2026-10-06 - City Council

06:17called to order the Tuesday, October 6th

06:19meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.

06:21If you would please rise and join me in

06:22the pledge of

06:23>> allegiance.

06:27Allegiance to the flag of the United

06:29States of America and to the republic

06:32for which it stands. One nation under

06:35God, indivisible, with liberty and

06:38justice for all.

06:42[laughter]

06:43>> Thank you and welcome everybody to our

06:46um city council meeting today. We'd like

06:48to at the beginning of our meetings give

06:50a rundown of how the meeting operates so

06:52you'll know what to expect. Um we

06:54operate in uh kind of two parts. So the

06:57first part is our agenda session um

07:00where we have today several special

07:02presentations to go through and also a

07:05couple of committee reports to get

07:07through in addition to going through and

07:11discussing amongst council the items

07:13that we'll be voting on um tonight, next

07:16week, and then three weeks or more out.

07:19[gasps] Um and so those are all items

07:21that we'll u handle during this first

07:24half of our meeting um that we call our

07:27agenda session. We'll then recess um and

07:30typically during our recess we have um

07:33an attorney client meeting. Do we need

07:35one today, Mr. Attorney?

07:37>> Maybe briefly.

07:38>> Okay. And so we'll have a brief attorney

07:41client meeting council during our

07:43recess. Um when we get to that time,

07:45I'll announce the time that we'll be

07:47recessing until and then when we come

07:49back, we'll be voting on all the items

07:51in front of us um this evening. At the

07:54end of all of that, we do have every

07:56week um a period for public comment. If

07:59there's any members of the public who

08:01are here who would like to address

08:03council on any topic, um at that time at

08:06the end of our meeting, we'll have you

08:08come down to the podium and our attorney

08:10will read some rules um for that. So,

08:14um, we do have several proclamations to

08:17get through today. Um, but I do, uh, in

08:20the spirit of proclaiming, I want to

08:23recognize Councilman Harvey, whose

08:25birthday is today.

08:27>> Um,

08:28>> also, we have our newly elected uh,

08:31county clerk, Brooke Weaver, whose

08:33birthday is today.

08:34>> Happy birthday to you both. Um, and so

08:38with that, I'd like to invite

08:40[clears throat] Andy Green to the podium

08:42for a proclamation about Clean Water

08:44Week.

08:49>> Thank you, council, for allowing me to

08:50come here to do this proclamation today.

08:52Before I start, I just wanted to say a

08:54special thank you to our wastewater

08:55treatment employees who work tirelessly

08:57to make sure that our system is up and

08:59running and we don't have any types of

09:01spills or issues. Um, and I also want to

09:03say thank you to our administrator, Mark

09:04Heiser, who is behind me, who is the

09:06leader of that group. Uh, this, you

09:10know, proclamation is about keeping

09:11water clean for our system. We don't

09:14realize how important wastewater is

09:15until something goes wrong and then

09:17suddenly everybody's up in arms. So, I

09:19just want to make sure that we for we

09:20thank those people who are kind of the

09:22quiet workers behind the scenes who keep

09:24this going. I also wanted to mention

09:26that uh this week is clean water week.

09:28And so on Thursday and Friday from 10:00

09:29to 1, the aquarium will have a special

09:31presentation. Uh wastewater will be

09:33there in order to answer any questions

09:35anyone has about any part of the water.

09:38With that, I'm going to go ahead and get

09:39started with the proclamation.

09:41So city of Chattanooga, office of the

09:43mayor proclamation. Whereas clean water

09:46is essential to the health, safety,

09:48prosperity, and quality of life of every

09:50community and protecting our water

09:51resources is vital to the well-being of

09:54present and future generations. And

09:56whereas the city of Chattanooga's

09:58wastewater department plays a critical

10:00role in protecting public health and the

10:02environment through the operation and

10:04maintenance of the city's interceptor

10:06sewer system and the Mox and Ben

10:07environmental campus, the region's major

10:10wastewater treatment facility. And

10:12whereas the wastewater department

10:14oversees approximately 1,263

10:16mi of sewer lines, seven large pumping

10:20stations, eight storm stations, 53

10:22submersible pumping stations, and

10:24numerous other wastewater facilities

10:26serving approximately 400,000

10:28people across a 200 square mile service

10:31area that extends throughout southeast

10:33Tennessee and northwest Georgia. And

10:36whereas through the operation and

10:38maintenance of these essential systems,

10:40the wastewater department helps protect

10:42the Tennessee River, Nicac Lake, and

10:44waterways throughout our region,

10:46supporting a clean and healthy

10:47environment for residents, businesses,

10:49wildlife, recreation, and future

10:52generations. And whereas clean water

10:54week provides an opportunity to

10:56recognize the essential contributions of

10:58wastewater professionals, raise

11:00awareness of the importance of clean

11:02water, and promote the health and

11:03well-being of the dedicated workforce

11:05that protects our community and

11:07environment each day behind the scenes.

11:09Now therefore, I, Tim Kelly, mayor of

11:11the city of Chattanooga, do hereby

11:12proclaim the week of October 4th through

11:1410th to be Clean Water Week in

11:16Chattanooga, Tennessee, and encourage

11:18all citizens to recognize the importance

11:20of clean water and join us in honoring

11:22the men and women of the wastewater

11:23department whose work protects our

11:25community, our environment, and our

11:27region every day. And witness whereof, I

11:30have here to set my hand and cause the

11:32seal and the city of Chattanooga to be

11:34affixed on the 6th day of October, 2026.

11:36[clears throat]

11:37Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

11:45[applause] And up next, I'd like to

11:47invite Councilwoman Jenny Burrs to the

11:49podium um for a proclamation regarding

11:52domestic violence awareness month.

11:56>> Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you,

11:59council, for sharing in this

12:00proclamation. I thought it was important

12:02that it came from us and represented all

12:04of us. So, thank you for that. and thank

12:07you for wearing your purple today.

12:08Really appreciate that as well. I think

12:10it's um it's important that while we

12:12acknowledge domestic violence month

12:15officially on I mean formally on one

12:17month, it's something that we deal with

12:19as a community, as a city, as a region

12:22365 days of the year. So, I think it's

12:25important to understand why it's so

12:27important that our city continue to take

12:29the lead through the family justice

12:30center and their partnership with 30

12:32plus partnering organizations around the

12:35city to keep families in our community

12:37safe. So, um we're going to hear in a

12:39few minutes from uh the leader of the

12:41family justice center and welcome to

12:43everybody who's involved with the family

12:44justice center today and thank you all

12:46that we're purple as well. Everybody

12:48that has your purple on. I'm uh I'm

12:50going to read our pro proclamation and

12:52then hand it over to Regina McDev.

12:55Um I do I do want to say one other thing

12:57that not only is it important I'm proud

13:00to work with a city that recognizes that

13:02we need to be the leaders for how we

13:06support families on the issues of

13:08domestic violence. I'm it's an honor

13:10that my mother Dr. Carol Burs along with

13:13Dr. Charlotte Boatright and Regina and

13:15several other people um in this room and

13:19outside of this room uh really saw the

13:22vision for what our city needed to have

13:24to support the folks in our community

13:26that are impacted by domestic violence.

13:28So whereas the family is the foundation

13:31of a safe and healthy community and it

13:33is the goal of this council for our

13:35community to be safe and whereas

13:37domestic violence impacts individuals in

13:39every community regardless of age,

13:42economic status, sexual orientation,

13:44gender, race, religion or nationality in

13:48which children are also affected. One in

13:50three women and one in four men have

13:52experienced physical violence by an

13:53intimate partner. And whereas more than

13:55half of the crimes against persons in

13:57the in Tennessee are domestic violence

13:59related, rearch research shows that

14:03domestic violence is often a root cause

14:04of other crimes such as mass shootings

14:06and gun violence. And whereas within the

14:09city of Chattanooga, we have experienced

14:11more than 1,388

14:13domestic violence incidents so far this

14:16year of 2026. And while domestic

14:19violence is not always revealed as

14:21physical abuse, it is also any pattern

14:23of behaviors that attempts to control

14:26and intimidate a partner or family

14:28member through fear, manipulation,

14:31isolation, financial abuse, physical

14:34abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, mental

14:36abuse, and/or verbal abuse. While

14:39physical injury with physical dam phys

14:42visible damage may often be the social

14:44and spiritual trauma, it is much deeper

14:46and can have lifelong consequences for

14:48survivors and their families. And

14:51whereas we as the leaders in this

14:53community realize this fam that family

14:55is the foundation and core of safe and

14:57healthy community and ending domestic

14:59violence requires a combined effort

15:01involving every part of our society

15:04including law enforcement and our

15:06justice system to work together to hold

15:08offenders accountable and to protect and

15:10empower survivors and their children to

15:12create pathways to hope and safety. And

15:15whereas the Dr. Carol B. Burr's Family

15:17Justice Center served over 800 victims

15:20in two 2025 and provided 250 trainings

15:23and events together with their

15:25colllocated partner organizations. There

15:28is help to hold offenders accountable

15:29and reduce recidivism while helping to

15:32ensure justice, victim safety, and

15:34healing. And whereas during National

15:37Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we

15:39reaffirm our dedication to forging a

15:42community where no one suffers the pain

15:44and hardship that domestic violence

15:46causes. And we recommmit to doing all

15:49that is within our power to uphold the

15:51basic human right to be free from

15:53violence and abuse. We dedicate

15:55ourselves to create a community where

15:57domestic violence is not tolerated,

15:59where survivors are supported, where

16:02offenders are held accountable, and when

16:04all people have an opportunity to thrive

16:06without fear of violence or abuse. And

16:09we dedicate this proclamation in memory

16:11of Dr. Carol B. ers recognize her

16:14recognizing her as a staunch advocate

16:16for victims in our community and a

16:18visionary leader whose steadfast support

16:20advanced the mission of the family

16:22justice center and strengthened the work

16:24of our partners. Her legacy of

16:26compassion, justice, and the power of we

16:29continues to to guide and inspire us.

16:32Now therefore, by the virtue of the

16:33authority vested in us, we, the

16:36Chattanooga City Council, do hereby

16:38proclaim October 2026 as domestic

16:41violence awareness month and call on all

16:43citizens to know the power of with

16:46survivors always, as one Chattanooga to

16:49speak out against domestic violence and

16:51support efforts of law enforcement, the

16:53justice system, advocates, service

16:56providers, healthc care providers, and

16:58the leadership of survivors to end

17:00domestic violence.

17:02Thank you. [applause]

17:10>> Okay. [clears throat]

17:12>> So, thank you,

17:14Councilwoman Burrs. Um, I just want to

17:17mention you guys have cups up there and

17:19ribbons from the family justice center.

17:21The cups are from our menpact program

17:24and uh that is our intimate partner

17:26violence program intervention program

17:29for uh mentors and young for around

17:31young men and so just wanted to let you

17:33know that we appreciate you and that is

17:36uh what uh the cups are are from. So um

17:39I would like to first have our uh we

17:42have board members and we also have some

17:44of our staff uh stand up please um and

17:48recognize them. We could not do this

17:51work without the amazing [applause]

17:52partners.

17:54WE HAVE

17:58we have partners from the family justice

18:01center from uh the children's advocacy

18:04center. Uh of course uh our advisory

18:07board. We have members from our advisory

18:09board. Uh uh county clerk Brooke uh

18:12Weaver is the chair of our advisory

18:14board. So we are very blessed to have

18:16such great leadership. I want to thank

18:19this council,

18:21Councilwoman Burs, uh, Mayor Kelly, and

18:24city leadership for your continued

18:27commitment to the Family Justice Center.

18:30Your investment sends an important

18:32message that people impacted by violence

18:35and abuse matter in Chattanooga. For

18:38more than a decade, the Family Justice

18:40Center has been a place of safety,

18:43healing, and hope for thousands of

18:45individuals and families in our

18:47community. I want to honor and remember

18:49Dr. Carol Bers. She was my friend, my

18:53mentor, and a tremendous champion for

18:55Chattanooga. With Dr. Charlotte

18:58Boatright leading the charge to make the

19:00family justice center a reality, we are

19:03blessed to have these pioneers in this

19:06work as our origin story. from back in

19:09the 1990s. Uh, having a family justice

19:12center in our community means someone

19:14facing intimate partner violence, sexual

19:16assault, human trafficking, elder abuse,

19:19or child abuse doesn't have to navigate

19:22complicated systems alone. They can walk

19:25through one door and find an entire

19:27community ready to walk beside them.

19:30Last year, we served almost 900

19:33individuals and made over 5,000

19:36connections and referrals to services

19:38for those folks. And we continue to

19:41grow. Uh this year we've added uh

19:44another counselor because safety is only

19:48the beginning. Healing matters. The rape

19:51the partnership rape crisis center will

19:53be relocating to the family justice

19:55center, bringing more critical services

19:57under one roof. and we are looking

20:00forward to piloting orders of protection

20:02on site at the family justice center

20:05with the circuit court clerk um to

20:08strengthen our high-risisk response to

20:10domestic violence. We provide training

20:12and helping workplaces develop policies

20:15and procedures that recognize warning

20:17signs, respond appropriately, and

20:20support employees who are experiencing

20:22violence. None of this happens alone.

20:25Collaboration with our city departments,

20:28our law enforcement, the courts, the

20:30district attorney's office, our faith

20:33communities, health care, and community

20:35partners is essential. A family justice

20:38center works because a community decides

20:41that addressing violence is everyone's

20:44responsibility.

20:45And perhaps nothing represents why we do

20:48this work better than our voices, our

20:51survivor advocacy group. Voices ensure

20:54survivors don't just have a seat at the

20:57table. Their experiences help shape the

21:00table. They use what they have lived

21:03through to advocate, educate, and

21:06identify gaps in services and create

21:08change for survivors who come after

21:10them. They turned lived experience into

21:13leadership and remind us that survivors

21:17shouldn't simply receive services, they

21:20should help shape them. I especially

21:22want to recognize our extraordinary

21:25family justice center staff and our

21:26advisory board today. From direct

21:29service and counseling to prevention,

21:32training, education, and community

21:34awareness, they show up every day for

21:37people who may be experiencing one of

21:39the most difficult and hardest moments

21:42in their lives. We can't change what

21:44happened before someone walked in our

21:47doors, but together we can change what

21:49happens next. I believe Carol would be

21:52proud of what we are building together.

21:55I want to say thank you for believing in

21:58this work, for investing in it, and for

22:01helping us create pathways to safety,

22:03healing, and hope. I would leave you

22:05with one last thought from a survivor

22:08that we served this past year. Her

22:11comments were this. I will always be

22:13grateful to the Family Justice Center

22:15because from the first moment I came

22:17here, they listened to me, advised me,

22:20and helped me through this difficult

22:23divorce process due to domestic

22:25violence. I feel respected, accepted,

22:29and understood. I would come here every

22:32day because it makes me feel better.

22:34Every time I remember when I came here

22:37asking for help and seeing the way the

22:40FJC helped me, I wonder what would have

22:43become of me if they hadn't helped me.

22:46That is what we do and that is why we

22:48are here and I want to say thank you

22:50again.

22:53[applause]

22:58>> Thank you very much. Um and then finally

23:01we have uh Mr. Freddy Brooks here.

23:05talk with us about team mentoring.

23:13>> Good evening, members of the city

23:14council. My name is Freddy L. Brooks,

23:17founder and president of Team Mentoring

23:19Incorporated.

23:21Tonight, I stand before you for one

23:23reason, one simple reason, just to say

23:26thank you. On behalf of our mentors,

23:29presentationers, uh, presenters,

23:31community partners, families, and mostly

23:35important, our young people, thank you

23:37for believing in what we are working to

23:40accomplish. The relationships we have

23:43developed with the city of Chattanooga

23:46has helped provide opportunities for our

23:48young people to experience leadership,

23:52character development, career

23:54exploration, emotional wellness,

23:57teamwork, and positive relationships

24:00with adults.

24:02But tonight, I also want you to know

24:05something very important. We understand

24:08the relationship that comes with

24:11support. When resources are entrusted to

24:14team mentoring incorporated, we take

24:17that very seriously. [snorts] We are

24:20committed to being good stewards of the

24:22funding we receive, good steward of the

24:25relationships we build, and mostly

24:28important, good steward, good stewards

24:31of the young people placed in our care.

24:34Every dollar, every partnership matter,

24:38every opportunity matters. And at team

24:41mentoring, every young person matters.

24:44We are grateful for what we have

24:46accomplished, but we know there is more

24:49work to do. We want to reach more young

24:52people. We want to build stronger

24:55partnerships and we want to continue

24:57working alongside the city of

25:00Chattanooga to reach young people who

25:03may otherwise be overlooked.

25:05We believe that when city government,

25:08school, business, churches, community

25:11organizations, families, mentors, and

25:14volunteers come together, we can change

25:17the outcome of our young people.

25:21Tonight, rather than simply telling you

25:24what support has made possible, we would

25:27like to show you.

25:29We have prepared a brief video to give

25:32you an update on the movement, the

25:35growth, and the impact of Teen Mentoring

25:37Incorporated.

25:39>> [clears throat]

25:40>> What you're about to see represents

25:42young people being exposed to

25:43opportunities,

25:45building relationships,

25:47learning new skills, and beginning to

25:49recognize their own potential.

25:52And this is only the beginning. The city

25:56of Chattanooga and the city council has

25:59supported us and we want to make notice

26:02of that. Your investment is appreciated

26:06and the partnership we is making is a

26:09difference. Thank you for believing in

26:12our mission. Thank you for believing in

26:15our young people at Team Mentoring

26:17Incorporated.

26:19We believe every piece as we continue

26:23preparing our young people to become

26:25tomorrow's leaders. Thank you. And now

26:27we would like to show this video

26:30[clears throat] for your uh pleasure.

