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

(bright cheerful music) - All right, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to our Tuesday, March the 30th City Council meeting.

I now call this meeting to order.

Our pledge of allegiance and invocation, should she desire, will be by Councilwoman Coonrod this afternoon.

- Thank you, Chair.

If you all would join me in the Pledge.

- [Attendees] I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

- If you all join me in prayer.

Father, God, I come to you tonight with heavy heart, heavy because historically black people have continued on this journey to fight for equitable access and equal opportunity for us all.

And Lord, we've just had people to continue to propose grievous acts of injustice, unrighteousness regarding voting rights.

Lord, we just ask that you heal those individuals from any malice or any hatred that they have towards people whose skin color may not be the same as theirs.

Father God, I pray for our council that in our hearts that we will do the right thing for the citizens of Chattanooga so our people will have equal opportunity.

Lord, we've had amendment after amendment with our constitution, and yet we continue these battles, historically since 1865.

Just for fighting for freedom, and, and Lord, at this point, I'm tired.

I'm tired Lord, because people just don't see it the way that I see it, coming from the struggles of those that life, that the hand that I have been dealt.

Father God, help us all to just see it through your lens so we can do your work, what you've placed us here in council to do Lord, and the chance first that we're able to change lives of everyone, and to reduce absolute poverty to give everybody a fighting chance, Lord.

And Lord, I just end with that.

Lord, I just, you know I pray that you would not be as keen and sharp with his words towards me.

But I just ask that you know we have two councilwomen on our council, and we don't even work together, Lord.

I just pray that we common ground with each other and through the work that we're supposed to do to build here and move us forward, and all these things I ask in Jesus' name, I pray, amen.

- All right, we have no special presentations tonight.

Could I get a motion on the minutes?

- Move to approve.

- Second.

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

Questions or comments before we vote?

And Clerk, roll call, please.

- Councilor Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilor Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilor Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilor Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilor Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- All's have it.

Now we move into your order of business for the city council, ordinances, final reading.

Madame Clerk, 5 A and B, if you would read together please.

- Yes.

Item A, an ordinance closing and abandoning a sanitary sewer easement located in the 400 block of Druid Lane, 405, 407, 411, 415, 419, and 423, as detailed on the attached map.

Item B, an ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 24, Article 14, Section 24-502 relating to speed on through streets.

- Councilor Mitchell.

- Move approval.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve items 5 A and B with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Madame Clerk, roll call, please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilor Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilor Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilor Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilor Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilor Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion carries, 9-0.

Now Madame Clerk, we move to ordinances on first reading.

Let's take item 6 A, please.

- Shall I read the planning version?

- I think we have a alternate version, Madame Clerk, that we need to read.

- Yes.

- Alternate version.

An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 38, Zoning Ordinance, so as to rezone properties located in the 7000 block of Shallowford Road, and 2301 Rivendell Lane, from R-1 Residential Zone and R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone to R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone for the entire site, subject to certain conditions.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Phil, can you go over the conditions on the alternate version?

I'm not seeing the alternate version.

- The alternate version has a map that should have been attached, which we will include in the final version of this.

And the alternate version would include five conditions.

- Correct.

- The five conditions that are involved are parcels 149G-B-003, 149G-B-005, and 149-GB-006.46 to be zoned 01, or office one.

Parcels 149G-B-002 and 149G-B-004 to be rezoned RTZ, number 3 A7 a seven foot 11 wood opaque fence to be constructed with finished lewd side facing Preston circle properties in accordance with city standards.

Number four, storm water peak attenuation implemented onsite for this development shall reduce post construction runoff rates for the 2 year to the 25 year storm events by a minimum of 20% from the peak construction runoff rate.

And lastly, the provision is that for any shared property line with a parcel running on Preston circle the subject shall maintain a 35 foot setback from these property lines where no building or structure shall be prevented permitted other than screening requirements as noted in the ordinance.

I believe that is all of the conditions.

- Phil, I need you to add in, after Preston circle the words and Royal, Royal Fern trail.

- Okay, and Royal Fern trail.

- Yes, sir.

- Okay, sir, I will do that.

- Very good.

Thank you for that.

And counsel, thank you for indulging me.

This has been a back and forth for probably a year or more now, and it was a process working with the HOA and the applicant to get to this point.

I have spoken to both of them today.

I do not believe you will see any hands raised because they have come to an agreement in this zoning case.

And with these conditions, I will move to approve.

- Second.

- Mr. Attorney.

- Yes, sir.

- Since this is first reading of a zoning case I think I do need to ask for opposition, correct?

- Please do.

- Yup.

Okay.

So first of all, I'm going to ask if the applicant is present, would you please raise your hand?

Secondly, I'm going to ask if there is any opposition in attendance this afternoon, would you please raise your hand at this time?

Okay.

