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

(upbeat music) - [Mr. Ledford] City Council order of business meeting, tonight's pledge of allegiance, and invocation, if she so desires will be led by Councilwoman Coonrod.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

We did have our special presentation tonight on the schedule, but talked to Representative Hakeem yesterday, and said that there was a scheduling conflict with Dr. Holmes's ability to be with us tonight.

So we're going to reschedule that in case you saw that on an earlier agenda.

We did discuss this at our 1:30 session and our 2:30 session.

Just wanted to make sure that was noted.

So if I can go ahead and get a motion to approve the minutes?

I do have.

Minutes will stand without objection.

Madam Clerk, we will move into ordinances on final rating council office item five A please.

- [Ms. Gwyn] An ordinance reapportioning and redistricting the nine districts for the city council.

- Sorry, hit your light again.

I have Councilwoman Coonrod, followed by Councilman Hester.

- [Ms. Coonrod] I move to deny.

- [Mr. Ledford] We have a motion to deny.

I have a motion to deny with no second.

Having no second, motion fails.

Councilman Hester?

Before I make this motion, I want to thank Dr. Berz, Chris Anderson, and all those who took part of this procedure.

And I wanna thank all the Chattanoogans for their input.

And also I wanna thank all the beautiful people of district five, and their input on this side.

Motion to approve this redistricting.

- [Mr. Ledford] I have a motion.

I have a second.

Questions, comments?

Roll call vote, Madam Clerk?

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilman Henderson?

- [Mr. Henderson] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilwoman Hill?

- [Ms. Hill] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilman Smith?

- [Mr. Smith] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilman Hester?

- [Mr. Hester] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilwoman Berz?

- [Dr. Berz] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilwoman Noel?

- [Ms. Noel] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Councilwoman Coonrod?

- [Ms. Coonrod] No.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Vice chair Dotley?

- [Ms. Dotley] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Chair Ledford?

- [Mr. Ledford] Yes.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Eight yeses.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, motion passes.

We have no ordinances on first reading.

Moving down to resolutions, item seven A human resources, Madam Clerk?

- [Ms. Gwyn] A resolution authorizing the chief human resources officer to enter into an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee to provide health plan administration services to the city active and retired employees at the approximate cost of $1,450,000 per year for a four year contract with a one year renewal option beginning July 1st, 2022.

- [Mr. Ledford] Madam Clerk, thank you.

We have a motion to approve.

We have a second.

Questions, comments?

All those the in favor say aye.

- [All] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Opposed?

Motion carries.

Madam Clerk item B, please.

- [Ms. Gwyn] A resolution authorizing the chief human resources officer to enter into an agreement with Epiphany RX to provide pharmacy benefit manager services to city active and retired employees at their approximate cost of $600,000 per year for a four year contract with a one year renewal option beginning July 1st, 2022.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I have a motion to approve.

I do have a second.

Questions, comments?

All in favor say aye.

- [All] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Those opposed?

Motion carries.

Item C, Madam Clerk.

- [Ms. Gwyn] A resolution authorizing the chief human resources officer to enter into an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee to provide voluntary vision insurance to city employees at the approximate cost of $200,000 per year for a four year contract with a one year renewal option beginning July 1st, 2022, which costs will be paid by city employee deductions.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Have a motion to approve.

I do have a second.

Questions, comments?

All those in favor say aye.

- [All] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Those opposed?

Motion carries.

Under mayor's office- Councilman Henderson?

Dr. Berz?

Thank you.

Under mayor's office item D?

- [Mr. Ledford] A resolution to accept a grant award of $99,000 from the National Center for State Courts NCSC for a grant-funded position and eviction diversion program facilitator.

- [Mr. Ledford] Councilman Henderson, followed by Dr. Berz.

- [Mr. Henderson] Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Before we put it on the floor for discussion by this council, I think we do have a clarification on the question we had earlier on the number of years this is approved for, and some other information.

- [Participant] Yes, good evening.

So this is a two year grant with the possibility for additional funding in years three and four.

They essentially front-load the grant, so this first year it will be 99,000, and then the next year it will be $64,000.

And the Community Foundation has committed to filling the gap funding between the next year from the NCSC.

And did you have other questions you wanted me to answer?

- [Mr. Henderson] That was it.

I just wanted it on the record.

Move to approve.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you.

We have a motion and a second.

I do have Dr. Berz in queue.

Okay, thank you, ma'am.

Questions, comments?

All those in favor say aye.

- [Members] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Opposed?

Motion carries.

Under police item E, Madam Clerk?