26:34So you

26:40>> I sent to Miss Gwen.

26:47She said that she received it. If not,

26:49you can go to

26:52tmi.org.

26:57>> [clears throat]

27:00>> I have also prepared a package for the

27:03council with information pertaining to

27:06our upcoming fall retreat which is

27:09taking place October the 14th through

27:11the 16th and also there's a copy of the

27:15agenda with inside the package and a

27:19special invitation to where we have

27:22added a winter break where we will

27:25celebrate our participants from the

27:27spring, summer, and fall retreats at Top

27:30Golf. And you are certainly welcome to

27:33come and to mingle with our young people

27:36so that they can get an opportunity to

27:39build relationships on their own with

27:41the people that support and sponsor

27:43them.

27:44>> Okay. Councilwoman Bur.

27:48while um while they're looking for that

27:50video, I just wanted to say that I I uh

27:55I'm so impressed with your program and

27:58for my council members that haven't been

27:59to one of his programs, one of his

28:01camps, I highly encourage it.

28:04Just being around the kids that they

28:06work with and the activities that they

28:08do are inspiring. I hope there's no

28:10pictures of me dancing in this video

28:12video, but it is.

28:13>> [laughter]

28:14>> You did ask my permission, but it y'all

28:17it was it's so much fun and is so

28:19encouraging to see these um these group

28:23these groups of young people some I

28:27would consider them close to young

28:28adults interacting with each other and

28:31learning new skills and the mentors that

28:34are there working with them just the

28:36energy that they have. So, if you have

28:38it takes some time because they're

28:40usually at a campground that you have to

28:42drive to and you can't just be there for

28:44a minute. You have to be prepared to

28:46stay for a couple hours because it's

28:48once you get there, you really don't

28:49want to leave. I know the the day that I

28:51went, it was I guess this summer and I

28:54did not want to go back to work, but I

28:55had to. So, thank you for everything

28:57that you do. I I look forward to getting

28:59my invitation to the fall outing and

29:04figuring out what day I can come and

29:06have fun with you guys.

29:07>> Yeah.

29:08>> Thank you.

29:08>> Yeah. Enjoy what you're doing.

29:10>> Thank you for what you're doing very

29:11much.

29:15>> It looks like we're Oh, yes.

29:17Councilwoman Noah. [snorts]

29:19>> Hey,

29:20>> did you look at tmi.org?

29:23>> TMI. [clears throat]

29:24>> Yes.org.

29:28Thank you. Thank you, chair. Um, so

29:31thank you, Mr. Brooks. I really

29:33appreciate it. Um,

29:36you know, helping others to see the

29:38possibilities within themselves is is

29:41what the camp provides. And I have

29:44attended several of those camps, stopped

29:46through, did a little golfing and all of

29:48the above and it was absolutely amazing.

29:53So you know I believe deeply in the

29:54power of investing in people and

29:56encouraging them and encouraging growth

29:59and repair preparing the next generation

30:01to be our leaders. So this is uh

30:04definitely a camp that does that. So I

30:06am so grateful for

30:10um for team mentoring and all that you

30:13do and and all the services that you

30:16provide for our youth over the city of

30:18Chattanooga. Thank you.

30:20>> Now we stalled enough. We got the video.

30:23>> Okay.

30:28>> Oh my god.

30:32[clears throat]

30:43Did you feel something

30:46in the table?

30:53If you ain't going to use it.

30:55Okay.

31:09picture.

31:22Shake your video.

31:37It's Sh.

31:55[clears throat]

32:59>> [clears throat]

33:10[laughter]

33:11>> You gave a shout out.

34:24>> [laughter]

34:44>> Oh.

34:44>> [laughter]

34:50[laughter]

34:59>> I also want to take this time to say you

35:01saw uh Sheriff M u uh Maddox. She and I

35:05grew up in the pause home projects

35:07together and through our relationship of

35:09someone else, she heard about what we

35:12were doing and she brought her kids up

35:14here for two days just to see the camp.

35:17And now she's coming back next year

35:19renting out the campsite a whole week

35:21herself because she enjoyed what what

35:24was taking place through the uh Hamilton

35:26County Coalition did a vaping uh

35:28presentation and some other

35:30presentations. So other people are

35:32reaching out want to know how we're

35:34doing what we're doing. And I'm telling

35:36them that is mostly based off

35:38relationships. If you don't have

35:40positive relationships with your local

35:43and city government and uh city council

35:46members, it's going to be hard. So I

35:48just wanted to say thank you. I've been

35:50thinking about this. I didn't even go to

35:52church Saturday trying to prepare this

35:54for you all because I really appreciate

35:57you trusting me with the funding and the

36:00young people. So, thank you so much.

36:03>> Yes, SIR.

36:06[applause]

36:10>> Councilman Harvey, you're recognized.

36:12>> Yeah. I just want to say first of all,

36:14sharpest dressed man in the room.

36:16[laughter]

36:17First of all, I mean, sharp to the

36:20nines, man. Uh, appreciate what you do.

36:22Um, I mean, you along with Regina and

36:25the, uh, Family Justice Center, y'all

36:27are doing the Lord's work and, uh, I I

36:29just want to say how much I appreciate

36:31what you do. Um, you know, we we fund a

36:34lot of different things and, you know,

36:36can be debated is that the best use of

36:38taxpayer dollars, but I can say right

36:40now, your program and and the FJC are uh

36:44what we look for when we use taxpayer

36:46dollars uh to fund things cuz you're

36:48making a difference in the community.

36:50>> Um, you're helping people. So, we

36:51appreciate that. And, uh, I think our

36:53man Dior is going to be on the city

36:55council. I mean, [laughter]

36:57>> he's ready to go.

36:58>> Yeah. He arrested.

36:59>> He's ready to go. Sit him on up.

37:02>> [laughter]

37:03>> That's all. Thank you.

37:04>> Thank you.

37:07All right, council. Well, moving along.

37:09Um, could I get a motion on the minutes

37:11from our last meeting?

37:13>> All right. Our minutes will stand as

37:15published. And council, look with me, if

37:18you will, at the items on tonight's

37:20agenda. And if you have any questions or

37:23comments, please hit your lights. We do

37:25have an ordinance on final reading. Um,

37:30two ordinances on final reading and one

37:32on first reading.

37:35[snorts] Any questions on those?

37:40I don't see any lights and so we'll move

37:42along to resolutions. We do have several

37:46resolutions on the agenda tonight.

37:50Are there any questions

37:53on our resolutions?

38:00Okay, fairly short agenda this evening

38:04and so we'll move along to next week.

38:08Um,

38:10and hit your lights as we look through

38:12here at next week's agenda.

38:15We'll have an ordinance on final

38:18reading.

38:20And

38:24next week is that week that I think

38:26Karen Renick has been warning us about

38:28for a while when we have many planning

38:30items on first readings

38:32and we'll be hearing more about those

38:34shortly. So, um,

38:36[snorts and clears throat] are there any

38:38any questions or comments as we look

38:41through at next week's agenda, council?

38:44And finally, we do have a few

38:46resolutions next week.

38:50>> No questions,

38:51>> chairman. So, we are hearing from Karen

38:53tonight on some of these planning items.

38:55>> We we Yes, we do have a planning and

38:56zoning committee meeting tonight. Yeah.

38:58>> Oh, I see. Thank you.

39:01>> Okay.

39:03All right.

39:04[clears throat] We will turn then to the

39:07purchasing items that are presented to

39:08us this evening for approval.

39:12and just hit your lights if you have any

39:14questions about those.

39:16Several regular purchases and one um

39:19sole source to report as well.

39:25[snorts]

39:29And seeing no lights, we will look then

39:32at future considerations.

39:37Are there any questions, council, about

39:39any items on our future considerations

39:42list?

39:52All right. I see no lights. Um, and we

39:57do have two committee meetings to get

39:59to, so we will go ahead and jump into

40:01that. I'll yield the chair here to

40:04Councilwoman Burers or I'm sorry,

40:06Councilman Henderson um who will lead us

40:09through our budget and finance committee

40:11meeting.

40:14No, sir.

40:24[snorts] All right. Call to order the

40:26budget and finance committee. Um, can I

40:30get a motion on the minutes?

40:32>> Second. [clears throat]

40:34>> All right. With no objections, the

40:36meeting will uh the minutes will stand

40:38as recorded. Uh, council, we do have a

40:41couple of items that we need to u this

40:45committee uh make recommendation on. Uh,

40:48one uh we're talking about budget

40:50amendment discussion

40:52u the uh police service center project.

40:56it uh seems like the majority of the uh

40:58committee landed on option two which is

41:01the expansion. Uh we do need to discuss

41:06uh there was some questions uh around do

41:09we take it all out of fund balance? Do

41:10we take a portion out of fund balance

41:12and bond the rest? We need to discuss

41:15that. Uh we talked we need to discuss

41:18the um holiday bonus for our uh city

41:21employees. We talked about a a a sort of

41:24a a step a tiered approach uh last week

41:28and I don't think we actually arrived at

41:31u at a final destination there and then

41:34uh I think there were some questions

41:36concerning the early learning purpose

41:38point learning academy. Uh three things

41:41that we did settle on was the um

41:44$250,000 for the UTC endowment fund

41:47contribution. the $250,000

41:51Bessie Smith Cultural uh center fund

41:54reallocation and the $250,000

41:57Eastell Collective Fund. And that should

42:00say reallocation because I think now

42:02we're uh taking that out of the uh

42:05economic development fund

42:07[clears throat] balance. Is that

42:08correct, Council Member?

42:10>> Okay. [laughter]

42:12Well, I think if I'm not mistaken,

42:14that's where the committee landed last

42:15week on uh taking that money out of the

42:19econ economic development fund balance.

42:22Uh so at this time, um I'd like to open

42:25up the floor for the uh police service

42:27center. If you if you would look also in

42:30your uh packet, Weston has provided us

42:33with a breakdown

42:36uh of our budget amendment summary. The

42:38first part is the general unreserved

42:42fund balance uh portion and it lists uh

42:46each of these items. [clears throat] Uh

42:48we started the uh balance the the

42:51beginning balance for the uh unres

42:53unreserved fund balance was 34% 34.55%.

42:58Uh you will see each item listed and the

43:01amount and then uh how much it takes off

43:05of the percentage. Uh if we do

43:08everything that is listed uh on this

43:12proposal,

43:13uh the ending fund balance would be at

43:152710%.

43:19And then the other items, the Bessie

43:21Smith Cultural Center and the Eastell

43:23Collab Collaborative would be

43:25reallocations.

43:27So um I'm going to open up the floor at

43:30this time and let's talk about the

43:32police service center. Uh if you will

43:34look um the estimated cost for just the

43:39mold remediation um basically taking the

43:43uh building down to the studs uh doing

43:47the reme remediation and putting it back

43:49like it was was 17 million uh 17.5

43:53million and then we talked about uh an

43:56expansion and I think it was um I don't

43:59have that

44:01I think it's it was like

44:0417 maybe 17,000 square ft. Somebody help

44:08me out. Uh Chief, was it 17,000 uh

44:11square feet?

44:13>> And so far as the the addition on

44:14option,

44:15>> the expansion,

44:17>> that's right.

44:18>> I I think it was right in the

44:19neighborhood,

44:21>> 18,000. That might be correct. Uh and

44:24that number was 8 point uh $8.9 million.

44:27So, uh, I guess at this point, uh, I

44:31would take some recommendations on, you

44:34know, do we want to, uh, take it all out

44:36of unreserved fund balance? Uh, do we

44:39want to take part of it out of fund

44:41balance and bond the rest? Um, let's

44:44see. It looks like Councilman Harvey,

44:47you're recognized.

44:47>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I was

44:49pleased to see today a report uh on the

44:53structural integrity of the exterior of

44:56the existing police service center

44:58structure. I know I'd asked about that

45:00last week during our committee meeting.

45:02That was one of my main concerns before

45:03we moved forward. Uh the report was

45:06positive. it didn't uh they didn't find

45:09any sort of uh you know concerns that

45:13would lead to hopefully that would that

45:15would lead to any additional damage or

45:18mold issues. So uh I'm I'm pleased with

45:22that. Um so in lie of that or in light

45:24of that excuse me uh I am comfortable

45:28moving forward with uh the existing

45:31remediation of the building and the

45:33expansion as it is. Uh I assume when we

45:37say [clears throat] option two and this

45:398 8 8.9 number that is the expansion.

45:41That's not tearing the building down.

45:42And and that's right.

45:44>> Okay. Yeah. That that's the one I'm in

45:46favor of. And and personally I I think

45:48we just rip the band-aid off and

45:50>> pull it out of the fund balance um at

45:52this point.

45:55>> Okay. Um

45:58yes. So thank you for getting that uh

46:00report done quickly. that that helps us

46:03make this decision.

46:05>> Let let me let me before I recognize

46:08anyone else, Won, would you mind coming

46:10down? Um,

46:17help me understand. I think it is the

46:19administration's preference that we

46:21would pay for um uh for the remediation

46:26and the expansion all out of fund

46:29balance. Correct. That is that the

46:31administration's position on this?

46:33>> Yes, sir.

46:33>> Okay. All right. Um,

46:37stay close. You might be called back up

46:39here in just a minute.

46:40>> Uh, you good, Councilman Harvey? I

46:42>> I guess one more question. If if we were

46:45to bond the expansion, do did do

46:48[clears throat] we have an idea of what

46:50existing projects would would take a

46:52back seat?

46:53>> The only we we kind of ran it a little

46:56bit. The really the only discretionary

46:58kind of project that would be able to

46:59cover that would be paving. The $10

47:01million we do annually for paving is

47:03essentially the only one.

47:06>> My question that [laughter]

47:09>> Oh, you went there. I

47:12>> paving's a dirty word in district 4.

47:14>> The other things we kind of we haven't

47:16gone through the whole

47:17>> We'll start that process here in the

47:18next month or so, but the things we kind

47:20of have pencled on the board are things

47:21that we're just committed to at this

47:23point that we can't really take off.

47:24Yep.

47:24>> We need paving. Okay. All right. That's

47:26all. Thank you.

47:28>> Um, Councilwoman Doyle.

47:30>> Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Uh,

47:32I'm glad to see this summary. I think I

47:34just needed to see it on paper. I too am

47:37in favor of just take getting it out of

47:39the general fund and as council said,

47:42just taking a band-aid off of that. Um,

47:44so are you going in any particular order

47:46for these or we just focus on the police

47:47service center right now?

47:48>> Right now, I just want to make I want to

47:50deal with the police service center.

47:51Okay. So that we can get that item out

47:53of the way. and then we'll come back.

47:54We'll we'll take the rest of them in

47:56order.

47:56>> Okay, that works there. So, I'm okay.

47:58Well, that's fine. That I'm okay with

47:59that. Okay.

48:00>> As is. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

48:04>> U Mr. Chair.

48:06>> Yeah, I would just echo the sentiments

48:08of Councilman Harvey and Councilwoman

48:10Dotley. Um I'm also in favor of both um

48:15the repairs to the existing center as

48:17well as the expansion. Um, and just

48:19looking at the fund balance and seeing

48:21that when it's all said and done, we'll

48:23still have a healthy fund balance. I I

48:25think it makes sense to take it from

48:26there rather than um, [snorts] you know,

48:30go back on on projects we've already

48:32planned to bond. Um, I think that makes

48:34the most sense.

48:36>> Okay. [snorts]

48:37Thank you, sir.

48:39>> Councilman Elliot. Um, Vice

48:41[clears throat] Vice Chair Elliot.

48:42>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Same thing.

48:44Just want to make my two cents though.

48:45We should pull it from the fund balance

48:47and not release bonds.

48:49>> All right.

48:53[snorts] So noted, Councilwoman Hill,

48:56>> thank you. I would also be in support of

48:58taking this out of the fund balance, the

49:03remediation and the expansion. Um,

49:07with regard to the remediation, I'd like

49:10our public works team to be

49:14[snorts]

49:14um, have a heightened awareness of

49:17ensuring that the shell of the building

49:19[clears throat] is also remediated for

49:21mold. Um, I don't I'm not

49:24[clears throat] an expert on mold, but I

49:26think it can live on just about anything

49:27and I'd hate to reme rip it all out and

49:30then something come from the a spore

49:32come from the concrete and then reinfest

49:34[snorts] the building. Um, the other

49:36thing I would just

49:39like to continue to shine a light on for

49:42council and the community is that we're

49:44squeaky right now. We've got a really

49:46squeaky tight budget. I mean, the fact

49:48that [snorts] our future bonding is

49:51already committed is something that I

49:53personally take very seriously. Um, and

49:57we've got to be careful about scope

49:58growth as we open up a budget three

50:02months into the fiscal year. Thank you.

50:05>> Thank you,

50:07[clears throat]

50:08>> Council Harvey.

50:08>> Yep. Uh, Mr. Um,

50:13Weston, [laughter]

50:16um,

50:18have we discussed, uh, adding a GMR to

50:22the contract as we go along?

50:25>> Guaranteed max rate.

50:27>> We discussed that.

50:28>> I have I'm not sure.

50:30>> Okay. I maybe that's something we

50:32discuss.

50:35>> No, not yet.

50:37>> Okay. Not yet. Maybe that's too this

50:39maybe too early, but would implore you

50:41to to look at that uh the best we can. I

50:44understand price goes up and and things

50:47happen as things are discovered, but

50:49>> sure,

50:49>> if we can, uh I think that would be

50:51helpful.

50:52>> Yes.

50:54>> All right. And I want to check with our

50:57remaining committee member, uh

50:59Councilman Clark. Um,

51:02you good with uh

51:05>> with option two, the uh expansion and

51:07taking it out of fund balance?

