(cheerful music) - You're watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council meeting.

A production of WTCI-PBS.

(cheerful music) (gavel hits) - Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our Tuesday, August the 24th city council meeting.

I now call this meeting to order.

We do have a couple of special presentations this afternoon.

One by Councilwoman Coonrod and then another by Councilman Byrd.

If you'd like to, at this time, make those presentations at the podium.

- Thank you, chair.

This proclamation is for Black Philanthropy Month.

Whereas Black Philanthropy Month was originally organized in 2011 by the pan-African Women's Network as an annual global celebration of African descents.

Given and whereas the event was recognized by the United Nations as part of this declaration of 2011 as the International Year of People of African Descent and, whereas the counties and cities around the globe are recognizing every August as Black Philanthropy Month.

And whereas the month of August is set to allow for the recognition of the contributions of the African Descent Philanthropy Leadership that supports our communities and applaud the impact and power of the collective given to transform lives and make a difference.

And whereas Philanthropy African Descent organizations and individuals donate time, money, experience, skills or talents to help create a better world.

And whereas philanthropy organizations have existed in the African-American community for more than 100 years.

And whereas the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee applauds the African Descent community for their work philanthropy.

Now therefore I, Tim Kelly, mayor or the city of Chattanooga, do hereby proclaim the month of August, Black Philanthropy Month.

Thank you.

(applause) - Okay.

City of Chattanooga Office of The Mayor Proclamation, whereas National Black Business Month was founded in 2004 by Frederick E. Johnson and John William Templeton, to recognize the contributions of black-owned businesses throughout the country and to encourage their continued development.

Whereas the United States minority business development agencies estimates that there are 124 plus million black-owned businesses in the United States, generating approximately $150.2 billion in annual receipts.

Whereas Chattanooga is home to 80 plus black-owned businesses that provide family support, jobs, and career to residents throughout the city of Chattanooga.

And whereas promoting and supporting black-owned businesses, help close the racial wealth gap in Chattanooga, and encourage the flourishing of the local community and culture.

Whereas the local community is urged to continue to work toward inclusion, empowerment, and support for black-owned entrepreneurs.

And whereas the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee encourage Chattanoogans to frequent black-owned businesses and the community during the month of August and throughout the year, and to reflect on the numerous contributions of black entrepreneurs in our city.

Now, therefore I, Tim Kelly, Mayor of the city of Chattanooga, do hereby proclaim August as Black Business Month.

Thank you.

(applause) - Now Madam clerk, 7B please.

- A resolution authorized the mayor, his designee, to enter into a ground lease agreement with Chattanooga FC Foundation and substantially a form attached for approximately a 13-acre portion of 1151 East 23rd Street, identified as a portion of tax parcel 156-AD001 with the construction and operation of a multi-functional space for recreation and community activities.

Specifically for recreational league and tournament play for soccer and other sports for a leased term of 40 years.

- Councilman Byrd followed by Vice Chair Smith.

- Move to approve.

- All right, we have a motion on the floor to approve with a proper second.

Councilman Ledford, I had, I think I just passed right over you.

- You kicked me off.

- I kicked you off.

Let it - was - go ahead and hit your light again.

Now.

There we go.

- All right.

Make sure you're not just picking on me.

Chairman, I just wanted to share that we've gotten a lot of input from the community on this, and I just wanted to share some thoughts cause I thought long and hard about it.

And I just feel like I needed to say what I felt about this particular resolution and as a member of this council with an art degree, I certainly believe in the power of art and expression.

I also believe in the power of community and play.

I believe being inclusive is a staple of moral conviction and character.

I believe in seeking balance through different experiences.

Being active outdoors, building teamwork on and off the field, instilling quality, characteristic traits that carry out throughout a child's life is a blessing.

I strongly support using public land to create as many possibilities for us to grow and learn from each other.

I believe strongly in visions that promote bringing us together as a city.

I believe the concept and the use of this portion of public land, "gifted for the public welfare for park purposes," will serve our community well and promote valuable long-lasting memories and experiences.

Exactly what a public park should do.

Let us be an example of rising horizons, opportunities, let us not promote barriers, buffers, and fences that keep us apart on public land.

In the spirit of building a better Chattanooga, which includes everyone, I support this resolution.

I feel it is well structured and promotes the true spirit of fellowship for our city.