I'm not seeing any opposition, so we do have a motion on the floor to approve a with these conditions and a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Okay.

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilor Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Council Mitchell.

- Yes.

- Council Ledford?

- Yes.

- Council Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwomen Coonrod?

- You're muted, Councilwomen.

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved, now by them clerk.

Let's read Adam 6B, please.

- Has mentioned, City call part II chapter 31 by adding a new section 31 three 24.3 vegetative planning requirements.

When steep slopes are disturbed.

A new section, 31 three 24.4 steep slope visitation policy and planning requirements.

And I know section 31 three 24.5 incentives for preservation of existing trees.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Thank you, Mr. Chairman, we have talked at length about this very unique piece of legislation for over a year.

We first heard about it on July 7th of 2020 in our planning and zoning committee at presentation, creating new vegetation standards when addressing steep slope areas.

Since July of last year, we have discussed this at council a few times and asked for public and staff input.

I have reached out to those in the community that served on the advisory committee in natural resource assessment for constructive advice.

And I appreciate staff comments brought forth in great detail.

We have before us now an ordinance that checks 2 of the 10 listed items by staff as a result of the natural resource assessment.

The first one being a definition of a steep slope and the second one, being providing new vegetation and tree canopy standards, notably numbers, one and four on the official list provided by staff.

Arguably, this ordinance addresses 20% of that list.

I believe that is progress and a step forward for our city.

I want to thank all of you who sent emails regarding this ordinance.

I truly value your input.

Your advice, your suggestions.

I read every email.

Your voice is heard loud and clear.

The ordinance before us tonight is unique to our city and creates a new section of city code.

It creates a pathway to accomplish something that does not exist.

It sets new standards for how we view a steep slope and how we identify them.

It allows LDO to review a landscape plan.

Prior to the issuing of a land disturbance permit had this ordinance been in place over the past few years we possibly would not have seen some of the problems arise that spurred public outcry.

No, it does not check every box for every concern.

No, it does not address every item on staff's list, but it does put a dent in it.

It does and will make a difference in how we view, identify and address this very important issue.

As I've stated before, it is a significant step with that chairman.

I move to approve.

- Second.

- All right.

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

Questions or comments before we vote, Councilman Mitchell.

- Mr.

Chair, I would like to offer an amendment in the form of a motion and that would be to take the 33% and put it at 30%.

- Sir.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to amend from 33 to 30 with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote on the amendment?

Councilman Ledford, old hand, new hand - Old hand, sir.

But I am amenable to that amendment.

- All right.

Very well.

Any questions or comments before we vote on the amendment?

Madam clerk, roll call on the amendment at this time.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwomen Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Cousilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion to amend does carry now.

Councilman Ledford.

- I move to approve as amended.

- Second.

- We have a motion to approve as amended with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion to approve as amended carries 9-0.

Madam clerk.

If you will, let's read six C, please.

- An ordinance, amend chard of city code part II chapter 31 article eight, division eight, section 31 through 65 through procedure judicial review to provide authority for the stormwater regulations to prohibit the issuance of additional managed service permits after noticing here about the stormwater regulations board but civil penalties are not paid to the city of Chattanooga.

- Councilman Mitchell, you're muted, Sir.

- Thank you.

We'll approve.

- Second.

- Okay, We have a motion on the floor to approve item six C with a proper second, questions or comments before we vote?

All right.

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved.

All right.

Now we move into resolutions.

Madam clerk.

I'd like to take, if there are no objection from the council, economic community development finance mayor's office and legal that would be items, A, B, C, D, and E as a package please, Ma'am.

- Yes.

Item A, resolution authorizing the administrator for the department of economic and community development to extend an existing master services master services agreement with civic plus Inc.

In substantially the form attached for open spaces, outdoor Chattanooga and city park reservation management for a term of 10 months from April 25, 2021 through February 24, 2022 a resolution confirming the mineral support to Nico Jackson as interim city treasurer with an effective date of March 30, 2021. item C, resolution confirming the mayor's reappointment of Karen Naser to the stormwater regulations board.

for item D, a resolution confirming the mayor's appointments of Sharon Green and Dominic brand to the youth and family development board.

Item E a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the brownfield voluntary agreement with the state of Tennessee department of environmental and conservation division of remediation concerning the old Upton city mill site located at 12, 10 mercy street, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

- All right.

Councilwoman Berz.

- Move approval.

- Second.

- Well, we have a motion on the floor to approve items A, B, C, D, and E, with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion to approve items.

Seven, A, B, D, and E carries 9-0.

Now Madam clerk, if you would, let's move down to public works and transportation F, G, H, and I if there are no objections from the council.

I see none - Item F resolution authorizing the administrator for the department of public works to enter into five, year five of a possible five-year agreement with material matters team for professional services related to the bio solids data management system and all services listed there.

