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

(upbeat music) - [Chairman Henderson] Tonight, we do have a special presentation, proclamation honoring the Lighthouse Collective.

And for that, we look to Councilman Anthony Byrd.

- [Councilman Anthony Byrd] Thank you all so much for being here.

Chattanooga City Council Proclamation.

In lieu of recent community upheaval, a question was asked, how could we combat crime in Hamilton County?

In response to these issues, the mentorship initiative, the Lighthouse Collective was established.

Whereas in 2016, the distinguished Chris Ramsey formed a group of young men from various organizations to carry the torch for mentorship and leadership in order to become a productive citizen.

Whereas the Lighthouse Collective was established to provide a holistic approach that will encompass mental, spiritual, financial and social wellbeing, whereas on November 6th 2021, the 100 young men attended the Inaugural Distinguished Gentlemen Meal, Mentoring and Event.

The founders of the Lighthouse Collective have provided a platform for conversation, that will provide preventive resources that will combat violence, empower youth, and encourage the next generation to move onward and upward.

Now, therefore I, Councilman Anthony Byrd, of the Chattanooga City Council, do hereby honor and recognize the young professionals of the Lighthouse Collective.

(members applauding) And right now we have these amazing young men here.

So we're gonna present this proclamation to you all from the City Council, and we also have others to present to you from the Mayor of Chattanooga, and while I'm getting those, if you guys would like to say a few words, we'll be honored to hear from you.

(clears throat) - [Jonathan McCray] I'ma go first.

Hello everybody.

Thank y'all for honoring us with this.

My name is Jonathan McCray.

I'm assuming nobody knows who I am, and I really thank y'all, I thank God, I thank my family for supporting me and I've never had the pleasure of meeting all of you, men and women till today, but I've been in Chattanooga several different times.

Every time I've been here, I've done something with the community.

So we fed the homeless, we taught people about entrepreneurship, We worked with the boys and what I'll say is that, even though I don't know you personally, I know y'all impact because I've met and worked with the citizens of Chattanooga, So I thank you all for what you do.

I wanna encourage you all to keep doing what you do, because what I tell people all the time, is that we're not gonna be remembered about, we're not gonna be remembered from how much money we have, how famous we were or just what we did with our time, we're gonna be remembered based off of our impact.

So I respect you all, I thank you all and that's all I have to say.

(members applauding) - [Lighthouse Member 2] Wow, this is such an honor.

I really appreciate this proclamation coming from city worker to growing up Chattanooga native, it feels real good.

So, for the city to honor our group for much work that we've done in this community, we wanna continue to do, so look for great things to come and just look for a great things out of this group of young men that has put together and don't forget the ladies will be represented as well.

So, thank you all, I appreciate it City Council.

(members applauding) - [Lighthouse Member 3] To Mayor Kelly in his absence, to Chair and Vice-Chair to all the Council, thank you all so much for having us today.

We're so grateful for this honor, to be honored by you is such a privilege and an honor to just even stand here, before you today for this great occasion.

I would also like to say and add to what my brothers have already said, we're just grateful to serve the great City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, to continue to bring youth and things of that nature together to build bridges across every front of Chattanooga, and we're so grateful for that.

Also, to build educational systems, to build them up and talk about entrepreneurship, like never before.

So that our young people in the next generation will have something to look forward to.

So again, thank you all so much for having us and thank you for this honor, thank you.

(members applauding) - [Lighthouse Member 4] Thank you guys so much, I'm excited.

Council, I seen you guys earlier.

Man, just thank you.

But we got so much more work to do.

I just wanna challenge you guys, to lean on this group right here, because these are the guys that I partner with when I need help, when I can't find anything.

I partner with these guys and they helped me get a lot of things done.

You may not hear about it in the paper.

You may not hear about it on the news, but I guarantee you, these guys are in the trenches with me on a daily basis and I am so honored.

Thank you guys so much.

