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

(bright upbeat music) - Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our Tuesday, March the 22nd council meeting.

I now call this meeting to order.

Our Pledge of Allegiance and invocation should he desire, will be given by Councilman Darrin Ledford.

(indistinct chatter) Excellent.

(indistinct chatter) (all laughing) (indistinct chatter) (all laughing) (indistinct chatter) - [All] To the flag, of the Untied States of America and to the republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

- It's good to have you gentlemen with us this afternoon.

Thank you.

We have no special presentations this afternoon, could I have a motion on the minutes please?

Motion of the minutes, with a proper second, are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor, Aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

So moved.

We have no ordinances on final reading this afternoon.

We do have one ordinance on first reading under planning, Madam clerk, six A please.

- [Clerk] An ordinance to amend Chattanooga code part two, chapter 38 zoning ordinance, so as the regional properties located at 3838 and 3840 Hickson Pike from R four special zone to C2, convenience commercial zone, subject to certain conditions.

- Seeing how this is a zoning change request, we do have a public hearing is the case number 2022-0014, is the applicant present?

- Okay, thank you.

Is there any opposition to this case present?

(indistinct) - Okay.

Councilwoman Hill, I think, well, I see an applicant and maybe some opposition.

Would you like to have a brief presentation from staff?

Councilwoman Hill.

- I'm sorry, I'm surprised by.

- [Burke] I'm doing it for the troupe.

- Okay, so troupe, what we're gonna do now, is because we have opposition.

We have a process and our applicant is going to get, how many minutes chair?

- The applicant will get nine minutes total, he'll get a seven minute and then a two minute rebuttal and opposition will get a total of nine minutes.

- So that's what we're gonna do now.

If you need nine minutes, but if you don't, I don't need a presentation.

- Okay.

So no presentation needed, this is just.

(indistinct) Would you like nine minutes sir, to present your case?

- [Burke] I would not need nine minutes (indistinct).

- Well, would you like to present your case within nine minutes?

- [Burke] It would be beneficial to the troupe, I would be happy to.

- Come ahead.

Normally we would have staff give just a brief presentation, but I think we'll just suffice.

- My name is Burke Norton.

I represent Mr. Bird in the purchase of this property.

Right now it's vacant and has been for quite some time.

Mr. Bird owns some several properties around town where he runs businesses.

And he would like to own where he has this piece of property and not be leasing a nearby piece to run his business.

He's been a significant member of the business community for well over 20 years, intends to build a very nice, new building, everything obviously to code and slick looking for the community, and we hope to have no opposition, and if we do, we'd be happy to meet with them and explain to 'em what we're trying to do and come to some kind of an agreement, if that's not objected.

- [Chair] All right.

Counsel, any questions for the applicant?

Mr. Attorney?

- Yes, sir, just wanted to make sure there are three conditions on this property, need to make sure that your client is willing to accept.

No grading, clearing or land disturbance of building located beyond 115 feet from the front property line, clearing, grading land disturbance of building shall only occur within that 115 feet from the front property line.

And it's limited to one curb cut on Hickson Pike.

Additional curb cuts have to be approved by the division of transportation and new and used vehicle dealerships are prohibited in this location, is that acceptable?

- [Burke] Absolutely.

- All right, sir, thank you.

- Councilwoman Hill?

- Thank you very much, I'd like to hear our opposition now.

- Miss Aitee, if you'd give us nine minutes, thank you.

- All right, I am also the president of the Fairfax Heights, Bagwell city, Lupton city neighborhood association.

And I want to thank Mr. Burke Norton for coming to our neighborhood meeting, presenting the case and there was no opposition at the meeting and there's really no opposition now.

We're working on the citizenship in the community merit badge, and I just wanted to show 'em the process, that's all.

- [Chair] Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Chair, with that work being done and the case being heard, Mr. Norton, do you need to rebut anything?

No, okay.

Then I move to approve this item, with the conditions as read.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor, aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

Motion carries.

Moving now to resolutions.

Counsel, if there are no objections, I'm gonna ask the clerk if she would read seven A and B together, please.