51:09>> Yeah, I think I echo the sentiments of

51:12councilwoman Hill that our bond

51:16um

51:17I guess what we're doing, our bond money

51:19is already committed to the projects. Um

51:22I think that's a good way to kind of go

51:24ahead and knock this out. That building

51:27I think that the police service center

51:28building is how old?

51:30was built in the 7474.

51:33>> That's about the life cycle anyway.

51:36>> Yeah.

51:36>> Uh where we would start to see these

51:38levels of deferred maintenance that we

51:40would probably have to put money into

51:42this building anyway. And I just think

51:44that unfortunately it's mold which is

51:46not healthy for our service u members.

51:49So I think this is a great funding

51:51formula for this. I think it's healthy.

51:54It's smart. Honestly, what happens is

51:56you guys give us uh flat budgets and I

52:00know there's a concern that we've opened

52:01up our budgets, this budget

52:04just 3 months into this fiscal year, but

52:06this came to us

52:09um and it did not come to us when we

52:11were considering a budget. So, when

52:12we're considering flat budgets, consider

52:14these critical

52:16things. Um or we'll have to come back

52:18after the budget is approved to open

52:20back up to take care of critical

52:21funding, stuff like this. So, I just

52:23kind of want to be on the record and

52:25say, "No, it's not our desire to open up

52:26a budget after 3 months, but

52:30you guys presented a flat budget to us

52:31and and we we we're having to do this."

52:33So,

52:34>> sure.

52:35>> That's my two cents, Mr. Chair. Thank

52:37you.

52:38>> Thank you, Councilman. Uh so I think

52:40that is a majority of the committee uh

52:43that agrees with moving this item um the

52:48mold remediation and the expansion

52:51uh to our [snorts] uh recommended to

52:54approve uh using our fund balance. Uh so

52:59at this time I'm going to move that uh

53:01to our recommendation to approve.

53:06Uh now let's move to our holiday bonus

53:08for uh city employees. Uh last time or

53:13last week when we met uh we looked at a

53:17tiered system

53:19uh that would uh tier one would be uh

53:23the full,000

53:26uh would be anyone making under $45,000.

53:30Tier two uh would be a $750 bonus. that

53:34would be uh $45,000 to $120,000.

53:38Tier three was $500.

53:41That was anybody over $120,000.

53:44And I would note, and I am also looking

53:47at the uh handout that I gave everybody,

53:50um the uh part-time employees would be

53:54eligible for the uh $500 bonus. uh

53:58because we looked at a prorate and uh it

54:01was decided it would probably be be best

54:03if we just did a a tiered approach as a

54:06pro opposed to a prorated. So we just

54:09put them at $500 u uh bonus. Uh and that

54:14would be for hires before uh July 1 of

54:182026.

54:21>> Councilman Clark.

54:23>> Uh thank you Chairman Henderson. Uh

54:25Weston, quick question. If we were to

54:28cuz right now the estimated bonus cost

54:32for the tiered structure is 2.3 million.

54:35>> Correct.

54:36>> If and maybe there this number is on a

54:38handout somewhere. I just don't know

54:39where it is. But without the tiered

54:41structure, what would be the total

54:44amount for the bonuses?

54:45>> It was 3.6.

54:46>> 3.6.

54:47>> Yep.

54:48>> And so the tiered and someone please

54:50help me with math. the

54:53>> So, how much are we saving by doing the

54:56tiered system?

54:58>> I'd have to go back and just double

54:59check because a 3.6 was kind of fully

55:01loaded. That's with part-time not being

55:03at 500. That's with employees hired

55:05after 71.

55:06>> So 1.3 million. Yeah. 1 1.3 was the

55:11difference between the

55:13the first estimate and uh the tiered

55:16system.

55:16>> But when we received the first estimate

55:19of 3.6, six. That [clears throat] did

55:22not include the part-time.

55:24>> It did. It included them at a rate

55:28higher than the $500.

55:30>> Okay.

55:31>> Uh Mr. Chair, what I like to pose to my

55:33colleagues is that we've gotten some

55:35feedback as you can imagine that the

55:38tiered system

55:40may not be equitable to employees who

55:44are in tier 2 or tier three. And if you

55:46all recall, I'm the one that made the

55:48recommendation. not necessarily for the

55:50savings, but just as a comparable cost

55:54to the fact that we had just given our

55:57employees a 3% cost of living

56:00adjustment.

56:01And my greatest impact was for those

56:04individuals who could actually use the

56:07bump. Um because if you apply the 3%

56:11cost of living adjustment to those who

56:13make under 45,000,

56:16um that's not a lot of money. And so

56:19what what I had proposed

56:22for the tier two and tier three, those

56:24individuals had already experienced a

56:26high increase

56:27>> and a cost of living adjustment and then

56:29to give them an additional thousand. I

56:31thought that was a bit much or

56:34especially coming from a person who's a

56:35bit conservative fiscally. So I just be

56:38curious if I could pose the the

56:39question, Mr. Chair, with your

56:40permission, if that is the feedback

56:43other council members have gotten. Um,

56:45if so, I would like to withdraw my

56:48proposal for the tiered system. Um,

56:53and

56:55revert back to our regular

56:58>> the original

56:59>> the original $1,000 for everyone, which

57:02will cost us 3.6 3.6 million. Okay.

57:05>> But I like to do so with uh

57:08>> dialogue with my colleagues.

57:09>> Sure. All right.

57:11>> Then let's go around the horn. Uh,

57:13Councilwoman Dolly.

57:15>> Thank you so much, Mr. uh, chair. I

57:17appreciate you. Uh, this was one I

57:18actually did get some feedback from a

57:20few employees about, but some of the

57:22questions seem to have been answered in

57:23your summary, which is great. Uh, in

57:26regards to how it will be taxed. Uh, so

57:28do we know those kind those amounts now

57:30after the um after this is going to be

57:34taxed at at the regular rate?

57:36>> It it'll it'll be taxed at the regular

57:37payroll rate, not at the 40%.

57:41>> Okay. And so that's probably was one of

57:43my biggest ones. And then also the

57:45concerns I received from a few other

57:46employees was, you know, in regards to

57:49the maybe moving them up in a tax

57:51bracket. They were a bit concerned about

57:52that as well. So I don't know how that

57:55would impact them if some of them if you

57:57know the $1,000, you know, moves them

58:00up.

58:00>> Sure. [snorts] So it'll be reported just

58:02as ordinary income. It'll be in box one

58:04of your W2. So if they're within $1,000

58:06of the next tax bracket, it would push

58:09them up.

58:09>> Yes.

58:10>> Okay. So they just would they be made

58:12aware of that in that case?

58:14>> Uh I mean we don't know where tax

58:16bracket and where they fall within it.

58:18So it' be something that they would just

58:19have to be kind of be aware of um as far

58:21as where they sit within the bracket.

58:23I'd say it'd be pretty un not unheard

58:26of, but there won't be many if any that

58:28$1,000 or less would push them into the

58:30next bracket. You'd have to be right

58:32there on it. So

58:33>> Okay.

58:33>> Uh I would imagine it would be minimal

58:36impact as far as that goes.

58:37>> Okay. Thank you so much. And my last

58:38thing to Councilman Clark, I thought the

58:40tier system was great. Uh I'm not, you

58:43know, because to like you were saying,

58:45you know, not to say that people with

58:47six figures just living lavishly out

58:49here, but at the same time, there are

58:51employees that could benefit more from

58:54the $1,000 than others. Uh and I can't

58:57judge that. I don't know anybody's

58:58personal circumstance or anything like

59:00that. Uh but I was very much in I

59:02thought it was a great idea when you

59:03brought it up last week. I I I I I hope

59:06you [cough and clears throat] want to

59:07bring it back. You know, I know you just

59:08you know, I get what you're saying, but

59:10I thought the tiered approach was great

59:11because also it shows how we value our

59:14employees. You know, the pay shows that

59:17uh and I think it was a point you said,

59:18you know, the the budget is a is a moral

59:20document, you know, and so that is um I

59:23really liked it. I thought it was a

59:24great idea to bring in the tiered

59:26approach. Nothing against my six-f

59:28figureure people because I talk to them

59:29all the time um as they know. Uh but at

59:32the same time uh it's is to me at the

59:36end of the day uh is looking out for the

59:38least of these and that's really what

59:40that's about. And when I when you

59:42brought it up I thought it was a

59:43wonderful idea because that is at the

59:45end of the day that's what we should be

59:46doing looking out for the least of these

59:47and that's what that is and so I'm in

59:49support of the tier system. I like the

59:51way that it's set up. Um and so that's

59:53my that's my feedback on that. Okay.

59:54Thank you Councilman Clark.

59:57>> Councilman Harvey.

59:58>> Yeah I agree. I I I think the the tiered

1:00:00system is fair. U I think it's a good

1:00:03compromise. I think it's a conservative

1:00:05way of looking at it. Um especially

1:00:07since we're saving about 1.3 million

1:00:08from where we came from and it's still

1:00:10getting the job done to me. Um so I I

1:00:13agree. I like the tier system. Um yeah,

1:00:16also I just my question got answered,

1:00:19but I'm glad that the uh the bonus will

1:00:23be treated as ordinary income so it's

1:00:24not taxed at a exorbitant amount. Um, so

1:00:28those were my two concerns and I'm I'm

1:00:29good with it.

1:00:30>> Okay. Uh, so I have you down as I guess

1:00:33for the tiered.

1:00:35>> Yeah.

1:00:35>> Correct. Councilwoman Hill,

1:00:38>> thank you. I support the bonus with the

1:00:41tiered structure based on our

1:00:44conversation last week about the why of

1:00:46this. Um, I think that this aligns the

1:00:49values with with the why that that we

1:00:52want to um help our employees who are on

1:00:55our lowest end of our pay scale. I think

1:00:57this is an appropriate way to move

1:00:58forward. Also, I' I'd like to just thank

1:01:02you, Weston, and I believe Mandy and

1:01:05Darren and other and um our new HR chief

1:01:08who I don't know well enough yet, but I

1:01:10really appreciate you so much. I'm

1:01:12sorry. Tell me your name.

1:01:14>> Erica.

1:01:14>> Erica, I apologize. It's not on the tip

1:01:16of my tongue. Erica and Erica, what you

1:01:19all put together here is so clear and

1:01:21with the footnotes, this is the kind of

1:01:23thing that just helps a conversation go

1:01:25so smoothly and I I appreciate you

1:01:27listening as well as you did, chairman.

1:01:29I appreciate you guiding them to produce

1:01:31this document for us. Really helpful.

1:01:33So, you've got my thumbs up on that.

1:01:35>> Okay.

1:01:35>> Thank you.

1:01:36>> On the tear.

1:01:36>> Yes,

1:01:40[laughter]

1:01:42>> Mr. Vice Chair.

1:01:45Oh, I support the tiered approach. I'm

1:01:47sorry. [snorts]

1:01:48>> You what?

1:01:48>> I support your tiered approach. Yeah.

1:01:50Sorry.

1:01:50>> You support your tiered approach?

1:01:52>> Yes. I was writing notes on something

1:01:53else.

1:01:53>> Okay.

1:01:54>> Yeah. No, I'm I'm here. I promise. I

1:01:56think it was a really good idea. You

1:01:58know, when we're talking about equity

1:02:00across the board, I think you hit the

1:02:02nail on the head to begin with.

1:02:03[clears throat]

1:02:04>> And [snorts] I think at at its core,

1:02:07it's about trying to bring folks up as

1:02:10much as we can. We couldn't do the whole

1:02:125%. Mhm.

1:02:14>> Um and when you see what it looks like

1:02:16at those percentage rates,

1:02:18>> uh you hit you spot on before. So I

1:02:22support your tiered approach and I think

1:02:23that's the best bet.

1:02:25>> And Mr. Chair, I I think I may. But I

1:02:27just I just want to be clear because we

1:02:28do get feedback from some I'm sorry, Mr.

1:02:31Chair. We do get feedback from some of

1:02:33our union uh supporters that their

1:02:35concern is equity across the board. And

1:02:38now that people understand our why for

1:02:41this,

1:02:42>> um I think this bonus structure is u a

1:02:46good start uh to where we need to start

1:02:49analyzing what equitable pay is for

1:02:52those who make under $21 per hour. So I

1:02:55want to commend you for bringing it

1:02:56forward and for working with

1:02:58individuals. Thank you, Erica Collins,

1:03:00who's been providing data in Weston. um

1:03:03as we research u the moral fabric of why

1:03:07we do what we do and how we pay people

1:03:09uh because 62% of our budget is our it

1:03:12is salaries. Um so anyway so I will uh

1:03:17we will move forward. I support the tier

1:03:19system. I just wanted to get that

1:03:20feedback to make on record uh to make

1:03:23sure that across the board people

1:03:24understand why we did that. So I yield

1:03:27back.

1:03:29>> Councilwoman Bur.

1:03:30>> Thank you Mr. Chair. Um, I I' I've had

1:03:34I've struggled with this one be because

1:03:36of where it puts us with our ending fund

1:03:38balance percentage. I do value the

1:03:40importance of taking care of our

1:03:42employees. And I know that we talked a

1:03:46little bit about where do we go from

1:03:47here as far as looking at how do we move

1:03:51our employees forward to more a more

1:03:53permanent solution. So, I hope that that

1:03:55topic will come back around to this

1:03:57committee. I'm assuming it will just

1:03:59based on some of the comments that I've

1:04:01heard. And just I thought it might be

1:04:04worth mentioning just for the record

1:04:05because I don't know how many people are

1:04:06privy to this information that it will

1:04:08not include elected officials. So if

1:04:10there was any questions out there about

1:04:12um this particular bonus, it will not

1:04:15include as we discussed last week

1:04:17elected officials. So thank you. Thank

1:04:19you Mr.

1:04:21>> Okay, that clears the board. Uh I do

1:04:24have a majority of the committee members

1:04:26supporting the tiered structure. So I'm

1:04:30going to move that um u we're going to

1:04:34move the um holiday bonus uh as a tiered

1:04:39structure to the uh column of

1:04:42recommended for approval uh for this

1:04:45budget amendment. That leaves now the

1:04:48early learning purpose point learning

1:04:51academy. And I think there was uh

1:04:53Councilwoman Hill I believe had a maybe

1:04:56a question or two, but it's my

1:04:57understanding, Councilman Clark, you did

1:05:00uh I think email Councilwoman Hill uh

1:05:02some information. So Councilwoman Hill,

1:05:04do you have any followup or concern

1:05:07about the uh Purpose Point Learning

1:05:09Academy?

1:05:10>> Um I am comfortable now. I'm

1:05:12disappointed that we found ourselves in

1:05:14this situation.

1:05:15>> Okay. Um, and purpose point is is

1:05:18important and we've invested quite a lot

1:05:20in it. It's just unfortunate that we

1:05:23kind of stubbed our toe there. Thank

1:05:25you. [clears throat]

1:05:25>> Okay. So, you are I am in supportive for

1:05:28moving it to the approved uh

1:05:33Councilman Clark. I thank you uh

1:05:35Chairman Henderson and thank you

1:05:37Councilwoman Hill. I wanted to I always

1:05:39want to make you feel comfortable with

1:05:40the numbers and thank you to Chairwoman

1:05:42Dotley who chairs education and um

1:05:45community development for leaning in um

1:05:49leaning in literally u it is a complex

1:05:53situation but I want to note that this

1:05:56is in my district and it's important

1:05:59that we continue to invest in early

1:06:01learning and making sure that our

1:06:03children are kindergarten readiness.

1:06:05It's one of the mayor's, I think, most

1:06:07successful programs in investing in Head

1:06:09Start and early learning. And so, I'm

1:06:12proud to say with this funding, we will

1:06:14at the end of October, we will have we

1:06:17will return two full classrooms uh back

1:06:20to Purpose Point uh Learning Academy and

1:06:24we will have kindergarten readiness

1:06:26underway. and my district is the only

1:06:28head He head start program within a 5 to

1:06:31six mile radius in that area um other

1:06:35than u in Councilman Elliot's district

1:06:38with Chamblas. So, thank you all for

1:06:39understanding

1:06:41uh why we needed to do this uh funding

1:06:44um probably for the next couple years as

1:06:47we look for ways on how to really have a

1:06:50more in-depth conversation about what

1:06:52sustainability looks like for some of

1:06:54our partner uh programs because other

1:06:57programs are having these uh

1:06:59sustainability issues when it comes to

1:07:02competition in the the daycare industry

1:07:05even with our own internal department.

1:07:08So, thank you again for that.

1:07:10>> And you are you're a yes. Can I put you

1:07:12down?

1:07:13>> Yes,

1:07:13>> sir. I am a yes. We are a yes. Uh,

1:07:16Councilman Harvey,

1:07:18>> uh, as a former Head Start board member,

1:07:20I have seen firsthand how important uh,

1:07:23our Head Start program is, uh,

1:07:26especially here at Purpose Point. So,

1:07:27I'm in I'm in favor and support this.

1:07:30>> All right.

1:07:33Uh, Councilman Elliot.

1:07:36>> Yes.

1:07:36>> Or Okay. All right. So that is majority

1:07:38of um of the committee members uh voting

1:07:42in favor of placing in this in the

1:07:46bucket of um recommending for approval.

1:07:50So, um, Weston, I think we have I think

1:07:54we have a full list now of our budget

1:07:57amendment, uh, which would be, um,

1:08:02um, our employee bonus, uh, the tiered

1:08:06structure at 2.3 million and some

1:08:09change. Uh, the estimated uh, cost of

1:08:12the police service center with the

1:08:13expansion should be in the neighborhood

1:08:16of 26.4 and some change. WTCI at

1:08:20250,000,

1:08:22purpose point at 235,000.