(members applauding) - [Chairman Henderson] Moving now to the order of business for your City Council, Ordinances, final reading.

Madam clerk, if you would, under parks and public works, 5A through D, if there are no objections from the Council.

- [Madam Clerk] Item A, an ordinance closing and abandoning an existing sewer's been located in the 1600 block of South Watkins Street, Tax mountain number 156 FA001 is detailed on the attached map, subject to certain conditions.

Item B, in ordinance of Hamilton Chattanooga City Code Part Two, Chapter 32, Article Two, by adding a new section 3245 structures, obstruction and vandalism of posted city critical infrastructure.

Item C, an ordinance closing and abandoning an open right away located at 4,600 Maria street, as detailed on the attached map, subject to certain conditions.

Item D, an ordinance closing and abandoning two unopened alleyways and a 6,000 block of Ottawa Georgetown Road as detailed on the attached map, subject to certain conditions.

- [Chairman Henderson] Councilwoman Berz [Indistinct] We have a motion on the floor to approve items 5A through D are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Ledford, Councilman Hester.

- [Councilman Hester] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilwoman Berz] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Councilwoman Dotley] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Byrd.

- [Councilman Bryd] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Coonrod.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Vice-Chairman Smith.

- [Vice-Chairman Smith] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Chairman Henderson.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Eight yeses.

- [Chairman Henderson] So moved, We have no ordinances on first reading this afternoon to this evening, we'll now move to resolutions.

Madam clerk, if there are no objections from the Council, would you please read 7A through E as a package?

- [Madam Clerk] Yes, item A, a resolution authorizing the interim Administrator of Economic Development to enter into an artwork donation agreement and substantially, the form attached with the community foundation of greater Chattanooga to accept the Ed Johnson Memorial, valued at $1,121,439.64.

Item B, a resolution authorizing the Mayor or his designee, to enter into a second agreement to exercise option to renew with the Hamilton County Tennessee Board of Education and substantially leave the form attached for the use of Tax Parcel number 168IC032, for the continued operation of the Cedar Hill early headstart program, located in 4701 Divine Avenue for an additional term of one year through December 31, 2022 for the amount of $1 per term.

Item C, a resolution authorizing the Mayor or his designee, to enter into a second agreement to exercise options, to renew with the Hamilton County Tennessee Board of Education, and substantially the form attached for the use of Tax Parcel number 136LM002, 136LM005, and 136LM006, where the continued operation of the Avondale early headstart program located at 2302 Ocoee Street for an additional term of one year through December 31, 2022 for the amount of $1 per term.

Item D, a resolution authorizing the Mayor or his designee, to enter into a second agreement to exercise option, to renew with the Hamilton County Tennessee Board of Education and substantially the form attached for the use of Tax Parcel number 066MD014 for the continued operation of the Daisy headstart, early headstart program located at 9517 West Ridge Trail road in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, for an additional term of one year through December 31, 2022 for the amount of $1 per term.

Item E, a resolution authorizing the City of Chattanooga to serve as a government sponsor and pass through entity for a grant from the American battlefield protection program and part of the National Park Service to be passed through to the American Battlefield Trust to purchase a 7.6 acre parcel, known as the (indistinct) track, located in the core area of the Chattanooga Battlefield, Hamilton County, for an amount not to exceed $353,522.19 - [Chairman Henderson] What's the pleasure of the council?

We have a motion on the floor to approve items 7A through E with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Coonrod.

- [Councilman Coonrod] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Byrd.

- [Councilman Byrd] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Councilwoman Dotley] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilwoman Berz] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Hester.

- [Councilman Hester] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Ledford.

- [Councilwoman Ledford] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Vice-Chairman Smith.

- [Vice-Chairman Smith] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Chairman Henderson.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Eight yeses.

- [Chairman Henderson] Motion to approve carries.

Let's see, let's just move on down to H (indistinct) 7G please.

- [Madam Clerk] A resolution confirming Mayor Kelly's appointment to bring Goldberg as the city of Chattanooga's Chief Finance Officer, effective January 1, 2022.

