 27th. Brad Shumpert is here today, and I want to thank you, sir, for volunteering your time. As many of you know that Brad Shumpert is an attorney. He's a former commercial real estate executive and brings a lot of legal, financial, commercial, real estate, economic development experience that I believe we can extremely to the industrial develo

in our voting and our business meeting so thank you mr jumper for being here okay thank you and then we have two other um appointment resolutions below that from the mayor's office i intend to take those as a package i don't think there's anything else i can take as a package tonight but i'll do that in an effort to speed things along um all right any other questions or comments council but about anything on tonight's agenda Well, let's turn then to next week's proposed agenda. I will note for council and for the public at large, we do have our public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 27 bud

That's fine. We can go there. Yes, ma'am.

All right. So under Parks, Public Works, and Wastewater, Public Works, Item C, I need to have a conversation in reference to that because the first time I've seen it is today. So I've had a conversation last week about the process because the process is not being followed. So that is something that I intend to discuss before the vote on this next week.

Gotcha. Okay. I heard C for some reason. I'm with you now. Okay.

And Vice Chair Elliott, you're recognized.

Chair, I'm really sorry about this one. I have one more. It's planning item L today. I will also be looking to defer that one week. This is my fault. I have not gotten with Karen this week. This one's on me to talk about those conditions for this one.

Is that a one-week deferral you'll be looking for on that one as well? Yes, sir.

TO OCTOBER 20th. NEW SPEAKER Okay. NEW SPEAKER I meant to mention earlier.

NEW SPEAKER Okay. Is that all? NEW SPEAKER Yes, sir. NEW SPEAKER All right. So looking back then at next week's agenda, any questions, council, on any of the ordinances or resolutions?

Councilman Clark you recognize every day. I'm sorry. I'm a little My fingers a little slow today For next week's result next week resolution. I've not gotten to it. This is under the office of city attorney the ordinance number Mr. 2 0 2 5 dance 0 1 5 6 and This is a rare occurrence. I'm gonna I'm gonna yield to the city attorney to discuss

Gotcha. So basically that development is not moving forward? Not moving forward. And so when we were, just for educational purpose, when we were sent an ordinance to abandoning in an unopened right away this is actually giving the right-of-way back to the city to the city yes it'll retain it with the city which then allows residents to the current residents on maplewood i think this is maplewood right yeah maplewood avenue yes so when it gives the right-of-way back to the city the residents are along maple avenue can then

OK, let's turn then to our purchases for this evening. We do have three proposed purchases and also two sole source purchases to report. Are there any questions or comments about any of those? I don't see any likes on our purchases. We will turn then to future considerations. So look with me if you would through our future considerations document and hit your lights if you have any questions or comments. I don't see any lights. And so that will take us through the discussion of our agenda. We do not have any committee or department reports this evening and no need to recess. And so we will mov

Move to approve. Do I have a motion properly seconded to approve this ordinance on final reading? Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the ordinance is passed on final reading. Item 8A, please.

Second. We have a motion properly seconded on this ordinance on first reading. Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the ordinance is passed on first reading. Item 8B please.

WE DO HAVE A MOTION PROPERLY SECONDED TO WITHDRAWAL THIS ITEM. THIS IS FOR THE RECORD PLANNING ITEM 2026-0105. IS THE APPLICANT PRESENT? AND IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION PRESENT? OKAY. I SEE NONE FOR EITHER. IS THERE ANY QUESTION OR COMMENT BEFORE WE VOTE, COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? And the ordinance is withdrawn. Item 8C, please.

This is for the record planning item 2026-0106. Is the applicant present? Okay. Is there any opposition present? Okay. And so what we will do, I think, as I recall, Councilwoman, is that Councilman Henderson wanted to go ahead and have the public hearing. Yes. Okay. And so if we could have the applicant come down. You will have seven minutes to present your

OH, YEAH, I'M SORRY. IF YOU WOULD JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME.

ALL RIGHT, MA'AM, FEEL FREE TO COME ON DOWN. And if you would, just state your name and district for the record.

All right. Council, could I get a motion?