1:08:25All of that coming out of our fund

1:08:27balance, um, which would leave us at

1:08:3127.10%.

1:08:33>> Yes, sir.

1:08:34>> And then the other two items that would

1:08:36be in reallocation would be the Bessie

1:08:38Smith Cultural Center at 250,000

1:08:42and the Eastale Collaborative at

1:08:44250,000.

1:08:46So, will you get us a document prepared

1:08:49uh with all of that on our budget

1:08:51amendment?

1:08:52>> Yes.

1:08:52>> Uh and then we will have a public

1:08:55hearing uh for our um budget amendment

1:08:59on October the 20th

1:09:02>> and then our first reading would be uh

1:09:05scheduled for at least October the 27th.

1:09:13>> Perfect.

1:09:15All right. Is there

1:09:18any other item that needs to come before

1:09:20the budget and finance committee?

1:09:23All right. If not, I'm not seeing any

1:09:25other lights. So, we will adjourn the

1:09:27budget and finance committee and I'll

1:09:29Well, I was going to turn it over to

1:09:31Councilwoman Bur for

1:09:34um planning and zoning.

1:09:36>> I can get us started.

1:09:37>> You want to get us started? Okay. All

1:09:38right. I'll turn it over to her chair.

1:09:53Okay. On behalf of Councilwoman Burs,

1:09:56I'll call to order our planning, zoning,

1:09:58and housing committee meeting for today.

1:10:01Um, council, can I get a motion on the

1:10:03minutes from the previous meeting?

1:10:06>> Second.

1:10:06>> All right. Do have a motion properly

1:10:08seconded, and the minutes will stand as

1:10:10published. Um, council, we do have a

1:10:13list of planning items and we, as

1:10:16always, have a highlighted list as well.

1:10:20Um, are there any, as you look through

1:10:23the ones that are highlighted, council,

1:10:24and the larger list, are there any that

1:10:28are not highlighted that you would Oh,

1:10:29there she is.

1:10:32>> I just got us started. [laughter]

1:10:38>> [snorts]

1:10:38>> I was just asking if there were any non

1:10:40highlighted items that folks were.

1:10:43[cough]

1:10:49>> Okay. Um, just to continue with Chairman

1:10:52Davis's question, you all

1:10:54[clears throat] seen the highlighted

1:10:55items that Karen presented. Is there

1:10:57anything outside of the highlighted

1:10:58items that you'd like to hear more

1:11:00about?

1:11:01>> Uh, yes. The last report.

1:11:05Say that again, sir.

1:11:06>> I was saying yes, the board is on, I

1:11:08think. Am I Is that me? Oh, that's me.

1:11:11>> My my apologies. Yes. Go ahead.

1:11:13>> Thank you, Mr. Bird. Um I actually don't

1:11:16have the Is there is there a document

1:11:19with the high level? It doesn't matter.

1:11:21Um I have a question. Um

1:11:26I don't know. She's Oh, Karen. There we

1:11:28go.

1:11:30Let's see. I don't know if I'm

1:11:31>> If you want to go ahead and come

1:11:32forward, Karen.

1:11:34That's a question regarding the CN

1:11:36neighborhood commercial zone. I need

1:11:38some education on that just in general.

1:11:41But most I'm sorry.

1:11:45I don't know if it's highlighted. I'm

1:11:46sorry. [snorts]

1:11:50>> Um, so we only do presentations on the

1:11:53highlighted ones. I'm sorry.

1:11:55>> No, the highlighted ones she points out

1:11:57as having opposition or possibly needing

1:11:59further conversation. And if there's

1:12:02something that's not if if there's a

1:12:03case that you want reviewed, just let us

1:12:06know which one it is.

1:12:09>> Okay. Then I will yield to the

1:12:10highlight. Karen, I've got a question

1:12:12about the Cromwell Road, but the city

1:12:15doesn't have a lot of residential on

1:12:18that road other than most of the

1:12:20multifamily that's in Cromwell Heights

1:12:22or is that what we call it?

1:12:25>> It is.

1:12:26>> Okay. Kreml Heights. And so I'm curious

1:12:28to know just for educational purposes

1:12:31the neighborhood commercial zone. I've

1:12:33never seen when we do a commercial zone.

1:12:35I've never seen the word neighborhood.

1:12:37Am I

1:12:39>> We have two new commercial zones and

1:12:41I'll

1:12:41>> show you. Um and they're kind of

1:12:44confusing because they're very similar

1:12:46um naming terminology. This is the

1:12:48property at the corner of Cromwell and

1:12:49Shallford. It's the only kind of

1:12:52residential. built surrounded by

1:12:53manufacturing um heavy and light

1:12:56manufacturing in purple. So, it was a

1:12:58church and an accessory building. The

1:13:00accessory building is proposed to be a

1:13:02daycare and in order to have the that

1:13:05use um it they've sought reszoning for

1:13:08neighborhood commercial and so it is

1:13:11supported mostly by the plan because

1:13:13it's a reuse of a structure and because

1:13:16that is putting a a commercial zone in

1:13:20place rather than that single family

1:13:22residential detach zone in that

1:13:24proximity with the commercial and

1:13:26manufacturing. So, they're requesting

1:13:28the neighborhood um commercial zone

1:13:31because they're wanting to add a

1:13:33daycare.

1:13:33>> That's correct.

1:13:35>> Okay.

1:13:39But there's a church there and it's

1:13:41currently zoned as residential, but

1:13:43there's there's not a single family home

1:13:44on that lot.

1:13:45>> That's correct. So, um churches and

1:13:48schools are often found in just the

1:13:49single family residential zones. And so

1:13:52a if a church with a daycare, it

1:13:54normally would not go through the zoning

1:13:55process because it's a church use. I

1:13:57think this is um a daycare that just

1:13:59wants to use the additional building

1:14:02separate from the um it's so not maybe

1:14:04directly a church use. So the reasoning

1:14:06has kicked in. [clears throat]

1:14:07>> Perfect. Thank you so much for that

1:14:09because I I that is a new zone and I

1:14:11have not had that come up in my

1:14:12>> You'll hear it a couple times today, but

1:14:14it is a newer zone yet.

1:14:15>> Awesome. All right. Thank you, Karen. Uh

1:14:17thank you, Councilwoman Burrs.

1:14:19>> Thank [snorts] you. Um, Councilman

1:14:21Henderson, did you have a question?

1:14:23>> I do.

1:14:26You

1:14:28put my mic on, please.

1:14:33>> I guess I can speak loud enough.

1:14:41>> Block of Opville Road. um they have

1:14:45requested for this to be withdrawn which

1:14:49is noted right there. Uh I will not be

1:14:52in attendance next week. So if one of my

1:14:54colleagues could make a motion to

1:14:56withdraw this case I'd appreciate it.

1:14:58>> He closed himself out.

1:15:03>> So what would you like? Sorry we were

1:15:04working on the board so you could be

1:15:05heard. Um will you push your mic button

1:15:08again please?

1:15:12>> Okay. you should be active. Okay. So,

1:15:15would you please repeat that again? My

1:15:16apologies.

1:15:17>> So, I I will be in attendance next

1:15:19Tuesday. Okay. And I would just ask that

1:15:22one of my colleagues would make a motion

1:15:24to withdraw this. Okay.

1:15:26>> Yes. This application.

1:15:27>> So, noted.

1:15:31>> They don't go [laughter] there.

1:15:32>> Okay. [gasps]

1:15:34>> All right. Anything else? Councilman

1:15:37Henderson.

1:15:38>> No, that's it. Thank you, ma'am.

1:15:39>> Councilwoman Dodley,

1:15:40>> thank you so much. I would like to hear

1:15:42about item uh 20260044

1:15:45with John Wise and West 20th Street.

1:15:48>> So I would like to hear hear about that,

1:15:50please.

1:15:51>> Okay. So item number I

1:15:52>> I Yes. Okay. Okay. Yes. Thank you,

1:15:54Council, Madam Chair.

1:15:55>> All right. So that leaves a couple

1:15:59others that aren't highlighted. Any

1:16:00others? I see no other lights. All

1:16:03right, Karen. So we've gotten

1:16:05[clears throat] B addressed. We know

1:16:06what we're going to do about that one.

1:16:07You want to start with C?

1:16:09>> Yes. So

1:16:09>> 0106. Yes, apologies. Um there was case

1:16:13um there was opposition at planning

1:16:15commission and we had emails in

1:16:16opposition. This is resoning at 400 402

1:16:21and 405 Garden Road and this is a

1:16:24reflection riding property. So the

1:16:26property is zoned RN17.5.

1:16:29Um and the applicants um seeking um two

1:16:33zones, the OS open space zone and the A1

1:16:35urban agricultural zone. and they feel

1:16:38that the resoning would better align the

1:16:41um the property's current proposed uses

1:16:44um with that zoning designation rather

1:16:46than the residential. Um this property

1:16:49did receive in 2009 at that point in the

1:16:52zoning ordinance and I think this might

1:16:53have been the only place that was used

1:16:55revocable special exceptions permit for

1:16:58nonprofit heritage educational

1:17:00facilities. Um and that was for really

1:17:04cultural or educational environmental um

1:17:07geared facilities. Um and it was um

1:17:11applied to this property in 2009 and had

1:17:14a um some conditions as part of that um

1:17:17resoning um ordinance. And then there

1:17:20were also um conditions related to um

1:17:23the function of that special permit. And

1:17:25that was just only for a smaller portion

1:17:27of the property. But there is additional

1:17:29um special permits sitting on top of

1:17:31that underlying zoning. So, Reflection

1:17:34Writing has um operated on this 380 acre

1:17:38property for decades. Um arburetum,

1:17:41nature center, botanical sanctuary, and

1:17:43then surrounding uses are almost

1:17:45exclusively public parkland, open space,

1:17:47preserve, and some low density single

1:17:50family residential development on Garden

1:17:53Road. Just some pictures of the site.

1:17:57Um and then Garden Road, we did have um

1:17:59people in opposition speaking about the

1:18:01narrow nature of Garden Road.

1:18:05Plan Chattanooga does show uh this

1:18:07property as um a preserve with natural

1:18:10resources overlay. predominant uses or

1:18:13undisturbed open space, visitor centers,

1:18:16nature centers, public parks, trails,

1:18:18cemeteries, and then preserve is

1:18:20acknowledging um usually acknowledging

1:18:23either um flood plane or um steep slopes

1:18:27on a site and it's really recommended

1:18:29for passive recreation undisturbed open

1:18:31space. So the staff noted the open space

1:18:35zone directly fulfills that preserve

1:18:37place type vision and the agricultural

1:18:40zone aligns with the plan policies to

1:18:41support native plant nurseries, green

1:18:43houses, environmental research

1:18:45facilities.

1:18:46So staff found that the proposed

1:18:48amendment to OS open space and the urban

1:18:51agricultural zone is consistent with the

1:18:53plan but did have concerns because the

1:18:56two zones permit a wide range of uses

1:18:58and due to the narrow curvy nature of

1:18:59garden road staff re and as that's the

1:19:02sole vehicular access staff recommended

1:19:05approval of the zones condition to no

1:19:07golf courses driving ranges and no

1:19:10campground resort or campground RV

1:19:12parks. Uh we did note that there are

1:19:15some you can rent out um some treehouse

1:19:18those would be we would be

1:19:20non-conforming but due to the nature of

1:19:22garden road felt that kind of that RV

1:19:25campground type um activity um would not

1:19:28be appropriate in the future certainly

1:19:30the condition could be lifted. So there

1:19:32was opposition president planning

1:19:34commission from residents along garden

1:19:37road concerned about the traffic um and

1:19:41then events just the activity um when an

1:19:44event is over sometimes um all the

1:19:46vehicles leave at one time and then

1:19:47noise for the first time ever red wolf

1:19:50noise. Um the wolves apparently on site

1:19:53do make um noise and they're in closer

1:19:56proximity to the residential homes. uh

1:19:58planning commission did um ask that the

1:20:01applicant at the end of planning

1:20:03commission step out and speak to the

1:20:05neighbors in the area [snorts] and this

1:20:08comes with the planning commission

1:20:09recommendation to approve with a

1:20:11condition prohibiting golf course

1:20:12driving ranges, campground resorts, and

1:20:14campground RV parks.

1:20:20>> Councilwoman Dotley, your light is still

1:20:22active. Are you done?

1:20:23>> Yes, you are. Okay.

1:20:25>> Councilman [snorts] Henderson.

1:20:27>> Thank you, ma'am. Uh Karen, the

1:20:30I guess the concerns or the opposition

1:20:33wasn't so much about the use as it was

1:20:36really the road. Correct.

1:20:38>> There was quite a bit of concern about

1:20:40the road and then the use. They did note

1:20:44um the noise of the wolves, but then

1:20:46events sometimes events can be I guess

1:20:49there can be some noise associated with

1:20:51events, but I think that was secondary

1:20:54to the wolf noise.

1:20:56>> Yeah. But I don't I don't think the

1:20:58reszoning has anything to do with Well,

1:21:02when I say anything to do, the

1:21:04reasonzoning would not necessarily

1:21:06create more noise or it it really

1:21:10doesn't even affect the Red Wolves.

1:21:12Correct. I mean,

1:21:13>> and that's why I did note that there is

1:21:15that special exceptions permit from 2009

1:21:18on the property. So, there is an

1:21:21additional council's granted at that

1:21:24time additional uses on that site. So, I

1:21:26think it's a little bit to your point of

1:21:28it's not going from residential to

1:21:30fullblown development. It does already

1:21:33have a special exceptions permit sitting

1:21:35on top that it does allow a lot of the

1:21:37uses that are currently on the site. So,

1:21:41um I don't think necess and I believe

1:21:44that's why planning commission directed

1:21:45the applicant to meet with the

1:21:47opposition to kind of try to resolve

1:21:49that issue or figure out is was there

1:21:52going to be relocation of the red wolf

1:21:54activity?

1:21:56How many how much opposition did you

1:22:00have? I guess emails or at planning

1:22:02because I I have been emailed with

1:22:05questions but not really opposition and

1:22:07and I've really got no opposition to the

1:22:10reszone and I think it's it's

1:22:12appropriate for what they're asking uh

1:22:15for. So [cough] I'm trying to

1:22:16[clears throat] figure out you know I

1:22:18guess how far this or how deep this is.

1:22:21actually

1:22:22>> believe we had three people and I can

1:22:23send you the name and addresses from

1:22:25Garden Road and I believe most of them

1:22:28at least one or two of them are directly

1:22:30abuing the property and so I do think

1:22:32that most of that

1:22:34>> um and as you know Council Burst it's on

1:22:37I'm kind of looking to I believe most of

1:22:38it was associated with the noise and the

1:22:40proximity of the wolves to that

1:22:42residential site which is what planning

1:22:44commission directed them to have some

1:22:47additional discussion about okay

1:22:49>> that existing condition.

1:22:51>> Yeah, [clears throat] if I recall

1:22:52directly, if I recall correctly, it had

1:22:55more to do with it had nothing to do

1:22:57with the actual reasonzoning. It was

1:22:59about what's already going on there. And

1:23:00it was an opportunity to talk about that

1:23:02to ensure that this wasn't going to

1:23:03create more

1:23:06>> more intensity, I guess,

1:23:08>> which I don't I mean, I don't think that

1:23:11it will. Um,

1:23:12>> no, I think there was some concern about

1:23:14what's the red wolves was the big the

1:23:16big thing. the red wolves and the and

1:23:17the

1:23:18>> which the red zone has nothing to do

1:23:20with

1:23:20>> No, it doesn't. Yes. Yeah.

1:23:22>> Madam [snorts] Chair,

1:23:24I guess let me I'll put it this way. I'm

1:23:29in favor of this. Uh but if next week

1:23:33there happens to be a large opposition

1:23:36present, I guess I would ask that maybe

1:23:38this be deferred a week uh so that I can

1:23:43deal with some deal with opposition. And

1:23:46like I said, nobody's really reached out

1:23:47to me in opposition of the reszone.

1:23:50>> I have had some questions about when

1:23:52this would be heard and different things

1:23:54like that, but

1:23:55>> so I guess if there is opposition next

1:23:58week, u you know, if we would defer it

1:24:01for a week, let me know.

1:24:02>> Does one week give you enough time to

1:24:05>> I I think so. I think I would um maybe

1:24:09go ahead and let the opposition speak,

1:24:11the applicant speak, and the opposition

1:24:13speak. Uh, and then that way I'll have a

1:24:15record of of who it is and who I need to

1:24:19talk to.

1:24:20>> Okay, sounds good.

1:24:22>> Thank you.

1:24:23>> I see no other lights regarding this

1:24:24matter. So, we'll move on to 0110.

1:24:28>> And this is property located on Hixon

1:24:30Pike. And I have um the 4,000 um the

1:24:36property that is at the 4,000 Hixon

1:24:38Pike. The applicant is asked to withdraw

1:24:40that from the resoning request.

1:24:42[clears throat] So, there are four

1:24:43properties. I'm going to proceed talking

1:24:46about the four properties. Um, but the

1:24:48city attorney's office did prepare a

1:24:50resolution with a revised legal and

1:24:52revised map should council choose to

1:24:54move forward and remove the 4,000 Hicks

1:24:56and Pike from the resoning.

1:24:58[clears throat] The um applicant request

1:25:00is reszone. These four properties are

1:25:02now three properties from CC, commercial

1:25:05corridor zone to CR, regional commercial

1:25:08zone. and they were they noted

1:25:11flexibility and leasing for automobile

1:25:13uses. So the site was previously C2 and

1:25:16was equivalency zone to CC. Just a

1:25:19reminder C2 was kind of the common zone

1:25:22for most of our commercial corridors at

1:25:24the time was um equivalency mapped to CC

1:25:27in 2025

1:25:29and the uh the prior C2 zoning allowed

1:25:32ated most autooriented uses. The new CC

1:25:37CC zone does allow quite a few auto

1:25:40oriented uses, but there are a few that

1:25:41it no longer allows and I believe that's

1:25:44why the applicant is seeking reszoning.

