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

(upbeat music) - [MAN] We'd like to welcome our new city attorney up here with us for the first time tonight.

Good luck.

You're probably gonna need it.

Can I have a motion on the minutes please?

Okay.

We have a motion on the minutes and with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- [WOMAN] Councilwoman Coonrod.

[COONROD] - Yes.

Councilman Byr.

[BYRD] - Yes.

Councilwoman Dotley.

Councilwoman Berz.

[BERZ] - Yes.

Councilman Hester.

Councilman Ledford.

Councilwoman Hill.

Vice-Chairman Smith.

[SMITH] - Yes.

[WOMAN] - Chairman Henderson.

[HENDERSON] - Yes.

[WOMAN] - Nine yeses.

[HENDERSON]- The ayes have it.

Moving now to ordinances on final reading.

Madam clerk, if you would, let's read 5A, please.

[CLERK] - An ordinance to amend Chattanooga city code part two chapter two, article four, section two five 26 relating to their appropriate creation and distribution of municipal funds to nonprofit charitable and civic organizations and relating to the approval for purchasing requisitions and section two, five 47.

[HENDERSON] - Councilwoman Berz, followed by Councilwoman Coonrod [BERZ] - Move approval.

[HENDERSON] - We have a motion on the floor to approve 5A with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

[CLERK] - Councilwoman Hill.

Councilman Ledford.

Councilman Hester.

Councilwoman Berz.

Councilwoman Dotley.

Councilman Byrd.

Councilwoman Coonrod.

Vice-Chairman Smith.

Chairman Henderson.

[HENDERSON] - Yes.

[CLERK] - Nine yeses.

[HENDERSON] - Motion to approve 5A carries nine zero.

Now moving into ordinances.

On the first reading under public works and transportation.

Madam clerk, 6A, please.

- An ordinance closing and abandoning an open alley between 25th street and 2063 on the Northern portion of the alley right of way from west 25th street.

To a point being 92.5 feet in length with the remaining alley right of way remaining open in the interest to the west 26th street alley right away will remain open to allow access to Hamlet, chapel CME church property for off street parking as detailed on the attached map.

[HENDERSON] - And just to note Madam Clerk that was the alternate version, correct?

[CLERK] - Yes.

[HENDERSON] - Councilwoman Dotley.

[DOTLEY] - Move to approve the alternate version.

[HENDERSON] - We have a motion on the floor to approve 6A alternate version with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

[CLERK]- Councilwoman Coonrod.

Councilman Byrd.

Councilwoman Dotley Councilwoman Berz.

Councilman Hester.

Councilman Ledford Councilman Hill.

Vice-Chairman Smith.

Chairman Henderson.

[HENDERSON] - Yes.

[CLERK] - Nine yeses.

[HENDERSON] - So moved.

- Now moving into resolutions.

7A, please.

[CLERK] - A resolution authorizing payment to the Southeast Tennessee development district for 2021 assessment dues and the amount of $35,211 and 54 cents.

And the regional tourism initiative and the amount of $5,000 for an amount not to exceed forty thousand two hundred forty thousand two hundred eleven dollar and 54 cents.

- [HENDERSON] Council woman Burrs.

- [Burrs] Move approval.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve 7A with a proper second.

questions or comments before we vote.

Madam clerk, roll call please.

[CLERK]- Councilwoman Hill.

Councilman Ledford.

Councilman Hester.

Councilwoman Berz.

Councilwoman Dotley.

Councilman Byrd.

Councilwoman Coonrod.

Vice-Chairman Smith.

Chairman Henderson.

[HENDERSON] - Yes.

[CLERK] - Nine yeses.

[HENDERSON] - Ayes have it.

Now Madam clerk, if there is no objection from the council if you would under public works and transportation let's take B, C, D, E, F, and G, please.

[CLERK] - Item B, a resolution authorizing the administrator for the department of public works.

So we're a contract number w18010201 to J combi construction E of Cookeville, Tennessee B WWTP warehouse improvements and implementation of vulnerability recommendations or the contract amount of $7,358,493.

Plus a contingency amount of $370,000 for an amount not to exceed $7,728,493 dollars subject to availability or funds item C a resolution authorizing the administrator for the department of public works who approved change order number five for Jacobs engineering group relative to contract number w one seven zero zero six one zero one program management for consent degree implementation it consent degree project for the renewal of your five of the five-year program in the amount of 3 million, 400, $1,912 and 96 cents for a revised contract amount of $13,589,348 and 70 cents.

Item D a resolution authorizing the administrator for the department of public works to renew your four or five year term for the on-call blanket contracts for professional services for the support of waste water capital improvements program contract number w resolution number two nine four one three four.

