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

(upbeat music) - [Madam Vice Chair] Call this meeting to order.

We do have a special presentation today, presented by our great chairman, Darrin Ledford.

- All right, thank you Madame Vice Chair.

We are a bittersweet this evening.

We are saying goodbye to a member of our staff.

Who is, we want to wish her the absolute best in her future endeavors.

And we want her to know just how much she has meant to our council family here for the last eight years.

How much we treasure her.

Her passion.

Her smile.

Her wittiness.

I could go on Karen, would you like me to?

(crowd laughs) No.

So Madam Vice chair, if you would allow me to read a Chattanooga City Council proclamation.

Whereas Karen Leonardo Campbell began her journey with the Chattanooga City Council in 2014 as council support specialist.

Since 2019, she has been the staff manager for the City of Chattanooga's Police Advisory and Review Committee.

Whereas Karen was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, but spent many years of her life as a proud Bostonian.

She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, and has used her degree to cultivate cross-cultural understanding and relationships in the workplace.

Whereas Karen is a licensed Zumba instructor, bringing her own brand of international flare in motivating others to fulfill their fitness goals.

Whereas Karen believes in experiencing life to the fullest, and has lived in four different countries, and traveled to many more.

One of her greatest joys in life is being a proud boy mom.

Whereas Karen's name in Hebrew and origin and translates to glorious dignity, which speaks to the grace and dignity she has brought to the position of council support specialist.

Now therefore be it proclaimed that we, that Chattanooga City Council do hereby recognize, honor and congratulate Karen Leonardo Campbell for eight years of dedicated service to the city of Chattanooga, and commend her for providing the highest level of support to the administrative office of the Chattanooga City Council.

Darren Ledford, chairman Chattanooga City Council.

Congratulations, Karen.

(crows claps) - An ordinance to amend- No, I'm playing.

(crowd laughs) I don't know how to say anything else on this mic.

Thank you.

Thank you for a wonderful eight years.

I've learned so much about Chattanooga, and its residents.

Some areas more than others.

But I do appreciate all the growth and wisdom that you have planted in me, and I'm not going too far.

So I'll be around.

And I dunno if I should say this publicly, but I got your back.

(crows claps) Thank you.

- [Ken Smith] Hang on.

I think I have the mic.

You ever had that moment in your life where you look up and thought, "Please, Lord, do not let them speak."

That is how Ms. Campbell feels at this moment.

In all seriousness, eight years in some ways has truly flown by.

I remember the day of the interview.

I remember the day you announced that you were pregnant.

I remember the day that you left to have that baby and spend time away as a new mom.

I remember how excited you were to share with us that time bringing Caden to the office the very first time.

You always included us as part of your family because we were very close from a working family.

And I can't truly imagine what it's gonna be like to walk into this office and not see you here.

You've been a foundation for many of us.

Rough days, fun days, everything in between.

You had a way to make people laugh.

You had a way to bring them back down when they needed to.

It's just really been remarkable.

Not only did you work incredibly hard, and were incredibly dedicated to that work specifically, but you were always 110% giving of yourself to every member of this council as your top priority.

And it's gonna be incredibly difficult, dare I say impossible to replace you.

Even if we can find somebody that would be willing to work as hard, they will never come close to replacing what you have provided to many of us as a coworker in this office.

Support specialist doesn't even come close, to what you were able to do for us as a council.

Thank you so much for all the time here.

I really thought I was gonna leave before you, but that's okay.

You are gonna be dearly missed and we hope to see you around often.

Thank you.

(crowd claps) - [Darren Ledford] Councilman Henderson.

You have the floor, sir.

- [Councilman Henderson] Thank you, sir.

So during the interview process when we interviewed Karen, I asked her what she understood her job to be.

And she gave me one of the best answers I think I've ever heard in my life.

She said, "My job is to make you look good."

And I thought, "Wow, that's a great answer."

It's gonna be very difficult to do.

But Karen, I will say that you have always put this council first, and made this council look good, and made sure that we have always understood what we have needed in the way of information schedules, whatever it may be.

And I think you will be irreplaceable at this position.

You've done a a great job.

And I'm gonna try to pronounce this correctly, Hasta la vista.

(crows laughs) - [Darren Ledford] Thank you, Councilman Henderson.

Councilwoman Coonrod, you have the floor ma'am.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] Thank you chair.

I've already given you my thesis of how much I'm gonna miss you, and how much I appreciate you.

But most importantly since I've been on council, from day one, like you've always just accepted me for me.

Like there it wasn't no trying to convince me to put on lipstick and a pair of heels with you.

I can authentically be myself.

I appreciate you the many times that you straighten my crown as a sister and two fingers helped me like, you know, "Coonrod what you're doing?"

You need to rethink what you doing and what you saying and how you moving and I really appreciate that.

