Board Meeting Minutes - February 2026

Downtown Chattanooga Alliance

Board of Directors Meeting

February 18, 2026 - 2:00pm

Meeting Location: 715 Market St, 2nd Floor Conference Room

Chattanooga, TN 37402

Google Meets - meet.google.com/pya-rxth-qns

Board Members Present:

Susan Harris, Brandy Burgans, Katherlyn Geter, Sean O’Brien, Michael Floyd, Sam Barry, Kristen Hodge, Jayevan Montgomery

Staff present: Executive Director, Steve Brookes

Welcome and Announcements:

Call to Order – Vice-Chairman, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Susan Harris

Welcome to new board members:

Michael Floyd - TN Aquarium

Kristen Hodge – SVN | Second Story

Katherlyn Geter – Enterprise Center

Michelle Malone – Vision Hospitality

Approval of Minutes –Chairman, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Susan Harris

Approval of the December 10, 2025 Board of Directors Minutes
Brandy Burgans made a motion to approve, and Jayevan Montgomery seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

DCA Business – Chairman, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Susan Harris

FY26 Downtown Public Safety Grant – update from Steve Brookes

The DCA was awarded nearly $1.5 million dollars for safety, beautification, and Homeward Bound, among other programs and projects.

Capt. Jayevan Montgomery made a motion to authorize the DPSG Program Director to purchase a vehicle for the Homeward Bound program up to $50,000. The motion was approved unanimously.

Capt. Jayevan Montgomery Vote on resolution authorizing the DPSG Program Director to apply for a Rock Point Bank credit card to be used solely for the HB program, with a $5,000 credit limit. The card would be for homeward-bound expenses only. This is consistent with current policy, which allows the executive director to spend up to $5,000. Capt. Jayevan Montgovery made a motion, and Sam Barry seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

DCA Conflict of Interest Policy – Susan Harris reminded board members to review and sign

Finance Committee Update – No report at this time. Steve Brookes stated the report was in progress and would be distributed to the board later this month, and that overall, the organization is doing well.

Executive Director Update – Executive Director, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Steve Brookes

Executive Directors Report

Audit letter completed and submitted (standard annual submission)

Block by Block invoices were corrected and payments updated

Storm drains were cleared, and water/snow melt, reported leaks and broken pipes after freeze when necessary

High number of stickers and graffiti were removed last month

Getting ready for all the visitors and conference goers

Walking meeting with City – discussed who is responsible for street sweeper, tree wells, medians

Coming up – budget for 2025/2026 is being developed

Public Comments

None

Meeting Adjourned 2:33 p.m.