The 19 consulting firms listed that submitted qualifications and the six different categories per their qualification package and the amount of $7,056,500 one icon technical services Inc to Allen and wholesale in three AMEC foster environment and instruction Inc for Arcadis USA Inc fire brown and Caldwell six burns and McDonald engineering company seven Barsha design solutions Inc AC two RL Inc CDM Smith T and CTI engineering 11 full John McIndoe and associates eight, 12 Gresham Smith and partners, 13 Hazen and Sawyer 14 HDR engineering Inc 15 Jacobs engineering group, Inc 16 Lamar Dunn and associates 17 Stantec consulting services Inc 18 Volker Inc and 19 WK Dixon and company item E I resolution authorized.

And the administrator for the department of public works withstand an agreement with club profit systems to provide city golf courses with point of sale and reservation software for the period October one, 2021 through September 30, 2023 or cost $13,000 per year for a total amount of $26,000 item F it resolution authorizing payment to the Tennessee department of transportation T dot for the city of Chattanooga, share of an agreement with ICOM relative to contract normal T five zero one zero four professional services associated with the manufacturers road, ham road, gateway project construction engineering and inspection in the amount of ninety thousand two hundred eighty five thousand twenty two dollars.

And I think I read that wrong $90,285 and 22 cents.

Sorry, item G I resolution authorizing payment to the Tennessee department of transportation, teed art for the city of Chattanooga share construction engineering and materials testing services, relative to projects that receive state and federal funds through Teton for a total amount, not to exceed $250,000.

- Thank you, Madam clerk.

What is the pleasure of the council on items?

Seven B through G. Okay.

We have a motion on the floor to approve items.

Seven B through G with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

- Councilwoman Koenraad Councilwoman Burke.

Councilwoman Dudley coouncilwoman Burrs Councilman Hester, councilman Langford councilwoman Hill Vice chairman Smith Chairman Henderson.

- [Henderson] Yes.

- Nine yeses.

- Motion to approve item seven B through G carries nine zero.

Now counsel, if you will pull out your purchases for this evening, chief, are you going to present them?

- Yes, sir.

Bear with me.

There's 14 tonight.

- Just make it quick.

- I can't talk as fast as Nicole.

The first item is for citywide services new blanket contract for stump grinding and removal services contract is for 12 months with an option to renew for two additional 12 month terms the award will go to ABC tree service, LLC as the best bid meaning spec specifications.

When the annual amount $30,000 item two is for fleet management division.

First of two renewal options with Lee Smith Inc for the purchase of single axle dump trucks Lee Smith submitted a 3.65% price increase at the time of renewal for a new annual amount of $391,281 they increase is recommended for approval fleet management division amount increase on contract for truck and trailer accessories truck maintenance and repairs.

The vendor is truck and trailers USA.

The total approved amount for years one and two was $140,000 an additional 100,000 for seven months through the contract end date of December 8th, 2021 is recommended for approval.

The waste resources division purchase of three generators out of 13 bids received Stowers machinery had the best bid meeting specifications in the amount of 271,500 waste resources division.

First of two renewal options with Mathis and tri gas for the purchase of liquid oxygen Mathis and try gas submitted an 8% price increase at the time of renewal for a new amount of 130,000.

The increase is recommended for approval item six waste resources division.

First of two renewal options with Mintek resources for the purchase of lime kiln dust mine tech resources submitted a 7% price increase at the time of renewal for a new annual amount of 360,000.

The increase is recommended for approval.

Item seven waste resources division new blanket contract for PVC pipe and fittings contract is for 12 months with the option to renew for two additional 12 month terms the award will go to Walter a wood and consolidated pipe as the best bids meaning specifications with the annual amount of 60,000.

Item eight facilities division new blanket contract for door inspection maintenance installation and repairs contract is for 12 months with the option to renew for two additional 12 month terms, the award will go to king DOR as the best bid meaning specifications with an annual amount of 100,000.

The low bidder was not selected due to acceptance with our specifications recommended for approval item nine transportation sole source purchase with PB S C urban solutions for upgrades to the Chattanooga bicycle transit system boards and modems and the amount of 34,300.

This sole source purchase is recommended for approval item 10 police department purchase of one Jeep grand Cherokee Laredo with tow package and the amount of 27,683.

The, this purchase utilize the state of Tennessee contract SWC two zero nine dash six four four two three police department purchase of one Dodge Durango and the amount of 26,634.

This purchase utilizes a state of contract state of Tennessee contract SWC two zero nine dash six four four two three item 12 police department purchase of one Jeep grand Cherokee Laredo without tow package and the amount of 26,949.

This purchase utilizes state of Tennessee contract SWC two zero nine dash six four four two three item 13 fire department purchase of 20 F L I R K 55 thermal camera kits and 20 FLYR chargers to be installed on fire apparatus out of 12 betters, the award will go to all safe industries as the best bid value or the best value bid meeting specifications in the amount of $85,954 and 80 cents.

