Executive Meeting - July
Executive Committee Meeting
Downtown Chattanooga Alliance
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00
Location: 800 Market Street, Suite 222, Chattanooga, TN 37402
1. Call to Order
Kelly Fitzgerald, Chair of the DCA ,called the meeting to order by telephone.
Executive Committee members attending were Adam Kinsey, Charles Perry and Gordon Stalans.
Also present was Steve Brookes, Executive Director of the DCA.
1. Old Business
(a) A report on the DCA’s recent meeting with CPD Chief Murphy indicated that the
meeting had gone well. DCA representatives stressed the value of the downtown
district and what it means to the larger City of Chattanooga. Two specific issues
were raised: the need to upgrade the police bike patrol and the need to reinstate
overtime hours on top of existing patrols. Chief Murphy has put the DCA annual
meeting on her calendar.
(b) As formulation of a strategic plan for the DCA goes forward, Jim Kennedy has
conducted 19 interviews and is compiling results. Work continues on surveys of
property and business owners and others. A goal is to have a progress report by the
end of September.
(c) A pilot landscape plan for the area of Market Street between 6 th and 8 th Streets is
in the planning stage with a goal to finalize a contract.
(d) Work continues on a DCA handbook.
2. New Business
(a) It has been proposed that DCA Ambassadors receive an 8% salary increase in
the 2023 budget.
(b) The DCA budget will be voted on at the August 17 meeting. The budget will be
presented to the Chattanooga City Council on September 13, 2022. Preparatory
work is underway with one goal to anticipate possible issues.
3. Finance Committee Update
For the Finance Committee, G. Stalans reported that
(a) the budget continues to be in good shape with total revenues of $863,000 as of June 30, 2022.
(b) a search for an audit firm capable of conducting a governmental audit is underway.
4. Executive Director Report
S. Brookes reported that
(a) the DCA addressed problems such as trees down and lights out as a result of a
recent storm.
(b) issues resulting from increased homelessness and aggressive behavior continue to be a concern.
(c) the Project Return contract has begun with positive preliminary results.
(d) he hopes to meet with D. Scott and Councilwoman R. Dotley on the possibility of
a Youth Night Out program.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00.