Thank you, chairman.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I too have received all sorts of communications from folks and where they've called me.

We've caught, we've spoken long and seriously and sincerely about these issues.

I'm very much a supporter of the arts.

And I guess I think that art and life should be blended together without any barriers.

I think that kids or people should be able to participate in sports and then live with sculpture.

I believe that the joy of sports is art in itself.

And I believe that these two activities, one more passive, one more active, living together in the same space is what we're all about.

And without any doubt, I do support this.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Thank you, chair.

I just wanted to add, like, I'm really disturbed about the emails from a board member, from the sculpture field, the language, most definitely isn't people-first.

Just really sad that it had to get to that, but I just want to make sure that we're voting on the right thing because previously we talked about adding the HUD, the contingent on what HUD decides.

- Yeah.

- That we... - I think we still maybe have an amendment to come onto the floor as of yet.

- Okay.

(inaudible mumbling) - I'm sorry.

I didn't hear the last... - Just wanting to make sure that we'll amend it after this, approve it then amend... - Yeah, as soon as I guess everybody makes their comments.

- Okay.

- Okay.

I guess I'm a little bit of the odd duck here and it's certainly not because I'm a connoisseur of the arts.

I certainly appreciate sports far more than I do the arts, but I've never visited an art museum that with additional room that would put a basketball court in the museum.

And I just, I guess I can't, I can't make the connection between the two.

I think when a person comes to a place of art, they, it's time to reflect, to meditate, and I think to have the activity of the sports there, and like I said, I'm certainly a big supporter of sports and athletics, but I think it's just the wrong use for the field.

Alright.

I think we do have an amendment that needs to be made to this resolution.

Is that correct?

Councilman Byrd.

- So I know we had a motion to approve.

- That's correct.

We have a motion on the floor to approve with a second.

- Okay.

So now I'd like to make a motion to amend by adding the language upon approval of HUD, on HUD approval.

Correct?

- Say that again.

- I'd like to, make the motion to amend (talking in unison) by adding... and also adding the language upon HUD approval.

- Okay.

So your amendment would read upon HUD approval.

- Yes.

- Is that correct?

- Yes, sir.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to add the language "upon HUD approval".

Do I have a second?

Did I hear a second?

- Seconded.

- Okay.

I have a motion on the floor with a proper second to amend.

Is there any questions or comments on the amendment before we vote?

You have heard the amendment.

Is there any questions or comments on the amendment before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call on the amendment.

- Councilwoman Coonrod (inaudible) - Councilman Byrd - Yes.

- Councilman McNally - Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz - Yes.

- Councilman Hester - Yes.

- Councilman Ledford - Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill - Yeah.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson - Present.

Got seven yeses.

- That's eight yeses.

- Eight yeses, I'm sorry.

I'm not good at math either.

All right, the motion does carry.

Councilman Byrd.

- All right.

Thank you, chair.

And before I make my, other motion to, I would like to say one thing if that's possible.

- Sure.

- Okay.

It was told to me, this is in my district and I was told that, you know, "Hey Councilman Byrd, would you put the Mona Lisa in the middle of Wrigley's Field?"

And I was like, no, you wouldn't do that.

And he was like, "so why would you do this?"

And I was like, well, I wouldn't put the Mona Lisa also amongst a very, very, very, very drug-ridden, hurting, crime-ridden community that's not getting any type of development, that's not getting any type of help either, because I think that would be a slap in their face.

I would do something to help that community, build them up.

I would do something to take 23rd street and the areas like East Lake Courts and make it something amazing and not just put a Mona Lisa in their face.

So, that's one of the reasons why I do agree to move forward with this.

So in closing, I'd like to move to approve as amended.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve as amended.

And I think I heard a proper second.

Are there any other questions or comments before we move uh, vote?

Okay.

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Berz - Yes.

- Councilman McNally.

- Yeah.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

(inaudible mumbling) - Councilwoman Councilwoman, the time for discussion is, is ended.

And now it's time for a vote.

- I already gave my vote.

- I didn't hear your vote.

- I said no.

You said no?

Okay.

Thank you.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson - No.

- That's seven yeses.

- Okay.

Motion to approve as amended does carry 7-2.

Moving now to committee reports.

Councilwoman Berz.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Today we finished our education on the 2022 budget.

Next week we will have sessions for public input, and with that, given no other interruptions, we will have the first vote in two weeks.