Do I hear a second? Mm-hmm. Okay. We do have a motion properly seconded to continue this planning item on first reading for one week until October 20th. THAT WILL ALLOW COUNCILMAN HENDERSON TIME TO TALK WITH THE APPLICANT AND THE OPPOSITION TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION SINCE HE'S OUT OF TOWN THIS WEEK. IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTION OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE WILL BE DEFERRED ONE WEEK UNTIL OCTOBER 20TH. ITEM 8D, PLEASE.

And for the record, this is planning item 2026-0110. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? Councilwoman Hill, you're recognized.

Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to withdraw this item. We have a formal request from the applicant to withdraw.

Do I have a motion properly seconded to withdraw this planning item on first reading? Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And this item is withdrawn. Item 8E, please.

And is there any opposition present? And Councilman Clark, I believe you had a motion.

Yes, I'd like to motion to defer to October 20th.

We have a motion properly seconded to defer this planning item until October 20th. Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And this item will be deferred until next week, October 20th. Item 8F, please.

And this is planning item 2026-0104. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? I don't see any. And this is in your district council, members.

Do we have a motion properly seconded to approve This ordinance on first reading, are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the ordinance is passed on first reading. Item 8G, please.

And this is planning item 2026-0108. Is the applicant present? Okay. Is there any opposition present? I see the applicant and no opposition. Councilwoman Burrs, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to approve. And, Mr. Attorney, I think we amended the conditions earlier. for that particular one. Do you mind reading that? Do you mind coming to the pulpit? Or maybe Karen. My apologies. Karen just left.

Right, right. I think they lifted one side that you still had to have a buffer on one side.

I think so, too. Yeah. I just want to make sure that we're approving the correct.

CONDITION AMENDMENTS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT?

NEW SPEAKER Yes. APPROVED WITH AMENDED CONDITIONS. NEW SPEAKER AMENDED CONDITIONS. NEW SPEAKER YES. THANK YOU.

NEW SPEAKER DO WE HAVE A SECOND? NEW SPEAKER YES. NEW SPEAKER ALL RIGHT. WE DO HAVE THE MOTION PROPERLY SECONDED. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL, BEFORE WE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? NEW SPEAKER AYE. NEW SPEAKER ANY OPPOSED? AND THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED ON FIRST READING. ITEM 8H, PLEASE.

And this is planning item 2026-0113. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? Okay. We do have some opposition, but I did not see the applicant. Is that correct? Okay. Yes, Council Member Burr, as you recognize.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, I think the applicant had every intention of being here. I'm concerned that maybe they didn't recognize that we had a different meeting time. So I'd like for us to go ahead, since we do have the opposition here, to go ahead and allow them the opportunity to speak so we can get it on the record. And then I'll make a motion to defer it for one week. And if you all can come back next week, great. But if not, we at least have your comments on the record. Sure.

Absolutely. Yeah, if you would just come to the podium.

My name is. But before you get started, sir, are you just here for public comment in general?

This is 8H. It has to do with a proposed development off of, let's see, Old Lee Highway out in the Ottawa area.

And so I'll return to you, Council Members.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I do have the conditions, which I can get a copy for you all, or I can forward to the list. Charles, and I think Jack, did I send those to you, Mr. Zollinger? The conditions, okay. Tell me what else you need. I'm not trying to rush it for next week, but I just want to make sure.

Yeah, come on back up. Sorry. Yeah. Thank you. I just want to make sure that I close that gap and make sure I can be that liaison.

Okay, perfect. If you'll send me, it may have been an email that I was copied on, but just in case, will you forward to me the latest request?

So at this point, I know we don't want to keep deferring and keep deferring, but at least defer it for one. I'd like to make a motion to at least defer it for one week to give me the opportunity to answer any outstanding questions. the community has because we have had two really good meetings and the applicant and the engineer and uh applicants representative were there and i think we had good conversation but the fact that there's still some information left to be shared i want to make sure that that gap is closed okay and then if we need to do something different next week we will sure so o

Okay, so we do have the motion properly seconded to defer this item one week until October 20. Are there any other questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Any opposed? And this item will be deferred until next week, October 20. Item eight, I please.

