Two-term Councilwoman Carol Berz will now lead Chattanooga’s nine-member council. And Moses Freeman will be second in command, after the council voted Tuesday to nominate and elect the two.
Berz has served as the council’s vice chairwoman for the last year, and she is now replacing Chip Henderson at the helm after pulling unanimous support from her colleagues.
Chattanooga City Council member Moses Freeman speaks as a committee discusses a proposed change in the city’s sound ordinance Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, in Chattanooga.
Chip HendersonIn other business
In other business, Chattanooga City Council members: * Approved a resolution to increase its contract with Code Studio Inc. from $199,974 to $222,474 for professional services in developing form-based code. * Passed a resolution to allow the Youth and Family Development department to apply for and accept a $180,000 state grant to fund a summer food services program. * Accepted two donated patrol bicycles from the Chamber of Commerce’s downtown council.
The council chairperson is responsible for conducting meetings and would serve as the city’s mayor if the mayor’s office became vacant, according to Deputy City Attorney Phil Noblett.
Berz, who was first elected in 2008 and has previously led the council’s budget and finance committee and the body’s human resources committee, said Tuesday she hopes to focus the council’s planning meetings, and give committee leaders more latitude over the projects they take up.