The Environmental Protection Agency may be a national organization, but it was a central topic of conversation for the Chattanooga City Council.
The council members engaged in a vigorous discussion about authorizing a study between Hamilton County and WWTA (Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority) about feasible connection methods in providing wastewater services to residents within a certain service area.
The study would not put anything into effect, but rather look at the effects it would have on employee retirement, benefits, and other related aspects. Such an agreement would have to be approved by the EPA, Councilman Darrin Ledford noted.
“Well, I have a funny feeling EPA is going to step in, as the EPA will want to, regardless of what we want,” said the councilman, “And nothing can be done without the approval of the EPA.”
The EPA currently has the city under an expensive Consent Decree, and it is expected the county will soon be under a similar major cleanup order.
Another notable point of discussion was the impending memorialization of Hickory Valley Road. The project had come across two snags: the first being the all-important question of “How will Chattanooga pay for this project?”
The second hurdle was, as Mr. Ledford said, the road’s horrific condition.
“It wouldn’t be very honoring,” said Ledford, who suggested a paving project in order to restore the road.
Lastly, the council discussed various appointments to different boards. Councilman Russell Gilbert asked fellow councilman Ken Smith about whether or not he was “close” to appointing someone for his district to the new 9-member police advisory and review committee.
“If I was close,” said Councilman Smith, “I would have told you.”
On that rather short remark, Chairman Erskine Ogelsby adjourned the 1:30 p.m. council planning session.