- [Chairman Henderson] Councilman Ledford, followed by Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilman Ledford] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I move to approve... (Clears throat) (members laughing) (indistinct) - [Council Lady] Hester, do you think councilman?

Hester, do you need to think about it?

(indistinct) - Okay, (indistinct) sidewall ourselves, (members laughing) - [Council Lady] Second.

- [Chairman Henderson] We have a motion, that was a motion to approve?

Is that correct, Councilman Ledford, is that what I heard?

- [Councilman Ledford] Yes.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

So we have a motion on the floor to approve 7G with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All right.

Roll call please.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Coonrod.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Byrd.

- [Councilman Byrd] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Councilwoman Dotley] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilwoman Berz] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Hester.

- [Councilman Hester] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Ledford.

- [Councilman Ledford] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Vice-Chairman Smith.

- [Vice-Chairman Smith] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Chairman Henderson.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Eight yeses.

- [Chairman Henderson] The motion to appoint Brett Goldberg as Chief Financial Officer, does carry.

Congratulations Mr. Goldberg.

(members applauding) - [Chairman Henderson] I would say welcome aboard, but you've already been here.

(laughing) All right.

Madam clerk, if there's no objection from the council, let's take 7H through 7M please.

- [Madam Clerk] Okay.

Item H, a resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to approve change order number one final for HDR engineering Inc. relative to contract number W17015101 MBWWTP tanks safety upgrades for non-consent degree project, for a decreased contract amount of $70,050.60 for a revised contract amount of $121,849.40.

Item I, a resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works, to approved change order number one final for MM Solar incorporated of Atlanta, Georgia, relative to contract number W17024101 MBWWTP renewable energy project and non-consent decree project for an increased amount of $13,008.7 to release the remaining contingency amount of $423,983.86 for revised contract amount of $4,469,675.7.

Item J, a resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to approve change order number four for CTI engineers, relative to contract numbers C16001101 for professional services, for landfill groundwater, sampling monitoring and reporting to extend the fourth year or four years by an additional five months to increase the amount of $28,000 for an amount not to exceed $444,500.

Item K, a resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public works to approve change order Number one for Arctic design group LLC, relative to contract number Y17005101 it's like community center improvements for increased contract amount of $50,795 for a revised contract amount of $198,755.

Item M, a resolution to amend resolution number 30877 authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to execute the consent to assignment for all purchase orders for vendor number 171037, Santec Waste Services Inc, to Capital Waste services for Ray County landfill and to Republic services for Bradley county landfill relative to resolution number 330770 landfill disposal, bile solid waste purchase order number 5578894 for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $90,000.

- [Chairman Henderson] What is the pleasure of the council?

(indistinct) - [Chairman Henderson] We have motion on the floor to approve items 7H through M with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Ledford.

- [Councilman Ledford] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Hester.

- [Councilman Hester] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilwoman Berz] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Councilwoman Dotley] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Byrd.

- [Councilman Bryd] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Coonrod.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Vice-Chairman Smith.

- [Vice-Chairman Smith] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Chairman Henderson.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Eight yeses.

- [Chairman Henderson] Motion to approve 7H through M does carry.

Chief, who's doing our purchases this afternoon?

- [Chief] One Mr. Brett Goldberg.

- [Chairman Henderson] Mr. Goldberg.

We have digressed.

(laughing) - [Mr. Goldberg] Thank you sir.

(Chairman Henderson laughing) - [Mr. Goldberg] I assume we'll see you at the comedy catch later this evening.

(members laughing) - [Mr. Goldberg] Before I do purchases, I would like to say thank you to the Council for the confidence and the confirmation this evening.

Thank you.

I have big shoes to fill with Daisy leaving, but I think you'll all be pleased to know, I've purchased a lot of big socks.

(Members laughing) - [Mr. Goldberg] All right.

We have eight purchases this evening.