- [Ms. Gwyn] A resolution to amend resolution number 30805 authorizing acceptance of a grant contract with the State of Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Office of Criminal Justice Program for the Victim of Crime Act of 1984 VOCA grant for the grant period to be extended July 1st, 2022 through June 30th, 2023, with an increase of an additional $200,000 increase in the total from 800,000 to the total amount of $1 million.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Councilwoman Coonrod, I did see your light earlier.

Was that an older light?

Thank you.

I do have a motion to approve.

Dr. Berz, you're in queue.

- [Dr. Berz] I was gonna make a motion.

- [Mr. Ledford] Very good, thank you.

We have a motion and a second.

Questions, comments?

All those in favor say aye.

- [Members] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Those opposed?

Item carries, thank you.

Under parks and public works, public works item F Madam Clerk?

- [Ms. Gwyn] A resolution authorizing the administrator for the Department of Public Works- - [Mr. Ledford] Madam Clerk, I'm sorry.

We take these as we can take these as a group.

Thank you, Councilman, great suggestion.

So if there's no objection from the council, items F, G, H, and I, Madam Clerk, will you read those as a group?

And we will vote on those we'll with one motion.

- [Ms. Gwyn] Item F, a resolution authorizing an administrator for the Department of Public Works to approve payment in the amount of $44,202.65 to Disaster Master Inc. for emergency cleanup of residential wastewater backups at 17 West 42nd Street, 1516 Lenhurst Drive, and 1419 Mercer Street.

Item G, a resolution authorizing the administrator for the Department of Public Works to approve payment up to $104,262.50 to Xylem Dewatering Solutions Inc. for emergency bypass pumping rental at Big Ridge 14 Wastewater Pumping Station, due to forced main connection damage caused by sediment.

Item H, a resolution authorizing an administrator for the Department of Public Works to execute a one year term renewal for the existing contract with Samsara Software for realtime GPS vehicle tracking via CDW Government LLC per resolution number 30617 for year two of their agreement, and the stated amount in the agreement for the term from April 30th, 2022 through April 30th, 2023 for a renewal amount of $122,913.

An item I, a resolution to amend resolution number 31034 to include NCR Corporation as the authorized vendor of merchant services under the the Inco Sewer Building Services contract eligible for payment by the city for services rendered.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Councilman Hester?

- [Mr. Hester] Move approve.

- [Mr. Ledford] We have a motion to approve.

We have a second.

Questions, comments?

All those in favor say aye.

- [All] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Opposed?

Items carry.

Now we will move into purchases this evening.

I believe we have 12 items.

Ms. Julia, are you doing the honors this evening?

- [Ms. Julia] Yes.

- [Mr. Ledford] All right, and I believe we have one emergency purchase, if I am correct.

- [Ms. Julia] Good evening, Council.

We do have 12 purchases this evening recommended for approval.

The first is from Early Learning.

It's a new blanket contract for bread and bakery products.

One bid was received.

The solicitation was readvertised, but did not produce any additional bids.

The award goes to Bimbo Bakeries USA Incorporated as the best bid meeting specifications.

This will be a four year contract with an annual amount not to exceed $115,000.

The second is from the transportation division of public works.

It's a new blanket contract for bag thermoplastic pavement marking materials.

Three bids were received, and the award goes to Ennis Flint Incorporated as the best bid meeting specifications.

This will be a four year contract with an annual amount not to exceed $55,000.

The next is also from the transportation division from public works, a new blanket contract for pre-made traffic sign faces.

Two bids were received, and the award goes to Vulcan Aluminum as the best bid meeting specifications.

This will be a four year contract with an annual amount not to exceed $48,000.

The fourth also from transportation division of public works is a new blanket contract for bollards.

One bid was received.

The solicitation was readvertised, and produced no additional bids.

The award goes to Trans Safe Incorporated as the best bid meeting specifications.

This will be a four year contract with an annual amount not to exceed $30,000.

The fifth is from the fleet management division of public works.

This is a purchase of one 2024 International Mv607 chassis with an Amthor aluminum refined fuel tank truck for the fire department.

This purchase utilizes Sourcewell contract 060920-NVS.

The vendor is Lee-Smith Incorporated, and the amount is $204,710.81.

The sixth purchase is also from the fleet management division of public works.

This is a request for a price increase of 2% on purchase agreement PA-100063 with Lee-Smith Incorporated for automotive parts catalog.

The estimated annual amount remains at $1 million.

The seventh is purchases from the waste resources division of public works.

This is a service agreement for lab equipment in the amount of $17,933, bringing the total spend to $33,441.