AND THIS IS PLANNING ITEM 2026-0044. IS THE APPLICANT PRESENT? AND IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION PRESENT? SEEING NO APPLICANT OR OPPOSITION, COUNCILWOMAN DOTLEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. CHAIR. THEY DREAMING ABOUT US LEAVING. SO LET'S SEE HERE. BUT I DO MOVE TO DENY THIS ONE BASED ON THE the notes mentioned earlier uh given uh the public the public safety and protection of the surrounding community so with that i move to deny second do you have a motion properly seconded to deny this planning item are there any questions or comments before we vote one other question you're going to add your items here to the i guess the minutes here for the evening yes i sent them on to uh i did send them to our

Any other questions or comments, counsel? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And this item is denied. Item 8J, please.

And for the record, this is planning item 2026-0107. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? Councilwoman Dotley, you're recognized.

Yes, this is just another great development in the Alton Park community on the West 38th Street corridor. So with that one, I move to approve.

We have a motion properly seconded to approve this planning item on first reading. Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Any opposed? And the ordinance is passed on first reading. Item 8K, please.

And this is planning item 2026-0099. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? All right. I see no applicant or opposition. Vice Chair Elliott, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to make a motion to defer this item one week to October 20th.

Do I have a motion properly seconded to defer one week to October 20th? Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the ordinance is deferred one week until October 20th. And item 8L, please.

And this is planning item 2026-0109. Is the applicant present? And is there any opposition present? I see no applicant or opposition. Vice Chair Elliott, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to make a motion to defer this item one week to October 20th.

We do have a motion properly seconded to defer one week until October 20th. Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And this item is deferred one week until October 20th. And item 9A, please.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION PROPERLY SECONDED TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION? ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL, BEFORE WE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED WITH THE ONE NO VOTE. MR. SCHUMPER, THANK YOU AGAIN. ITEM, WELL, MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE READ ITEMS 9B AND C AS A PACKAGE, PLEASE.

Second. Do we have a motion properly seconded on this resolution, council? Are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? And the resolutions are adopted. And finally, item 8D, please.

DO HAVE A MOTION PROPERLY SECONDED ON THIS RESOLUTION, COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? AND THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED. AND THAT TAKES US TO PURCHASES. I DON'T SEE WESTON THIS EVENING. I HOPE WE HAVE SOMEBODY TO TALK TO THESE PURCHASES WITH US.

Let's get a motion on those first. All right, we do have a motion. Properly seconded to approve these purchases. Counselor, are there any questions or comments before we vote? All in favor? Aye. All right, thank you.

There is a possibility of mold in the IT service department. Is anyone aware of that? If anyone can? Yeah, Chief Green. Thank you.

yes i am not aware of anything right at this moment but i will check into that and i will get back to you okay thank you and then the only other thing i would like to say mr cherry is to say um thank you to miss wanda massing gills uh from the avondale center and doing an amazing job with her um school education activities and programs that she provide over there to our children and they love her to pieces so kudos to her for that absolutely thank you yes ma'am councilwoman dotley yes thank you so much mr chair uh the community advisory committee did have our uh lunch and learn today where we

some some responsibilities and so that was a great meeting today just to so they can start engaging more with our community centers and we will have a community development education committee meeting um thursday mixing it up october 29th at 3 p.m here at our council chamber so mixing it up with our new council structure hey as long as it has notice it is fine so i wanted to make it more convenient for the staff okay all right thank you so much thank you very much council members

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We had a planning, zoning, and housing committee meeting today. This is our first with the new structure, and I think we had some great conversation. We took up some items that were already on the table. One is amendments, possible amendments to our ADU ordinance, and the other was taking a look at amending our business trade and occupations ordinance regarding vape shops. We ran out of time, but we still have a couple items to discuss. But one of the items that we did discuss at the end of our meeting was making sure that we're meeting the needs of all the council member

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have a committee report, but I would like to report on the Lunch and Learn that the council had over at the CHAT Foundation today. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, for organizing that. While we only had two members of council participate, we did have a really good discussion. Casey Tinker from the city joined us, as well as Mackenzie Kelly from the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition. And representing the CHAT Foundation, in addition to their staff, We were joined by Mayor Ron Littlefield and members of their board. It was a good, open conversation that I think

Thank you. Chairman Davis, I have to think a little bit longer sometimes, but I'm used to calling Jeff. I've got a couple community District 5 specific things, and then I want to make a comment about the Planning, Zoning, and Housing Committee today as a kudos to Councilwoman Burks. First, I want to give an update. As you all know, I chair the Public Works Infrastructure. What is it? Public Works Infrastructure?