1:25:46The um surrounding properties along

1:25:49Hixon Pike are predominantly commercial.

1:25:52Uh Highland Plaza just to warrant you is

1:25:54the property to the northwest. Along the

1:25:56rear southern property boundary abuing

1:25:59this, it does um go uphill towards

1:26:02single family residential neighborhood.

1:26:04So just to show you some of the

1:26:06properties you many of you are probably

1:26:08familiar with these

1:26:10they do have kind of a long established

1:26:12character is auto oriented commercial

1:26:14uses fuel stations car washes tire shops

1:26:17auto repair I think detailing has

1:26:19happened over time and you can see the

1:26:22slope is the um property to the rear

1:26:24goes up to the residential area the

1:26:27existing buildings on the property. So

1:26:29these this is a screenshot. Um staff had

1:26:31a hard time getting pictures um safely.

1:26:34So some of these that show activity are

1:26:36screen can be screenshots. The existing

1:26:39buildings on the site are vacant and

1:26:41don't comply with the legal

1:26:42non-conforming grandfathered protection.

1:26:45So um that was a check that they're no

1:26:47longer grandfathered in and for some of

1:26:50the their uh desired automobile oriented

1:26:53uses would need resoning.

1:26:56So plan Chattanooga um has the site

1:26:59designated as suburban corridor with a

1:27:01natural resources overlay. Suburban

1:27:04corridor is kind of a mix of [snorts]

1:27:05housing, retail, offices, restaurant um

1:27:09and does have as limited uses autoor

1:27:11oriented services. And then the plan

1:27:14Chattanooga Hickston also um notes that

1:27:18um there's a need to support local

1:27:20employment and adaptive reuse of

1:27:22existing commercial structures.

1:27:25So um staff noted that the applicant

1:27:29need would like that CR zoning to have

1:27:31flexibility in leasing and retening the

1:27:33existing autocentric buildings and

1:27:35because the site is historically

1:27:37operated as auto auto service centers

1:27:40bringing the buildings into conformity

1:27:42um avoids vacancy and promotes

1:27:44commercial reinvestment. The requests

1:27:47for automobile oriented uses would be in

1:27:49compliance with the limited uses listed

1:27:51suburban corridor place type. And this

1:27:55um as a reminder this is about 4,000

1:27:58Hixon Pike which is the applicant is

1:27:59asking to remove. Staff did recommend

1:28:02because the plan notes the um the kind

1:28:05of the hillside and the topography as it

1:28:07moves towards the residentials. staff

1:28:09was recommending a condition that no

1:28:12grading, clearing, land disturbance um

1:28:14or building should be permitted above

1:28:16the 700 foot topo line. And that's the

1:28:18red line shown on the map. The idea was

1:28:21to allow that building to come back into

1:28:23kind of those full um range of

1:28:26autooriented uses but um not extend that

1:28:30heavy commercial use towards the

1:28:32residential. There was a lot of

1:28:33discussion about this at planning

1:28:35commission um particularly this one

1:28:37condition. in a lot of discussion with

1:28:39the applicant kind of understanding how

1:28:41that would impact the property. This um

1:28:44the result of that is comes with the

1:28:46reasonzoning for all four properties

1:28:47comes with a planning commission

1:28:49recommendation to deny. So, um, as a

1:28:52result of, I believe, kind of that

1:28:54discussion and the applicant having some

1:28:56additional thought, the applicant is

1:28:58asking to remove 4,000 Hicks and Pike,

1:29:01which if removed, this condition would

1:29:03be removed. And so, it would be a

1:29:05recommendation to approve the three

1:29:07properties or excuse me, the ordinance

1:29:09would read the approval of the three

1:29:11properties to the CR zone.

1:29:15>> Thank you, Karen. Councilwoman Hill,

1:29:17>> thank you. Um, when I studied this case

1:29:21and spoke with the applicant on site, it

1:29:24was before I was aware of the planning

1:29:26commission decision um or

1:29:28recommendation. And I'm a little puzzled

1:29:32because as I read the staff

1:29:34recommendation to prepare for that

1:29:36meeting with the applicant,

1:29:39what I what I took from the staff

1:29:43recommendation was here was here was

1:29:46property that lost [snorts] property use

1:29:50rights in the uh equivalency mapping.

1:29:54>> That's correct.

1:29:55>> And that does not seem, Mr. attorney to

1:30:00be legally permissible for us to I mean

1:30:03we worked very diligently to not strip

1:30:05use rights as part of equivalency

1:30:07mapping.

1:30:09So the staff recommendation to say to

1:30:12acknowledge you lost those rights but

1:30:14you ha but but we are

1:30:18we want to do right by you um to make

1:30:22sure you still have those rights made

1:30:24sense within the topo requirement. Um,

1:30:30help me understand

1:30:32what happened at planning commission

1:30:34that would cause planning commission to

1:30:37make this. And let me say it is not the

1:30:40desire of the neighborhood to add more

1:30:42autoor oriented uses to this corridor,

1:30:44right? I mean, when I first saw it, I

1:30:47was like, well, obviously that's not

1:30:49where we want to head. But then when I

1:30:50read staff recommendation and recognize,

1:30:53whoa, they lost use rights,

1:30:55>> right?

1:30:56>> And that's not okay. Um, I I'm just

1:31:00surprised. So, tell me about planning

1:31:02commission, please.

1:31:02>> Um, I'll start if I I may. Um, the

1:31:05current CC zone allows drive-thrus,

1:31:09gas stations with a car wash, parking

1:31:11lots as a primary use. It would no

1:31:15longer allow a vehicle dealership.

1:31:18Um, a major vehicle repair service. Um,

1:31:21so a major vehicle repair I think is

1:31:23when it's bringing in um like tractor

1:31:26trailer trucks for repair. So the

1:31:28current zone does allow vi minor

1:31:30vehicular repair. The new z um the CC

1:31:33zone doesn't allow standalone car

1:31:35washes. And so to be clear the uh the

1:31:39current zone, so we're talking about

1:31:41autooriented uses, but it's not a

1:31:43complete prohibition. The current CC

1:31:45zone allows drive-throughs, gas stations

1:31:48with a car wash, parking lots. minor

1:31:51vehicular repair. And I will put this on

1:31:53a slide for next week just to double

1:31:55check. It does no longer allow vehicular

1:31:58dealerships, major vehicle repairs, and

1:32:00standalone car washes. So, it's not a a

1:32:03complete prohibition. Like a standalone

1:32:05car wash has a lot of sound associated

1:32:07with it, noise. We're trying to um

1:32:10integrate more residential properties

1:32:11along this corridor. So, that would be

1:32:13an example of that happening. I believe

1:32:15the discussion and planning commission

1:32:18um was trying to get the applicant to

1:32:20understand um the concern about the um

1:32:24clearing and moving up the you know

1:32:26using the entirety of the site

1:32:29>> that come bringing the property back

1:32:30into conformity. there was support for

1:32:32it, but that did the applicant

1:32:34understand the concern about why the

1:32:36condition would be in place and I think

1:32:38the applicant um my memory of what the

1:32:42applicant said is that no, I'd rather

1:32:44just not do it then than get a condition

1:32:46at all. And so kind of some of the

1:32:48discussion back and forth and then so

1:32:50planning commission went ahead and

1:32:52recommended denial then and then I

1:32:54believe the applicant has had time to

1:32:56reconsider.

1:32:57>> Okay. So yeah, when the applicant and I

1:32:59met on the property,

1:33:02he talked about the condition that had

1:33:05been that I had read about in the staff

1:33:08report and specific to 4,000 Higs and

1:33:12Pike was he was not fully aware of where

1:33:16the set but you know where the

1:33:17allowances would start and so yes he did

1:33:20say let's just take it out so we can

1:33:22consider it at another time. Um but Mr.

1:33:25attorney, would you please give me your

1:33:28opinion on um this loss of use rights?

1:33:32Um given the

1:33:36[snorts] historic uses of these

1:33:37buildings, we've had autoglass detail,

1:33:40we've auto glass, we've had detailing,

1:33:42we've had um there there have been

1:33:45service station or um well, I think

1:33:47actually there may be some tanks. No,

1:33:50that's another property. um

1:33:53[clears throat] the

1:33:56minor vehicle repair has occurred on

1:33:58these spots. So the uses that the new

1:34:03property owners would have had in those

1:34:06it sounds like are still allowed.

1:34:08>> Quite a few of them. I think that from

1:34:11my notes from um it's car washes, major

1:34:14vehicular repair facilities, and vehicle

1:34:17dealerships. We we still have in our

1:34:20ordinance discontinuence language here

1:34:22that is allowed under 137208 and if it's

1:34:25more than a 100 consecutive days I

1:34:27believe is still in our sunning

1:34:29ordinance. Was it taken out

1:34:30>> that it is in there? We were hoping that

1:34:33during staff review that it would be

1:34:35under that language be able to continue

1:34:37as a non-conforming use but they have

1:34:39been vacant for a period of time.

1:34:41>> They've been vacant for more than 100

1:34:43consecutive days is the provision. So

1:34:46because they let me say what I'm hearing

1:34:48you say because they've been vacant for

1:34:49more than 100 days we would not there

1:34:53would not be a

1:34:54>> non-conforming use.

1:34:58>> Correct. But

1:34:59>> not about non-conforming use but about

1:35:02the question of a property owner losing

1:35:06use rights due to our reasonzoning.

1:35:10[snorts]

1:35:10Do we have any challenges with that with

1:35:13these

1:35:14>> there? There can always be challenges in

1:35:16in that regard, but I believe our

1:35:18ordinance would control in so far as if

1:35:21that use had discontinued for a certain

1:35:23period of time, then they would have to

1:35:25comply with our zoning ordinance that

1:35:26came in, I believe. So,

1:35:29>> okay, Madam Chair, do you have any other

1:35:32um input on this case having been at

1:35:35planning commission?

1:35:37The only thing I recall from the meeting

1:35:38was it wasn't real clear what the

1:35:40applicant was wanting to do and that was

1:35:43that was a lot of the discussion with

1:35:45the planning commission. I think if it

1:35:47was more clear as to what the applicant

1:35:49had in mind doing there was just some

1:35:51vague from some vagueness. Mhm.

1:35:53>> Um I'm not sure what what the plan was

1:35:57for 4,000 and and not being able to to

1:36:01go back any further than what the

1:36:03planning commission or the staff was

1:36:05recommending just because of the grade.

1:36:08>> Okay.

1:36:10All right. That's all my questions.

1:36:11Thank you.

1:36:12>> And one one question, Karen. I' I've got

1:36:14our I guess alternate version here, but

1:36:16I believe we need a new map if that uh

1:36:19parcel is taken out. We did provide a

1:36:21new map and I can confirm that it's been

1:36:24attached to it.

1:36:25>> Okay.

1:36:25>> Yeah. Thank you.

1:36:26>> All right. Thank you.

1:36:29>> Okay.

1:36:30[clears throat]

1:36:31>> Councilman Henderson.

1:36:32>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I had to step

1:36:35out and I wasn't sure if this was

1:36:37discussed. This comes with a staff

1:36:39recommendation to approve.

1:36:42>> Was that because

1:36:44it was a use prior to our equivalency

1:36:48map? Is that what y'all's

1:36:50[clears throat]

1:36:51>> reasoning was?

1:36:52>> And supported by the plan. Suburban

1:36:54corridor recommends limited uses. So

1:36:58auto oriented uses is a limited use. So

1:37:00it's supported by the plan and because

1:37:02the structures have been historically

1:37:04used for that. Um staff felt it was

1:37:07appropriate to bring them allow the kind

1:37:10of the full range because they already

1:37:11do have autooriented uses in their

1:37:14existing zone. But it seemed

1:37:16appropriate. They're relatively narrow

1:37:18in depth except for 4,000 Hixon Pike.

1:37:21They're relatively narrow in depth and

1:37:22that seemed appropriate.

1:37:24>> Reason I ask is I may have a similar

1:37:27case coming to my district where they

1:37:31lost a use

1:37:33because of the equivalency map.

1:37:36And I guess what I'm trying to figure

1:37:39out is is staff recommending approval

1:37:42since that was a permitted use

1:37:46prior to the equivalency map or what or

1:37:49or do y'all look at that on a case-byase

1:37:51basis still or I guess what I'm trying

1:37:54to figure out is is staff going to

1:37:56recommend approval simply because they

1:37:59had that use prior to the equivalency

1:38:01map. We have we haven't had a lot of

1:38:04these and we have been looking them on a

1:38:06case-byase basis. So I think and we have

1:38:09mentioned it a couple times here like

1:38:12car washes not being in the CC zone is

1:38:15something we have come up against um a

1:38:18couple times. Um but there's so many car

1:38:22washes um on the corridors already that

1:38:25they continue to operate. This is kind

1:38:27of a known the car wash and um like

1:38:30maybe the vehicle dealership in the CC

1:38:32zone is a known equivalency issue. So we

1:38:35don't have a lot of them and we've been

1:38:37handling them on a case- by case basis.

1:38:39So either often times people already had

1:38:42pulled their permit and were in

1:38:43permitting or um they are an existing

1:38:47business. So that if I think we're

1:38:49[clears throat] I know which one you're

1:38:50talking about. That's going to be kind

1:38:52of one of the first true well one of the

1:38:54first equivalency ones. Um we had a

1:38:58couple zones. The R4 zone.

1:39:00>> Yeah. The the R4 is

1:39:01>> the R4 zone was a challenging zone at

1:39:04the time. It allowed everything from a

1:39:05four-story office building with a first

1:39:07floor retail to all the apartments. And

1:39:11so it was challenging the equivalency

1:39:13zone and we'll that one will be we

1:39:17acknowledge that that is equivalency

1:39:19zone issue.

1:39:22>> Okay.

1:39:24>> Okay. And and Mr. attorney

1:39:27>> from a from your legal standpoint,

1:39:32>> um

1:39:34once the equivalency zone is established

1:39:36and it's been established for whatever

1:39:38that time frame was.

1:39:40>> Yes, sir.

1:39:42>> You don't see a problem then with

1:39:45[snorts]

1:39:46>> it. It depends on whether that use has

1:39:49continued or not.

1:39:50>> Well, this is a this is a raw piece of

1:39:53land.

1:39:54>> Yes. There's there's there's no use on

1:39:56it currently,

1:39:57>> right?

1:39:58>> Um

1:40:00but but it's your opin your opinion that

1:40:03we are

1:40:06we're within our rights not to allow

1:40:09that use that was taken away. Am I

1:40:11wording that correctly?

1:40:14>> I'm I'm at least going to state that

1:40:16until we have further information here

1:40:18as to whether there is a problem in the

1:40:20law. the the legal non-conforming use of

1:40:23that property as as it exists here at at

1:40:26at this time is just a vacant piece of

1:40:29land. There's not been any use that has

1:40:31been developed on that. The zoning has

1:40:35changed and you'd have to comply with

1:40:36the zoning.

1:40:38>> Okay.

1:40:40Thank you,

1:40:41>> Madame Chair, if you direct us. We have

1:40:43had some we have had an [clears throat]

1:40:45alternative solution to how to address

1:40:48that during the early phases of the new

1:40:50zoning ordinance and if that's something

1:40:52you'd want to discuss at planning and

1:40:53zoning and housing committee next week

1:40:55we could do that.

1:40:56>> Yep. I can I can add that to the agenda.

1:40:59I think this is while this takes some

1:41:01time to have these conversations, I

1:41:03think it's good because it helps educate

1:41:04us on our districts if we're coming if

1:41:07we're having the same or similar issue

1:41:08come up.

1:41:09>> And we had um we had addressed that by

1:41:12just noting the use in the table if it

1:41:14had been previously had had that use and

1:41:17I can give we can talk about that maybe

1:41:18next week.

1:41:19>> Okay. Um All right, Councilwoman Hill,

1:41:23you good? Yes, ma'am.

1:41:24>> Counciloman Henderson, yeah, you good on

1:41:26this one? All right. So, let's move on

1:41:28to uh 0

1:41:31113. Okay. Thank you.

1:41:36This is a property um on Oldley Highway.

1:41:40And I'm going to start with a um kind of

1:41:42a a map that shows the site. It's just

1:41:44south of Apison Pike 75 and Enterprise

1:41:47South or to the west. And this is where

1:41:50it this does bump up against the

1:41:52unincorporated county and a portion of

1:41:55this overall site is in the

1:41:56unincorporated county which leads to a

1:41:58little complexity but I just wanted to

1:42:00note that as we go through the

1:42:01presentation.

1:42:03The applicant's requesting to reszone

1:42:05six acres from a mix of zones, the RN16,

1:42:08the RN2, and the CC zone to the RN3

1:42:11residential neighborhood zone to allow

1:42:13the construction of a multi-unit

1:42:14residential development. The property to

1:42:17a portion of the property to the east

1:42:20was reszoned in um excuse me in 2016. Um

1:42:26and then the there it's for an overall

1:42:28project. Um, I guess a portion of that

1:42:30site was already reszoned. A portion of

1:42:31that was reszoned in 2016. And that red

1:42:34arrow is going to be on the next slide

1:42:36as we moved um and shows that that

1:42:39project has been developed. The property

1:42:43um the multif family apartment complex

1:42:45to the west is in an R3 zone in

1:42:48unincorporated Hamilton County. And that

1:42:50property is also developed as you can

1:42:52tell with a um multif family apartment

1:42:54complex. So, um there is a kind of a mix

1:42:58of uses along the corridor. Um there's a

1:43:02commercial um the CC commercial zone is

1:43:06farther to the west. And then um there's

1:43:09just an unusual assortment kind of of um

1:43:13zones along the corridor. Those have

1:43:14been as properties have been bought and

1:43:16compiled, those have kind of changed

1:43:18over a little bit more peace meal into a

1:43:21more consistent zoning over time.

