Booting delinquent parkers, $22.8 million for riverfront remodel

A public parking sign on Chestnut Street near Ross’s Landing. (Photo/William Newlin)

See the full March 31 meeting agenda here

Booting delinquent parkers

Last week, CARTA CEO Charles Frazier briefed Council members on a car booting policy up for vote. If Council approves the ordinance twice, enforcement would begin in October. The city and private parking operators could boot or impound cars if their owner has at least three parking tickets delinquent by 60 days or more.

CARTA and parking

Public parking is a significant portion of CARTA’s budget and pays for the free electric shuttles running downtown. Frazier said the Chattanooga Parking Authority (CPA) has more than 64,000 unpaid parking tickets worth $4.1 million.

“We are not looking for little onesie-twosies,” he told Council. “We’re looking for the people that are chronically abusing this, hundreds of tickets that are not being paid.”

Private boots

Private operators who want the option to immobilize cars could get a license through CPA. It would come with stipulations, including a $3 per hour maximum parking fee and a one-hour paid parking minimum. Private citations from licensees would also get capped at $25.

Amnesty period

Before the booting begins, residents with outstanding fines would have 120 days to pay.

“This is not a money grab for CARTA,” Frazier said. “We want people to follow the rules.”

CARTA plans to develop a hardship program to reduce what some residents owe and a food-for-fee swap. During the 120 days, donations to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank would reduce a resident’s outstanding balance.

$22.8 million for riverfront remodel

Council will vote on an agreement with River City Company for the $22.8 million construction phase of the ongoing riverfront remodel.

City: $3.9M

Hamilton County: $18.9M, including $15M from state grant.

River City has already received $3.4 million total from the city and county for the project since 2024.

Injury on duty changes

The city looks to overhaul its injury on duty policy.

Changes include:

Allowing the Risk Management Department to hire a third-party manager for injury claims

Limiting out-of-work pay to a year in most cases

Reserving settlement payments for cases of grievous injury

In some cases, Council could appoint a judge to hear appeals

Historic zoning update

The city’s historic preservation planner, Cassie Cline, will present on a new, combined document governing Chattanooga’s historic zoning districts. The policy includes guidelines and diagrams for construction and alteration in those districts, which require approval from the Historic Zoning Commission for many projects.

For example, there are sections on masonry, porches, doors, etc.