And we most definitely gonna stay in touch.

- [Darren Ledford] All right, thank you Councilwoman.

No other lights?

I'll wrap this up for you, 'cause I know you're an agony right now.

But we love you, you're our family and we wish the very best for you.

And don't be a stranger.

Our door and our hearts are always open.

Thank you.

(crowd claps) - [Darren Ledford] I'll pay for that later.

I know if I can get a minute of approval please.

I do have a motion on the minutes.

I do have a second of that motion without objection.

Minutes will stay in order of business for city council ordinances on final reading.

We have none this evening.

Ordinances on first reading, under council office item A Madam Clerk please.

- [Madam Clerk] And ordinance to amend Chattanooga City code part two chapter 35, section 35160 billing and charges for district records.

- Madame vice chair, you have the floor.

- Yes.

Thank you so much chairman.

I appreciate it.

I just wanted to make a few comments before I made a motion on this.

I diligently listened to my colleagues today regarding the comments that you made, and the feedback that you made and I really appreciate it.

I did wanna note some of the things that I mentioned earlier regarding this ordinance, this well, yeah regarding this ordinance.

We have been working on this since late July, that this did go through the bear record board as well.

We had a public hearing was approved, by the bear record board, and also went through legislative committee a few weeks ago.

So I'm very excited to move this, hopefully move this record ordinance through in note.

And also note that the amounts that you see are maximum amounts.

So this is a regulated industry here in Chattanooga.

So these are maximum amounts.

So with that being said, and again thank my colleagues so much, for your comments today, your feedback.

You know, these are businesses and constituents that are representing my district.

So with that I move to move to approve.

- [Darren Ledford] I do have a motion to approve.

We'll get this on the floor with a second to that motion.

Councilwoman Coonrod.

You have the floor ma'am.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] I didn't have a second but I did have a question about the minimums.

We able to get access to what the minimum fee would be.

We've been presented with the maximum, I understand that's the maximum, but do, are we able to get, what's the in between?

What's the minimum?

If I call a wrecker, am I automatically gonna be charged $250?

If there's a minimum, I will.

I would like to know what that minimum number is.

- [Darren Ledford] Councilwoman, if you'll allow me a little back and forth here, I'm gonna go to Madam Vice chair.

Your lights on.

- [Madam Vice Chair] In regards to a minimum, it depends on the type of tow you have.

Every tow is not gonna be $250.

This is a regulated and I thank you for asking that question too.

This is a regulated industry again here in Chattanooga.

Just as if you call an emergency vehicle, you know, they can't charge you any more than X amount of dollars.

So it doesn't necessarily mean that every tow is $250.

It just means that this is the maximum amount allowed to be charged.

So for instance, I believe we mentioned in one of our meetings about like the housing authority, they manage their own tows.

And I believe those tows are $30 for those individuals, that have those violations within the housing authority.

So we don't even, this doesn't even apply to private sites like that.

This is more for accidents, and any other type of private incidents that may happen.

Maybe it's somebody parked violating, in somebody's apartment complex and things like that.

And again, it doesn't necessarily necessarily mean it's gonna be $250.

This is the max amount, so that we protect our citizens from price gouging.

- [Darren Ledford] Councilwoman, do you need to respond, or follow up with a question?

If you'll hit your light for me.

- [Councilwoman Coonrod] By explaining that, I think what would be helpful for me and my constituents, is if we have that language included.

Like it could be arranged from here to here, because what I'm seeing, and what I'm sure my constituents are seeing and we received a email from a constituent, that we're seeing just the high amount.

Like this is what you're gonna be charged.

Now if you have car insurance, of course they would naturally pay for it, but if you don't have insurance, it could be kinda costly.

So for me it would be helpful.

Are we able to put or any of your constituent records here, able to say this is our minimum amount, and it is between this range and that range?

Or are we not able to get that information?

I wanna make a motion to just add the language up to $250, although we know maximum and up to mean the same.

But for the sake of clarity for my constituents, I need to be worded a little different and change the amount of $200.

Nah, we'll stick to the $250.

(crows laughs) We'll stick to the $250 and just put up to.

- [Darren Ledford] Okay, we have a motion to amend, by adding the words up to in front of, as follows correct.

Mr. Turner?

- [Mr. Turner] Yes, sir.

- [Darren Ledford] Okay.

That motion is, that is in the form of a motion as an amendment.

- [Mr. Turner] Yes, sir.

- [Darren Ledford] Okay.

I've seen no other lights.

Questions or comments on the amendment.

All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.

- [Crowd] Aye.

- [Darren Ledford] Opposed to the amendment?

Moment the amendment passes.

Chair will now entertain a motion to approve as amended.

- [Crowd Member] Move to approve as amended.

- [Darren Ledford] I have a motion to approve as amended.

Have a second to that motion?

