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

(upbeat music) (gavel thuds) - Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our January the 18th City Council meeting.

I now call this meeting to order.

Moving now into your order of business for our City Council meeting under resolutions, we have a special recognition this afternoon.

Madam Clerk, if you would read 5A, please.

- [Madam Clerk] A resolution authorizing the Department of Public Works and Transportation to erect commemorative secondary street name signs on Healthy Street from Glenwood Drive to Desales Avenue, designating said portions of Healthy Street as MaryEllen Locher Way.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Move to approve.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve with a proper second, questions or comments before we vote.

All in favor, aye?

- Aye.

- Any oppose, no?

The ayes do have it.

And I think Councilwoman Coonrod you have a special presentation to make with this, don't you?

- Thank you all for coming out and working with us to name this commemorative MaryEllen Locher Way and thank you for everything that you do in our community.

And I wanna present you out with this small street center.

- Thank you so much.

(members clapping) - [Chip] Would you ladies like to introduce yourself?

- I'm Jennifer Nicely with CHI Memorial Foundation.

- Debra Moore, Vice President for oncology at CHI Memorial.

- Christine Willingham with CHI Memorial Foundation.

- [Chip] Thank you ladies for being here this afternoon.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

(members clapping) We have no ordinances on first reading this afternoon, moving now to resolutions.

Madam clerk, I have 8B.

Is that correct?

In the order of sequence?

- [Madam Clerk] Yes.

- It's an 8A, 8A.

- [Madam Clerk] Item 8A, a resolution approving a special sessions permit for a new liquor store located at 7703 Lee Highway.

- This is a special exemption permit that we will give the same dignity as our rezoning.

And I'm gonna ask, is the applicant for this case present?

Okay, thank you.

Is there any opposition to this case present?

Okay, it is my understanding and council members that there is opposition to this case.

And so what we'll do, we'll give the applicant nine minutes if they so desire, but I guess we need to ask Karen if she would come up and give us a presentation first.

- This is request for a special exceptions permit for a new liquor store located at 7703 Lee Highway.

The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Lee Highway and Bonny Oaks Drive.

The building is a former liquor store and the former liquor store closed in November, 2021.

This is a picture of the existing structure.

There's a gas station directly at the intersection of Lee Highway and Bonny Oaks Drive.

And it can be seen to the left in this picture.

So RPA produces a report which contains a site review of the proposed liquor store.

And the information that I'm reviewing is pulled directly from that report.

So just be hitting some of the highlights of that.

Adjacent land uses in the area include a mix of commercial, a gas station and a restaurant, a motel hotel lodging.

The site contains an off-site parking lot with approximately 14 line parking spaces.

The building is approximately 4,300 square feet and require 16 parking spaces.

And C.note at the parking lot must be reconfigured to meet city requirements for retail parking of four spaces per thousand square feet and provide 88 parking spaces within the parking lot.

The site has a parking lot with a curb cutoff Lee Highway.

There is no minimum lot size for commercial uses in the CT zone.

And just a reminder, this is an existing structure.

The site is an existing commercial building with access to Lee Highway.

Neither C dot nor LDO expressed concerns with the site.

The proposed liquor store is zone C2 convenience, commercial zone.

Let's scroll to the back one.

An RPA field review indicates there are no schools, recreational parks or other liquor stores within 500 square feet of 7703 Lee Highway.

Because the property is zone C2, just reminder that the city codes states that no lot proposed for a liquor store site may be located within 500 feet from the nearest property line of a site, which is used for the purpose of a recreational park, place of worship, school, daycare center, other liquor store.

So that's why those other land use requirements are noted.

Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian church is located at 747 Bonny Oaks Drive, and it's approximately 626 feet to the west of the site.

That church is located north of Lee Highway and not the larger Silverdale Baptist, which is located a little bit farther to the west and away from the site.

The city council acted on October 26th, 2021 to approve the purchase with a hotel located at 7725 Lee Highway.

The hotel was purchased to turn into supportive housing to help people who are housing insecure, and that property is approximately 615 feet from the proposed liquor store.

The following two slides show those distance measurements.