Perkin Elmer Health Sciences Incorporated is the sole provider for the parts and services of the equipment.

The eighth purchase is from the fire department, the purchase of Jaws of Life equipment.

This purchase utilizes Sourcewell contract 040220-REV1.

The vendor is Municipal Emergency Services, and the amount is $60,936.75.

The ninth purchase also from the fire department is a purchase of five skid units.

This purchase utilizes Sourcewell contract 040220-CET.

The vendor is Municipal Emergency Services in the amount of $75,865.

The 10th purchase also from the fire department is the purchase of Nikita tools.

This just utilizes Sourcewell contract 040220-REV4.

The vendor is Municipal Emergency Services, and the amount is $53,978.

The 11th purchase is from the department of technology services for the purchase of 25 Mobile Pro System Power Century camera units for CPD RTIC program.

This purchase utilizes Sourcewell contract 030421-CTL.

The vendor is Convergent Technologies, LLC, and the amount is $393,057.57.

This amount includes purchase of the equipment, and sole source procurement of installation, labor, and materials.

Our 12th and final purchase is from community development.

This is the contract for the sanctioned homeless encampment management that was approved by city council on April 19th, 2022, with the funding source identified as grant funded.

Approval is requested using general fund as the funding source, rather than grant funding.

There are no changes to the contract or the amount.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Julia.

You've heard tonight's purchases.

What is the council's?

- [Member] Move to approve.

- [Mr. Ledford] We have a move.

We have a motion to approve.

We have a second.

Questions, comments?

All those in favor say aye.

- [All] Aye.

- [Mr. Ledford] Opposed?

Motion carries.

- [Mr. Ledford] Julia?

- [Ms. Julia] We do have one emergency purchase to read into the record.

On March 19th, 2022, the Chattanooga Fire Department requested support from public works regarding 22 illegally dumped 55 gallon drums, which were leaking fluids on private property at 1710 East 17th Street.

This is an abandoned property that has been condemned by the city of Chattanooga.

Adjacent property owners provided permission for the city of Chattanooga to remediate the area.

HEPACO LLC has been contracted for emergency remediation approved by the mayor's office.

Remediation will involve removal and disposal of the drums, excavation of the contaminated soil, and restoration of the property.

The amount is $100,000.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Julia.

That ends our purchases for this evening.

We'll now move into committee reports.

Councilwoman Coonrod?

We have a, hit your light for me so we can hear you.

I apologize.

- [Ms. Coonrod] Next week, we'll have an economic development committee about TIFs.

- [Mr. Ledford] Yes ma'am, thank you very much.

Councilwoman Noel?

Dr. Berz?

(inaudible) - [Dr. Berz] Budget of the, thank you, of the budget book, and it will also go online for the public at the same time.

Thank you.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you.

Vice Chairwoman Dotley?

- [Ms. Dotley] No report.

- [Mr. Ledford] Councilman Henderson?

- [Mr. Henderson] Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

No public safety committee report, but we do have the first of our short term vacation rental focus groups will be meeting Monday, May the 9th, at the DRC room one A.

We will focus on economic development and tourism, and the public is invited.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, councilman.

And that is online on the city's web or council's website, correct?

The thank you very much.

Councilwoman Hill?

- [Ms. Hill] Thank you, Chair.

We will, we had a planning and zoning meeting today chaired by you.

Next week, we will have a planning and zoning meeting to discuss the ADU ordinance in greater detail.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you very much.

Councilman Smith?

- [Mr. Smith] Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Next week we will be having a legislative committee meeting and discussing the honorary street names, potential legislation, thank you, sir.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, sir.

Councilman Hester?

- [Mr. Hester] We met today, and I wanna thank again the Chattanooga Zoo for presenting today.

- [Mr. Ledford] Yes, thank you very much.

All right, that will end committee reports.

We're now at the time in the evening where we will recognize persons wishing to address the Council.

If you would please, line up behind the podium, and as you come, I will ask Madam Attorney to read our rules.

- [Attorney] Each speaker wishing to address the Council shall be recognized at the microphone provided.

You may address Council only on matters within the legislative and quasi-judicial authority of the Council, and you'll be limited to three minutes, unless you're granted additional time.

Thank you.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, Madam Attorney.

Good evening, Ms. Mott.

- [Ms. Mott] Good evening.

Marie Mott, district eight.

"The problem of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power," the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on March 30th, 1967.

I am struggling to convey my feelings without breaking out and crying, because three of the living members that sued this city to pay a mighty price of a ticket for me to have freedom, freedom for people who look like me to sit up here, but then sit up here, and ignore our cries for justice.

