(upbeat bright music) - [Narrator] You're watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council meeting, a production of WTCI PBS.

- All right, tonight, we are going to recognize a very special lady that's been with the city and really, led the city for many many years.

And I'm going to ask Mayor Kelly, if he would, to come up and present this special recognition this afternoon.

- Thank you, Chairman Henderson.

I think we just surprise Miss Daisy, but I'd like to read a proclamation for a very special woman who's made a huge difference to the city over the course of these many years.

Whereas Daisy W. Madison has served the city of Chattanooga since 1992, one of the administrations of Mayors Gene Roberts, Jon Kinsey, Bob Corker, Ron Littlefield, Andy Berke, and now me, and whereas Daisy began her career with the city of Chattanooga as deputy finance officer was appointed city treasurer in 2002 and was promoted to city finance officer in 2005.

And whereas Daisy has led the finance department through many challenges and developments, always looking for ways to improve processes for internal efficiencies and citizen services.

And whereas Daisy was instrumental in the city obtaining the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award, the distinguished Budget Presentation award and the popular annual Financial Reporting Award for 29, 27 and 10 consecutive years, respectively.

That was a mouthful.

And whereas Daisy's commitment to her profession and her community has been recognized through many awards, including the Association of Government Accountants Finance Manager of the Year award, Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society, Meritorious Service Award from the Department of Public Works, Girls Inc UnBought and UnBossed award, and The American Lung Association as a woman of distinction.

And whereas, Daisy has served many state and national professional organizations, including the Association of Government Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, Government Finance Officers Association, and the State of Tennessee Water and Wastewater Financing Board.

And whereas Daisy's dedication, leadership, integrity, and fiscal responsibility had been valuable assets and will be sorely missed by the public servants and citizens of Chattanooga, now, therefore I, Tim Kelly, mayor of the city of Chattanooga do hereby proclaim December 21st, today as Daisy Madison Day.

(audience clapping) (audience cheering) And I would just add over and above Daisy and I both are finance nerds.

We have that in common and for the council and the citizens here assembled our bond rating was recently upgraded to AAA by Fitch.

We now enjoy a AAA bond rating across the board, which has lowered our borrowing costs here to historically low levels.

And that accrues to the benefit of every citizen Chattanooga that is nearly entirely down to Daisy's great fiscal stewardship and management.

So thank you so much, Daisy.

You'll be sorely missed.

- Thank you- (indistinct) (audience clapping) - Thank you is all I can have to say because nobody listens to me when I say don't do this.

(everyone laughing) But just know that I'm so grateful.

It has been indeed a really, really great privilege, a great honor to serve the citizens of Chattanooga and to work with all of the people here, starting out with the mayor's office, starting and going on to the council.

And up to all of the people at the staff levels to administrative levels and all of the city departments.

It has really, really, truly been an honor and I couldn't ask for better support from everybody.

So I don't deserve this.

As I always say, all of the honors really truly belong to the city of Chattanooga and in its entirety.

And I want to...

I don't know.

Where's Cheryl?

She's not here?

How did all these people get here?

- I might have made a phone call or two.

- Or two.

Well, thank you all for coming.

And would you mind if I asked my family to stand?

- Please, yes.

Absolutely.

- All of my family, would you please stand?

(audience clapping) Thank you, also.

The only person that is missing tonight aside from some of my children that are out of town, it's my husband.

He has been such a support in my entire career, quite honestly.

So I hate that he's not here to see this, but you know, not his namesake, but his lookalike is standing right over there, yeah.

So thanks again and Mayor, thank you so much.

- Thank you.

- I hate that I won't get to work with you, but I will get to watch you from afar.

(everyone laughing) - You know where to find me anytime day or night.

- Thank you.

- Thank you, Daisy.

- Thank you, Miss Daisy.

- Thank you, Chairman.

(audience applauding) - And you know, you have one final job.

My last request is to teach Mr. Goldberg your conservative approach to budgeting.

(everyone laughing) We now move to ordinances on first reading.

I will be asking for the applicant and any opposition that may be present.

Madam clerk, under planning item six, A, please.