The second vote in three weeks.

Mr.

Chair, I believe at the end of this meeting, you will close by reiterating the timelines for the public input or would you like me to do it now?

- Just go ahead and address that now.

- All right.

As advertised all along, from 3:00 to 5:00, we are leaving time for public input relative to the budget by Zoom.

That's the only time that we will be using Zoom or allowing Zoom for the public.

Please, you have to register whenever we use Zoom, you have to register ahead of time.

So only those people who are registered by 3:00 will be allowed on that Zoom input.

Given that there may be fewer registrations, we will go ahead with our regular agenda in any time that's left.

That evening we've set aside from 6:00 to 8:00, for in-person comments.

And as you know, that may take a little longer because only so many people are allowed in the room at the time.

But the time limit will be from 6:00 to 8:00.

Therefore we think that we have given everybody the opportunity to speak, whether it be by Zoom, or in person.

One last thing for those two areas of input, the time limit will be two minutes.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

- Thank you.

Moving now to persons wishing to address the council.

- Hello all.

- Good afternoon.

- I apologize that I'm going to read, it's been a hectic day.

Let me start by thanking you all for your attention to this matter.

I'm here to speak on firefighters' behalf.

I know many of you on what I would consider a first name basis, and I hope to classify you as friends.

Those that I do not know as well personally, I do look forward to changing that in the near future.

You will hear several firefighters speak tonight on what this pay increase will mean for each of them and the department as a whole.

You will hear about the financial struggles faced by the men and women of this department every day.

You'll hear about what those struggles do mentally and emotionally to already exhausted and stressed families.

You will hear about the second and third jobs that Chattanooga firefighters are forced to work after completing 24 hours on shifts in fire stations.

But for my time, I would like to speak to my own personal experience.

Whereas I do not know most of you, I do know most of you on the first personal level.

But you do not know this side of my story, and very few actually know the details.

And although I consider myself very fortunate in life, I have faced huge struggles during my time as the chairman of the department.

I'm kind of thankful for the mask now, because my jaw is going to do this little twitchy thing.

(laughs) I have worked every level of this department up to the rank of Lieutenant as a single father.

I do not, did not until recently have the ability to work a side job to make ends meet due to being a single parent.

When my divorce initially happened, I had two sons, one six, and one a brand new infant.

Any time not spent at the fire station was spent caring for them.

As a beginning firefighter I was making $32,000 a year with two children.

My house payment was roughly $800 per month.

I had no car payment, only insurance and gasoline.

The only luxury I afforded my children was a Comcast subscription so they could watch children's shows.

While it may seem that these expenses did not amount to much after ever-rising family health insurance premiums, taxes, and patient payments.

After all that is taken off, it leaves very little to stretch to your other bills.

I became very astute in knowing how long I had to pay my bills and when those utilities would be cut off and how long I had to stretch.

It was very soon into my separation that my home went into foreclosure.

I did not qualify for refinancing due to missing payments, but was fortunate enough to sell my home before it was taken.

I was also fortunate enough to re-marry a fantastic woman, who many of you have met, but she was also a public servant.

So it was not until I became a Lieutenant that we were able to purchase another home together.

And even still, it was not until I worked for this department for 15 years, and made the rank of Captain, that I was able to afford a vehicle that was reliable and had a working air conditioner.

While my story in many ways is unique, it is also very common.

And although I am immensely grateful to close, I'm grateful for the opportunity to address you this evening.

I would like to speak to the citizens of this city, in closing, as I close my remarks.

Your city's public servants, police officers, and most of all, its firefighters desperately need your help.

Now more than ever.

(applause) (timer beeps) - How many firefighters do we have in the room tonight?

Raise your hand.

All right.

(applause) I want to personally thank you all for your service that you give the citizens of Chattanooga.

And for all the help that you give us.

Help's on the way.

- Good evening.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you.

I just want to take a minute to talk about the idea of work-life balance.

In the movie "Interns", Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are shocked when they go to work for Google and they find out that there's people actually playing games and laying down and taking naps on the job.

But even though that movie is a comedy there is truth to that element of working for Google.

Dating back as early as the late 1800s, it was recognized that working too much is actually detrimental to individuals, workers, and also to the job performance.

That's why in 1938 the FLSA was introduced and established a 44-hour work week.

Today that has been adapted a little bit and we have a 2080-hour work year standard.