Questions or comments before we vote?

All those in favor say aye.

[Crowd] Aye.

- [Darren Ledford] Opposed?

Motion carries as amended.

Thank you both.

Hey Chris, you got, can you come up?

- [Chris] Yes sir.

- [Darren Ledford] Not a question, just a statement.

I know that there were probably many, many people involved with this at the city, but you and Ellis were the only ones that I saw.

The event to honor Leslie Allen Jordan, that the city assisted in putting on, was absolutely outstanding.

You and those that were involved did an incredible job.

It was fun, it was upbeat.

It was what everybody should ever dream of, as a celebration in life.

And seeing the looks on his family members and those that knew him so well, after and during that event, were worth beyond the price of admission.

And I just wanna say publicly thank you and to thank the staff, the mayor, and everybody that was involved in putting that on.

It was truly something special.

- [Chris] Thank you, Councilman.

While it was an honor, for me to issue the mayor's proclamation in his absence, I have to give the credit to Ellis Smith, and also Jonathon Susman for how well that event ran.

But thank you very much.

The the family was very appreciative to the city of Chattanooga for our outpouring of love and support for Leslie and his legacy.

They were very touched, that the city would go to that length.

- [Darren Ledford] Thank you Councilman.

Ordinances and resolutions this evening will now move into purchases.

Mr. Goldberg.

Is this it?

- [Mr. Goldberg] This is it.

[Darren Ledford] This is it.

So if you have any questions on purchases, let 'em fly.

This is Mr. Goldberg's last chance as our Chief Financial Officer.

We'll miss you too, sir.

- [Mr. Goldberg] Thank you.

- [Darren Ledford] I'm not gonna give you a hug though.

- [Mr. Goldberg] I will slightly miss coming here every Tuesday.

(crowd laughs) - [Mr. Goldberg] Alright, Mr. Chairman, we have seven purchases recommended for approval.

First is from the Wastewater Division of Public Works, new blanket contract for electric motors and pump services.

Four bids were received and the award goes to Remco LLC and Chattanooga Armature Works.

This will be a four year contract, with a combined annual amount not to exceed 300,000.

Second from the library approval to reassign purchase agreement 100145 for rental of the Eastgate Library Branch from OBC Properties Delaware, LLC, to Greenleaf Investment Partners, due to change in property ownership, no change in amount.

Third Fleet Management Division of Public Works, new blanket contracts for installation of supplied lighting and equipment for police SUVs.

Three bids were received, and the awards go to On-Duty Depot, Inc. With an annual amount not to exceed 70,000 and Truckers Lighthouse, Inc. With an annual amount not to exceed 75,000.

Blue Line Solution LLC was a low bidder, but they did not include supplied equipment in the bid, per specifications.

Next, from the Fleet Management Division of Public Works, request to increase contract with CMI Equipment Sales Inc. For Peterson Knuckle Boom Loader OEM parts and service to cover an updated estimate for parts and repairs.

The increase is 70,000 for a new annual amount, not to exceed 100,000.

Next Fleet Management Division of Public Works, request to increase contract with on-Duty Depot, Inc. For Satina police vehicle equipment, to cover equipment excluded from previous approval in error.

The increase is 25,000 for a new annual amount, not to exceed 115,000.

Next also from Fleet Management Division.

Second and final renewal of contract for batteries and batter supplies.

Batteries Plus submitted a price increase of 12% at the time of renewal with an annual amount not to exceed 85,000.

And lastly, from Street Maintenance Division, request to increase contract with excellent Lawn Care LLC., for grounds maintenance for city right of ways, to cover right-of-ways, not included in the original approval.

The increase is 55,000 for a new annual amount, not to exceed- And I didn't type them out.

I don't, do have it on your sheet Chairman?

- [Darren Ledford] Annual spend of $150,000.

- [Mr. Goldberg] Not to exceed $150,000.

- [Darren Ledford] There you go.

I have a motion to approve purchases this evening.

I have a second to that motion.

Questions or comments before we vote?

And for those of you joining us not regularly, these are presented to us the previous week, for us to ask questions and then again to follow up on questions at our 3:30 agenda session.

All those in favor say aye.

- [Crowd] Aye!

- [Darren Ledford] Opposed?

Purchases carry.

There are no rfp, no emergency purchases, no sole sources to report this evening.

Mr. Goldberg.

- Correct.

- [Darren Ledford] All right, thank you.

We wish you the very best as well, sir.

It's been an honor to work alongside of you.

I've learned a lot from you.

And as I said to Karen earlier, my heart and my door is always open.

Thank you.

- [Mr. Goldberg] Thank you, thank you all.

It's been a pleasure to work with you and as a valued community partner, just up the road at UTC, I will be sure to email you all of my grievances with the city once I am no longer here.

