Two groups with ties to Chattanooga council members received federal pandemic funds

Two Chattanooga City Council members have personal connections to organizations that received federal pandemic relief dollars as part of a $30 million spending plan the panel authorized last year.

Both representatives -- Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod, of Eastdale, and Council Vice Chairwoman Raquetta Dotley, of East Lake -- spoke up during the meeting July 26 to abstain from considering those specific items. The council considered the 30 individual funding agreements as a package on a roll call vote, meaning each council member was called on individually . . .