1:43:25So, plan Chattanooga recommends mixed

1:43:28residential for the site and notes that

1:43:31um higher intensity housing including

1:43:33multi-unit buildings and apartments

1:43:36should be at densities that support

1:43:37transit major employers and nearby

1:43:40commercial centers. That's partly why I

1:43:42noted the um proximity of uh Enterprise

1:43:46South. This is also near um kind of the

1:43:49Lee Highway corridor. There's also an

1:43:52objective in the highway 58 Tiner area

1:43:54plan to provide affordable higher

1:43:56density housing options to serve a major

1:43:58employment center.

1:44:01The staff found that the requested RN3

1:44:03zoning is consistent with the plan type

1:44:06and goals of the plan and it's

1:44:08compatible with established multi-unit

1:44:10residential character of the area and

1:44:12the request supports city goals to

1:44:14expand multi-unit housing options near

1:44:16PL major employment centers. There was

1:44:18opposition present at planning

1:44:20commission. Some of it was related to

1:44:22the housing type and not the housing

1:44:24form. Um which is kind of the physical

1:44:27development of the site. Um just kind of

1:44:30general concerns perhaps about

1:44:31apartments. But u planning commission

1:44:34found the applicant presented excuse me

1:44:36the applicant presented conditions at

1:44:39the meeting that they had uh worked with

1:44:41neighboring um kind of the neighbors in

1:44:43the area addressing some of the

1:44:46concerns. the conditions were presented

1:44:48that also impacted the unincorporated

1:44:51portion of their site. So, planning

1:44:53commission asked staff to clean them up

1:44:56um to apply just to the city portion of

1:44:58the site and those are shown um here. We

1:45:02did share that with the applicant

1:45:04because they um the final had a little

1:45:07bit of um finessing after planning

1:45:09commission and so these apply only to

1:45:11the city of Chattanooga portion. So,

1:45:14anyone that has um been watching or

1:45:16maybe was involved in development of the

1:45:18conditions, I do want to note that they

1:45:21have changed to be um to be hopefully

1:45:24more enforceable and also to only

1:45:26reflect the portion of the site that's

1:45:28in the city of Chattanooga. So, this

1:45:30does come with a recommendation to

1:45:32approve subject to the seven conditions

1:45:34shown.

1:45:38>> Councilman Henderson, your light is

1:45:40still on. Is that old?

1:45:41>> No, it's old. Thank you.

1:45:45Okay.

1:45:47Um,

1:45:48this is in district six, right on the

1:45:50edge of district 6, and we've had two

1:45:53community meetings, and I I believe that

1:45:55there will be some people here next

1:45:57week. Karen already mentioned most of

1:45:59the the issues that came up. A lot of it

1:46:01had to do with the density that's

1:46:02already off of Oldly Highway, and it's

1:46:05still a two-lane road, and there was

1:46:07concern for infrastructure. So, we'll

1:46:10see what happens next week with the

1:46:12applicant in opposition. Does anybody

1:46:15have any questions about this one?

1:46:18Okay,

1:46:20let's move on to 0044, please.

1:46:23>> Okay, this is um on 20th Street and the

1:46:27request is to this did not have

1:46:29opposition. This is a request to reszone

1:46:31a little bit less than an acre from one

1:46:34formbbased code zone to another. So, the

1:46:36UCX4 urban commercial, [laughter] excuse

1:46:39me, urban commercial mixeduse zone to

1:46:41the UCCC urban commercial corridor zone.

1:46:45Um, and this is in that formbbased code

1:46:48area, which is pretty much all of

1:46:49downtown. The proposed use is a

1:46:50miniature golf course. And so,

1:46:53originally the request was for a larger

1:46:55portion of the site. This is um plan

1:46:58Chattanooga does recommend this to be a

1:47:00transit cor corridor and the requested

1:47:04CC um UCC commercial corridor zone is

1:47:08intended to accommodate more autoor

1:47:10oriented commercial uses has a deeper

1:47:12setback. So staff had not supported the

1:47:16full development of the original

1:47:18proposal. The applicant has shrunk it to

1:47:20the site of the proposed miniature golf

1:47:22course. um and it is not on the main

1:47:25broad streetet corridor. So staff did um

1:47:29find that um it doesn't conflict

1:47:32necessarily with a transit corridor. The

1:47:34transit corridor recommendation is a mix

1:47:37of uses supporting um

1:47:40um primarily urban development patterns,

1:47:43a mix of multif family housing, offices

1:47:44and entertainment and pedestrian

1:47:46friendly environment. And that does the

1:47:48proposed use does seem to align with

1:47:50that. So it is kind of a mix in the area

1:47:53which you would expect in that downtown

1:47:56residential development. This was the um

1:47:58original purple was kind of the

1:48:00original. It's been again um condense

1:48:03just to that smaller site and staff

1:48:06found the request is compatible with the

1:48:07plan adjacent land uses and mixed

1:48:10residential. Uh the current zone doesn't

1:48:12permit that outdoor recreation use um

1:48:16and recommend to approve this revised

1:48:18request. there was an opposition.

1:48:20Planning Commission also recommended

1:48:22approval and just we kind of noted that

1:48:25the requested zone um is not really one

1:48:28that we would want to see too much of in

1:48:30that transit corridor, but seemed

1:48:32appropriate just off um the Broad Street

1:48:35corridor in because it does introduce

1:48:37that um a use that is um recommended in

1:48:41the transit corridor recommendation.

1:48:43>> Hey Karen, I heard several people want

1:48:45to see the picture. Can you flash back

1:48:47to the

1:48:48>> All right. and recognize Councilwoman

1:48:50Dotley.

1:48:51>> Well, I am shocked and appalled by this

1:48:54[laughter] right here. Uh,

1:48:57a couple of thing I have every intention

1:48:58of denying this if they want to withdraw

1:49:00it for multiple reasons. First, it is

1:49:02nestled between Southside Social and

1:49:04Whiskey Cowgirl. Uh, right in front of

1:49:06that is Hey Good Market, which is a

1:49:09cannabis market. Uh, in a strange plot

1:49:11twist, I was actually at one of the

1:49:13adjacent establishments Saturday

1:49:15Saturday night and saw all the activity

1:49:17at Whiskey Cowgirl and uh, no offense to

1:49:20the company, but they kept it everything

1:49:22was under control. It was just I cannot

1:49:24imagine what would happen if we put golf

1:49:27balls out there.

1:49:28>> Okay.

1:49:29>> I'm just It is very uh uh I No. So, uh,

1:49:34with that I I plan to deny it. I was

1:49:37just shocked to see I've been a bit

1:49:40behind on all my things and as I was

1:49:41gathering today I thought I bet you I

1:49:44bet you're lying. Uh so we will not be

1:49:47so I will absolutely be looking to deny

1:49:49this one. um we we have better quality

1:49:52items in uh district 7 is one of high

1:49:55quality and this is not a quality

1:49:57project and so we will not be doing that

1:49:58based on um some public safety issues

1:50:02and concerns I have with that area and

1:50:04adding golf balls

1:50:06>> right next to 20th Street.

1:50:07>> Thank you. We always encourage the

1:50:09applicant to watch the live stream so

1:50:11hopefully they will have heard that

1:50:13directly.

1:50:13>> I would hope he does and he can call and

1:50:15come down as well. [snorts]

1:50:16>> Oh,

1:50:16>> all right. Thank you so much.

1:50:18>> Thank you,

1:50:18>> Councilman Clark. Uh, thank you, uh,

1:50:21Councilwoman Birds. I actually want to

1:50:24echo

1:50:26what, uh, Councilwoman Dolly, sorry, we

1:50:29we call each other by our first names in

1:50:31the back and then we get out, we have to

1:50:32remember our surnames. I have a golf

1:50:35course in my district and that I'm proud

1:50:38that we've celebrated our 100redy year

1:50:39anniversary. And I will tell you,

1:50:41Councilwoman Dotley, that

1:50:44golfers, when you put a golf course with

1:50:47golf balls, for whatever reason,

1:50:48legally, they have the right to send

1:50:51your golf balls

1:50:53>> into other neighboring private property

1:50:56because the golf course will be allowed

1:50:57to go there. And I'm having this issue

1:50:59in Briner cuz I have residential

1:51:02>> along the golf course and they have no

1:51:05rights because the law says you allowed

1:51:08a golf course to be there. And once you

1:51:10do, there's no reversion of saying,

1:51:13"Hey, the balls are damaging." So, I

1:51:16have a lot of issues with damage.

1:51:18>> And they actually, for whatever reason,

1:51:20the golf course has the right once it is

1:51:22there and the neighbors are aware of it.

1:51:25So, I share the sentiment with

1:51:28Councilwoman Dolly to be very a uh

1:51:31beware of these golf courses that are

1:51:34nestled into this high density area with

1:51:36the residential and the entertainment

1:51:38district that's over there. So, just

1:51:40wanted to let you know we having to say

1:51:42Robin Brainer [laughter] and you don't

1:51:44want it in that area.

1:51:47>> M just two cents. um [clears throat]

1:51:51reinforce I guess that um the zone the

1:51:54zone recommendation doesn't have any

1:51:55conditions. So while that's kind of why

1:51:57I glossed over a little bit the site

1:51:59plan although that's the requested use

1:52:01there's a full range of uses perhaps

1:52:03that might fall under entertainment that

1:52:06could go under that zone certainly.

1:52:11>> Okay I see no other lights. Any other

1:52:13comments on this one Karen before we

1:52:14move on? Anyone else? Okay thank you. Uh

1:52:180099 please.

1:52:20>> Okay.

1:52:23>> So this is Vance Avenue and um it did

1:52:26start with a ser this was one that had

1:52:29original request um recommended denial.

1:52:32It did have we did receive letters in

1:52:34opposition for the original request and

1:52:37then it was revised and we did not get

1:52:39any new or the opposition did not seem

1:52:42to apply to this new case. So I'm going

1:52:44to skip to the end. I believe um Vice

1:52:47Chairman Elliott. Well, I will I will

1:52:49keep going then.

1:52:50>> Okay.

1:52:51>> Um

1:52:52>> you're up.

1:52:53>> Yep.

1:52:53>> And I I was just noting that we did have

1:52:56opposition to the original request which

1:52:57included a drive-thru um component. I

1:53:01believe we don't have any opposition now

1:53:03with the revised request. And the

1:53:06applicant is asking for the CMU zone,

1:53:09CMU1 zone, which is a more urban zone um

1:53:12with three um conditions. We're just

1:53:15skip ahead a little bit. Um the um the

1:53:21plan recommend more mixed residential.

1:53:24Staff did support um the plan, but noted

1:53:28that the property next door, although is

1:53:31zoned residential, is currently being

1:53:33used as a lowintensity office commercial

1:53:35building. It's been grandfathered in. I

1:53:37believe we saw it been there since the

1:53:3920s. So that um was not reflective maybe

1:53:44um in plan Chattanooga as much because

1:53:45of the zoning but that is next door to

1:53:48that to this property. So, it is

1:53:50primarily residential area, but the

1:53:53zoning and the uses of the property next

1:53:55door are not uh reflective. And so the

1:53:59staff did note um although the staff

1:54:02recommended denial, staff did note a

1:54:04concern that the Sammy one zone although

1:54:07the applicant had noted kind of being

1:54:09neighbor friendly. The Samu one zone

1:54:11permits hotels, live performance venues,

1:54:14reception facilities, um and then a wide

1:54:16range of uses allowed by special permit

1:54:19including passenger terminals, outdoor

1:54:21markets, nightclubs, gas station. And so

1:54:24staff did have concerns about that, but

1:54:26noted there are more compatible zones

1:54:29with neighborhoods, including the CN

1:54:31neighborhood commercial zone or the CNT

1:54:33neighborhood transition commercial zone.

1:54:36So there was quite [clears throat] a bit

1:54:37of discussion at planning commission

1:54:39about the zone, the zone uses, what the

1:54:42applicant was hoping to um to do. And so

1:54:46planning commission recommended denying

1:54:48the CMU1 and recommends approving the CN

1:54:52neighborhood commercial zone. So the

1:54:54neighborhood commercial zone has a wide

1:54:55range of uses that are intended to be

1:54:57more compatible with the neighborhood.

1:54:59The applicant expressed um that they

1:55:01found that acceptable. Um and so um kind

1:55:05of from where it started, which is kind

1:55:07of drive-through suburban uses to now a

1:55:09wide range of neighborhood serving uses

1:55:12um is where the um planning commission

1:55:14recommendation sits.

1:55:16>> Okay. Recognize Vice Chair Elliott.

1:55:19>> Thank you, [clears throat] Madam Chair.

1:55:20Uh [snorts] Karen, what were the

1:55:21complaints that we got about this one?

1:55:24What were the what were the concerns?

1:55:25Originally, the applicant had requested

1:55:27the CC um zone, which is kind of that

1:55:31typical corridor zone, and mentioned

1:55:33specifically having a drive-thru. And

1:55:35so, drive-thrus um can be less

1:55:38compatible in residential areas because

1:55:41of all the turning movements and because

1:55:43there's a lot of quick in and out. And

1:55:45so, um it was just a concern about

1:55:48having a drive-thru at this location.

1:55:51and staff said, "The existing zone

1:55:53implements the plan because you have a

1:55:54full range of residential uses and just

1:55:57expressed a concern about that

1:55:59drive-thru component." So the applicant

1:56:02um came back revised their application

1:56:04with a more urban zone which is that

1:56:07CMU1 that does not permit a

1:56:11and I think that is I don't believe we

1:56:15got any feedback regarding concerns

1:56:17about this application after the

1:56:19drive-through component went away.

1:56:22>> Well, I do want to say this and thank

1:56:23you Karen. I want to say how incredibly

1:56:27proud I am of this particular

1:56:28neighborhood. Um, in district 9, we have

1:56:31a particular rule. Um, actually copy

1:56:33this from council null coming in office.

1:56:36Uh, and if somebody wants to do work in

1:56:39our community, they have to check in

1:56:40with me first, their council person, and

1:56:42then their neighborhood to um, make sure

1:56:45it's compatible and the community gets

1:56:48to really decide how their neighborhoods

1:56:51grow and change. this particular case.

1:56:54Um, I had had a death uh close to me

1:56:58recently and I was trying to play

1:57:00catchup and this neighborhood took it

1:57:03upon themselves and they just really

1:57:05grabbed the bull by the horns and

1:57:06they've been steering this and so I want

1:57:08to give a huge shout out here publicly

1:57:11to the Richdale Neighborhood

1:57:13Association. um you guys are doing right

1:57:15by yourselves, by your neighbors, and

1:57:17really taking ownership on how your

1:57:20neighborhood should grow and change. I

1:57:22think even if you look at the outline

1:57:25for this site map, one of the residents

1:57:27actually drew this um cuz they're just

1:57:30they're not going to just accept

1:57:32anything that comes into their

1:57:33neighborhood. So, thank you so much. Um

1:57:36you guys are example of the agency we

1:57:39desperately need in communities. So

1:57:42Jeremiah, Kirk, uh Gabby, Aaliyah, and

1:57:45everybody else in the uh Richdale

1:57:48neighborhood who has been a part of

1:57:50this, thank you because you're truly

1:57:52making your community a much better

1:57:53place. Uh and that's all. That's all I

1:57:56got. Give a shout out to them.

1:57:58>> All right. Any [snorts] other comments

1:57:59about this item?

1:58:02All right, last item. 0109.

1:58:05Okay, the last item is in East

1:58:06Chattanooga, 2411 Autry Street, and the

1:58:09applicant's requesting reszoning um from

1:58:12the RN15 residential neighborhood zone

1:58:14to the CC commercial corridor zone. And

1:58:17their proposed use is an absentee

1:58:19short-term vacation rental. And just a

1:58:21reminder, um absentee short-term

1:58:24vacation rentals are only permitted in

1:58:26mixed use and commercial zones that

1:58:27permit a hotel. And so the applicant has

1:58:30an active um homeay

1:58:34uh has an apted homeay short-term

1:58:37vacation rental pro uh permit. The

1:58:39property is just off Glass Street. That

1:58:41CC zoning is um along quite a bit of the

1:58:45corridor of Glass Street and then it

1:58:47transitions to residential

1:58:49um as you move down Autry. And just

1:58:52again a reminder that CC commercial

1:58:54corridor zone is intended to accommodate

1:58:56commercial development along corridors

1:58:58um with a mixture of residential

1:59:00commercial service and institutional

1:59:01uses.

1:59:03So it is a mix of single family

1:59:05residential coming off um Glass Street

1:59:08and then there's vacant commercial uses

1:59:10and um uses in commercial uses um active

1:59:14commercial uses along Glass Street.