The first one they're showing the distance to Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian located to the west of the site and the distance to the city's newly acquired property there just to the Northeast.

Just a last few remaining slides.

The site is zone C2 convenience commercial with no zoning conditions.

All adjacent properties are zone C2 convenience commercial zone and liquor stores are listed as a use permitted as a special exceptions by city council.

And finally, other than complying with the parking requirements, no additional requirements are suggested.

And we did update the report.

The applicant had submitted some photos showing some striping in the parking lot, and those were updated to the staff report provided in your packet.

- All right, are there any questions for staff at this time?

Okay, thank you Karen.

All right, at this time, we will give the applicant a total of nine minutes.

- Okay, so my name is Mike Patel.

Sorry, I'm nervous.

But the parking lot has been updated to- - Give us your name, please.

- Mike Patel.

- [Chip] Okay, thank you.

- Yeah, the parking lot has been updated to the city requirements so we do have a handicapped parking spot, and now we have 19 parking spots.

And I guess since the city bought the hotel back in November or sign a contract, there is liquor store (indistinct).

So I'm not sure why the oppose of liquor score.

- [Chip] Okay, you did have a total of nine minutes or better, is that your presentation?

- Yeah.

- [Chip] Okay, thank you, council members.

- Thank you, Mr Chair.

Can you hear me now, is my mic on?

- Yes, yes.

- Sir I'm sorry, I didn't get your name (chuckles).

- [Mike] I'm Mike Patel.

- Spell your last name for me.

- Patel, P-A-T-E-L. - Patel.

- Patel, Okay.

- Yes.

- So I wish that you had contacted me before you got into this and we could have had some really good conversations.

As you know, the city is turning that area round to meet some different purposes.

And there's been a consortium meeting with the Silverdale church, the other churches.

And I thought I heard you say something about one of the motel owners, I couldn't hear you.

Let me tell you, I've been contacted by the motel owner facing your store to the left of you plus people from other districts that are working hard to turn this area around.

As you know, this is a permissive action and we can either approve or deny the exception.

Were you aware that there were people that didn't want the liquor store to come back again?

- No, ma'am.

- No.

- Okay, it's always a word to the wise when you're doing something like this to contact whoever the council person is in the area so that we can work together.

Because so much effort is going into this area, and there's an area much larger than just your area involved.

Very respectfully and regretfully, I'm gonna move to deny.

- [Chip] Okay, before we make any motions, let me make sure we don't have any other questions or comments and dismiss our applicants.

Are there any other questions for the applicants at this time?

Okay, all right, thank you, sir and ma'am.

Okay, council members.

- I think I've said what I think is important to understand, and if there are no other questions, I respectfully moved to deny.

- [Chip] Very well, we have a motion on floor to deny.

Do we have a second?

With a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote on the motion to deny?

All right, all in favor of the motion to deny, aye?

- Aye.

- Any oppose, no?

The motion to deny carries.

That takes us down to our purchase requests this afternoon.

- All right, yes, sir.

We have four purchases this evening.

The first one's Waste Resources Division and Public works.

Second final contract renewal for sewer line cleaning services, sweeping Corp of America Inc submitted a 6.8% price increase at the time of renewal, which has been applied for all customers.

The annual amount is $600,000 and is recommended for approval.

Item two, Fleet Management Division of Public Works purchase for parts and installation of rear cargo barriers for police interceptor vehicles.

This is an additional non-contract item with on-duty Depot, Inc. Due to a redesign for the 2021 Ford police interceptor utility vehicles.

The amount is $56,250 and is recommended for approval.

Item three, Facilities Division of Public Works, second and final contract renewal for air filters, air filtration services submitted a 24% increase for 34 of the 99 contract line items due to price increases from the manufacturer.

The annual amount of 70,000 and is recommended for approval.

Finally, with the transportation division of public works increased purchase order number 561155 by $20,000 for a new annual amount of $40,000.

The increase Is needed to cover costs until the contract expires April 29th, 2022.

And this is for speed cushion material.

- [Chip] All right, council, you've heard tonight's purchase requests.

What's the pleasure of the council?

(man speaks faintly) - Second.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor of tonight's purchases, aye?

- Aye.

- Any oppose, no?

