- You're watching highlights of the Chattanooga city council meeting a production of WTCI, PBS.

- (Councilman) Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen welcome to our Tuesday, May 18th, city council meeting.

I now call this meeting to order Our pledge of allegiance and invocation tonight, will be by Councilwoman Dooley.

Would you please stand?

(Pledge of Allegiance) 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.

- (Councilwoman) If we'd bow our heads.

- Thank you God, for allowing us to serve your people.

We pray for a productive and service centered meeting in Jesus' name.

Amen.

- Amen.

Thank you, Council woman.

I'd like to acknowledge our Mayor, Mayor Kelly.

That's with us here this afternoon.

Mayor.

Welcome.

- (Mayor) Thank you, chairman Henderson.

Before, before I begin, I'd just like to acknowledge the passing of state representative.

Mike Carter.

Mike was a great guy and a straight shooter and a committed public servant.

And he'll be sorely missed.

I just want to give you an update a regular update is as I promised I would do I promised not to waste your time.

First, I'm very excited to have Emily O'Donnell join our team as city attorney.

She's got a strong track record as an advocate for our most vulnerable families, and she'll be an instrumental part of our city as champion for Chattanoogans and I know she'll bring the same conviction and compassion and commitment to the job that she has to her career.

We're also extremely grateful that Phil Noble is staying on as deputy city attorney.

And I know they're gonna make a great team working together.

With Emily and Phil.

I really am quite sure that our city's attorney office is in the best hands, it could possibly be in, because of them Chattanoogans can be sure they'll have an advocate in us.

I'm also pleased to share with you that we're going to be unfreezing the fire and police pay plan that was suspended due to COVID-19.

Our first responders have gone above and beyond throughout this pandemic, and the least we can do is ensure that we hold up our end of the bargain in terms of pay and benefits.

This is just one step that administration is going to take to make sure we're being proactive about retaining our most essential workers, and it is about retention.

One thing we're going to be looking at in the upcoming months in our budget process from public works to fire and police has shown us that these that these folks are critically essential and we it's time We have a budget that reflects that, and that's what we're working on.

That's a decent transition to the transition.

We've been hard at work over these past 29 days seems like about 29 hours, but it has been 29 days to lay the groundwork for a city that reflects the city , it serves and prepared to tackle the structural challenges our community faces.

It's a little difficult, you know, it's, we're we we say we're building an airplane in the air and, and we really are, but in the coming weeks we're going to be presenting a new organizational structure for the city of Chattanooga and for you all to consider that streamlined city services and makes our city easier to do business with and shifts resources back into our local neighborhoods and communities.

We know there's a lot of hard work to do.

And we have to balance the urgency of now and making sure that we're doing what's best for Chattanooga in the long run.

Over the next several weeks You'll be hearing from me and my team about the changes that we plan to make to meet the moment.

Regarding YFD.

I know it's a sore subject and I've directed my administration to bring you a plan next Tuesday, that details our reopening plan for the YFD centers, I share your frustration.

And in short, I'm committed to getting them open as quickly as we can.

And I pushed our team to move as fast as possible.

Looking forward, It's been less than a month again, since I've been on the job here, but I've gotten a good look under the hood and I know we're going to have our work cut out for us but we're up for the job.

We're already beginning to reach into the couch cushions and streamline our operations.

Look at ways to belt, tighten and scrutinize every part of the budget to be more strategic.

In the meantime, we're gonna we're going to send you a budget continuance to consider.

So that way we'll have time.

We need to really check all of our assumptions and reevaluate the city's spending priorities check every line item to make sure we're using our resources wisely.

And that reflects the strategy and the changes to the org chart, We'll also be presenting.

So I'm looking forward to working with each of you to make sure our city is a place where all of our neighbors can get ahead.

And I intend for our budget to reflect that central priority.

Thank you for your time and everything you're doing for Chattanooga.

- Now we're moving to mayor and council offices, seven G - A resolution to jointly appoint, Emily O'Donnell as city attorney by the mayor and city council.

- Move to approve.

- Second - Okay.

I'm hearing a motion to approve with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Councilwoman Bern I see your hand.

Councilwoman Bern - No.

- Okay.

All right.

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Coonrod.

- Yes.

- Councilman Burke.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Dali.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman burgers.

- Yes.

- Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilman Ledford.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

Vice chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Folks.

That was the sound of a glass ceiling shattering as Ms. O'Donald becomes the first female attorney.

(applause) In the history of Chattanooga.

(applause) - Ms. O'Donald Would you like to come say anything?

