On the agenda: Chattanooga 09-22-2026 - City Council Minutes — License Plate Reader (Sep 22)

Chattanooga City Council
City of Chattanooga, Tennessee
John P. Franklin, Sr. City Council Building

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 22, 2026
3:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER
Council Chairman Jeff Davis called the business meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. A quorum was
present that also included Council Vice Chair Ron Elliott and Councilpersons Chip Henderson,
Jenny Hill, Cody Harvey, Jenni Berz, Raquetta Dotley, and Marvene Noel. Councilman Dennis
Clark joined the quorum at 3:34 p.m.
[This was a recessed meeting and live streamed on YouTube. View the video here
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=503 for actions prior to the recess and here
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=5008 after the recess.]

OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Office of City Attorney: Phil Noblett, City Attorney
Mayor’s Office: Darrin Ledford, Deputy Chief of Staff
Finance: Weston Porter, City Finance Officer
Public Works: Bill Payne, City Engineer
CPD: John Chambers, Chief; Rusty Morrison, Assistant Chief; and Danny Jones, Assistant Chief
Regional Planning: Karen Rennich, Executive Director
Technology Services: Jerele Neeld, Chief Info Officer
Council Office: Kristal Becker, Administrative Assistant and Melissa Bardoner, Council Support
Specialist
Downtown Chattanooga Alliance: Steve Brookes, Executive Director

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilman Henderson led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance and give an invocation.

MEETING PROTOCOLS
Chairman Davis provided an overview of the business meeting protocols.

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APPROVAL OF LAST MINUTES
On motion of Councilman Harvey and seconded by Councilwoman Dotley, the minutes of the
last meeting (September 15, 2026) were approved as published.

DISCUSSION AGENDA
RESOLUTIONS:
Agenda Item IX(a) – Information Technology (Relative to Axon Enterprise Inc Public Safety
Contract) [View the full discussion between the Council and various city staff on YouTube here,
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=727 ].
Discussion ensued on the following:
• 5-year contract renewal for core equipment
• Annual contract spending limit
• AI translation feature on body cameras (Vice Chair Elliott)
• Inclusion of 36 Axon License Plate Readers (LPRs)
• Concerns over AI vehicle-tracking capabilities (Councilman Harvey)
• Clarification on non-deployment
• Potential placement in high-crime hotspots (Councilman Clark)
• District notification requirement (Vice Chair Elliott)
• Resolution amendment on ALPR deployment (Councilwoman Berz)
Attorney Noblett provided draft wording: “…subject to final review of ALPR deployment and
acceptance by the city before installation of such technology shall occur.” Upon no further
questions or comments, the issue was closed.
Agenda Item IX(c) – Planning (Relative to resolution adopting Plan Chattanooga)
Councilwoman Noel requested that Ms. Rennich clarify the requirements regarding the applicant's
request for additional information. Attorney Noblett read the necessary amendments to the
resolution, and Ms. Rennich subsequently explained the language of the plan and the conditions
for Battery Heights. Upon no further questions or comments, the issue was closed.

NEXT WEEK’S PROPOSED AGENDA (September 29, 2026):
ORDINANCES – FIRST READING:
Agenda Item 8(b) – Office of The City Attorney (Ordinance amending City Code relative to
the General Pension Plan)
Councilwoman Hill asked for an explanation of the General Pension plan and its revisions,
Attorney Noblett provided a thorough breakdown of the specific federal-level changes and the
recommendations from the General Pension Board. Upon no further questions or comments, the
issue was closed.

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RESOLUTIONS:
Agenda Item 9(g) – Mayor’s Office (Relative to allocation of ARPA Funds to support the
Bluegrass Festival)
Councilman Harvey expressed his support for this item and, for the record, recused himself from
the vote due to his affiliation with the International Bluegrass Music Association. Upon no further
questions or comments, the issue was closed.
Agenda Item 9(u) – Regional Planning Commission (Relative to the appointment of Janice
Gooden & Ethan Collier to the Regional Planning Commission)
Councilman Harvey expressed his support for Janice Gooden. However, he raised concerns
regarding Ethan Collier, noting that he does not wish to reconfirm his appointment given that Mr.
Collier has held the seat for 12 years and previous concerns have been raised. Upon no further
questions or comments, the issue was closed.
Agenda Item 9(y) – Public Works (Relative to renaming Cannon Avenue)
Councilwoman Noel mentioned that she has received opposition regarding this item and has
requested a meeting with Mr. Payne to ensure the process moves forward smoothly. Upon no
further questions or comments, the issue was closed.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Downtown Chattanooga Alliance - Annual Budget

