In a historic moment for the City of Chattanooga, Councilwoman Marvene Noel has been elected vice chair of the Chattanooga City Council, serving alongside newly elected Chairwoman Jenny Hill. The unanimous vote by the nine-member panel last Tuesday marks only the second time in city history that two women will lead the council.
The first instance of two women leading the council occurred when Hill served as vice chair alongside Council Member Raquetta Dotley of East Lake.
Noel, who represents District 8 and lives in the Historic Orchard Knob Neighborhood, expressed gratitude and excitement as she stepped into this new leadership role.
“I’m honored and grateful!” Noel said. “Thank you to my colleagues on the Chattanooga City Council for entrusting me to serve as vice-chairwoman for the 2025–2026 council year. It’s a true honor to continue serving the people of this great city in this new leadership role.”
With her election, Noel becomes a key voice in guiding council proceedings and stepping in when the chair is absent. Her appointment to the vice chair seat is a first in her City Council career, but Noel brings years of grassroots leadership and civic experience to the table.
A 30-year resident of Orchard Knob, Noel has long been a champion of neighborhood empowerment and equitable community development. She served as president of the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association and is a former chair of the City Council’s Education and Innovation Committee. She has also contributed her expertise as a professional pharmacy technician and as a member of the Historic River-to-Ridge Advisory Committee, where she helped shape a 10-year area development plan.
Her reelection earlier this year–where she fended off three challengers–reaffirmed the strong support she holds within her district. Noel’s leadership is shaped by years of community involvement and her focus on what she describes as protecting “two entities: communities and families.”
Her colleagues on the council clearly value that perspective, voting unanimously to elevate her to the vice chair role.
“Congratulations to our new Chairwoman, Councilwoman Jenny Hill,” Noel added. “Together, we’re a dynamic duo committed to working together for One Chattanooga–a city where every voice matters and every neighborhood thrives. Let’s get to work!”
As vice chair, Noel will receive an additional $2,500 annually beyond the standard council salary of $29,415.
Hill, who represents North Chattanooga’s District 2, was elected chair after serving as vice chair since 2022. She brings experience from her years on the Hamilton County School Board and from chairing the council’s Education and Innovation Committee.
As chair, Hill will run council meetings and see her salary increase by an additional $5,000 per year. Under the city charter, she would also serve as interim mayor should the position become vacant unexpectedly.
Hill praised the council’s collaborative spirit, saying, “I know that with this panel, we are going to be very productive, and I have a feeling we’re gonna have a lot of fun, too.”
Noel’s deep roots in her district, longstanding commitment to civic service and participation in the Neighborhood University program position her to be an influential leader on the council.
The new leadership team will serve for the 2025-2026 council year.