- [Clerk] Item A, a resolution authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into an agreement to exercise option to renew with the Chattanooga Radio Control Club and essentially the form attached for the lease of approximately six acres and a defined fly zone for the flying a model airplanes, club meetings and other connected activities, located at 4246 Woodland Drive, on a portion of tax parcel number 140,133 for the additional term one year through March 31, 2023 for the annual fee of $200.

Item B, a resolution authorized a reimbursement to the following temporary assistance for needy families TAANF, Tennessee opportunity pilot of initiative partners, one Chattanooga area regional transportation authority carter, Chattanooga area chamber of commerce, Chattanooga State Community College, the enterprise center, first thing's first, signal center Southeast Tennessee development district, SETD, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Chattanooga TCAT, Chattanooga, United University of Tennessee, College of Social Work and Social Work Office of research and Public Service, and university of Tennessee at Chattanooga for expenses and curve for the Tennessee opportunity pilot initiative planning grant during the 90 day planning period of December 30, 2021 through March 30, 2022 for an amount not to exceed $445,000.

- And for the benefit of our scout troupe, I have a screen here that a council person can notify me that they would like to speak or make a motion.

And so when they hit what we call, when they hit their light I can activate their mic and then they're active to talk.

Councilman, Ledford.

- Chairman thank you, and for educational purposes, I would like to say this is a resolution that we are acting on which is an authorizing an action.

The item before us was the first reading of an ordinance which is setting something into law.

So now a resolution we're moving into authorizing an action.

And with that Mr. Chairman, I'm very happy that the Chattanooga radio club, which is located in District four, once again to renew their lease of the use of the property at summit.

Very happy to move for approval.

- Councilwoman Conroy.

We have a motion on the floor to approve items Seven A, and B.

Were there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor, aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

So ordered.

Moving now to the mayor's office.

Madam clerk with no objection, would you please read C and D together please?

- [Clerk] Item C your resolution confirm mayor Kelly's appointments of Jermaine Freeman and Iran Desai to the stadium corporation board.

Item D, resolution confirm mayor Kelly's appointment of Ken Jones to the library board of directors.

- Councilwoman Burres, followed by Councilman Ledford.

- [Burres] Move approval.

- Councilman Ledford.

- [Ledford] Thank you Mr.

Chair, I'd like to welcome Ken Jones after this vote, the president of District four to the library board of directors, I second the motion.

- All right, we have a motion on the floor to approve items seven C and D with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor, aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

So moved.

Moving now to public works.

Madam clerk with no objections, would you read item seven E and F together please?

- [Clerk] Item E a resolution authorized in the administrative for the department of public works to approve change order number one final, will clean code construction in Tennessee, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for contract number R15021201, various parks, ADA improvements for final reconciliation of unit items, additional work at the Warner Park pool shade structure and the avenue community center were an increased amount of $91,339 and 84 cents for a revised contract total amount of $653,659 and 34 cents.

Item F, a resolution authorized in the administrative for the department of public works, to renew blanket contract number W20010201, paving and concrete repair or replacement for year two of four years with PRIV's Tennessee Inc, a Knoxville, Tennessee, and T and T concrete LLC, a Calhoun Tennessee for an annual amount, not to exceed $1.5 million.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Chairman, again for educational purposes for our guests today, the first item E on your agenda is a change order and the council has to approve any expenditures by the mayor's office over $25,000.

So that's why we're seeing that item on our list.

The second item F is actually a contract and we approve or disapprove of actions regarding contracts.

Thank you, chairman.

- Would you like to make a motion, sir?

- [Ledford] I'm gonna yield to our parks and public works committee.

(indistinct) - We have a motion on the floor to approve item seven E and F with a proper second.

Were there any questions or comments before we vote?

All in favor, aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

The ayes have it.

Moving now to purchases.

Mr. Goldberg, are you presenting tonight?

- [Goldberg] Yes sir.

- Okay.

- Ready?

- [Chair] We are.

- For the benefit of the troupe, I'm gonna read all the purchases that we have this week that are over $25,000 for council approval.

All right, first one is for the municipal golf course's new blanket contract for golf carts.

One bid was received.

This solicitation was re-advertised and yielded no additional bids.

The award will go to easy go division of Textron Inc, this will be a five year contract with an annual amount not to exceed 115,000.

The next three items are all from the fleet management division of public works.

This is for three new blanket contracts for police vehicle equipment.