So be it.

- Thank you.

- Under other business this afternoon, we do have a settlement that needs to be announced by our city attorney, Madam attorney.

- This is an announcement of a settlement in the Pratt litigation and federal court case number 119 CV 10.

I got that wrong, but anyway, it's the Pratt litigation and the settlement amount is both non-monetary consideration of 1.55 acres of land to be conveyed to the north Chickamauga Creek Conservancy for the benefit of the Conservancy and the public.

And the payment of the settlement amount as the city will pay the sum of $425,000 and then Pratt will dismiss the litigation and the parties will release each other, thank you.

- [Chip] Thank you.

- One other thing, this was previously authorized by the council.

- Okay, thank you.

All right, that takes care of all agenda items this afternoon.

That brings us to recognition of persons wishing to address the council.

We obviously have some individuals that would like to address the council this afternoon.

So I will ask Madam Attorney, if she would to read the rules to engage the council.

- [Madam Attorney] Each speaker wishing to address the council shall be recognized at the podium and the microphone by the chair.

Please state your name and keep your comments upon matters within the legislative and quasi judicial authority of the council.

And we will put the clock on for three minutes unless you have additional time.

- All right, Mr.

IT if you'd give us three minutes on the clock and begin by stating your name and district number, if you would please.

- My name is Bryce Starnes.

I'm a homeless veteran, I don't have address and number.

I reside here in Chattanooga.

I wanna say thank you for your time.

I wholeheartedly pray that this council takes what I say seriously.

I wanna speak to you regarding the homelessness in Chattanooga.

Joshua Cartluge as well as many others members of the public came together to help grow this growing problem.

More major things that Mr Cartluge and his team have done for me and several others is provide a secure shelter where we can progress towards a better future.

Shelters provided such as the Chattanooga Rescue Mission are not adequate for progressing towards being a productive member of society.

If an individual who has made mistakes or has health problems that have led them to the very bottom in life, truly wants to get back into society and have a better future, that person needs more than just a place to sleep for the night.

They need a secure place where they can keep their belongings.

And I wanna emphasize the word secure.

Belongs such as clean clothing, important documents and basic stuff that people take for granted like hygiene products.

Also a large part of getting back to being a productive member of society is being able to get the rest that you need.

For example, if a homeless individual worked in eight hours a day, in most cases, that person will have an added three hours travel time, have to carry all their belongings with them because shelters require you to take your belongings with you when you leave, this will be difficult for even the healthy individual.

Yes, the person could go through the same routine every day and never progress, some people are okay with it.

My question to this council was, was the public, did we put everyone in that category?

I believe we should find a more productive system in order to help the homeless move forward.

I believe that the idea of tiny shelters will help.

I pray that we come together on this issue.

A major point that I am trying to make is the homeless population is not growing smaller, it continues to grow every day.

The policies and programs that are in place at this time are not conducive to lessening homelessness, but just keeping homeless, homeless.

I believe if we work together, we more certainly can turn the tides towards a better future, not only for the homeless, but for Chattanooga as a whole.

The times ahead to take action is now.

And all of this comes from homeless veteran with boots on the ground.

- [Chip] Sir, would you give me your last name again?

- Starnes, S-T-A-R-N-E-S. - Starnes, what branch of service did you serve?

- Air Force.

- Air Force.

- Yes, sir.

- [Chip] Thank you for your service.

Hey Ryan, could you get with Mr. Starnes after this meeting?

And we've got a lot of help and services that we can hook you up with as a veteran, sir, if you'd get with Ryan right there after the meeting.

Thank you.

- Thank you all.

- [Chip] Yes, ma'am.

- I'm Megan Godfrey.

Sorry if you can hear my heartbeat through me talking.

- [Chip] Just take a deep breath, get that mask off so you can breathe.

- So this is the first time I've been to anything like this.

Josh asked me an hour ago 'cause he knows that this isn't my speed.

But basically what I've been doing, I don't even live in Chattanooga.

I've been on Facebook, getting all of the community surrounding together to get supplies together for our homeless people.

And I've been doing that over Facebook for over a year.

At this point I have over 700 people that follow me.

That's double what the news says we have as homeless people in Chattanooga.