The first is Chattanooga Police Department.

This is the purchase of one Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 147 from Wilson county motor LLC in the amount of $30,006.40.

This purchase utilizes the state of Tennessee contract number SWC 20972307 and is recommended for approval.

Next is from the parks maintenance division of parks and outdoors, this is a request for a three month extension with Lawn Pros of Chattanooga for irrigation system repair services.

The extension will allow for more time to rebid and no money will be added.

The annual amount remains at 35,000 and the extension is recommended for approval.

Next from Citywide services division of Public Works.

This is a price increase of $20,000 or 38% for corrugated metal piping from Piping Supply Company.

The contract started March 4th, 2021, and the cost of materials has increased significantly.

The vendor has been notified that no additional price increases will be considered for one year.

If this increase is approved.

The increase is recommended for approval, when an annual amount not to exceed $75,000 Also from Citywide services, another price increase of $5,000 or 23% for corrugated metal piping from Straight Path Distributing LLC.

Contract started March 4th, 2021.

The cost of materials is increased significantly.

The vendor has been notified That no additional price increases will be considered for one year, if this increases approved.

The increase is recommended for approval when the annual amount not to exceed $25,000 Also from City Wide Services, we have a new blanket contract for refuse and recyclable transport services.

This will be a four year contract not to exceed $925,000 per year.

There were four bids received and the award will go to CWS Chattanooga transfer DBA Capital Waste Services, and is recommended for approval as the best bid meeting specifications.

Next from Fleet Management Division of Public Works, we have a new blanket contract for automotive parts.

This will be a four year contract with two vendors not to exceed $1,250,000 per year.

Three bids were received and the award will go to Lee Smith Inc, and Mid-America parts distributor DBA Ken Smith Auto Parts.

Not that Ken Smith, (members laughing) - [Mr. Goldberg] As the best bids meeting specifications.

O'Reilly Auto Parts was the second lowest bidder, but they took exception to the standard terms and contracts of the city.

Next, from Chattanooga Fire Department, we have a new blanket contract for Firefighter Station and dress uniforms.

This will be a four-year contract, not to exceed $195,000 per year.

Two bids were received and the award goes to Summit Uniforms as the best bid meeting specifications.

And finally, from the Waste Resources Division of Public Works, we have purchased an installation of two shaft list spiral de-watered sludge conveyors from BAR environmental.

Only one bid was received.

The invitation was rebid and no additional bids were received.

The purchase amount is $569,000.

- [Chairman Henderson] Councilman Ledford.

- [Councilman Ledford] Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I do have a question for our new CFO, but I first want to say Daisy, thank you.

Thank you very much.

(members applauding) - [Councilman Ledford] We're very blessed, very blessed in your service to this city, and we wish you the very best, but thank you.

Mr. Goldberg, My question is, today before I came to council, I had to rewrite an estimate because costs I had written in June to a client came back around and it was almost 19% higher due to our cost of materials.

When you mentioned metal, it really got my brain cooking on this and it... are we planning for these increases?

And how are we addressing those in the Mayor's budget that council obviously approved.

But if you would give that some thought and get back to me, I'm not going to put you on the spot first off, but I'm just, I'm curious.

Cause I'm seeing a lot of, in my business and doing all across this country, this inflation is hitting us.

- [Mr. Goldberg] Yeah, certainly.

I will get back to you for sure.

- [Councilman Ledford] Okay.

- [Mr. Goldberg] But generally yes, we will keep that in mind as we prepare the budget and we will work closely with the purchasing department to try to gain an understanding of what prices are looking like for major services and major types of materials.

- [Councilman Ledford] Okay.

And I know that would probably translate into some decisions moving down the road as to what we decide to do or not to do.

- [Mr. Goldberg] Yes, sir.

- [Councilman Ledford] Thank you, Mr.Chairman, I move to approve the purchases.

- [Chairman Henderson] All right.

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

Are there any other questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Coonrod.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Bryd.

