Board Meeting Minutes - June 2025

Downtown Chattanooga Alliance

Board of Directors Meeting

June 18, 2025 - 2:00pm

Google Meets - https://meet.google.com/bjf-zxgv-pgy

Call to Order
Todd Philips, Chair of the DCA, called the meeting to order. DCA Board Members attending virtually were Adam Kinsey, Susan Harris, Gordon Temple, Brandy Burgans, Sean O’Brien, Darin Ledford, Kelly Fitzgerald and Captain Montgomery. Also, in attendance was DCA Executive Director, Steve Brookes, Kelly Allen with Q Strategies and Rachel Ruiz with Miller Martin.

Finance Committee Update – Treasurer, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Gordon Stalans
Gordon updated the board on the current financials and officially presented the 2026 budget. The new budget includes $135,000 in revenue the miller park services funded by the city.

There is an increase from $705,000 to $750,000 for Block by Block management services. This includes a 4% pay increase for the ambassadors but one less position.

Accounting fees will increase when services are outsourced to an accounting firm.

Darrin motions to approve the budget with Kelly seconded. Vote is unanimous.

DCA Business – Chairman, Downtown Chattanooga Alliance – Todd Phillips
Steve introduced DCA legal counsel, Rachael Ruiz, to the board.

Rachael talked about history of forming the DCA and that she was involved in 2019 to create the pass the ordinance. She has been involved for legal issues since its inception.

Executive Director Update – Steve Brookes
Steve gave an overview of where the DCA is in 2025.

 Public safety has improved and Miller Park has been the largest piece of that. Working with CPD in Miller Park was critical to enforce park rules. It has been a collaborative effort between the mayor’s office, CPD and DCA. There have been great comments from the public about seeing the orange shirts and the cleanliness of the park.

 The no trespassing list now has a program where a sticker is put on the property so CPD knows that the owner has a no trespassing letter on file

There is a monthly meeting with CTC, River City, Chamber, DCA and CPD leadership to communicate what they are seeing and talk about future events and debrief on past events

 Homeward Bound has 113 program participants so far at a cost of $17,000.

Public Service Working Group – formulate a working group that will start in August, that will involve DCA, CPD, Supportive Housing Office and the DA.

Public Comments

 Meeting Adjourned