These will be four year contracts with a combined annual amount of 110,000.

There were four bids received for each type of equipment.

The awards go to the following vendors as the best bids meeting specifications.

Satina equipment award goes to On Duty Depot with an annual amount not to exceed 70,000, Gamber Johnson equipment, award goes to On Duty Depot, with an annual amount not to exceed 30,000 and have us equipment award goes to Dana's Safety Supply Inc with an annual amount not to exceed 10,000.

Fifth item is from the citywide services division of public works.

This is the first of two renewals for the purchase of trees.

Hidden Valley Nursery submitted a price increase of 11% at the time of renewal with an annual amount not to exceed 25,000.

Sixth, water quality division, public works.

First of two renewals for municipal parking lot cleaning services, Sweeping Corp of America Inc submitted a price increase of 6.8% at the time of renewal with an annual amount not to exceed 70,000.

And finally, from the transportation division of public works, first of two renewals for purchase of preform speed cushions from sorry, Rubber Foam Recycled Products LLC submitted a price increase of 19% sent at the time of renewal with an annual amount, not to exceed 40,000.

- [Chair] What's the pleasure of the council?

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote on tonight's purchase request?

All in favor, aye.

- [Councilpersons] Aye.

- Any opposed, no.

Motion carries, thank you.

All right, now moving to committee reports.

Councilwoman Hill.

Councilman Ledford.

- [Ledford] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Planning and zoning will meet next Tuesday on April the fifth, immediately following our agenda session.

- Councilman Hester.

- [Hester] We met today and we'll meet again in two weeks.

- Thank you, Councilwoman Burres.

- [Burres] No report.

- Councilwoman Dotley.

- [Dotley] The equity community are meeting today.

- Thank you.

Councilwoman (indistinct).

- Thank you, Councilwoman (indistinct).

- [Councilwoman] No report.

- Thank you.

That covers all of our agenda items this afternoon.

Now we come to the portion of our agenda, that we recognize persons wishing to address the council this afternoon.

Now, by a show of hands, do we have anyone in our audience this afternoon that would like to address council?

Yes, sir.

All right, we do have some rules to address the council and I'm gonna ask the attorney if he would read those rules.

Sir, if you would like to come to the podium, make your way to the podium while he's reading those rules, so you can begin when he finishes.

- Not so many years ago, I too got my community citizenship and the community merit badge in Asheville, North Carolina for troupe 46, so I did have to go through this process long ago.

At this point in time, the public comment section is occurring any city council meeting and this is an opportunity for anybody to be able to address the council at this time.

And here's the rules.

Each speaker wishing to address the council can only be recognized at the microphone.

For that purpose, you can't have more than three minutes to speak, you can only address the council upon matters within their legislative and quasi judicial authority and you can't address 'em on matters which are under the authority of other governmental bodies or agencies.

You can't say any vulgar or obscene language, nor use the floor to personally attack or personally denigrate others and address your comments to the council as a whole and not make 'em towards any individual council members.

Having stated those rules, go ahead, sir.

- Would you give us three minutes on the clock and begin by stating your name please?

- Mark Mullins.

I'm not sure if you guys covered this, but we have many telephone poles in our neighborhood and I believe they're AT&T posts.

The one at my house is actually split in half and looks like it could fall at any time AT&T has been notified and have not removed the poles.

These are because these poles are sitting there because they've put a new pole in, right beside it and they've left the old pole.

It's been over year and they have not yet removed it and I'm also standing up here because I wanted to show the troupe.

(all laughing) That's all I have.

- So before you leave, Ellis, does this fall in your wheelhouse or in Kim's?

Ellis.

(all laugh loudly) If you'd get with, with Mr. Red right there, if you'd get with Red after the service, after the service.

After the council meeting.

(all laugh) I feel like I need a service after today.

(all laugh) All right, is there anyone else in the audience this afternoon that would like to address the council?

Council, I am not seeing any other hands.

What is your pleasure?

So moved.

(gavel bangs) (indistinct chatter) (bright music) - [Announcer] You've been watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council meeting.

A production of WTCI-PBS.

(bright music) Get access to even more of the shows you love with WTCI Passport, an exclusive benefit for members of WTCI-PBS.

Watch your favorite shows in Passport, on the PBS video app.

Download it today.