The Chattanooga City Council is the legislative and quasi-judicial body of city government. The Council is a nine member body, one elected from each district of the city. Chattanoogans elect a Mayor and all nine Council members on the first Tuesday in March of every fourth year. The next elections will be held on March 3, 2009. To be elected, a candidate must receive a majority (50% + 1) of the votes cast; if no candidate garners a majority, a run-off election is held between the two candidates that received the most votes. Runoff elections are held on the second Tuesday of April. New terms begin on the first Monday after the second Tuesday of April.
In April of each year the City Council elects a Chairman and Vice-Chair. For the 2008-2009 term, the Chairman is Linda Bennett and the Vice-Chairman is Jack Benson.
In order for an item to appear on the Council Agenda, it must first be presented in a committee meeting; exceptions may be made with approval of either the Council Chair or Vice-Chair, or any two members. The Council works through a committee structure. Committee assignments are made by the Council Chairman.
BUDGET AND FINANCE/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Councilwoman Berz, Chair; Councilman Page and Councilwoman Gaines All matters relating to taxes, revenues and expenditures pursuant to action of the Mayor and Council; policies relating to employment with the City of Chattanooga; employee relations, benefits, grievance procedures, and equal opportunity provisions.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE Councilman Page, Chair; Councilman Shockley and Councilwoman Robinson Actions relating to efforts to aid economic advancement and to provide for a safe and livable environment for all citizens of Chattanooga.
PUBLIC WORKS, CODES AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE Councilman Rico, Chair; Councilmen Benson and Shockley Actions involving construction and maintenance of roads, sewers, and other infrastructure, public buildings and grounds, housing code issues, and necessary services such as solid waste management.
SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE Councilwoman Gaines; Councilmen Page and Rico Fire and police, 911 and all other actions involving the Fire and Police Departments. New responsibilities dealing with homeland security.
LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Councilman Benson, Chair; Councilmen Pierce and Page Dealing with the City Code and Charter, Rules of Order for the City Council, State Legislative actions, drafting of Resolutions and Ordinances, Codes of Ethics, etc. Matters relating to the City Attorney’s office.
PARKS AND RECREATION Councilman Shockley, Chair; Councilman Pierce and Councilwoman Berz Parks, playgrounds and greenways; programming of recreational and arts activities.
EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilwoman Robinson, Chair; Councilwoman Berz and Councilman Benson Special events such as "Riverbend" and downtown animation, neighborhood and ethnic festivals; implementation of the cultural action plan.
HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE Councilwoman Robinson, Chair; Councilman Rico and Councilwoman Gaines All matters relating to the minimization of community deficiencies, housing and residential home opportunities, and the removal of barriers limiting the personal advancement of Chattanooga's citizens. Poverty, inadequate job skills, poor health care, low educational attainment, and adequate shelter for all citizens of Chattanooga. Matters relating to housing and residential opportunities.
