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

(bright lively music progressing) - Alright, now we'll move into your order of business for the City Council this afternoon.

Ordinances - Final Reading, we have one item.

Madam Clerk, would you please read 5A?

- An ordinance amending Ordinance No.

9365 substituting ARTSBUILD for Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, Inc. as the official arts agency of the City of Chattanooga to reflect the designated name as ARTSBUILD as the official arts agency of the City of Chattanooga.

- Councilwoman Berz.

- Move approval sir.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve 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.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Eight yeses.

- Motion carries 8-0.

Moving now to ordinances on first reading.

Under Planning, Madam Clerk, 6A please.

- 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, for 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.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

If you would indulge me, I'd like to defer this item to March 16th, next Tuesday.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to defer till March 16th with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved.

Motion item is deferred until March 16th.

Now, we'll move into resolutions.

Economic and Community Development and Human Resources.

Madam Clerk, if there are no objections from the Council, please read 7A through C. - A through C?

- A through C, that's correct.

A, B, and C. - Item A.

A resolution authorizing the Mayor or his designee to enter into a Premises Use Agreement with Rivermont Youth Athletic Association, Inc., in substantially the form attached, for the use of athletic fields and buildings located on a portion of Tax Parcel No.

118K-A-009 at 1096 Lupton Drive, for a term of four (4) years, for annual rent in the amount of $1.00.

Item B.

A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Economic and Community Development to utilize $400,000.00 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Cares Act funding to provide assistance to eligible landlords with vacant units to complete maintenance and minor repairs of up to $4,900.00 per rental unit to enable quick occupancy by a Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) individual or households to support the City of Chattanooga's response to rental housing availability issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Item C. A resolution authorizing the Chief Human Resources Officer to enter into an agreement with Johnston & Associates, Inc. for Third Party Administration of Injury-On-Duty Occupational Health Programs, for an initial term of (2) years and twenty-two (22) days, with renewal options for three additional one year periods, for a vendor service fee cost not to exceed $183,501.00 per year, with estimated claim payments on behalf of the City of Chattanooga at $2,300,000 per year, with total contract payments not to exceed $2,483,501.00 per year.

- Councilman Gilbert followed by Councilman Mitchell.

- Move to approve.

- Second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve items 7A, B, and C with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved.

Now Madam Clerk, if you would, let's read 7D, E, and F if there are no objection from the Council.

- Item D. A resolution authorizing the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to enter into a one (1) year agreement with Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. for the Learning Management System software and support, to be used by the City's Human Resources Department, for an amount not to exceed $37,515.50.

Item E. A resolution authorizing the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to enter into a blanket one (1) year contract with Carahsoft to begin April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, with four (4) optional twelve (12) month renewals, for document signing software to be used with Oracle AST application for use citywide, for an annual amount not to exceed $150,000.00.

Item F. A resolution authorizing a spend limit increase for the existing contract with KCI Technologies to provide Citywork migration consulting services and support (PO#550231), representing a total increase of $50,000.00 for the remainder of the current contract beginning contract year July 17, 2018 through July 17, 2021, from $212,016.95 to $262,016.95.

- Councilman Gilbert, I see your hand.

- Move to approve.

- Second.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve items 7D, E, and F with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Madam Clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion carries 9-0.

Now, if you would, let's just read 7G.

- A resolution confirming the Mayor's appointments of Jocelyn Loza and Dionne Jennings to the Library Board of Directors.

- Councilwoman Berz followed by Councilman Oglesby.

- Move approval.

- Second.

- Okay.

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

Questions or comments before we vote?

I see no hands, roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved.

Now, moving down under Public Works.

I did not hear any concerns this afternoon for items I, I mean, H, I, J, K, and L. So Madam Clerk, would you please read those items?

- Yes.

Item H. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to approve Change Order No.

2 for HDR Engineering, Inc. relative to Contract No.

W-16-017-101, MBWWTP Solids Process Optimization Implementation - Phase 2, a Consent Decree Project, for an increased amount of $43,640.00, for a revised contract amount of $811,769.00.

Item I.

A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to award Contract No.

W-19-015-201, Riverview Park/CGCC Chronic Overflow Elimination Project, to Hurst Excavating, LLC of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the amount of $3,251,518.00, with a contingency amount of $325,000.00, for an amount not to exceed $3,576,518.00.

Item J.

A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to award Contract No.

Y-20-028-201, North Chattanooga Head Start Demolition Contract, to Tower Construction Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the amount of $53,717.00, plus a contingency amount of $5,000.00, for an amount not to exceed $58,717.00.

Item K. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Public Works to award Contract No.

S-19-004, USDA NRCS EWP Arbor Creek Way, to Thomas Brothers of Hixson, Tennessee, in the amount of $1,279,270.00, with a contingency amount of $127,927.00, for an amount not to exceed $1,407,197.00.