And finally, item 14 economic and community development purchase of temporary non congregate homeless shelter rooms, and security.

Two bids were received and both will be accepted in order to provide as much temporary shelter as possible for individuals currently experiencing homelessness lower price rooms will be filled first recommended approval to award, to chat in and super eight Birmingham highway with an amount not to exceed $200,000 to provide 50 rooms for up to 90 days.

- All right, counsel you've heard these purchase recommendations.

What's your pleasure?

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

Any questions or comments before we vote?

Madam clerk, roll call please.

- Councilman Neil, Councilman Ledford, Councilman Hester Councilwoman Berz Councilwoman dodly Councilman Burt Councilwoman Coonrod vice chairman Smith chairman Henderson.

- Yes.

- Nine yeses - Chairman.

We have no RFPs for council approval but we do have one emergency purchase to read into the record on May 14th, 2021.

The wide services division of public works initiated an emergency purchase in the amount of $14,788 to Republic services of Chattanooga for Saturday disposal services for six months at $30 and 81 cents per ton.

Due to Republic services recently purchasing Syntech.

The emergency purchase was necessary for services at the transfer station for Saturday waste disposals between the hours of 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

The service will continue for up to six months until a new contract is in place.

The service was deemed critical in order to keep waste refu centers open to the general public on Saturdays.

- All right.

Any questions for the chief?

I'm seeing no hands.

Thank you.

So moving to committee reports we did have a YFD committee meeting this afternoon at 3:30 regarding the plan to reopen our neighborhood rec centers.

Under other business.

Madam attorney, I think you have some settlements to announce.

- I do.

- Whoa whoa wait.

Councilman Ledford - Chairman planning and zoning.

We'll meet next Tuesday immediately following our agenda session.

- Thank you, sir.

- Thank you.

- I have three settlements to announce the first the Sandra Freeman litigation settled for $72,000.

The second is the George Harrison litigation which settled for $126,009 and 44 cents.

And the third is the Craig Joel IOD claims settled after mediation for $57,915.

- Okay.

Counsel questions or comments?

Very good.

Thank you.

Ma'am all right.

I think that takes care of our other business.

We move now to the time that we recognize the persons wishing to address the council this afternoon - Adrian Cooper, district seven.

I didn't prepare anything and I'm not going to take up too much of your time today because I have a feeling you guys are going to be seeing a lot of me in the coming weeks but I would like to voice my concern for what I discovered from the last time I stood before you to today which is the fact that the city of Chattanooga nor CPD have any sort of policy governance words in place regarding social media usage which is incredibly irresponsible.

All of our neighbors, Collegedale Cleveland.

Everyone has one, but us that is a concern as a business owner with a social media account and lots of rules as to how our social media can be used.

It's concerning to know that our city does not have the same protections for its citizens in place that I do my customers.

So I think that that is something that I would love to hear back from any council member about how we can go about pushing for that type of policy.

It's 2021.

If the police are able to post a video of me making a police report on their Facebook page there should be some policy making sure that they're doing it appropriately and safely.

Thank you guys.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

My name - Is Nick Cooper, district seven.

I am the husband of Adrian Cooper.

I will not waste your time recounting the events that happened because it is very apparent to me that I would truly be wasting my own.

It is also apparent to me that those who protect and serve in all reality serve only themselves.

And those of a certain skin tone.

When I see public officials and public servants blatantly posting information that puts the people that call them for when they are in danger and shows the true nature of the organized gang that is CPD and puts those people in very much danger.

When all of their information is out there for everyone to see.

Had the tables been turned and My wife had been the one to pull the gun on the white man that pulled it on her.

I have no doubt in my mind that she would be behind the bars and the exact same day that the event happened.

Too many times have the voices of those abused by CPD.

And the police in general have been silenced too many times with the people crying out for help have been persecuted.

It was also very apparent that it was not until I walked up to my home where the officers were blatantly disrespecting my wife, that their tone changed.

It should not take her white husband to show up for disrespect to stop.

I did not serve in our Navy spend months at a time away from my family, miss the birth of my own child to come home to a country that is so ugly that I can barely stand to look at the colors of our own flag.

There are so many people that want to call themselves allies, and they want to be adamant that they are willing to help.

But I have found that a lot of allies are only allies until they actually have to step up to be one.

It should not have to take someone getting killed for people in the right place to stop turning their heads away because it's too unpleasant to look at.

Please be better than your predecessors.

Thank you.

- Hello.

My name is Lori button and I reside in district eight.