- Thank you to the city council and Mayor Kelly for giving me the opportunity to serve you in this way.

It is the highest honor.

And thank you to Phil Noblitt for staying with me to show me what I don't know and for also delivering this office to me in a very, very good condition.

Thank you all.

- Congratulations.

(Applause) - Council now if you would pull your purchases out for this afternoon as our chief of staff comes to the podium and we go over the items, Mr. Chief staff.

- Yes, sir.

All right.

We have several purchases tonight.

The first three come from public works, sorry.

First four come from public works.

The first is a new blanket contract for traffic safety materials, flashers and barricades for rent or purchase.

Contract is for 12 months, with the option to renew for two additional 12 month terms the award will go to Awan barricades as the best bid meeting specifications for the city of Chattanooga in the amount of $410,000.

The second is a new blanket contract for garbage and recycling containers.

Contracts will be for 12 months with the option to renew for two additional 12 month terms, the contract will be utilizing the source well cooperative contract.

The amount is 500,000 Next, We have a contract for equipment maintenance and repairs with two vendors Chattanooga tractor and equipment and power equipment company.

This is actually a contract extension for three months 10 days to coincide with a waste resource division contract that expires on August 25th, 2021.

And we'll include a 4% price increase the amount of 60,000.

So this is to align the two separate contracts we currently have in the city into one.

Next is a purchase for automotive filters.

This is also two vendors, Lee Smith and O'Reilly auto parts.

This is the first of two renewals.

It was PO number 557322 will include a 15% price increase due to supplier increases.

The amount is 50,000. and then we have a purchase from the recreation division of YFD for competitive athletic services, Inc.

In the amount of 92,500.

This is a one-time purchase to repair and resurface 21 tennis courts at the champions club.

The award will go to competition athletic services as the best bid.

Next, we have a Chattanooga police department ammunition.

It's the purchase of ammunition using the state of Tennessee contract and the amount of $57,780 and 88 cents.

And finally, we have a purchase of five utility vehicles for the fire department.

This purchase utilizes the source well contract and the amount is $145,154 and 12 cents.

- Thank you, sir.

- Move to approve.

- Okay.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilwoman Hill.

- Yes.

- Councilman Effort.

- Yes - Councilman Hester.

- Yes.

- Councilwoman Burin - Yes - Councilwoman Dooley - Yes - Councilmen Bird - Yes - Councilwoman Coonrod - Yes - Vice chairman Smith.

- Yes.

- Chairman Henderson - Yes.

- Nine Yeses.

- Motion carries.

- All right, counsel.

We do have one item under other business this afternoon.

A YFD board , Reappointment Councilwoman Coonrod All right.

Madam clerk.

You got that reappointment.

- Yes.

- Thank you.

We now come to the time where we recognize persons wishing to address the council this afternoon.

If you are on our zoom call with us and you have registered to vote.

If you have registered to speak (laughter) it'd be a good idea if you registered to vote as well.

But if you have registered to speak tonight and if you're on our zoom call would you go ahead and raise your hand at this time?

I've got a feeling that we have several in the audience that would like to address the council this afternoon.

So audience, if you would come forward I'm not seeing the clock.

There we go.

Thank you.

If you would just give us your name and district number and you may begin.

- My name is Jackie Daniel Simpson.

I'm in district nine but I'm here on behalf of the children, ages five through 17 in the city of Chattanooga.

I heard the mayor make a statement that he's going to get back with us about the rec centers that's my proper.

I've worked for the city of Chattanooga parks and rec 35 and a half years, part time and full time.

We cannot eliminate our kids out.

They've been boxed up for the last 15 months with the COVID.

They have dealt with mental problems.

The centers haven't been open.

They haven't had no type of curriculum activity.

Something has got to give for these kids.

Now it's going to be us as adults to see about them or the games get them and they out there.

Now I'm telling you something that I know from working.

I have worked basically just about every center in this city.

I'm not speaking for no one group of people.

No, no SATs.

I see something coming and it's ugly.

We as adults, parents, somebody have got to save our babies.

When you go home or when the Mayor come back next week with the proposal that's thanked that thing out.

We need to have these buildings open and because I'm going to sleep tonight and I didn't do well all week out there I heard some centers going to be open some not.

I'm seeing children, If I had enough space to take them all they could play at my house.

We could kick ball in my yard.

So something has got to give with the kids.

We have got to help them In any way that we possibly can.

This is a serious matter, real serious.

So please I'm begging you, help the babies.

Thank you.