- An ordinance to a meeting of Chattanooga City Hall part two, chapter 38, zoning ordinance.

So as a reasonable part of a property located at 5390 Hixson Pike from R 1 residential zone to C 2 convenience commercials zone.

- Case number 2021-0196, is the applicant present?

Okay, thank you.

Is there any opposition to this request present?

Vice-chair Smith, I see an applicant with no opposition present.

- Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

May I ask the applicant a question, please?

- Applicant, if you would come to the podium, please.

- Ms. Renick as well.

- This item was deferred from last week based on some conditions to be placed on it needed clarification from the applicant.

I spoke with Mr. Ramsey, and he did state that there is the potential of a carwash at this site, which was one of the stricken condition, or one of the conditions that would strike that use.

So what I would like to do, and what I agreed to do was remove that as one of the restricted uses, but I am going to include the others.

- Okay, if you talked with him and he said that- - I did.

- they're okay with that, then am fine.

- Okay, I spoke with him earlier today.

So Ms. Renick, the conditions will be as you read last week with the exception of carwash as part of that.

- Okay, would you like me to reread that?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Adult oriented establishment, self service storage facilities to gas stations, open air markets, vehicular repair service facilities, and wholesaling with accessory warehousing uses shall be prohibited.

- Great, okay.

And I'm going to move for approval to get it on the table, sir.

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

- And then I'd like to move to amend to add a condition with the language that Ms. Renick read.

- Second.

- All right, we have a motion on the floor to amend with such language as read with a proper second.

So at this time, are there any questions about the amendment that we are about to vote on?

This is for the amendment.

All right, Madam Clerk, roll call, please for the amendment.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- The amendment does carry.

- I move to approve as amended, sir.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve item 5 A as amended.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, please.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- Motion does carry.

Moving now to 6 B, Madam clerk.

- An ordinance to amend Chattanooga city code part two, chapter 38 zoning ordinance so as to lift conditions of number 11 B and number 11 C from ordinance number 13110 previous case number 20160060.

Front of the property is located in 2,300 and 2,400 blocks, Elam Lane and a 2300 through 2,500 blocks, of Gum Bear Road, 2321 Lifestyle Way and 7344 Mc Cutcheon Road.

- Case 2021-0213.

Is the applicant present?

All right, is there any opposition to this case present?

Councilman Ledford.

I am seeing an applicant present, but no opposition present.

- Mr. Chairman, I have spoken to the applicant and we have agreed to ask for a deferral until February 1st, please.

- Okay, was that February 1st, sir?

- February one.

- Okay.

All right, we have a motion on the floor to defer until February the first.

- Second.

- That has been properlY second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Thank you, Chair.

I was just wondering, like, what are the conditions that they wanted to be lifted?

Because I pulled up the ordinance and in sub B and C is really talking about, you know, extending the traffic lanes, but I'll yield to Councilman Ledford and deferring it until we got, I guess, further information.

- I appreciate- (indistinct) - But this case has been in the public eye for nearly 60 days now, and there's some conditions, additional language that has not been worked out with CDOT and the applicant and we're still working through some language.

- All right.

Any other questions or comments before we vote on a deferral?

All right, this is deferent to February the first.

Madam Clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- Motion to defer until February the first does carry.

Madam Clerk, 6 C, please.

- An ordinance to the main Chattanooga city code part two, chapter 38 38 zoning ordinance.

So as to rezone properties located at 5116, 5120 and 5134 Highway 58, and several on address tracks 120 N, D 012, 014, 015, 016 and 018 of land in the 5,100 block of Highway 58 from C 5 neighborhood commercial zone to C 2 commercial zone subject to certain conditions.

- Case 2021-0169.

Is the applicant present?

All right, thank you.

Is there any opposition to this case present?

Yes, okay.

I thought so.

All right, Councilman Hester.

I'm going to go ahead and ask that the applicant come forward and give him a seven minute presentation plus two minute rebuttal and then nine minutes for the opposition since we have opposition.

- Well, good evening, council, once again.

- Good evening.