I come before you today to ask for accountability for the Chattanooga police department and the form of independent community oversight board as well as a public apology to my friend local business owner and veteran Adrian Cooper her interaction with the CPD was immaturely and unprofessionally handled in person and online with a disturbing Facebook post intended to slander her the victim in a crime who called for help.

I'd like to also talk a little about the word and topic of attunement today.

The Webster dictionary definition of a attunement says to bring into harmony and to resonate example, a person who is well attuned will respond with appropriate language and behaviors based on another person's emotional state.

They're good at recognizing moods and emotions in another person and adapting their own response in accordance.

I believe the affirmation sums up what certainly did not occur in my friend's interaction with the police, our community like so many others in our nation as long over two for police accountability and attunement to injustices pertaining to police accountability.

We are so grateful.

The incidence of this exchange did not end with a worst case scenario.

Like we have seen in many other cities within the last year but that is no reason to be complicit naive, or think that abhorrent misuse of power seen elsewhere will not could not, or has occurred in our city.

Today just so happens to also be the one-year anniversary of the needless murder of George Floyd.

We must attune to all the issues we have been made aware of and take action here at now at minimum concern citizen should be able to file complaints about a poor or negative experience with police without fear of retaliation or slander from police at minimum victims should not be afraid or dissuaded from calling the police for help at minimum victims should not force incriminating slander by police and the public on the CBD social media pages per decades.

In this country, we have seen many injustice by police that range from unprofessional to outright and heartbreakingly criminal.

And it doesn't take much logic to recognize that police departments aren't unable to handle these kinds of issues without conflict of interest or internal biases.

Internally, we need to attune attune to feel what our communities are experiencing and feeling.

We need to respond, respond to what happens in our communities in a healthy and proactive way.

A great initial step to create harmony would be an independent community oversight board to help mitigate bias and police accountability.

And in addition to this training on appropriate attunement to a distress victim seems to be in order right away.

The easiest first steps to take are an apology to Mrs. Cooper for the way her interactions were mishandled.

And for the inappropriate Facebook posts made by the CBD to be removed.

Following this, it is clear social media code of ethics is needed for the CPD to follow and abide by.

I hope we will decide to attune.

I hope we will be proactive.

Thank you.

- Go ahead.

Oh, my name is Jacqueline Daniel Simpson.

I was here last week about the rec center.

- And what, what district?

- Nine.

Chairman, you said that the centers will be open, which ones?

Some all, but did anybody you didn't say?

And - So I'm going to ask you after this meeting is over.

If you could get with Mr. Goldberg, he's right behind you and he has the full layout of the plan.

- I'm not their only one.

You know, I don't, I came down for one purpose to hear from whoever the mayor or but no one got up to say, this is going to take place.

So now I got to go buy some hearsay.

I want this to be on record.

Yes or no.

Who would this wouldn't adapt one.

Something has got the give.

That's all I'm asking.

- Mr.Goldberg.

It's my understanding that all rec centers will be open June 1st, is that correct?

And that six will have summer camps.

- Yes, sir.

And as we presented earlier today, you know at the agenda session, all YFD centers will be open on June 1st with regular hours from 10:00 AM to six 30.

We will have six summer camps opening on June 7th, which require registration.

We will have four additional drop in summer camps open on June 7th.

Senior centers will open on June 7th, June 1st all pools will be opened by the June 7th Warner park is open on, on May 20th.

And I believe I saw it earlier.

All of this information is now being reported by the media.

I did see it on w RCB earlier.

- Okay.

Thank you, sir.

(clapping) - Yes, ma'am.

- Hello.

My name is ginger Moss and I live in district two.

I came in support of Ms. Adrian Cooper tonight, but I had no plans to speak to you but I noticed something very odd last week during the public comment section.

And I came tonight to confirm my suspicions.

Last week, there were two officers over here with their body cams going during the entire public comments section.

I have never seen that before and I'm not seeing it tonight.

And I want to know why they did that.

Was it because people were coming to speak out against the police?

Was it because Marie mod was here?

I'm going to be speaking.

Why did they have their body cameras on and why aren't they tonight?

Thank you.

- what is up?

- My name is C grimey district seven.

I didn't plan on speaking either until I sat and listened.

We're talking about the way we look at it enforcing the law and public safety.

And we heard the gentleman announced that there the police department is buying three brand new Jeeps almost a hundred K worth of money.

How could those resources went to something proactive a department that already has a fleet of vehicles and nobody, none of the counts people as wide.

It just said, yes, nobody asks why why are they spending money on new vehicles when the community is begging for change for those resources to go to something different.

So if we're gonna say that we're going to look at how we enforce the law and how community relations are with police.

We got to S we, we, we want answers on what where the money is going to and what for three brand new Jeep Cherokees.

I don't think that is the best way the city of Chattanooga should be spending our money.

Thank you.

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