I'm shaking now, sorry.

I've been working with Josh to build the tiny homes that we have off of people's street.

Today I guess I just wanted to come out and meet you guys and show my face and hope that we can work together to do something better than we're doing right now.

And that's really all I have to say today.

- Thank you for coming.

- Thank you.

- Hello, my name is Joshua Capella, and I'm an advocate for unsheltered citizens of Chattanooga.

The air force core values are integrity first, service before self and excellence in all you do.

These values I still carry today.

Sorry I was crying, I can't really read my notes here but...

Values are ones determination of what is important.

What one thinks about says, and does can be weighed according to a virtuous set of ideals with respect to morality, a just sense of what is right or wrong, good or bad.

Like our inalienable physical senses of being, sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feeling, we humans also possess census to which some call cognition and awareness of self and how we relate to each other.

Our senses allow us to thrive and for others to survive.

Some of us have heard the term survival of the fittest.

Fitness can be judged by a stopwatch, a weight scale, or a balance sheet.

It can be measured and observed.

Have you ever noticed someone at work who seems sad?

We all have.

Have you asked what's wrong or how you are, or just go on about your day?

Do you make a gesture or a gift or spend time talking as to console.

Now through life, we see all kinds of different things, some good and some bad.

And from that we can make conclusions.

We can justly observe situations and make decisions.

I have observed over 12 years in Chattanooga, a dire situation getting worse with respect to people experiencing extreme, personal suffering as unsheltered citizens of Chattanooga.

While no one particular person, party or specific circumstance can be blamed, the number of people in our city who are unsheltered is growing.

Now here I stand a son of God, a father of four boys and a veteran of the air force during war.

I cannot sleep at night while my friends suffer in the cold, in the rain and in danger.

I have with the help of many others, I've gotten to work with very little resources to build shelter for my friends, Megan and James and I built a house for Brett, our veteran and his dog, in 6.5 hours with $50.

I've attended many of these meetings and reached out to several individuals from the city and have attended many other meetings.

And over the past eight months, I haven't received a lot of support, but I have from individuals in the community.

And basically working on a nonprofit and basically my message is, together, we can fix this problem.

Each person gets a hammer, nails and a pry bar so they can build themselves more than what we can build in the little amount of time.

Your hammer carries a lot more weight, and in the right direction and manner, we can do more.

Thank you.

- Thank you for service sir.

- Marema district a glad to be back after surviving COVID, my God.

Oh man, yesterday we celebrated and last week we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr. And I've quoted him so many times over the last several years because he is a complex man, but a powerful with a legacy that stood against racial injustice, bias, capitalism, militarism, imperialism, and all systems of oppression against the black and poor people in America.

His words tonight, "Power at its best is love "implementing the demands of justice.

"Justice at its best is love, "correcting everything that stands against love."

Do we love the people if we let them be homeless?

Do we love the people if their grocery stores close?

Do we love the people if they wait out in the cold because we don't update our transit system?

Do we love black people if we have Dr. Ken Chilton put out another report that supported the fact that your public policies have helped to remove black people from Chattanooga by the thousands?

You don't love people if they starve, if they're homeless, miseducated and left out of economic, agricultural, and educational opportunity.

Councilwoman Coonrod reiterated something that was stated in the paper last year, that the majority of our boards and communities are not only white male dominated, they're white dominated.

Meaning that women and people of color get little to no opportunity to even represent our boards and committees.

When are we going to get real family?

You don't love us just 'cause you pray to God.

Does God here you if you don't love man that you see every single day and do something about the conditions of which men, women, and children are living in?

You don't love me.

You don't love these people if you drive by those tents that I have seen triple, quadruple over my entire lifetime in Chattanooga and let those people freeze out in the cold.

Do we love one another for real?

We got clergys sitting up here.

Do you really love me?

Do you really love these people?

Do you really love our community?

'Cause love is justice emotion.

Love is justice flowing like a mighty flow in stream.

And love is removing the barriers that are there preventing people from being able to transcend and reach their highest potential.

I just wanna reiterate once again, it is so important to not be indifferent every single week, but you have the power, such power to change the lives of so many people.

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