Chattanooga taps stormwater fees to fund new 19-person litter abatement workforce

Chattanooga taps stormwater fees to fund new 19-person litter abatement workforceThe City Council reviewed a comprehensive litter eradication strategy that will utilize stormwater funds to hire new personnel, while simultaneously approving a $127,800 purchase for wastewater laboratory equipment.

A new litter abatement program requiring 19 personnel and 10 vehicles will be funded entirely through existing stormwater fees.

The initiative aims to clean 33.9 miles per day to prevent illegal dumping into storm drains and local waterways.

Council approved a $127,898 purchase from Fisher Scientific for wastewater laboratory equipment.

An upcoming agenda includes a $19,770 change order with CDM Smith for Phase 2 of the Dupont Pump Station and Basin Improvements.

The City of Chattanooga is leveraging municipal stormwater fees to finance a new litter abatement program aimed at keeping debris and pollutants out of the city's drainage network and waterways. During a June 9 committee meeting, a city staff member introduced the 'Keep Chattanooga Beautiful Comprehensive Litter Abatement and Community Ownership Strategy.' The initiative aims to sweep 33.9 miles of streets daily to combat chronic illegal dumping. The staff member highlighted the environmental necessity of the program, noting he had personally witnessed residents pouring '55-gallon drums of grease in the storm drains' and kicking food containers into the catch basins. To execute the strategy, the city's public works department is requesting 43 new positions in its upcoming budget, 19 of which will be dedicated to the litter program alongside a fleet of 10 vehicles. A staff member confirmed to the council that these 19 positions will be funded directly through stormwater fees, noting that the funds are available to sustain the program's operations in future years without jeopardizing the budget. In addition to the stormwater-funded initiative, the City Council approved immediate capital purchases for the wastewater division. Council members authorized a $127,898.79 contract with Fisher Scientific for a one-time purchase of laboratory equipment to be used by wastewater staff. Looking ahead, the council is also slated to review further wastewater capital spending on its upcoming June 16 agenda. The proposed docket includes a resolution to authorize Change Order No. 5 with CDM Smith, Inc. for Phase 2 of the Dupont Pump Station and Basin Improvements. The change order would add $19,770.92 to the project, bringing the revised contract total to $3.21 million.