- [Darren Ledford] And we'll be sure to get right back with you if you'll hang on one second.

I do see a couple lights So don't run out of the door just yet.

Councilman Henderson, you have the floor, sir.

- [Councilman Henderson] Thank you sir.

And I just wanted to echo a little bit of what Councilman Smith said.

Brett, it's been an honor and a privilege to work with you.

And the first go around, was really when I experienced working with you, and I brought a problem or a situation to you, and you and I'll never forget what you said.

You said, "I'll have that fixed tomorrow," and it was fixed tomorrow.

And in government that really impressed me, that there was somebody that could actually tell me they could have something done and they actually did it.

So I've always remembered that.

I've told people that, that you're able to get things done.

So I've always appreciated that about you.

You know what you can do and you were able to do it.

And I thank you for all your service for the city.

- [Darren Ledford] We will now move into committee reports.

- [Councilman] Thank you Mr.

Chair.

I have no report, but I do have one additional comment that I'd like to make.

You know, we've had a couple incredibly valuable employees spending their last evening with us tonight.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't really recognize the fact that we often wait until people are leaving us to issue our appreciation and how valuable they are.

So I would just like to add that our council clerk is one of the most outstanding people I have ever had an opportunity.

You're taking notes, write it, write it down.

Nicole is outstanding, outstanding.

And you know, when I commented about Karen being irreplaceable, I mean that a hundred percent, but understand that in her absence our clerk is doing her job and Karen's job.

And she has done it similarly in the past and she has never missed a beat.

And while I don't look forward to her having to do it by herself for very long, I hope we have plans to make sure that doesn't happen.

Whoever is here from HR, I do wanna recognize the fact that I know you could do it, and again without us even noticing anything was missing.

So thank you so much for everything you do to make us look good.

As Chairman Henderson said, a lot of it comes straight outta your office.

And thank you so much for everything Nicole.

(crowd claps) - [Darren Ledford] Moving to recognitions of persons wishing to address counsel this evening.

Is there anyone who wishes to address counsel this evening?

If not, I will now have the- the city attorney read the rules.

But if there is, we will.

Mr. Noblett?

- [Mr. Noblett] Yes sir.

At the end of every council meeting the chair will recognize members of the public that wish to address it.

Here's your rules.

Each person wishing to address the council can only be recognized up front the microphone.

No person can 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 their authority or regulated by other governmental bodies or agencies.

Don't use the floor to allow any vulgar or obscene language.

No personal attacks or personal denigration of others is allowed.

And you have to address your comments to the council as a whole, and not make comments directed towards individual council members.

Don't have any disorderly conduct or disrupting a public meeting , which is prohibited under Tennessee law and someone commits that offense, if a person substantially obstructs or interferes with a meeting by physical action or verbal utterance with the intent to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting or gathering.

Having stated all the rules, please go ahead sir.

- My name is Mike Smith.

I live in District three.

I am the executive director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition.

I'm grateful to be here tonight to be able to discuss something.

I know that tomorrow we have a community meeting in District 6 to discuss the city's plan to convert a hotel into a permanent supportive housing project.

I'm not, it's kind of odd being in the council chamber and this audience being so bare.

I've been here several times to discuss, in support of that permanent supportive housing project and have been during those times, have had the pleasure of hearing some differing points of view than mine own.

And those of the Homeless Coalition.

The Homeless Coalition's been busy over the past two weeks.

I'm pretty sure that most people are aware that there has been a crisis that occurred outside of this council's jurisdiction.

And yet the Homeless Coalition, we that is our jurisdiction.

And so we stepped forward with our best foot.

Was short time to respond.

Yet we weren't alone.

I mentioned the meeting tomorrow, as well as the previous times I've been here.

I want to give light to the fact that Silverdale Baptist Academy stepped forward too.

On the morning of the mass eviction that occurred two weeks ago tomorrow, it took one phone call and they were there.

They've been there since day one to help in, with grace and with love, but also when all else failed.

And we realized that 157 adults, 110 children, and 42 pets had nowhere to go, at the end of the day.

They were in East Ridge which is outside of this council.

We knew where they were gonna go, which was into the city of Chattanooga.

Yet it took one phone call, and the City of Chattanooga's Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing was there to support the response alongside Silverdale Baptist Academy and many other community partners.

So I'm here to offer a way like to celebrate.

I'm not here to point fingers or any of that, of what happened that day, but to celebrate the fact that we can move forward together with all of us at the table.

There were seven people on hospice that would've died that night, without the quick action of the community.

And this is a, we're not out of the woods yet.

We kicked the can down road a little bit.

But it's cause for celebration.

And I look forward tomorrow to the open conversation understanding that we all have together.

- [Darren Ledford] Thank you sir.

Anyone else wishing to address council this evening?

If not, council, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

We have a motion to adjourn.

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