They live in my district.

Dr. Tommy Brown, former Councilman Lehman Pierce, Johnny Holloway, and even the ancestor HH Wright's church is in my district.

I am ashamed at this body that you will not recognize that the expansion of rights in this country have come at the hands and the labor, the death and the lynching of black bodies, from Ed Johnson, Charles Williams, Alfred Blant.

Right here in Chattanooga, we paid a price of being washed down the street, sitting in at Woolsworth, protesting in 2020, just to be recognized as human beings.

And even the process of redistricting is both for political and economic power for disenfranchised communities.

You wonder why young people flee from this city?

You won't listen to us.

You wonder why we leave and we never look back?

You are clenching to a status quo in the past, while we are begging to go into a future.

You wonder why we flooded the streets in 2020?

Because as we're fed up, and I'm ashamed that I'm going to Harvard with a broken heart, representing my city, the only African American woman on the campus in the entire Southern region with a broken heart that leadership in this city is cruel, unjust, and tone deaf.

(participants clapping) - [Ms. Pierre] Good evening.

My name is Ann Pierre.

I'm in district nine.

Thank you, Councilwoman Coonrod.

I stand here tonight to bring you a message from Dr. Tommy Brown.

If any council member would like to call and talk with her as to whether she sent me with this message, I'll be most happy to give you her cell number.

Brown versus the Board of Commissioners of the City of Chattanooga, Eastern District Tennessee 1989 was the restructuring of the election process of Chattanooga's Board of Commissioners due to its unconstitutionality as it contradicted section two of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Brown versus Board of Commissioners is the reason that the current Chattanooga City Council exists.

The Voting Rights Act was violated by ignoring the rights of the blacks residents of the city.

I, Tommy Brown, joined with other residents in this room.

They are by name Reverend HH Wright, Lehman Peirce, Lorenzo Irving, Maxine Cousin, Annie Thomas, JK Brown, Johnny Holloway, Beauford MacElrath, Bobby Ward, Norma Crowder, and George Keith.

All of you sit under the decree, but you have denied the people the right to understand how you made your decision for the people by meeting without announcing to the people or allowing input.

We will not accept this action.

There is a next step.

Thank you for the time to speak.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, ma'am.

- [Ms. Simpson] Good evening.

- [Mr. Ledford] Good evening.

- [Ms. Simpson] Jackie Simpson, district nine.

I'm gonna kinda piggyback off of the ones that have already spoke.

What I wanted to say, I'm not going to say.

I'm gonna read this.

I learned this in the ninth grade, had to learn it by heart.

We, the people of the United State of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, secure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity, do and ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.

Y'all not doing right.

- [Mr. Ledford] Thank you, ma'am - [Participant] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen I'm from North Concord district.

I think it's district four, district two, or whatever it is right now.

I work public works, and I recently applied for a position of general supervisor.

I emailed Mr. Hester, and I think I was treated very unfairly in the interview process, and I file a grievance, which is a protected right.

And I was retaliated behind, and last Thursday I file a retaliation grievance, and it was being investigated by the HR unit.

Now that today, the HR lady saying that the video disappear.

If you do an investigation, the video must be saved.

Why it is the video disappear?

I'm blue, not black.

And now 11th Street is a total embarrassment, because I think that that's a plantation, a slave house with no minority.

They got two black person in admin, two black people, so I call it a slave house, and I'm an employee there, and I've been treated like a slave.

We don't allow slaves in this city.

Slavery abolished how long ago, and we still sit, all you all still sit and accept slavery, legal slavery.

That's why I call it, legal slavery.

What you all going to do about legal slavery in this city?

You all have a vision.

You all have a plan.

You have something to take us back.

The reason why slavery fail was bad management.

- [Mr. Ledford] Okay.

- [Participant] And we still have bad management.

- [Mr. Ledford] I would like to.

- [Participant] I've got 20 seconds.

Hold it.

- [Mr. Ledford] Oh, I'm sorry.

I apologize, I thought you wanted an answer.

- [Participant] No, but I mean, you answer this, you know what I'm saying?

The reason why slavery failed 200 years ago, bad management, and the city gonna fail because they have bad management.

That's all, and you all can retaliate how much you want.

I don't care.

- [Mr. Ledford] I wanted you to get with our deputy chief of staff if you didn't mind hanging around for a few moments.

Okay, okay, understood, thank you, thank you.

Anyone else wishing to address the Council this evening?

Council, I'm not seeing anyone else wishing to address the council.

We are adjourned.

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