Chattanooga Civics

Why does downtown stink? Why are sewer bills so high? What is the EPA consent decree? We answer these questions and more. You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics For more civic resources visit ChattanoogaCivics.com To support the show go to patreon.com/ChattCivics Chattanooga Civics is a member of the PodNooga Network. To find more great podcasts...

It's no secret that Chattanooga is growing. How do we ensure that our city is equipped to handle this growth? The Regional Planning Agency is in the process of updating its area plans to help answer that question. Find our more by visiting https://planchattanooga.org/ and https://planhamilton.org/ You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics For more...

The mission of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is to "Champion our member businesses and promote regional economic growth." I sat down with CEO Charles Wood to talk about how the Chamber accomplishes this mission and what healthy economic growth might look like for Chattanooga. Find out more about the Chamber at https://chattanoogachamber.com/ You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Ne...

Nicole Heyman is Chattanooga's first chief housing officer, a role created by Mayor Tim Kelly to bring a unified vision and strategy to the city's various affordable housing programs. In this episode we discuss what governments mean when they say "affordable housing", the programs that Chattanooga is using to promote affordability, and other factors that are affecting housing prices. A summary of...

The City of Chattanooga’s Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (OHSH) works to both prevent homelessness as well as rapidly house residents experiencing homelessness through street outreach services, community partnerships, a rapid re-housing program, as well as provide emergency services when needed. https://chattanooga.gov/ohsh You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at bu...

In an age when people are feeling increasingly disconnected from their government, neighborhood associations provide a fantastic opportunity to renew engagement and trust. Find out more about Neighborhood Associations here: https://chattanooga.gov/community-development/neighborhood-services/neighborhood-associations2 Follow the Department of Community Development on Instagram, @chatt_commdev You c...

Mayor Kelly is half way through his term. We sat down to get an update on how things our going and what the future holds. You can view the proposed budget here: https://budget.chattanooga.gov/#!/year/default You can view the city paving schedule here: https://chattanooga.gov/public-works/transportation/transportation-resources/special-events-a-street-closures/transportation-project-updates You can...

The Chattanooga Public Library is an incredible resource to the people of Chattanooga. They have way more than just books! Visit the library website here: https://chattlibrary.org/ You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics For more civic resources visit ChattanoogaCivics.com To support the show go to patreon.com/ChattCivics Music credits: Loopster...

I do a deep dive into the Chattanooga Climate Action plan with Erik Schmidt. The city council will vote on the plan on Tuesday, March 28. Find out more about the plan here: https://chattanooga.gov/city-planning/chattanooga-climate-action-plan/what-s-in-the-climate-action-plan You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics For more civic resources visit...

Councilwoman Coonrod joined the show to talk about her new criminal justice reform and consulting initiative, Re-Wake, which seeks to provide "a holistic approach to improving lives and strengthening communities". We also spoke about some of her recent legislative initiatives and her plans for the future.  Find out more about Concilwoman Coonord at https://www.demetruscoonrod.com/ Find out more ab...

City Boards are a great way to get involved in city government. The city has over fifty boards ranging from technical review , to oversight, to public input.  View all city boards as well as current and upcoming vacancies at http://cha.city/boards You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics For more civic resources visit ChattanoogaCivics.com To supp...

Tamara Steward is the city's first ever Chief Equity Officer. I sat down with her to discuss the importance of equity and how her departments helps to promote equity both within the city government and in the broader Chattanooga community. Learn more here: https://chattanooga.gov/equity-community-engagement You can sign up for the Chattanooga Civics Newsletter at buttondown.email/ChattanoogaCivics...

Chattanoogans in Action for Love Equality and Benevolence, or CALEB, is a public action collation that brings together various groups from across the city to enhance quality of life for all. With the announcement of the South Broad Stadium project, CALEB is working towards the formation of a Community Benefits Agreement to ensure the development brings benefits for all Chattanoogans. Learn more ab...