[Please view the full Special Presentation by Steve Brookes Executive Director from Downtown
Chattanooga Alliance here: https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=2603 ]
Mr. Brookes presentation included information on the following:
Annual Budget
• Results of Budget
• 2027 Budget
• Surplus of $28,000
• $754,000 Paid to Block by Block
• Maintenance, Safety and Hospitality Services
• $39,000 for Beautification Projects
• $22,500 for Public Relations
• 2% Collection fee paid to the city
• $22,300 in Rent for Office Space
• $150,000 Ambassador Services in Miller Park
Discussion ensued among the Council after the presentation and may be viewed on YouTube
here https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=2687 . During this time, Mr. Brookes responded to
questions from the Council on the following topics:
•
•

Councilman Clark inquired about the $20,000 in Homelessness services and the
justification in the decrease.
Councilwoman Dotley thanked Mr. Brookes for the good work he’s done at Downtown
Chattanooga Alliance and for the city.

Upon no further questions or comments, the issue was closed.
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MEETING RECESS
At 4:10 p.m., Chairman Davis recessed the business meeting until 4:45 p.m. The Council did not
have an Attorney Client session during the recess.

MEETING RECONVENED
Chairman Davis reconvened the business meeting at 4:45 p.m. A quorum was present that also
included Vice Chair Elliott and Councilpersons Henderson, Hill, Harvey, Clark, Berz, Dotley, and
Noel. City Attorney Phil Noblett and Council Support Specialist Melissa Bardoner were also
present.

ORDER OF BUSINESS
ORDINANCES – FINAL READING:
On motion of Councilwoman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14396
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 5, SECTION 5-48, EXPIRATION OF BEER PERMITS.
The motion carried.

ACTION: APPROVED

On motion of Councilwoman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14397
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE XIV, SECTION 24-502, SCHEDULE II, SPEED ON
THROUGH STREETS.
The motion carried.

ACTION: APPROVED

2026-0103
Ingram, Gore and Associates c/o Joseph Ingram
Planning Commission Version
District No. 1

On motion of Councilman Henderson and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14398
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE, SO AS TO REZONE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 5502 DAYTON BOULEVARD, FROM RN-2 RESIDENTIAL
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NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE TO C-NT NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMERCIAL ZONE, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
The motion carried.

TRANSITION

ACTION: APPROVED

2026-0097
Victoria Kenyon-Patton
District No. 2

On motion of Councilwoman Hill and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14399
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE, SO AS TO REZONE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 1307 HIXSON PIKE, FROM INST INSTITUTIONAL ZONE TO CNT NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSITION COMMERCIAL ZONE.
The motion carried.

ACTION: APPROVED

2026-0098
Dennis Bell
Planning Commission Version
District No. 5

On motion of Councilman Clark and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14400
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 38, ZONING ORDINANCE, SO AS TO LIFT CONDITION NUMBERS
3, 4, AND 6 FROM ORDINANCE NO. 13479, PREVIOUS CASE NO. 2021-209,
AND TO AMEND CONDITION NUMBER 5 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
5313 CHAMPION ROAD (HAMILTON COUNTY TAX MAP NO. 120K-A-003)
ONLY, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
The motion carried.

ACTION: APPROVED

On motion of Councilwoman Hill and seconded by Councilman Harvey,
ORDINANCE #14401
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 38, THE CHATTANOOGA ZONING ORDINANCE AS ADOPTED BY
ORDINANCE NO. 14137 ON JULY 23, 2024, ARTICLE IX, USES, SECTION 3841.1, USE MATRIX TABLE TO AMEND DRIVE-THROUGHS, STANDALONE,
OR AS AN ACCESSORY USE AS A PERMITTED USE WHEN LOCATED
OUTSIDE THE URBAN OVERLAY ZONE, AND TO AMEND SECTION 38-42
AND 38-43 BY AMENDING THE STACKING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ADD
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NO DRIVE-THROUGH INCREASE/EGRESS CAN CROSS THE RIVERWALK
OR GREENWAY CONNECTOR.
The motion carried.