1:59:17the um

1:59:21so hotels so again absentee short-term

1:59:23vacation rental is allowed um in zones

1:59:26that allow a hotel are allowed in the CC

1:59:29and this is outside the urban overlay

1:59:31excuse me outside the forbase code CC CR

1:59:34CMU1 and CMU2 zones and so one of the

1:59:37things staff looked at is there an

1:59:39option for a different zone that would

1:59:40allow the use but the applicant um

1:59:44selected the CC zone and if the range of

1:59:46uses that is um none of them are

1:59:49probably less intense than that one just

1:59:51based on kind of the development form

1:59:54and range of uses. So, just as a

1:59:56reminder, and this was something that um

2:00:00um it was a we did remind the applicant

2:00:02also that if a property owner applicant

2:00:05request a resoning to one of these zones

2:00:07to allow an absentee short-term vacation

2:00:09rental and it's granted by council, the

2:00:11owner applicant may not apply for an

2:00:13absentee short-term vacation rental

2:00:15certificate within 18 months of the

2:00:17effective date. And that was the

2:00:19intention of not hearing zoning cases

2:00:22just for absentee short-term vacation

2:00:24rentals. was put in place and we did

2:00:26remind the applicant of that and the

2:00:27applicant said they understood. Um so um

2:00:31plan Chattanooga

2:00:33um recommends a mixed residential use

2:00:35and so that's um single lot residential

2:00:38town homes, some smaller multif family

2:00:41housing including ADUs. Um, there's some

2:00:44limited uses in there, but Plan [snorts]

2:00:46Chattanooga also recommends protecting

2:00:48residential neighborhoods from

2:00:50commercial intrusion and preserving

2:00:51long-term housing supply for residents

2:00:54and basically clustering commercials

2:00:57centers along um, commercial centers and

2:01:00corridors. And so, um, while the

2:01:04applicant only mentioned wanting that

2:01:06one use, that CC zoning remains on the

2:01:08land and can set a precedent. We did

2:01:11note we were trying to see if there were

2:01:13some other potential alternatives. We

2:01:15try to provide applicants other

2:01:17information. We did note that the

2:01:19applicant could explore bed and

2:01:21breakfast at this location. The bed and

2:01:23breakfast is a single unit defined as a

2:01:25single unit dwelling where resident or

2:01:28owner provides lodging for a daily fee

2:01:30and it's a permitted by right use.

2:01:32although there's a long list of

2:01:34standards in there, but I believe the

2:01:35applicant due to um um is not able to

2:01:39live on the site all the time. So, we

2:01:41did offer that as a possible solution

2:01:43other than zoning CC that would allow

2:01:46some sort of continued hospitality use.

2:01:49So, um staff did recommend deny. Um

2:01:52there was an opposition present. um

2:01:54planning commission did have discussion

2:01:56about understanding that council um with

2:01:59the short-term vacation rental as the

2:02:02you know it needs to be in a zone that

2:02:03allows a hotel. They did not feel the CC

2:02:06zone was appropriate here and planning

2:02:09commission recommended denial and just

2:02:11noted that you know if there was another

2:02:13zone that might be um another option in

2:02:16the future that they would you know that

2:02:18might be something that could be

2:02:19considered but it does come with a

2:02:21recommendation to deny. Thank Thank you,

2:02:23Karen.

2:02:24>> Thanks, [clears throat] Madam Chair. Um,

2:02:26and thank you, Karen. So, this one's

2:02:28particularly interesting. I've been

2:02:29following this one. Um, this couple uh

2:02:33works in and around the armed forces and

2:02:36their their work requires them to travel

2:02:39quite a bit, but they want to keep roots

2:02:41in the city, which I appreciate. Um

2:02:44[snorts] there is somewhat of a

2:02:46precedent in on this street because

2:02:48there is a bed of breakfast or

2:02:50short-term vacation rental type

2:02:52situation um a couple houses down Yep.

2:02:56at the end of that street. Um now I

2:02:58don't think that the owner lives here

2:03:00permanently.

2:03:02Um it is a bit of a slippery slope. If

2:03:05we if I did motion to approve it, Karen,

2:03:09I would look to put a ton of conditions

2:03:14on it, but I would like to talk to you a

2:03:16little bit more offline.

2:03:18>> Yes, sir.

2:03:18>> Just to make sure we can try to um

2:03:21thread the needle for what they're

2:03:23trying to accomplish cuz you know

2:03:24there's precedent there and they've

2:03:26talked to their residents through their

2:03:28neighbors directly around them. Um and

2:03:32everybody signed off. But I don't want

2:03:35um 10 years from now and I'm not in this

2:03:38seat or whatnot and somebody else sees

2:03:40that on the map and says, "Oh, there's

2:03:42precedent." Not realizing there may be a

2:03:44ton of conditions or understanding the

2:03:45dynamics around it. So, let's talk. Um I

2:03:48want to see how we can get with

2:03:50everybody um getting everybody to the

2:03:52same page.

2:03:53>> Yes.

2:03:53>> Okay. Thank you, ma'am.

2:03:56>> Good.

2:03:56>> Yes, ma'am.

2:03:57>> Okay. I see no other lights and that is

2:04:01our la last case. Anybody else have

2:04:03anything else they want to talk about

2:04:04planning, zoning, or housing related?

2:04:07Okay. Uh, as a reminder, the planning

2:04:09commission will meet this coming Monday,

2:04:11October 12th. A reminder, we are at the

2:04:14development resource center now. And

2:04:16then our I know it's a little confusing.

2:04:19We have a we had our planning, zoning,

2:04:21and housing committee meeting today, but

2:04:23our committee members are going to be

2:04:25meeting and anybody else that would like

2:04:26to join in on um October 13th. So, next

2:04:30Tuesday at 12:30, we will begin um

2:04:34discussing some of the agenda items we

2:04:36want to bring forth to the council. And

2:04:38I I welcome anybody attending. And we'll

2:04:41also be discussing the format going

2:04:43forward. Is this the best format to

2:04:44discuss the zoning cases going forward?

2:04:46Do you all want some other things to be

2:04:48considered? So if there's other ideas

2:04:49that you have, obviously this is an

2:04:52example of when we have a lot of cases

2:04:54and every every month it's not always

2:04:56going to be like that, but if there's a

2:04:58format that you feel would be more

2:05:00productive for you with the cases that

2:05:02are coming before us, especially with

2:05:04respect to your district, I appreciate

2:05:06your feedback with that. If there's

2:05:08nothing else, Mr. Chair, what time?

2:05:11>> 6:15.

2:05:12>> Okay. Um, we will recess until 6:15.

2:05:16And we do have attorney client.

2:05:18>> We do have attorney client. Yes.

2:51:23We are back in session. Um, madame

2:51:26clerk, if you would please read item 7A,

2:51:29>> an ordinance amending Chinese state code

2:51:31part 2, chapter 10, article 4,

2:51:33commercial property assessed clean

2:51:35energy and resiliency cacer program.

2:51:39Have a motion properly seconded to

2:51:41approve this ordinance on final reading.

2:51:43Are there any questions or comments

2:51:45before we vote?

2:51:47>> All in favor?

2:51:48>> I.

2:51:49>> Any opposed? And ordinance uh is passed

2:51:53on final reading. Item 7B, please.

2:51:56>> An ordinance amending Chattanooga City

2:51:58Code Part 2, Chapter 2, Article 3,

2:52:00Division 4, General Pension Plan.

2:52:04>> Second. Have a motion properly seconded

2:52:06to approve this ordinance on final

2:52:08reading. Are there any questions or

2:52:10comments before we vote?

2:52:13All [snorts] in favor?

2:52:15>> Any opposed?

2:52:16>> And the ordinance passes on final

2:52:18reading. [clears throat and cough] Item

2:52:208A, please. An ordinance amending

2:52:23Chattanooga City Code Part Two to delete

2:52:25chapter 11, article 18, Innovation

2:52:28District Grants, section 11-477

2:52:31and 11-478,

2:52:33so as to authorize the Department of

2:52:35Economic Development to repurpose the

2:52:36remaining funds distributed to the

2:52:38Industrial Development Board, IDB, to be

2:52:41used for workplace development purposes

2:52:43by creating a new registered

2:52:44apprenticeship employer incentive fund

2:52:46adopted and administered by the IDB.

2:52:49>> Move [snorts] to approve.

2:52:50>> Second. I have a motion probably

2:52:52seconded on this ordinance on first

2:52:54reading. Are there any questions or

2:52:55comments before we vote?

2:52:58All in favor?

2:53:00>> Any opposed? And the ordinance passes on

2:53:03first reading. Item 9A, please.

2:53:07>> A resolution confirming the reappoint of

2:53:09Lee [clears throat] Brock to the Board

2:53:10of Zoning Appeals for District 8 for a

2:53:12term beginning on October 7th, 2026 and

2:53:15ending on October 6th, 2029.

2:53:20Approve.

2:53:21>> Second.

2:53:21>> Have a motion properly seconded on this

2:53:24resolution. Are there any questions or

2:53:26comments before we vote?

2:53:29>> All in favor?

2:53:32>> Any opposed? And the resolution is

2:53:34adopted. Is Mr. Brock present?

2:53:38Well, congratulations and thank you if

2:53:40you're watching.

2:53:41[clears throat and snorts]

2:53:42>> Item 9B, please. A resolution confirming

2:53:46the surplus recommended in MR20260090

2:53:50and to authorize the administrator for

2:53:52the Department of Economic Development

2:53:53to enter into a contract for sale and

2:53:55purchase with Thomas Hood Kapley and

2:53:57Colin Kapley Kapley insubstantially the

2:54:00form attached for the city to sell 2,489

2:54:04square ft of the rear portion of tax map

2:54:06number 154 GK005

2:54:11at 3003 Cummings Highway to Capital.

2:54:13>> [clears throat]

2:54:14>> for the appraised value of $10,000 for

2:54:16Erdell's Onthe-Go LLC to expand parking

2:54:19and to relieve on street pressure and

2:54:21enhance safe vehicular in ingress egress

2:54:25and to address traffic concerns and for

2:54:26the city to execute all documents

2:54:28necessary to consummate the transaction

2:54:30with all closing expenses to be paid by

2:54:32Kathley Council.

2:54:35>> Second, we have a motion properly

2:54:38seconded on this resolution. Are there

2:54:40any questions or comments before we

2:54:43vote?

2:54:44All in favor? I. Any opposed? And the

2:54:48resolution is adopted. Item 9C, please.

2:54:53>> A resolution authorizing the

2:54:54administrator for the Department of

2:54:56Economic Development to enter into a

2:54:57contract for sale and purchase with WDEF

2:55:00TV, Inc. and substantially the form

2:55:02attached for the purchase of 83.40 40

2:55:05square ft of the parcel at 3,300 Broad

2:55:07Street, [clears throat] further

2:55:09identified as a portion of tax map

2:55:11number 155 JG

2:55:16019 and 413.7979

2:55:20[snorts] square ft of adjacent real

2:55:22estate for a temporary construction

2:55:24easement for a combined purchase price

2:55:26of $13,330

2:55:29and closing expenses not to exceed

2:55:31$1,000 for a total purchase price not to

2:55:34exceed $14,330

2:55:37with said property used to construct an

2:55:39ADA compliant ramp.

2:55:42>> Second have a motion properly seconded

2:55:44to approve this resolution. Are there

2:55:46any questions or comments before we

2:55:48vote? All in favor?

2:55:51>> I. Any opposed? And the resolution is

2:55:54adopted.

2:55:56And item 9D, please. A resolution

2:55:59approving a new special exceptions

2:56:00[clears throat] permit for a new retail

2:56:02liquor store located at 860 Signal

2:56:05Mountain Road.

2:56:12>> We do have a motion properly seconded on

2:56:14this resolution.

2:56:17There any questions or comments before

2:56:19we vote?

2:56:21>> All in favor?

2:56:23>> Any opposed?

2:56:25>> And the resolution is adopted.

2:56:29>> [laughter]

2:56:31>> We're happy to welcome Weston to the

2:56:32podium to talk us through our purchases.

2:56:35>> Good evening, council. We have seven

2:56:38purchases recommended for approval this

2:56:39evening. The first is with parks and

2:56:41outdoors. This is a new agreement for

2:56:43horiculture and green infrastructure on

2:56:45call maintenance. This will be a 4-year

2:56:47agreement with an annual amount limit of

2:56:49$592,700.

2:56:52The award [snorts] will go to 10

2:56:53suppliers as the best bid.

2:56:56Item number two is with wastewater. This

2:56:58[clears throat] new agreement for

2:56:59grounds maintenance services for pumps

2:57:01stations at wastewater. This will be a

2:57:044-year agreement with an annual amount

2:57:05limit of $75,000. The award will go to

2:57:08Stenit Landscaping as the best bid. Item

2:57:11number three is also with Wastewater.

2:57:13They're requesting a six-month extension

2:57:15of agreement PA1000204

2:57:18with material matters from its current

2:57:20expiration date of December 30, 2026

2:57:23through June 30, 2027. The funds for a

2:57:26six-month extension will be $100,000.

2:57:30Item number four is with public works.

2:57:31They are requesting an increase of

2:57:33$150,000 to agreement PA1000877,

2:57:38PA1000878,

2:57:40PA1000879,

2:57:42and PA1000880

2:57:45with TRG Lawn Care Special Touch Lawn

2:57:49Service, GrassBusters Lawn Maintenance,

2:57:51and River City Remodeling to cover

2:57:53ongoing property overgrowth abatement.

2:57:55The new annual spend will be $495,000.

2:58:00Item number five is with public works.

2:58:01This is a one-time purchase of a 2027

2:58:04Ford F550 Superduty crew cab truck by

2:58:07the fleet department for the fire

2:58:08department. This purchase from National

2:58:10Autofleet Group is in the amount of

2:58:13$82,150

2:58:15utilizing the sourceful contract. Item

2:58:18number six is with DTS Technology

2:58:20Services is requesting a new 5-year

2:58:22agreement for managing public work asset

2:58:25inventory and internal work orders. This

2:58:27single source purchase will be awarded

2:58:29to Aztec Systems LLC with an annual

2:58:32estimated spend of $125,000.

2:58:35And finally, number seven is with public

2:58:37works. This is a one-time purchase of

2:58:39vehicle anti- theft systems by the fleet

2:58:41department for the police department.

2:58:43This purchase from Trimco Products is in

2:58:46the amount of $145,80

2:58:49as a sole source supplier.

2:58:52>> Move to approve.

2:58:54>> Second. Do have a motion properly

2:58:56seconded to approve these purchases.

2:58:58Council, are there any questions or

2:58:59comments before we vote? All in favor?

2:59:03>> I. Any opposed? And the purchases are

2:59:06approved. And we have one soul source

2:59:09purchase to report this evening.

2:59:10[clears throat] Uh this is for DTS. It's

2:59:12an additional application for Oracle

2:59:14that manages the transfer of data

2:59:16between Oracle and 1:1 Blue Cross Blue

2:59:19Shield Tennessee Unum Sigmalex

2:59:22Symmetra Health Equity and TASC in the

2:59:25amount of $48,000.

2:59:27>> Thank you, Weston.

2:59:30We'll go around the DIS now for

2:59:32committee reports. We'll start with

2:59:33Councilwoman Null.

2:59:36[snorts]

2:59:36>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. really have a

2:59:38report, but I want to give a shout out

2:59:41to uh T- Mentoring for coming in today

2:59:44and doing such an amazing job and giving

2:59:46us an update. And also, there is an

2:59:49event here, a popup event that's called

2:59:52Brown Girls Can. Um it is being held in

2:59:56Mount off of Mountain Creek Road, 1200

2:59:59Mountain Creek Road. and um Councilwoman

3:00:02Doley and um let's see who else was in

3:00:06there. Uh Carmen

3:00:09Elliot now, right? That's her last name.

3:00:12Cararissa Mosley, myself, uh several

3:00:15other women that was um

3:00:19being honored there. So, if you get a

3:00:21chance, go through tomorrow. It is free

3:00:24and it's a tour every hour on the hour,

3:00:27I believe, starting at 11:00. And I want

3:00:29to give a shout out also to April 1st

3:00:33for starting the process uh for the ball

3:00:37field over on near Carver for the lights

3:00:41that are being put up there and for

3:00:42David Johnson for taking that baton and

3:00:45running with it and completing it. And

3:00:47if you get a chance drive by it looks

3:00:49amazing. Uh so we're so grateful and

3:00:52thankful for that. And I'm leaving out

3:00:55something and somebody I can't remember

3:00:57right now. I should have written it

3:00:58down, but I didn't. Um, okay. So, that's

3:01:01pretty much it. A lot going on in the

3:01:02great district 8, and we are so

3:01:04grateful.

3:01:05>> Thank you, Councilwoman Gotley.

3:01:07[clears throat]

3:01:08>> Yes. Uh, for a just a brief committee

3:01:11update. We will have a comm a community

3:01:14advisory committee lunchon. Um, I don't

3:01:16know if y'all remember those, but those

3:01:18were in different areas. Each center or

3:01:20set of centers has a community advisory

3:01:22committee. So, we are having they have

3:01:23been very um some of them have not been

3:01:26as active uh and and have lacked a

3:01:29little bit of guidance. So, um to try to

3:01:31get that back on track and especially

3:01:33align with some of our legislative

3:01:34goals, we will have a lunchon Tuesday,

3:01:37October 13th, this coming Tuesday at

3:01:3911:30 a.m. at the Family Justice Center.

3:01:41And this meeting will provide CAC

3:01:43members with clear guidance on their

3:01:45roles, responsibilities, resources as a

3:01:47member uh so that they can really be an

3:01:50asset to the community centers. After I

3:01:53visited them uh went and visited the

3:01:55centers earlier this year. Uh these the

3:01:58CAC members are definitely needed

3:02:00definitely needed for the support for

3:02:01those centers and a lot of things could

3:02:03be alleviated with with with their

3:02:04support. So um one of the best examples

3:02:06is actually the North River Civic

3:02:08Center. they have their own board uh

3:02:10does a phenomenal job. So trying to get

3:02:12everybody else lined up to make sure

3:02:14that each center has the resources they

3:02:16need. So if you're available and would

3:02:17like to come Tuesday, this coming

3:02:19Tuesday at 11:30 at the Family Justice

3:02:21Center. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

3:02:22>> All right. Thank you, Councilwoman Burs.