It is unfortunately common for people to feel alienated from their government, to feel as though the problems they experience in their neighborhoods are not the problems that officials are talking about at city hall. This feeling of alienation can lead to a lack of engagement, which can lead to a further feeling of alienation, and on and on in a vicious cycle. The City of Chattanooga Department of...

Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga are proposing a plan to revitalize the South Broad District, including the long empty US Pipe and Wheland Foundry site. The centerpiece of this plan is the construction of a new, publicly owned baseball stadium, using a combination of private investment and public tax incentives. This plan will be put to a vote by the county commission on August 3rd, and...

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, more commonly known as CARTA, is the public transit system in Chattanooga, TN, serving the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the surrounding areas. In this episode we learn more about how CARTA operates and how they lead in transit technology. Find out more at https://www.gocarta.org/ This episode is sponsored by Weissmann Music - 850-...

Public Works is, in many ways, the cornerstone of city government. Infrastructure and sanitation are among the core services that's define a city. In this episode I spoke with Chattanooga's new director of Public Works, Tom Hutka. We talk trash, sewage, and of course, potholes. This episode is sponsored by Juicy Rhino. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iJo8qz6R7GLPJ65eUhLvg For more civi...

Cities of all sizes use tax incentives to draw business and promote growth. Helen Burns Sharp founded Accountability for Taxpayer Money to better track an analyze the use of tax incentives in Chattanooga to ensure that these packages are balanced and effective. In this episode we discuss the most common types of tax incentives and how they are used in Chattanooga.  Find out more at https://www.atm...

For the first time in over a decade the City of Chattanooga is taking a comprehensive look at it's parks system. I spoke with Scott Martin, the new director of Parks and Outdoors, to discuss the impact parks have on our city and what this new comprehensive plan might look like. Find out more at https://www.chattanoogaparksandoutdoorsplan.com/ This episode is sponsored by Weissmann Music - 850-450-...

I branched out a bit for this episode. While I don’t have the time to cover any of our small neighboring municipalities (Red Bank, East Ridge, etc.), I was able to make some time to speak with Bridgett Raper of the Small Cities Coalition. Seven of our neighboring municipalities formed this coalition to better coordinate their positions on state and county legislation. I apologize for the audio qua...

Mayor Kelly has been in office for one year! I sat down with him to discuss his goals, successes, and challenges.  You can download the One Chattanooga Strategic Plan here (PDF): https://pbb.chattanooga.gov/one-chattanooga-strategic-plan/ You can read the CALEB Community Land Trust study here: https://www.calebcha.org/cltstudy.html You can read the South Broad District stadium study here: https://...

Zoning regulations have far reaching implications for housing affordability, transportation and economic development. In Chattanooga our entire downtown core has it's own unique section in the zoning code. I sat down with Sarah Robbins, the Form Based Code Development Review Planner, to learn more. Chattanooga Civics is now on Patreon! Go to Patreon.com/ChattCivics For more civic resources visit C...

The Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise is non profit founded to help families navigate the homebuying process and become successful, lifelong homeowners. CNE is involved in many different aspects of the Chattanooga housing market, including education, lending, and development. I sat down with Martina Guilfoil, the president of CNE, to discuss their work, especially as it pertains to housing affor...

Mayor Tim Kelly recently announced his appointment for Chattanooga Chief of Police, Atlanta Deputy Chief of Police Celeste Murphy, pending confirmation by the city council. I sat down with a brief conversation to discuss her background and her thoughts on where she will take the CPD. Chattanooga Civics is now on Patreon! Go to Patreon.com/ChattCivics For more civic resources visit ChattanoogaCivic...

The city of Chattanooga has a rich architectural history. This episode is an interview with two people trying got preserve that history, Todd Morgan, Executive Director of the historic preservation organization Cornerstones, and Melisa Mortimer, the Development Review Planner for the City of Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission. Chattanooga Civics is now on Patreon! Go to Patreon.com/ChattCivics...