- I would like to start out by saying that I have enjoyed these past six to eight weeks of deferrals, because I really have had an opportunity to get to meet the residents of Mimosa Circle.

They really are...

I mean, they really are...

They're great people.

I've enjoyed the interactions I've had with them and have the utmost respect for them all.

Unfortunately, I've kind of got an idea of where tonight's vote is to be headed and I don't believe it's gonna be heading in our favor.

You know, this part of Chattanooga is going to be seeing tremendous growth pressures and opportunities along the Highway 58 corridor.

And it's just really a matter of time, as far as when these properties do get developed, whether it's this year, next year or in incoming years.

And I've been rezoning properties in Chattanooga for about eight years now and I can honestly say that through the collaboration of these conditions that we put together, for the Mimosa neighborhood, I really do feel like they bring the most protection for them.

The current C 5 zone does not have any protections when it does get developed, and I would hate to see that happen.

But unfortunately, you know, I was not able to enlighten the neighbors to let them see my perspective on that.

So with that, I still encourage council to consider this rezone request with all the conditions.

Councilman Hester asked last minute at last week's meeting, if we would consider even putting limitations on the self-storage and we have agreed to limit the hours from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

So that's an additional condition that we talked about last week.

So with that, I'll just turn it over to the neighbors at Mimosa.

- Alright, thank you.

And you will have a opportunity for two minute rebuttal.

All right, I'm going to ask if there are any an opposition that would like to speak at this time.

You will have a total of nine minutes.

So if there are several that would like to speak, I would just ask that you divide up your time.

- To the council, thank you for all your services.

My name is Alonzo Noble.

I'm a resident of Mimosa Circle and yes, it has been a learning experience for the last eight weeks that we've had opportunities to take out our busy schedule and to take time to come and stand before you.

And yes, we've had many discussions and everybody does have their perspective on what we wanna see.

And I thank Mr. Allen.

We've gotten to know him better than what we did when we came in here.

So it's not about getting angry with one another, but discussing business.

That's what we've done.

And so we still want to stand with the C 5 and we asked the council to consider our recommendations also.

Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to all of you.

- Thank you.

- All right, Mr. Jones, would you like your two minute rebuttal?

- I'm good.

- Okay, all right, very good.

Thank you.

Councilman Hester.

- To the good neighbors of a Mimosa Circle to Mr. Friedman, thank you for your commitment, your dedication.

To Pastor Noble, thank you for your devotion, your passion.

And all you guys, thank you just being here.

But I believe at this point, we have to deny this request.

Thank you all.

- Is that in a form of a motion you're moving to deny?

- A motion to deny, correct.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to deny.

Do I have a second?

- Second.

- Okay.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, Madam Clerk.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- That's eight yes's.

- Motion to deny carries eight, zero.

Madam Clerk, 6 E, please.

- An ordinance closing and abandoning two sore easements located in the 2,500 block of Gum Bear roll tax amount number 149AB0170.01 as detailed on the attached maps subject to certain conditions.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Move to approve.

- Second.

- Motion on the floor to approve with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, please.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- So moved.

Moving now to resolutions.

Madam clerk, if there are no objections from this council, I would like for you to read 7 A, B and C together as a package.

- Item A.

A resolution authorizing the Mayor has the need to enter into a lease agreement with Brian M. Cotter and substantially the foreman Tess for lease of the Brown Acres, the rental house at 324, Bass Road further identified as tax map number 158 IC 021.01 in consideration of $500 per month, and the providing of security services at Brown Acres and Brainerd Golf Courses Commission on February 1st, 2022 for the term of four years and the option to renew for two additional terms with three years each.

Item B, a resolution authorized in answer of amendment administrative for the Department of Economic Development to apply for, and if awarded, accept their public art grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to support the completion of the artwork, Moonrise, by artist Mark Florence, of the very many LLC located at the Wheland Foundry Trailhead, and to authorize the execution of the grant in the amount of $75,000 for a revised artwork contract in substantially the form of tests with the artists in the amount of $445,750.

Item C, a resolution authorized the city of Chattanooga to join us the State of Tennessee and under the local governments as participants as a Tennessee State Sub-division Opioid Abatement Agreement and approving the related settlement agreements.