- Hold on one second, Hey Chief, Do you want to do anything to address?

I know there's several here.

There's a lot of energy in the room around YFD.

I know that we're going to have a committee meeting next week that you're going to come and lay out the plans for opening the YFD.

Anything that you can share with us now to help relieves the concerns.

- Yes.

- Thank you Mr. Chairman.

- We will present a full YFD reopening plan city council on May 25th during the YFD committee meeting.

It is not our intention to keep the centers closed this summer.

It is our intention to open as many of them as possible, as quickly as possible.

We did announced today on social media that we will have summer camp at Avondale Brainerd, Carver, South Chattanooga Hickson and John Patton YFD centers.

So we know that summer camps are going to take place in these six centers with up to 75 kids in each center but we will also present a full reopening plan for every site on May 25th.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hold on one second.

Councilman Hester, I see your hand.

Is this for the chief or just a comment?

- Just a comment.

- Okay, thank you Chief.

- In times like this it is more important than ever to ensure that we are serving the people in which we represent.

Although in this moment it may seem that nothing's being done.

I believe that the council's working on true changes that will benefit the community as we are up here waiting to see reconstruction from the new administration.

I ask that if there are any concerns do not hesitate to reach out to either one of us at this time but through through Facebook meetings and conversation.

I've seen that what is being asked and now that is a time to create a plan with the community and act on these issues.

Thank you.

- Thank you, sir.

All right.

Ma'am if you come forward Could we have the three minute clock back up, please?

Here we go.

Go ahead.

- My name is Adrian Cooper and I'm a resident of district seven and business owner in Chattanooga on Tuesday, May 11th.

A man pulled a gun on me with his finger on the trigger on the corner of Elmo Avenue and 53rd, should I have gotten out of my car to take a picture of his license plate in the first place?

Probably not.

However, I'm tired of feeling intimidated in my community and was attempting to report this man for his reckless driving.

Officer price of CPD took absolutely zero care handling my case from start to finish.

He neglected to give me a complaint card was disrespectful and dismissive to me at the time of filing my report and even misquoted me in the affidavit which is backed by body cam footage.

Assistant chief Scruggs refused my and my lawyers multiple requests for the body camera footage claiming the investigation was ongoing but posted the video three hours later to their Facebook page and an attempt to degrade my character and shift the focus from the crime of the story to my response, rather than the crime.

After multiple requests assistant chief scrubs Scruggs indicated that the video would be removed or properly redacted in order to protect the identifying information of myself and the other witness.

However, almost a week later the post is still available on their Facebook page.

The man was identified as Derry nations, within 20 minutes of sharing my original post, which has now been removed to protect his identifying information his license plate name, address and place of work were all provided to CPD.

The night that I filed my report and they posted yet they posted to their Facebook almost 12 hours later that they were still working to identify this man.

Derry nations was released jail on his own we're cognizance for an aggravated assault.

A Georgian was released back into the, into the community for committing a potential felony level offense against the Tennessean in the state of Tennessee I'm here to ask the council to hold the police department accountable shift the focus off of me and my response in a traumatic situation.

And instead return the response and instead return the focus to the attention or the attention to the problem at hand which is the Georgian who committed this crime and CPDs retaliatory response to citizens who are filing complaints.

- Thank you.

(applause) - Hold on a second.

- Yes ma'am sir.

- Councilwoman Dolly - Yes, Adrian.

Thank you so much for coming.

And I'm glad I was able to speak with you over the weekend concerning this issue.

I did also speak to chief Retty got an update and also express your concerns as well.

It is very important to us as public servants to make sure that we empathize with every issue that goes on no matter how big or small someone thinks it is.

So I commend your courage for coming up here to speak.

And I come in to everyone who came here to stand with her.

We appreciate you and you have my number.

So anytime anything goes on, you know you're welcome to call me and I'll be happy to walk with you through this issue.

- Councilwoman Coonrod - Thank you.

- I'm most definitely, as I look out in the audience like I am very moved.

I am one of those council people that love when the community up and they are empowered to advocate for the things that's right, to move our city forward and to share their desires of what they would like to see.

We need more people doing exactly that council can only do so much but with the help of the community that we serve we need your help continuously letting your voice be heard.

And I also share with you, you know, my issues with the YFD sites being closed as Marie stated earlier we're walking over bodies and it's not enough to say that we're going to keep certain sites closed and just open six YFD sites.

That's only going to be four geared for camp for the summer.

Right now, opening up a summer camp shouldn't even be a priority right now.

We can open up the YFD sites in my opinion.

