(upbeat music plays) - You're watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council Meeting.

A production of WTCI PBS.

(upbeat music continues) - Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to our Tuesday, September the 28th, City Council Meeting.

I now call this meeting to order, I'll pledge allegiance Will be led by Councilor Warren Docket.

(voices offscreen reciting Pledge of Allegiance) (voices offscreen reciting Pledge of Allegiance) - Thank you mam.

We have no special presentations this afternoon, but we do have a public hearing on the certified tax rate.

So at this time I will turn the chair over to our finance committee Chairperson, Councilwoman Berz.

- Thank you Mr.

Chair.

Okay, so we've had two opportunities.

Well, this will make four opportunities for a public hearing, and we welcome all of you here.

We had no input this afternoon, and tonight we will have input starting at six for two minutes only, so I'll need the clock, Mr.

IT guy, for two minutes.

And I think we'll have time for whoever wants to speak.

And if you would be lining up at the podium, please, and we will start the clock.

Once you introduce yourself and say where you live, what district you're in, and then speak your peace for two minutes.

So who's going first?

(long pause) That's amazing!

(people chuckling) So I guess what you really want us to do is go ahead and vote, correct?

(loud applause, people cheering) So gosh, I think I got that message.

Mr.

Chair, I will turn the podium back to you.

And I would like to make the first motion.

It needs to be read.

(Chairman) Sure, we do have one other item, we need to have a motion on the minutes first.

I have a motion on the minutes with a proper second.

Any questions or comments before we vote on the minutes?

(people chuckling) Madame Clerk.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod, (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Councilman Bert, (Bert) yes Councilwoman Daly, (Daly) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) Oh yeah.

(Clerk) Councilman Esther (Esther) yes Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes Vice chairman Smith.

(Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson (Henderson) Yes, now that's had it.

Now, Madam Clerk, if you would read five A please.

(Clerk) An ordinance here and after also known as the fiscal year 2021 through 2022 operations budget, providing revenue for the fiscal year, beginning, July 1st, 2021.

And then in June 30th, 2022, appropriating signed to the payment of expenses of municipal government.

Fixing the rate of taxation on all taxable property in the city at the time, taxes and privileges are due.

How they shall be paid, when they shall become delinquent provided for interest and penalty on the liquid taxes and privileges amending Chattanooga City Code part 2 chapter 2 section 2, 267, relative to paid leave for active duty training and to amend Chattanooga City Code part 2 chapter 31 sections 31.36, 31.37 31.41 and 31.43, section 31.322 and 31.354.

And to accept and appropriate federal funds for the fiscal year activities from the state and local fiscal recovery funds provided in the American Rescue Plan Act.

- Councilwoman Berz, you have the floor.

(Berz) Um, move approval.

(Henderson) All right, we have a motion on the floor to approve item 5A with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

All right, let's vote.

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Hill, (Hill) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses - Motion to (inaudible) (people clapping and cheering) (people clapping and cheering) (people clapping and cheering) Well I was gonna say it was approved, but I think you got the message.

(people chuckling) All right, moving now to 5B please.

(Clerk) In order as to appropriating authorizing and allocating funds to the capital improvements budget for the fiscal year 2021 through 2022.

- Councilwoman Berz.

(Berz) Approved - We have a motion on the floor to approve item 5B with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- The motion does carry.

Moving now to our planning item Madam Clerk, 5C please.

(Clerk) In ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code part 2 chapter 38 zoning ordinance.

So let's release all properties located in 1200 block of Gillespie road, the 3,600 block of third street and 3607 Hort street from R1 residential zone, to R2 residential zone and RTZ residential townhouses.

There are a lot lines on it.

- Councilwoman Coonrod followed by councilman Ledford.

(Ledford) I second.

- Alright, we have a motion on the floor to approve 5C with a proper second.

Were there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- So moved.

Moving now to ordinances on first reading, Madam Clerk, 6A please.

(Clerk) And the ordinance to suspend the second division of Chattanooga City Court effective the end of the current term, and before the next general election, and to amend the Chattanooga City Code sections 12.18 and 12.19.

- Councilwoman Berz followed by councilman Ledford.

(Berz) move approval.

(Ledford) second.

- We have a motion on the floor to approve item 6A with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

- Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) no (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) that's 8 yeses.

- Motion to approve does carry 8-1.

Moving now to resolutions.