- Councilwoman Berz.

(indistinct) - Second.

- All right, we have a motion on the floor to approve item 7 A, B, and C with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, please.

- Counsel woman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hill.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson - Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- Motion to approve does carry.

Madam Clerk, 7 J, please.

- A resolution confirming Mayor Kelly's appointment of Tom Hutka as the Administrator for the Department of Public Works.

- Councilwoman Berz.

(indistinct) - Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve Tom Hutka with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All right, Madam clerk, roll call, please.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes, - Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- Motion to approve Mr. Hutka as our new Director of Public Works does carry.

Mr. Hutka, if you are listening, or watching online, congratulations and welcome aboard.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

We have one RFP format recommended for approval.

This is an RFP for management of a homeless encampment site.

There are many solutions for managing the site and the awarded agency will take the lead with determining the best strategy.

We are not... We are requesting approval to issue the RFP non-approval to award any contracts at this time.

An RFP is necessary as opposed to a sealed bidding process, because there is more than one solution to the scope requested and competitive proposals will assist in selecting the best solution.

- All right.

Councilman Ledford.

- Move to approve RFP bid.

- Second.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, please.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Eight yes's.

- Motion does carry.

- Thank you.

- Thank you, sir.

That takes us to committee reports.

We'll start this evening with Councilwoman Hill.

- We had a meeting of the Education and Innovation Committee this afternoon, where we looked at the diversity of our boards and commissions and the tidying and cleanup work that the innovation department has been doing.

- All right, that takes us through our agenda items for this afternoon and brings us to the time that we recognize persons wishing to address the council.

- Hello, my name is Joshua Kapellusch.

I am an advocate for homeless persons rights and I want to thank you for taking the time today to approve, you know, something that I think has been on a lot of people's hearts.

You know, I just sat down there and prepared a speech, you know, and honestly, I'm speechless.

So you know, I'll get through this what I have to say, but I think it's all in our hearts, and as we progress further as a city, I want to everyone from the mayor's office and everyone that's considering, you know, some options that I think are pretty obvious that we can do pretty quickly.

I've been in contact with quite a bit of people over this past week, you know, from the government and nonprofits and researching things from individuals to grassroots level.

You know, the things that people have done in other cities, you know, and things that we can come up with here in our own city.

A lot of people call Chattanooga home they're just not sheltered.

And the definition of a shelter is a place that provides protection from bad weather and, you know, sometimes people that wish to do harm.

And so you know, securing a place, literally the ground to walk on and be is important.

And I think we're going to taking the right steps with people who are in the city employed to do that, defining a space, you know, whether it's 10 by 10 or whatever it is, but just having a place for these people to exist, I think is important.

And it gives a lot of dignity and humanity and restores a sense of mental security for someone to have a place that is at least a shelter.

And it may not be a home forever, but a home for now.

And with regard to all the, you know, things that people encounter out there and things that I've personally witnessed and have had, you know, my son help, you know, help me with different things.

But basically, you know, we're creating a space for people that are in need in our city and weather is upon us.

It's winter time.

And I don't think of a better gift you could give someone, you know, considering Christmas is a home, a place where they can secure their valuables.

You know, the little that they have, whether it's a sleeping bag, you know, some non-perishable food.

And you know, that house we built last week, I didn't know who to give it to and God figured it out.

A veteran was in it the next day with his service dog.

A veteran of the Air Force.

Some of that are in the Air Force.

And my Sergeant from Germany works at the food bank and we got him some food.

And you know, we were actually just spending time with him today and are doing what we can.

So there's one last homeless veteran in Chattanooga, you know, and I want to thank you everyone here for taking the time and giving me, you know, my three minutes.

And so I think as we move forward, you know, I think I have a lot of hope in my heart in humanity and for the city.

We have the best city, the best people, we have God given natural resources around us, and it's a bustling economy.

It's where you want to live, and we know that because people are building and growing and so we must grow together and just not forget the least of us that are among us.

So thank you so much for your time.

I really, really appreciate it.

Thank you.

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