If it was my choice to serve everybody in the community and do it safely, if we're concerned about COVID, then why are we even entertaining the conversation to open up the YFD sites now.

Now would YFD sites solve every problem of the community?

No, not at all.

We have to continue to work with our partners.

We have the boys and girls club that have already been open and servicing in our communities.

We have the YMCAs that's opening service in our community but the one up, the one component that we're missing and we are often not voiceless about it is that we need the parents to be a part of this solution with their kids.

Government can not fix the home of the family.

Only co only you can, as their parent we got to get back to support that family unit.

We have to strengthen that family unit.

Will government be the one to do that?

No, it's not.

What we can do is, is you know provide quality programming that can help our kids.

But guess what folks we know what programming has done to a lot of people, because a lot of people get in that mindset, or I just want a program but not really learning and applying it to their life.

How many people do you see the program that are in prison?

Come out absolutely the same, but we got to create a different path a different trajectory.

We got first start caring about our kids.

We got to start caring about these young adults and it doesn't just start and end with government.

We gotta take ownership of what's truly happening in our communities people and I could get on my soap box about it.

I've been saying it for over four years it's going to take us all black and white.

It's not just happening in the black community.

It's happening in everybody's community, everybody community.

And if we don't take a stand to make sure that we're addressing key root issues that's got people and target groups and certain communities that's continuing to fall in this cycle.

We all have failed them.

It's not enough.

To come champion of fight.

And expect that government to be the one stop fix.

It takes the community to, if we want to do that.

Some about this violence in this killings, that's happening.

And we continue with stepping over bodies.

The community need to rally around and we need to take our community back.

We need to ask these OGs these gangsters that's I hope pulling these triggers and killing our kids.

We need to tell them that they need the cease.

It's not enough to sit in our homes and be silent and expect the government to go kicking in doors.

We no longer can do that.

people I need your help, we all need help.

Yes.

The YFD sites need to be open.

we will continue to advocate with that.

We're working with our mayor.

We're working with the staff.

To make sure that we, you know get them open as quickly as we can.

Well, guess what people, it's another need.

We need to have people that's wanting to come to work for the summer for the YFD sites.

I've posted several days in a way on the website.

Social media sent out newsletter letters on how you can apply.

For years, for the past since this pandemic people are saying, well, they need jobs.

Guess what?

We're begging for people to come to work for the YFD sites.

We've increased the pay, not once but twice though, to $15 an hour.

So if you know anybody who want to get on board and really impact these kids' lives, go on there.

Pull out your phones.

Cause I know everybody got it pull them out right now and fill out that application.

If you want to be a part of that change, let's go out there.

And the West side, East Lake wherever it is that we have this trouble that spiraling down and our communities.

And let's take our communities back.

If we going to stand and protest against the police we need to stand and protest against this nonsense that continue to plague out neighborhood.

And the most people that's talked about and it's affected is the black community.

And it's not, listen.

I'm tired folks.

I'm at my wit's end.

We're reached out for solutions and nobody can give us none but you expected to be on the wheelhouse of city council to make that change.

We can't change it without you guys.

We need you.

We need workable solutions.

We need you to show up.

We need you to take control of your neighborhoods.

Again.

We need you to get involved.

Not just when it's you feel like it's a crisis.

We need you involved the whole entire year.

If you need help with your kids, you need to reach out reach out when you recognize signs.

Don't wait till it's too late.

When they're addicted to drugs.

When they're walking the streets when the gangs done pull them in I'm passionate about this stuff because I was that kid.

I was that kid, not just me several of us on this council was that exact same kid.

That had nowhere to go.

But to the YFD sites that depended on them to take care of us because it was a safe Haven that reached out to the community for help, that needed to be fed that needed to be clothed.

So don't think that we don't care.

Every last one of us, the white ones and the black ones no matter how you look at us and think that we don't care we do care.

Now my mic wasn't working earlier.

So I had to yell.

So I apologize if it seems that I'm screaming at you guys but we gotta do better.

As a community people, we've got to do better.

Help us, help you guys Help us continue to advocate for what's right in our community.

Don't stop the day.

You gotta stay on it.

You gotta stay on it, people That's all I got chair.

- Council.

I'm not seeing anyone on zoom or in the audience that would like to address the council at this time.

What's the pleasure of the council.

- We're adjourned.

- Second - We're adjourned.

You've been watching highlights of the Chattanooga city council meeting a production of WTCI PBS Get on demand access to even more of the shows you love with WTC passport on the PBS video app.

Download it today.