Firefighters are scheduled to work 3,120 hours a year.

That sounds like a lot, but then we go home and have just enough time to hop in the shower, change clothes and go back to a second job.

And personally, my second job I'm scheduled for a thousand hours a year.

That still doesn't quite make ends meet.

So on top of that 4,120 hours, I spend somewhere between 600, 800 hours a year doing third jobs.

What that winds up with is that poor work-life balance winds up with depression, divorce, poor eating habits, high blood pressure, addictions, poor decision-making, and ultimately a decrease in efficiency on the job.

Those aren't my personal accounts.

That is studied.

That is reported by the, the CDC and by the NIH.

What I would like to say is the budget that has been presented.

And the amount that has been requested is not a lot in the eyes of the firefighters.

It is huge.

It will allow us to work one job.

It will allow us to spend more time with our families.

It will allow us to be able to come home and stay home.

It will allow us to be able to make better decisions and it will allow us to be able to do our jobs better and serve the city better.

Thank you.

(applause) - Do I get his 30 seconds too?

Because I could use it.

(laughter) - You can take his 30 here through.

- Okay.

Sounds great.

Council members, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak to you tonight.

My name is Bradley Freeman.

I'm a captain on Squad One, downtown.

I'm also a trustee with our Local 820, of the Chattanooga Firefighters Association.

But one thing I'm honored to be is the coordinator for our peer support team for the city of Chattanooga Fire Department.

Let me educate you on that a little bit.

So, our peer support team, what it is, is a team of firefighters that are able to, and willing to be able to speak to other members whenever they go through hard times, you all know very well, especially those of y'all that have gone through our fire ops program.

You've you've seen how, how, how demanding our job is, but also on top of everything, how mentally demanding our job is.

We have children that we have to rescue, major trauma that we have to deal with.

And just like Lieutenant Percy, who was speaking before me was talking about, a lot of times, what happens is you get a call late at night.

You have mom and dad, dad fell asleep behind the wheel.

They're under a tractor trailer and we're having to get those kids out.

We hear their screams, we hear their cries, but whenever we go home, we don't have one thing that we need.

And that's time.

We don't have time to be able to go home and to be able to get mindfulness, to meditate, to be able to make sure that we can do whatever we need to spiritually to help ourselves and to realize it's okay, I did what I could do.

We don't have that time.

The time that we need to have, we spend doing our other jobs.

We spend trying to make sure that we make ends meet for our family.

On top of that, what happens with that?

That takes time away from my kids.

I have two children and a nephew who we actually took in when he was a teenager.

I'll tell you this right now, I had no idea how we were going to be able to pay for those kids.

The teenager is 6'6", and he eats me out of house and home.

He did at least, right?

(laughs) Councilwoman Hill, agrees and understands.

We didn't know how we were going to make ends meet, but thank goodness we were able to.

The thing is, is that I didn't have a lot of time to be able to watch him grow a little bit more and become the strong young man that he is because I was making sure he was able to eat his turkey sandwich.

If you look back here, you'll see a lot of young men and women that have the name "cadet" across their shirt.

This is our Recruit Academy that that will be graduating on September 9th.

We have a class with them just to show them how to balance their budget and how to live off of a firefighter salary.

But I'll tell you this right now, they can't.

It's okay.

We adapt and we overcome, right?

But what happens whenever we adapt and overcome?

Something gets lost.

Something gets lost.

Our mental health.

We have firefighters.

We had more in 2017, more firefighters, nationally committed suicide than the line of duty deaths.

And the reason why is because they were burnt out, they didn't have any time to be able to reflect, any time to go to counseling and get the help that they deserve.

Not that they need, the help that they deserve.

By you going through this budget and by approving this budget for us, what you're doing is you're giving us something that we can never have.

And we would never be able to get back and that's time.

Time to be with our families, time to be able to work on ourselves, to be able to be better employees and better citizens to serve and to do the oath that we raise our right hand, that these people are going to raise their right hand on September 9th, to do in order to serve our community better.

So thank you for considering this.

(timer beeping) - Is there anyone else in the audience that would like to address the council this afternoon?

Seeing no one out in the audience that wishes to address the council at this time, what is the pleasure of the council?

(gavel hits) We are adjourned.

(cheerful music) - You've been watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council meeting a production of WTCI-PBS.

(cheerful music continues)