Item L. A resolution to amend Resolution No.

30123 to extend the effective period of the Interlocal Agreement with WWTA regarding the E2I2 projects from twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months, along with other minor modifications as per the attached Amended Agreement.

- We have Councilman Mitchell followed by Councilwoman Berz.

- Move approval.

- Second.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve item 7H, I, J, K, and L with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Hold on one second.

Okay.

Any comments or concerns before we vote?

Madam Clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- So moved.

- Under Transportation, Madam Clerk, let's read M and N. - Item M. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Transportation to approve Change Order for Barge Design Solutions, Inc. relative to Contract No.

T-14-021-101, Riverwalk IV Extension, for an increased amount of $53,310.00, for a revised contract amount of $301,480.00.

Item N. A resolution authorizing the Administrator for the Department of Transportation to enter into an agreement with Franklin Group, LLC relative to Contract No.

T-14-021-201 for construction services associated with the Riverwalk IV Extension, in the amount of $2,461,979.60, with a contingency amount of $246,197.96, for a total amount of $2,708,177.56.

- Councilman Oglesby.

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

This is really extremely exciting that we have gotten to this point on this great project that is connecting our city and providing a lot of resources for health and tourism, but mostly, and added value to the citizens that live here in Chattanooga and how it's going to begin to connect us all together in a healthy and social way.

It is with great honor that I move to approve this project.

- Second.

- Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve items 7M and N with a proper second.

Any other questions or comments before we vote?

If not, roll call please.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Absolutely yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion carries 9-0.

- Yay!

(members giggling) - Congratulations, sir.

(members laughing) - Thank you, Council.

We've done a good job, and making sure this project continue to move forward.

So it's just not an Erskine thing, it's a council thing, and it's all the citizens that helped make this project possible.

- Thank you sir.

Alright Council, if you would pull up your purchases for this afternoon.

Madam Clerk, would you please bring in Tony Sammons please?

- Yes.

- Good evening Mr. Sammons.

- Good evening, Mr.

Chair and members of Council.

Hope everyone's had a good weekend and a good Monday and Tuesday.

We have a few new purchases for your approval this evening, and two emergency purchases to bring to your attention.

Starting with the new purchases, we have first from the City Wide Services Division of Public Works.

We have the purchase of manhole components being awarded to Acheson Foundry & Machine Works, Inc., for an increase of $65,000 for a total amount of $165,000.

Also from the City Wide Services Division, we have the purchase of bags of ice being awarded to Tennessee Valley Ice Company for an estimated total cost of $30,000.

Next, from the Waste Resources Division of Public Works, we have the purchase of bulk quicklime being awarded to Mississippi Lime Company for an estimated annual cost of $500,000.

The next item from Waste Resource Division of Public Works, we have odor control filter media services.

This is requiring your approval for Blanket PO 551959, it's currently with Prominent Systems, Inc.

They are having a name change to Karbonous, Inc.

The next item is from the Fleet Management Division of Public Works.

The purchase of heavy duty tires and services being awarded to Best One Tire of Chattanooga and McGriff Tire for an estimated annual cost of $850,000.

Also from Fleet Management, we have body works for various vehicles being awarded to Maaco Auto Painting & Collision Center for a total cost of $10,967.42.

And the last purchase item, also from Fleet Management, tire purchases of various vehicles being awarded Best One Tire of Chattanooga for a total cost of $6,022.19.

And that concludes the purchases for this evening.

- Thank you, Mr. Sammons.

What's the pleasure of the Council?

- Move approval.

- Move approval.

- I'll second it.

- Okay.

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

Questions or comments before we vote?

- I do have one question, Mr.

Chair.

- Yes Ma'am.

- And I made the motion to approve.

So I'm just curious, I'm sure we've approved this before, but Tony, $30,000 for bags of ice?

That must have been a great party, right?

(Tony laughing) - Well, you know, we had to have enough for everybody.

- Yeah.

Okay.

Well, you know, we want to include everyone.

What is that for?

- Let's see here.

This was the final renewal of that contract for that department in City Wide Services.

Exactly the usage of that could be for their crews that are out in the city.

- Okay.

- But I can get you the exact usage of that if you like.

- Yeah.

That'd be great.

I still move approval, Mr.

Chair.

- Okay.

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

We've had questions and comments.

Madam Clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Berz?

- Yes.

- Councilman Byrd?

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- Yes.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Yes.

- Councilman Mitchell?

- Yes.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- Yes.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson?

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion carries.

Thank you Mr. Sammons.

- And we have- - Go ahead.

- We have two emergency purchases to bring to your attention.

The first purchase was for emergency custodial services being awarded to DetailXPerts, purchase order No.560544, for a total amount of $76,563.20.