ACTION: APPROVED

ORDINANCES – FIRST READING:
On motion of Councilwoman Berz and seconded by Vice Chair Elliott,
ORDINANCE #14402
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II,
CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE XIV, SECTION 24-502, SCHEDULE II-SPEED ON
THROUGH STREETS, TO CHANGE THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 50 MPH TO 45
MPH ON BONNY OAKS DRIVE FROM BORISS DRIVE TO 400 FEET WEST OF
SILVERDALE ROAD, PER THE REQUEST OF THE TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR SAFETY AND CONSISTENCY
ALONG THE CORRIDOR.
The motion carried.

ACTION: PASSED ON FIRST READING

MR-2026-0102
Hannah-Claire Boggess for Gaining Ground
a/k/a Chattanooga Food Center
District No. 9

On motion of Vice Chair Elliott and seconded by Councilman Harvey,
ORDINANCE #14403
AN ORDINANCE CLOSING AND ABANDONING THE UNOPENED RIGHT-OFWAY IN THE 900 BLOCK OF DODDS AVENUE, AS DETAILED ON THE
ATTACHED MAPS.
The motion carried.

ACTION: PASSED ON FIRST READING

RESOLUTIONS:
Chairman Davis instructed the Clerk to read Agenda Item IX(a):
A resolution authorizing the department of technology services to enter into a five
(5) year contract with Axon enterprise, inc. For public safety hardware and software
to support the Chattanooga Police Department and Chattanooga Fire Department
based on Sourcewell contract #101223-axn with an annual spend limit not to
exceed $3 million.
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Councilwoman Berz moved to approve with the intent to amend. Councilwoman Dotley
seconded. The motion carried. Councilwoman Berz moved to amend. Council Chair specifically
asked the City Attorney to read the exact language of the amendment aloud into the record. The
City Attorney then read the stated amendment: "Subject to final review of ALPR equipment
installation and service by the city council before deployment of such technology shall occur."
Councilman Clark seconded the amendment.
Attorney Noblett then read the following amended resolution into the record:
RESOLUTION #32997
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
SERVICES TO ENTER INTO A FIVE (5) YEAR CONTRACT WITH AXON
ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR PUBLIC SAFETY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TO
SUPPORT
THE
CHATTANOOGA
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
AND
CHATTANOOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT BASED ON SOURCEWELL
CONTRACT #101223-AXN WITH AN ANNUAL SPEND LIMIT NOT TO EXCEED
$3 MILLION, SUBJECT TO FINAL REVIEW OF ALPR EQUIPMENT,
INSTALLATION, AND SERVICE BY THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE
DEPLOYMENT OF SUCH TECHNOLOGY SHALL OCCUR.
Councilwoman Berz moved to approve as amended. Councilwoman Noel seconded. The motion
carried, with Councilman Harvey voting “no”.

ACTION: ADOPTED AS AMENDED

On motion of Vice Chair Elliott and seconded by Councilwoman Noel,
RESOLUTION #32998
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT AN
AWARD OF $59,309.00 FROM HAMILTON COUNTY VIA THE 2025
(HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM) TO PURCHASE BIOLOGICAL
DETECTION EQUIPMENT FOR THE HAMILTON COUNTY/CHATTANOOGA
TYPE 1 HAZMAT TEAM.
The motion carried.

ACTION: ADOPTED
RESOLUTION #32999

A
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING
PLAN
CHATTANOOGA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA.