3:02:26>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. We had a planning,

3:02:28zoning, and housing committee meeting

3:02:29today and went over um all of the cases

3:02:32that needed extra attention for next

3:02:34week's agenda. Uh there also be will be

3:02:37a committee meeting of the the new

3:02:40committee members to the planning zoning

3:02:42and housing committee. Anyone is of

3:02:44course welcome to attend October 13th at

3:02:4712:30. We'll meet in the council meeting

3:02:50meeting room or conference room. And

3:02:52[snorts] then the next planning

3:02:54commission meeting which will review the

3:02:56cases that will come before the planning

3:02:58commission for October will be on the

3:03:0012th at the development resource center

3:03:02at 1:00. Is one o'clock the right? For

3:03:05some reason, I had 1:30 1:30 in my head,

3:03:08but 1:00. Thank you, Karen, for

3:03:10confirming that. I just drew a blank

3:03:11there for a second. Uh 1:00. So, uh if

3:03:15you're if anybody's interested in

3:03:16learning more about how the planning

3:03:18commission works, I encourage you to

3:03:19come to that meeting. And then one

3:03:21district announcement, it's actually a

3:03:23citywide announcement that happens to be

3:03:25taking place in District 6. Um, National

3:03:28Night Out, I don't know if the camera

3:03:29gets that or not, but National Night Out

3:03:31is next uh next Tuesday and it kicks off

3:03:35at 5:30 p.m. in the Bellevore

3:03:38neighborhood, which is at 4107 Mayfair

3:03:41Avenue, which is next to Briner Baptist

3:03:44School. And we're going to have food,

3:03:45entertainment, and vendors. And that's

3:03:47where National Night Out will kick off

3:03:49before folks go out to their various uh

3:03:52other events. So, please I invite you to

3:03:55come to District 6 on the 13th if you

3:03:57have a minute.

3:03:58>> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

3:04:00>> And on that note, I'll just go ahead and

3:04:01mention uh remind everybody that next

3:04:03week, October 13th, we'll be meeting

3:04:06starting at 2:00 so that we can get to

3:04:09the national night out events. So, um

3:04:12council will begin at 2:00 next week,

3:04:15special time.

3:04:17>> Um Councilman Henderson,

3:04:21>> Mr. Chair, we did have a budget and

3:04:23finance committee meeting uh earlier

3:04:25this afternoon where we did finalize uh

3:04:28all the items on our budget amendment.

3:04:31We'll have a public hearing of that

3:04:34budget amendment on October the 20th

3:04:36with first read scheduled for October

3:04:39the 27th.

3:04:41>> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Hill.

3:04:46>> Councilman Clark.

3:04:48>> Thank you, Chair M. I do have a um an

3:04:51announcement from the parks and outdoors

3:04:53advisory committee. As you all know, I

3:04:54serve as the chair of parks, outdoors,

3:04:56infrastructure and public works. Is that

3:04:59the name of our committee? Okay. Um last

3:05:02week I had the opportunity to attend the

3:05:04u outdoors the parks and outdoors

3:05:07advisory committees and there are

3:05:08vacancies uh for districts uh 2, six and

3:05:12eight.

3:05:13um and they struggle meeting with

3:05:16quorum. And the reason why this is so

3:05:17important is that we are in the process

3:05:19now that with our new administrator

3:05:21David Johnson and revamping the uh parks

3:05:25the parks master plan. And so if you can

3:05:28look into your districts and make sure

3:05:30that there's some wellqualified people

3:05:32that are into parks and outdoors that

3:05:34bring a specific um expertise to that

3:05:38subject matter, that would be great. and

3:05:39I told them that I would nudge you all

3:05:41today uh to make those appointments. So,

3:05:44that's from my committee. Uh specific to

3:05:46my district, we did uh celebrate uh

3:05:49Chairman Davis our 100year anniversary

3:05:52of the golf course

3:05:54>> and I wish I had pictures. I should have

3:05:56sent them to Rick cuz I love showing you

3:05:58all pictures. But uh we had over 120

3:06:00golfers in the rain golfing

3:06:03>> um to commemorate that amazing golf

3:06:06course uh that was designed by Donald

3:06:08Ross who is a renowned golf architect

3:06:12who designed Pinehurst number two in

3:06:14North Carolina which is one of the most

3:06:17renowned golf courses in in the country

3:06:20and we have it right here in Chattanoo

3:06:22we have a replica of that right here in

3:06:24Chattanooga

3:06:25>> and uh so we're pretty excited um about

3:06:28the work that's happening at Briner Golf

3:06:30Course as as we bring life back into

3:06:33that Northmore Road corridor. So that's

3:06:35all I have from District 5 and my

3:06:36committee.

3:06:37>> Okay.

3:06:37>> All right. Thank you.

3:06:39>> Vice Chair Elliot.

3:06:42>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one

3:06:43[clears throat] announcement. Um, on

3:06:46October 29th, we will have our first uh

3:06:51community meeting to discuss

3:06:54uh community input around the design,

3:06:56the redesign of Brainard Road coming out

3:07:00of the tunnel is

3:07:02>> [clears throat]

3:07:02>> um the Oldtown Brainer section going

3:07:05from Macaui tunnels to right before

3:07:07Tunnel Boulevard. That will be taking

3:07:10place at Gainan Art Studio.

3:07:12Uh I should have a flyer tomorrow uh and

3:07:15we'll start circulating that. But um

3:07:18this has significant implications, yes,

3:07:21for the Oldtown Briner area, but for

3:07:23many residents who frequent that area.

3:07:26So it is open to the public. Our Briner

3:07:30Road redesign community meeting October

3:07:3329th at 6:00 at Canon Art Studio. That's

3:07:36it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

3:07:38>> And we do have one item of other

3:07:40business, Mr. Attorney. Yes, sir. There

3:07:43is a certificate of background

3:07:44investigation here on a liquor store. Uh

3:07:47this is a new liquor store, uh Hixon

3:07:50Corporation, DBA Harry's Wine and

3:07:53Spirits. It'll be at 860 Signal Mountain

3:07:56Road, uh Chattanooga in District 1, and

3:07:59the applicants are um in this particular

3:08:03business have been investigated. there's

3:08:04not any uh convictions that were a

3:08:07problem and that they have secured a

3:08:08location here that is appropriate here

3:08:11and qualifies for the restrictions under

3:08:13law. So we at this point in time can uh

3:08:16certify that that has been done

3:08:18correctly.

3:08:20>> Okay. Thank you, sir.

3:08:23We're now to that portion of our meeting

3:08:25where we're happy to recognize members

3:08:26of the public who are here to address

3:08:28council. And so if you're here for this

3:08:30purpose, if you would please come to the

3:08:32podium down front and listen while our

3:08:34attorney reads the rules. And as always,

3:08:36we just ask that everybody listens to

3:08:39and abides by the rules.

3:08:41>> Yes, sir. At the end of each council

3:08:43business meeting, the chair will

3:08:44recognize members of the public who wish

3:08:46to address the council. And here's your

3:08:48rules. Each speaker wishing to address

3:08:50the council can only be recognized at

3:08:52the microphone up front provided for

3:08:54that purpose. And you can't have more

3:08:56than three minutes to speak. You can

3:08:58address the council only upon matters

3:09:00within their legislative and quasi

3:09:02judicial authority and not on matters

3:09:04which are not under their authority or

3:09:06regulated by other governmental bodies

3:09:08or agencies. Do not engage in any vulgar

3:09:11or obscene language nor use the floor to

3:09:13personally attack or personally

3:09:15denigrate others and address the council

3:09:17as a whole and not make comments

3:09:19directed towards individual council

3:09:21members. And lastly, do not engage in

3:09:23disorderly conduct or disrupting a

3:09:25public meeting which is prohibited by

3:09:27Tennessee law and someone commits that

3:09:29offense if a person substantially

3:09:31obstructs or interferes with the meeting

3:09:33by physical action or verbal utterance

3:09:35with the intent to prevent or disrupt a

3:09:37lawful meeting or gathering. Having

3:09:39[snorts] stated those rules, ma'am,

3:09:40please go ahead give your name and your

3:09:42district if you would.

3:09:44>> My name is Linda Hershey and I live in

3:09:46district 2. I'm here to talk about

3:09:48courage and to encourage you to move

3:09:50ahead with a 247 low barrier shelter.

3:09:54I've tried very hard to fit my remarks

3:09:56in three minutes, but I just can't do

3:09:58it. So, I have emailed you my full

3:10:00statement, but I want to highlight a few

3:10:02things. Courage takes many forms, and in

3:10:041975, as a 20-year-old, I moved from De

3:10:08Mo, Iowa to Chattanooga to accept a job

3:10:11as a court reporter or stenographer. I

3:10:14hated Chattanooga. It was dirty, scary,

3:10:16and I was homesick. A few years before

3:10:19that, Chattanooga had been named the

3:10:20dirtiest city in America. However, over

3:10:23those 52 years, I have had a front row

3:10:26seat to witness the courage of the

3:10:27citizens and leaders who have made

3:10:30wonderful changes happen, even if they

3:10:32were challenging. I personally got to

3:10:34report and provide transcripts for the

3:10:36air pollution control board's meetings.

3:10:39I watched Chattanooga become the green

3:10:41city. The Walnut Street Bridge turned

3:10:43into a walking park. The aquarium be

3:10:45built. Our downtown changed from

3:10:47industrial bus barns to t a tourist

3:10:50town. Chattanooga become a gig city and

3:10:53electric buses be built. All of these

3:10:55used courage. My courage was in 1978 I

3:10:59purchased my home in North Chattanooga

3:11:01when everyone else was moving out. And

3:11:03in 1987 I slept on the concrete steps of

3:11:07CSAS.

3:11:08the city's first magnet school on a

3:11:11bitterly cold night to hand in my son's

3:11:13application for first grade. So, when I

3:11:16say I've watched the citizens and

3:11:18leaders of Chattanooga be courageous, be

3:11:20creative, and to tackle the challenges

3:11:22that make our city a wonderful place for

3:11:24all people, I have seen it firsthand.

3:11:27Over the years, I've volunteered with

3:11:29many organizations to improve the lives

3:11:31of our community. and that includes the

3:11:33Biscuit Brigade and the Chattanooga

3:11:35Women's Chorus that sing at the Chat

3:11:37Foundation twice a month. I've

3:11:40interacted with those less fortunate and

3:11:42agree with the belief that a society's

3:11:44moral and ethical character is reflected

3:11:47in how it treats its most vulnerable

3:11:49members, including the poor,

3:11:51marginalized, and disadvantaged.

3:11:53Therefore, I urge you all to please,

3:11:55please make a 247 low barrier shelter a

3:11:58reality. I'd really hoped that you'd

3:12:00follow through with a citizens advisory

3:12:02group that I could be part of. Well,

3:12:04back to the Walnut Street Bridge. It was

3:12:06wonderful to see it celebrated this last

3:12:09Saturday. Congratulations to everybody.

3:12:12But I want to remind you that when I

3:12:13drove to work over that bridge the

3:12:16morning in 1978

3:12:18and the bridge closed for good that

3:12:20afternoon, there was no Veterans Bridge

3:12:23as an alternative route for me to get

3:12:25home. The city leaders realized the huge

3:12:28challenge. They went to the experts,

3:12:29found the funding to build it, even

3:12:31though many citizens that live nearby

3:12:33objected. Can you imagine today what our

3:12:36city would be like without the bridge? I

3:12:38would ask all of you to have the same

3:12:40courage I've seen this community show in

3:12:42the last 52 years to help our help our

3:12:46homeless neighbors by building the low

3:12:48barrier shelters. And one last time,

3:12:49you're still invited to come

3:12:52>> to the biscuit brigade and make biscuits

3:12:53with us. Thank you.

3:12:57>> [clears throat]

3:13:01>> Hi, distinguished quick councilmen and

3:13:04women. I really appreciate your valuable

3:13:07time and what an amazing I can't I don't

3:13:11know how to follow that. That was just

3:13:13amazing. I drove across the bridge. I

3:13:16went to work for Buster Brown in 1971.

3:13:19Um I absolutely watched this city grow

3:13:22and evolve. Also, um I moved down here

3:13:25from Detroit, Michigan. Um I'm standing

3:13:28before you because my house has been

3:13:31destroyed by a a company um that

3:13:36allegedly

3:13:37um was taking water not only from the

3:13:40fire hydrant, not only from Tennessee

3:13:42American Water Company, but from Hixon

3:13:45Utility Company. So, they lost 2 million

3:13:47gallons of water in my front yard. And

3:13:51when it when it's as high as a telephone

3:13:52pole that my sighting has holes this big

3:13:56in it all o all around it. Now I don't

3:13:59mean this ugly so please don't take this

3:14:01offensively but if the devil Trump can

3:14:04live in a white house so can the angel

3:14:06named Pam.

3:14:08So I walk and talk with God and I need

3:14:10Jesus right now. Jesus come be with me.

3:14:13But at the end of the day my house is

3:14:14the only white house. So help me within

3:14:17a 20 mile block. And I don't know why I

3:14:20painted it white, but I did. And now it

3:14:22has got holes in it everywhere. I walked

3:14:26in mud up above my knees for almost two

3:14:28weeks. I call Hixon Utility, they passed

3:14:31the buck. I called Browns Brothers, they

3:14:33passed the buck. They're from Nashville.

3:14:35Um I I've called everybody I know to

3:14:37call. I cannot afford an attorney. So, I

3:14:40am at your mercy to have the courage to

3:14:44help one lady that has worked from 1971

3:14:48beside Reggie White's mother. Thelma

3:14:51White was my boss. And I worked right

3:14:54beside her for 47 years. And when it

3:14:57closed, we all cried like a baby. I

3:14:59would give my right arm and my left leg

3:15:01if Buster Brown would come back. I was

3:15:03making $3,800 a week. At 17 years old, I

3:15:07had no common sense. and I wouldn't put

3:15:09a down payment on a house. That's what I

3:15:11was told. Now people are knocking on my

3:15:13door saying you had an extra bedroom.

3:15:15So, um, at the end of the day, I guess I

3:15:18had pretty good common sense. Thank you

3:15:20for your time. Thank you for your

3:15:21effort. Lord, don't let me leave any of

3:15:23them with a headache. Um, Lord, don't

3:15:25let me make any of them take an aspirin.

3:15:28And I amend every one of y'all. I look

3:15:31back over my street and think if I had

3:15:33to take care of every house just on my

3:15:36street, I I I would be a mess. Lord have

3:15:40mercy. And y'all got a district of these

3:15:42streets. I pray for y'all more than I do

3:15:45myself. So I thank you so much for your

3:15:48time. I want you to look this up on

3:15:50YouTube. Do not take me at my word. It's

3:15:53on YouTube. It's on WDEF TV12 News.

3:15:57Water breakage September the 8th. And

3:15:59what happened was my kid called and

3:16:01said, "There's the mom, there's a

3:16:03bubbling crude. Should we be packing to

3:16:04move to Beverly Hills?" And I'm like,

3:16:06"No, we're staying in Chattanooga. Thank

3:16:08you for your valuable time, and I hope I

3:16:10gave nobody a headache." I appreciate.

3:16:11>> What's your name and district number,

3:16:13ma'am?

3:16:13>> My name is Pam Durham and I live at 3839

3:16:16Birmingham Drive in the White House.

3:16:21>> I really appreciate it. Thank you,

3:16:23ma'am. You were amazing. Can I just

3:16:24shake your hand? Thank you so much.

3:16:29Hi,

3:16:31my name is Liamar Mercedes. I'm part of

3:16:34District 6. Um I am actually here to

3:16:37talk about Farm Park and an upcoming

3:16:40event that they they've got coming up.

3:16:42Um we um Farm Park is very involved with

3:16:46the community. So, as a part of

3:16:49Chattanooga, I try to help out as much

3:16:52as I can. Um, so coming up

3:16:55[clears throat] we've got the uh second

3:16:57Sunday's event. Uh, they do this on the

3:17:00second Sunday of every month. Uh, they

3:17:03will be having a um a film screening as

3:17:08well as the as a performance by my

3:17:12cousin and me. Uh, we will be

3:17:14entertaining the public. Um, but over at

3:17:18Farm Park, we do all types of great

3:17:20stuff in the outdoor space specifically

3:17:22trying to make it um,

3:17:26well, exactly that, a farm park, so that

3:17:29you can eat as much of what we're

3:17:31enjoying in the art outdoor spaces as we

3:17:33can. Um, I know that Chattanooga's got a

3:17:36lot of access to beautiful outdoor

3:17:38spaces um, for walking and um, swimming,

3:17:42all of these beautiful things that we

3:17:44can enjoy. National Park City after all.

3:17:46But um as far as farmland, we are at

3:17:50least in my areas as well as in some of

3:17:53the areas that I'm seeing um I'm seeing

3:17:55some lack of uh access to local food

3:18:01outside of um things like the fast food

3:18:06and um overly produced options that

3:18:09we've got available. But uh yeah, I'd

3:18:12love if you guys can come out, support

3:18:15us, uh enjoy some music, some uh art out

3:18:19in the beautiful Chattanooga space. Uh

3:18:22the event is on October 11th starting at

3:18:264:00. We are going to 6 and the film

3:18:30screening starts at 7. Um, we've also

3:18:33got some great flowers that one of our

3:18:36volunteers brought from Farm Park that

3:18:38I'd love to share with anybody here that

3:18:40would like one.

3:18:41>> Yeah. Thank you guys so much.

3:18:42>> Well, thank you.

3:18:45>> Is there anyone else here who would like

3:18:47to address council this evening?

3:18:51>> I don't see anyone.

3:18:54>> Motion to adjourn. Properly seconded.

3:18:55All in favor? We are adjourned.

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