- [Councilman Bryd] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Councilwoman Dotley] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilwoman Berz.

- [Councilwoman Berz] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Hester.

- [Councilman Hester] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Councilman Ledford.

- [Councilman Ledford] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Vice-Chairman Smith.

- [Vice-Chairman Smith] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Chairman Henderson.

- [Chairman Henderson] Yes.

- [Madam Clerk] Eight yeses - [Chairman Henderson] Motion to approve does carry.

That takes us now to the time on our agenda that we recognize persons that would like to address the council this afternoon.

- [Wendy Winters] Good evening, City council.

Thank you so much for allowing me to give you some feedback this evening.

I'm the director of the Chattanooga Regional homeless coalition.

I learned about the ordinances that was discussed this evening.

Obstruction of, or vandalism of posted critical infrastructure from the local media.

- [Chairman Henderson] Could you give us your name for the record.

- [Wendy Winters] Yes.

Wendy winters.

- [Chairman Henderson] Thank you.

- [Wendy Winters] And I'm the director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition.

So I learned about this ordinance from the local media.

Did not know about it previously.

And I have two concerns.

First of all, let me say, I understand that we don't need people setting fires under bridges.

That's completely reasonable.

I get the intent of the ordinance.

I have two concerns though.

The language is very broad and it has me fearful that how it might be enforced will be broad and it will be used to criminalize homelessness.

I'm also concerned that the local homeless response system was not consulted on this.

We did not know about it.

None of us did.

Again.

I found out about it through the local media.

We could have worked together.

We could have worded it in such a way to make everyone feel comfortable and to understand the intent and not to be fearful that it would be used to criminalize homelessness.

And so in the future, I would ask you to, to seek anything that may affect people experiencing homelessness, that you seek the feedback from local, the local homeless response before you're voting on anything and making it final.

And also I would very much appreciate if we were consulted on the enforcement of this ordinance.

Thank you.

- [Marie Mutt] Good evening Council.

It's has been a while.

Marie Mutt, District Eight, and I'm particularly, I'm here because there's a lot on the table, even as we transitioned from this year until next year, I'm currently serving as the Chairperson for Economic Development with the NAACP, and I'm very concerned about how ARP money is going to be spent to improve the African-American and underserved communities here in the city of Chattanooga.

(clears throat) It takes capital to be able to start a business.

It takes capital to buy property.

It takes capital to be able to make progressive change where we live.

And one of the things that I don't really appreciate when I look at the outline of how this money is going to be spent.

In no way shape, form, or fashion, do I feel that nearly 30% of the demographic that the African-American community makes up is getting anywhere near what we should be getting in the form of capital to be able to make change.

And in accordance to executive order 139085, it states that the African-American community is actually the first listed community that deserves to get access to that fund because of systemic oppression, okay.

So, I will be following up.

I'm glad that I'm back.

I'm gonna be following up every Tuesday.

We're gonna be talking about policy.

We're gonna be talking about money and we're gonna be talking about change that needs to happen where we live.

I'm proud to stand here and announce that I was chosen as one of the members to represent the city of Chattanooga with the Emergent Leaders Program for Harvard university for 2022.

That's not a mistake.

I'm a representation of what Chattanooga can produce and what Chattanooga is producing.

That those of us who have fought for change as young people, we're not challenging you to do what's comfortable.

We're asking you to step into the unknown.

That's what this time has all been about, right?

A pandemic that has forced us to reshape how we're governing and how we're responding to certain communities.

And that's reiterated in the fact that I appreciate the homeless coalition coming up here and reminding you that even when you think about what you're getting ready to do in the form of an ordinance, in any policing perspective, there're certain communities that need to be consulted before you make those decisions.

And so, again, this is just a gentle reminder that we're not here to be adversaries, no matter how abrasive accountability feels, but we're here to challenge you to build a new Chattanooga that's gonna be equitable for all of its citizens and not just a few.

Thank you Council.

See you next week.

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