And this was for a period no longer than 16 weeks for cleaning needed to reopen our City Hall campus.

And the last emergency purchase was for emergency COVID-19 isolation facility being awarded to Salvation Army, purchase order No.559515.

This was for an additional $125,000 in invoice for housing of positive COVID cases for our homeless citizens.

And that could include the emergency purchases.

And Councilwoman Berz, a more accurate response to your earlier question about the bags of ice, that's ice that is, as I indicated earlier, for all of our crews on their trucks when they're out in the field for the purpose of rehydration.

- That's great.

Thank you, Tony.

- Alright.

Any questions for Mr. Sammons about our emergency purchases?

If not, we can excuse our guest.

Thank you Mr. Sammons.

- Thank you.

- Alright.

Before we get into committee reports, I believe it's my understanding that we do have an item of other business, Mr. Attorney?

- Yes, sir.

I just wanted to report this evening that we have resolved by mediation a case in the United States District Court, it's case number 19-cv00145; K.B.

v. City of Chattanooga.

That settlement in that case is resolving the entire matter in the amount of $550,000.

We also had settlements for a minor and adult in the Sharika Hughes case for $29,774, and an off employee injury case for Rufus Hicks in the amount of $30,607.79.

And I believe I'm supposed to report those to the Council in light of our ordinance that says; "Any ordinance and settlement in excess of $25,000 should be reported to the Council."

- Alright.

We don't have to take any action, it's just report only, correct?

- Report only, and I just want to make sure it's there so Ms. Madison will not complain about it whenever we're asking for a check.

- Alright.

Thank you, sir.

We now move into committee reports and I will take them as I see them on my screen.

Councilwoman Berz?

- No report, sir.

- Councilman Gilbert?

- No report.

- Councilwoman Coonrod?

- No reports.

- Vice-Chairman Smith?

- No report, Mr.

Chair.

- Councilman Ledford?

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Planning and Zoning did meet today where we covered our one item.

- Thank you, sir.

Councilor Mitchell?

- Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Public Works and Transportation met today and we will have a special-called committee meeting next week to discuss our vegetation ordinance, thank you.

- Thank you.

Councilman Byrd?

- No report, Chair.

- Councilman Oglesby?

- No report, Chair.

- Very well.

Now, we move to the time where we recognize persons wishing to address the Council.

It's my understanding that we do have a few that has registered.

So at this time, if you have registered to speak this afternoon and you'd like to do so at this time, please click on the Raise Hand button on your computer while our attorney reads the rules for engagement.

Mr. Attorney?

- Yes sir.

"In our Zoom meeting this evening and at the end of every business meeting, the Chair will recognize members of the public that wish to address the Council.

You need to give your name, address, or a council district before addressing the Council.

You can't have more than three minutes to speak, and you can address the Council only upon matters within their legislative and quasi-judicial authority and not upon matters that are not under the authority of the Council or are regulated by other governmental bodies or agencies.

Don't use vulgar or obscene language or use the floor to personally attack or personally denigrate others, and use your opportunity to address the Council as a whole and not make comments directed towards individual Council members."

Having stated those rules of this Council, please go ahead ma'am or sir, whoever.

I'm trying to think.

- Mr. Vice-Chair, we have two hands raised.

Could you confirm those two names, sir?

- Yes sir.

Brittney Murphy has registered to speak, sir.

- Okay.

Madam Clerk, would you bring Brittney Murphy on please?

Good afternoon, Ms. Murphy.

Would you unmute your mic?

- [Brittney ] Hello.

- And let's have three minutes on the power, Vice-Chair.

- Working on it.

- [Brittney ] I call upset in practices in the city of Chattanooga.

They are going as far as seven years in my specific case, back-billing me for things they can't even prove that are owed.

- Ms. Murphy, hold on one second.

Would you give us your name and district number please?

- [Brittney ] Brittney Murphy, District 7.

- Okay, thank you.

Go ahead.

- [Brittney] Okay.

This back-billing, it is a violation of Senate Bill 328 as sponsored by our own mayor, yet it is his office that I'm having to argue about just getting an appeal with this bill that they've added.

They have back-billed many constituents of Chattanooga threatening the water of these families during this pandemic over bills that aren't even legally allowed to be put on our current bill and we need some answers.

And as I said, this violates Senate Bill 328, where it says that; "In no case, are they allowed to back-bill or reimburse for any faults that were made by utility.

They're in violation of that by sending these bills and I just would like to know what can be done about it.

Thank you.

- Councilman Oglesby, this is a District 7 constituent.

Could Ms. Murphy get in touch with you, sir?

You're on mute, sir.

- Yeah, I was just taking notes.

I'll get with Ms. Murphy on this matter.

- Okay.

Very well.

Thank you, sir.

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