Wow, what a name, but I enjoy it. I'm not making light of this, but we behind the scenes, we call this poop gate. As you all know, there was an overflow of sanitary sewer overflow in the South Chickamauga Creek. And as of Friday, we were able to stop the flow around about 1030 in the morning. there was some temporary, Friday the flow, the flow and the installation of two temporary plugs, but there's still some permanent work we have to do. As you all know, South Chickamauga Creek is all in my district and it also runs into the Tennessee, into the Tennessee River. And so as a result of that, we

the great district there there's some overflow that's occurring but not discharged from the great district and that is praise the lord um we are awaiting some over some updates on that but this team as you can see in the pictures we have a great response team not just from public works from fire and police but if you look at the amazing work they do even with our wastewater You know, in cases like this, they responded. They got it stopped and plugged in immediately. And I'm very proud of the team and Mandy and Kevin. Even the mayor weighed in this afternoon and we talked and I just want to giv

Thank you, Mr. Chair. A couple of things. we have a community meeting on october 29th at six o'clock at gannon arts center to discuss the redesign of parts of brainerd road coming out from the mccauley tunnels to tunnel boulevard that's in the old town brainerd area this is if you've ever been through that area you probably shoot through that tunnel and probably don't think much about it but that's a neighborhood there That's the Old Town Brainerd neighborhood and that stretch of road has been problematic and hazardous for years. The speed of folks coming out of the tunnel and then it really p

councilwoman burrs you're recognized thank you mr chair i just wanted to add a comment uh councilman clark thank you for um talking about the committee meeting today i think as we learn this new structure i want to make sure that people understand that when we're having these conversations in committee we're preparing what we want to then bring to the council so i'm not necessarily saying it for the council's benefit because i think we know it but so the community knows that we're not No amendments have been made to an ADU ordinance or anything like that. We're just having the conversations, w

So sorry to prolong our time, but I have one more announcement up from the director of the library, Will O'Hearn, who's a member of my district, the library is celebrating their 50th anniversary this Saturday, October the 17th. They have a block party from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature live music, family activities, and community partners. So make sure y'all come out to celebrate the library's 50th anniversary this Saturday. It's going to be great fall weather. Again, that's 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the downtown public library. So just wanted to give them a shout out and happy 50th anniversary

And just as a further note, Council, about the lunch and learn today, there are materials in each of your mailboxes from the CHAP Foundation. They gave us a detailed explanation of their proposed low barrier shelter, along with a budget for the construction of that shelter, as well as an operating budget. IT'S MY INTENTION TO BRING THIS BACK IN FRONT OF COUNCIL AT ONE OF OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETINGS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR SO THAT WE CAN MOVE IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WITH REGARD TO THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT I KNOW IS KIND OF FRONT OF MIND FOR MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS AND MANY OF US UP

Mr. Green, I know you want to talk about Wilcox. If you want to still come up, this is the time.

Thank you, sir. Vice Chair Elliott, you are recognized.

What Mr. Green has conveyed are sentiments that I've heard these last few days about Wilcox Tunnel. So Mr. Green, to you and everybody else who has come to me or I haven't even heard from from concerns, here's what I can do. I will do my due diligence to work with the administration. ahead of future repairs that we're intentional about pushing out notifications a little bit sooner i think i only learned about it or came across my email a couple days prior and it can just be us communicating um a little bit better i think to mr green's larger concern which many folks in chattanooga share especi

I know. Is there anyone else here who would like to address council this evening? Yes, sir.

Did you want to speak to that, Councilwoman Dotley? Yeah, I apologize. I was not aware of that. Councilwoman Dotley, you're very nice.

Yes, thank you so much. I did read into the record what it was, so I could chat with you afterwards, but pretty much it's just public safety concerns regarding the location of it between, what is it, Whiskey Cow Girl and Southside Social and someone who actually witnessed all of the chaos that happens on Saturday nights there, I know that it is not a good idea to have anything additional, especially a mini golf course there. So it has been denied for public safety reasons. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Is there anyone else here this evening that would like to address counsel? I don't see anyone counsel and that takes us through our business for this evening. We have a motion properly seconded to adjourn. All in favor? Aye.