AS

THE

Councilman Harvey moved to approve. Councilman Clark seconded. Councilwoman Noel asked
Ms. Rennich (RPA) to read the RPA’s planned revisions for the Campbell Street / New York
Avenue page at the six-month mark of the ‘Plan Chattanooga’ document into the record:
• Remove the language: Vehicular traffic counts currently do not warrant pedestrian
crosswalks.
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Add text: Battery Heights has been advocating for a crosswalk at Campbell Street and
New York Avenue to address the concerns of young children (attended and unattended)
and adults crossing the street, walking along the street and waiting at the bus stop.
Residents are concerned about pedestrian safety and have observed both accidents and
near misses at this location.
• Add the following language under Recommendations:
o Complete the Service Request for review of pedestrian infrastructure and safety of this
intersection. Review to include speed data, pedestrian counts and evaluation of the
sight triangle at Birchwood Drive and Vinewood Drive. Additional consideration will be
given to possible reconfiguration of 1) Parkway Drive (this will not impact the historic
wall) and 2) a T-intersection at Countryside Drive.
o Add the results/recommendations of the Service Request to the FY 27 Capital Budget
request to secure project funding.
The language being read into the record by Ms. Rennich may be accessed via YouTube by clicking
the following link: https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=5437. Attorney Noblett affirmed that the
proposed change will be incorporated into Plan Chattanooga at the six-month amendment.
•

The motion carried.

ACTION: ADOPTED

On motion of Councilwoman Hill and seconded by Councilman Harvey,
RESOLUTION #33000
A
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING
THE
CHATTANOOGA
POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR, AND IF AWARDED, ACCEPT THE FY2026
NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK (NIBIN)
MODERNIZATION PROGRAM GRANT FOR A FIVE (5) YEAR PERIOD TO BE
USED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW BRASS H4,
ALSO KNOWN AS NIBIN, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FOR
FIVE (5) YEARS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000.00.
The motion carried.

ACTION: ADOPTED

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Recommended New Purchases

[View the Chief Financial Officer introducing the proposed new purchases on YouTube here,
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=5612.]
Mr. Porter (Finance) recommended the following new purchases for Council consideration:
PA100299 Public Works/Facilities Maintenance Division
Protective Footwear
Lowest/Best Bidder: Cintas Corporation No. 2
2131 Polymer Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421
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$150,000.00

09/22/26

200978-2 Wastewater
Road Plating
Lowest/Best Bidder: TNT Concrete LLC
996 County Road 20
Calhoun, TN 37309

$140,000.00

Councilwoman Dotley moved to approve. Vice Chair Elliott seconded. The motion carried.

ACTION: BOTH NEW PURCHASES APPROVED

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

[View the video here, https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=5699, for Council member committee
reports.]
Budget and Finance Committee
Councilman Henderson reported:
• The committee met today at 2:00 p.m. and went over a variety of issues.
• The committee will meet again next Tuesday, September 29, 2026, beginning at 12:30
p.m. in the City Council conference room.
Community Development & Education Committee
Councilwoman Dotley (No report)
• She used this time to recognize her County Commissioner, Montrell Besley, who was in
attendance.
Economic Development Committee
Councilwoman Hill (No report)
• She used this time to thank the RPA staff for the work they’ve done with ‘Plan
Chattanooga’.
Government Operations Committee
Councilman Harvey (No report)
Planning, Zoning & Housing Committee
Councilwoman Berz (No report)
Parks, Public Works & Infrastructure Committee
Councilman Clark reported:
• He invited everyone to the Lake Hills Park ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 26th
Public Safety Committee
Councilwoman Noel (No report)
Vice Chair Elliott (No report)
• He used this time to thank everyone who attended District 9’s annual Town Hall last
Monday (September 14th). A recording of the event will be uploaded to www.ronelliott.com
later this week.
Chairman Davis (No report)
• He used this time to recognize the City’s new Deputy Chief of Operations, Kirsten Acuff,
who was in attendance.
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RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS COUNCIL

[Hear today’s public comments on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=5988.]
Attorney Noblett read the rules of procedure for persons wishing to address the Council. After
which, Chairman Davis recognized the following persons:
Speaker Name
Jan Purdy

District
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YouTube Comments
The speaker’s comments are available here:
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=6052

Sheena Benavente

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The speaker’s comments are available here:
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=6159

Jacqueline Ramsey

(N/A)

The speaker’s comments are available here:
https://youtu.be/PFKmzsPbZiA?t=6382

ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Vice Chair Elliott, Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting of the Chattanooga City
Council until next Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

___________________________________________

COUNCIL CHAIR

_____________________________________

CLERK OF COUNCIL

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