And for the amount not to exceed $55,750.

Item G, a resolution adopted a memorandum of understanding between the city of Chattanooga and young men's Christian association of metropolitan Chattanooga by MCA is substantially the form attached to establish a basis for reimbursement of utilities and personnel expenses incurred by the way CA and support the city's volunteer emergency response and debris removal work and conditioned with the April, 2020 tornado event, D.R.

45 41.

Item H, the resolution authorizing the city of Chattanooga to reimburse the city of Knoxville for $48,631.94 of mutual aid, expenses incurred on the April, 2020 tornado event, D.R.

45 41.

Item I, a resolution to a new resolution number 30607.

To increase the annual, not to exceed amount by an additional $400,000 for advice not to exceed amount of $700,000 for the remainder year three of a four year term for the on-call blanket contracts for structural engineering services contract number E-18008101 resolution number two now 704 for the following seven consulting firm.

one Allen and coastal Inc two Alfred Venetian company three CTI engineers Inc four S this Russell engineering aid five integrated structural services Inc six Mark Adams and associates Inc, and seven Volcker, Inc. - All right, what's the pleasure of the council.

- Move to approval.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve item seven F, G, H and I with the proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call, please.

- Councilwomen Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd.

- Yes.

- Councilwomen Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Let's have it.

Well, that brings us to purchases council, if you would bring up your purchase items this afternoon, and as we bring Mr.Tony salmons in.

Good evening, Mr. Salmons.

- [Mr. Salmons] Good evening, Mr.

Chair, members of council.

Hope everyone's doing all right this evening - I'm good.

Thank you.

- We have a few purchases for your review and approval today.

First starting with the citywide services division of public works, we have stump grinding and removal services being awarded to tree works LLC for an estimated annual cost of $53,966.85.

Next, we have from the fleet management division of public works, tire purchases and emergency services being paid to best one tire of Chattanooga for a total amount of $2,792.34.

This is the payment of invoices that were incurred after the blanket expired.

The next item we have also from fleet management the purchase of three, Ford trucks being awarded to Ford of Dalton for an estimated annual cost of $173,825.

Also from fleet management, we have emergency equipment removal services being paid to Lee Smith incorporated as a request of an increase of $60,001 for a total annual estimated spend of $85,000.

Also from fleet management, we have tooling and fluid draining of 10 buses being awarded to Stellar's wrecker Incorporated for our total cost of $3,675 Dollars.

And the last item from parts division of public works.

We have sports lighting, replacement and installation at Lakeside ball fields and Hickson's youth athletic association football field being awarded to rentals, electrical contractors LLC for estimated annual cost of $515,800.

And that concludes the new purchases for this evening.

- Thank you, Mr. Salmons.

What's the pleasure of the council?

- Move approval.

- Second.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve this evening's purchases with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrad?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion carries.

Thank you, Mr. Salmons.

- Thank you.

Have a good evening.

Alright.

- Now we move to committee reports and I will take them as I see them on the screen.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- No report, sir.

- Councilman Ledford?

- No report, sir.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes, sir, May the 4th, We will be having a public safety committee meeting when we will get our quarterly report from park looking forward to it.

- All right, sir.

And I think it was brought up earlier about having a public safety meeting to discuss the proposed legislation on residency requirement.

- Yes when that happens on may the 4th as well.

- Well, I think it's been placed on the agenda for April the 13th.

- April the 13th, so we have one look at look at public public safety April the 13th and May the 4th and the looking forward to both of them.

- Okay.

Thank you.

- Yes.

- Vice Chair Smith?

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Earlier today we did have a legislative committee meeting and we covered resolutions brought before this body for the residency for our first responders, as well as making June 10th a holiday.

Both of those items will be moving forward to the agenda on the 13th.

No further report.

- Thank you.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- No report sir.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Officer, family and term today.

- Thank you.

Councilman Mitchell?

- Thank you.

Mr.

Chair.

We'll have public works and transportation committee meeting next Tuesday, April 6, following agenda session.

Thank you.

- Thank you, Councilman Oglesby?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Today, we had an economic and community development committee meeting where we had a discussion with open spaces on ways we can increase access to our our outdoor facilities and ways to encourage diversity and its uses and the kind of programs that we have in those, in those spaces.

- All right.

Thank you, sir.

- Thank you.

- I would like to remind everyone that this council does plan on being back in chambers next week for our first in-person meeting, I suppose in about a year.

So that will be April the 6th.

We'll begin at 3:30 for our agenda session and then our regular six o'clock meeting.

That's next, April, next, next Wednesday, April the 6th.

- [Narrator] You've been watching highlights of the Chattanooga city council meeting.

A production of WTC PBS.

For a copy of this program, please call (423) 702-7800 or email videoservices@wtcitv.org.