Board Meeting Minutes - February 2025

Downtown Chattanooga Alliance

Board of Directors Meeting

February 19, 2025 - 2:00pm

Location: 715 Market St, 2 nd Floor Conference Room, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Welcome and Announcements:

Call to Order

Susan Harris, Vice Chair of the DCA, called the meeting to order. DCA Board Members attending in

person were Adam Kinsey and Sam Berry. Attending virtually due to inclement weather were Darrin

Ledford, Sean O’Brien, John Clark, Brandy Burgans, Kelly Fitzgerald, Gordon Stalans and Captain

Montgomery. Also, in attendance was DCA Executive Director, Steve Brookes, Kelly Allen with Q

Strategies and Dawn Hjelseth with River City.

1. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the December 11, 2024 Board of Directors meeting and the February 11, 20205

Finance Committee meeting were approved.

2. Welcome Sam Berry and Quick Board Introductions

The board welcomed new Board Member Sam Berry, with Rise Partners, and there was a quick round of

introductions.

3. Conflict of Interest Policy

Rachael Ruiz was unable to attend due to the weather so Susan Harris went over the Conflict of Interest

Policy. Board Members are to sign and return to Steve.

4. Decrease in Downtown Crime Report

Steve discussed the recent report that came out that showed a decrease of crime in the district. Steve went

in to detail about Miller Park and how the situation has progressed greatly and is a safer area. The DCA

manages the park from 7AM – 3PM through June 1 st and is hoping it continues.

Brandy spoke about never experience crime but just the transient population.

Tom sees everything trending in the right direction and that the CPD has been amazing to work with.

Gordon stated the Aquarium has seen great attendance and is 10-12% above budget.

Kelly feels that it is much safer to walk through downtown and Sam commented that TVA coming back

downtown should see a large increase of people, which will be exciting.

5. Finance Committee

The finance committee recommends waiving 90% of YMCA assessment & 100% of United Way

assessments.

The Board voted and approved the waivers.

Gordon went over the financial statement. There is a drop in reserves that will be replenished when the

January assessments are received.

This year’s budget has a $90,000 deficit so 2026 needs to be flat. Beutification and ambassador staff will

be affected unless other funding sources are identified.

The Board voted on proceeding with collections on outstanding assessments.

Public Comments

Meeting Adjourned