Madam Clerk let's take 7A please.

(Clerk) A resolution authorizing the merit or his designee, to enter into amendment number 1 and a third agreement to exercise the option to renew with Brian Cotter.

Insubstantially the forms attached for lease of the house located at 324 Bash Road on tax number 158IC02.01 and further identify as the brown acres rental house and consideration of $800 security services at brown acres and in branded golf courses for an additional term of three months through January 31st, 2022.

- Councilwoman Berz?

(Berz) Move to approval - Okay, we have a motion on the floor to approve item 7A with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- Motion to approve carries 9-0.

Moving now down into finance, Madam clerk.

If there were no objections from the council, would you read a 7B and C together please.

(Clerk) Item B: A resolution adopting a five-year capital improvement plan for fiscal years, 2022 through 2026 substitute future revision, a copy of which is attached to two made apart here by reference.

Item C: a resolution is present at the intake of the city of Chattanooga to issue bonds in the aggregate, amount not to exceed 5 500 000 dollars for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the cost of the following: Alton Park Connector Bridge, maintenance a standard for gaps, community center improvements for our training center upgrade planning.

And design Goodman Row Segman 4 Hemney Place Blvd Greenway forum conference center, law enforcement training center, Lindbergh park roadway, slope failure station 15 replacement addition, traffic signal, infrastructure maintenance transit stop accessibility section 53.10.

- Councilwoman Berz followed by Councilwoman Coonrod.

(Berz) Thank you, Mr.

Chair, with these last two, we complete the approval of those items in the budget process that you've all waited for.

Thanks for your support.

Thanks for your faith.

And with that, Mr.

Chair, I move approval.

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- So moved.

Moving now to the mayor's office, Madam clerk, if there were no objections, would you read 7D, E and F. (Clerk) Item D: A resolution confirming Mayor Kelly's re-appointments of Steve Jackson and Randall Smith to 4 year terms on the board of mechanical examiners.

Item E: resolution confirming Mayor Kelly's re-appointments of Doug Daily, John Smith, and Mark Stockman to 2 year terms on the board of gas examiners Item F: the resolution confirming Mayor Kelly's re-appointments of Doug Daily, Susan daily, Paul McGinnis, John Smith, and Mark Stockman to 2 year terms on the board of plumbing examiners.

- What's the pleasure of the council?

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

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call, please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- Motion to approve does carry.

Moving now down to police and public works.

Madam clerk with no objection from the council, Let's read 7G and H. (Clerk) Item G: the resolution authorizing the chief of the Chattanooga police department to enter into a contract with Exxon Enterprise Inc for body-worn cameras, tasers, in-car cameras, interview rooms, storage and maintenance over a five-year term from October 1st, 2021 through September 30th, 2026.

Based upon source.

Well contract number 010720AXN to be paid in annual payments of 1 403 999 dollars and 79 cents for a total amount of 7 019,998 dollars and 95 cents Item 8: A resolution authorized.

The administrator for the department of public works to remove the blanket purchase order number 545869 with ADA, LLC for the final one year renewal period for sewer line flow monitoring and rain gauge services to comply with consent degree requirements for an amount not to exceed 1 400 000 dollars.

- What's the pleasure of council?

- Approval - Second - I have a motion on the floor to approve item 7G and H with a proper second.

Are there any questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- So moved.

Moving now down to our purchases.

Council if you would pull your purchase items out as Julia comes.

- Good evening council, we have four purchases this evening, as well as one RFP.

The first is for IT in the mayor's office.

This is for an increase from $22,500 to $33,000 for the blanket purchase order number 561670.

The original purchase was a sole source procurement for social media communication software from sprout social.

The second is from city wide services division and public works.

This is the first of two renewals for Ready Rock concrete blocks from Bradley Tank and Pipe, LLC.

The vendor has submitted a price increase due to increase material and labor costs.

This is an 8% price increase for a total annual estimate, spend of $38,000 the third purchase is from the parks maintenance division, parks and outdoors.

This is a new blanket contract for custodial and facility maintenance services for the parks maintenance division.

This will be a four year contract not to exceed $250,000 per year.

6 bids were requested and 3 were returned.

The award will go to Detail Experts as the best bid meeting specifications for the city of Chattanooga.

The fourth purchase is from IT and police.

This is a new agreement for automated license plate reader services from Motorola Solutions Incorporated for a total annual estimated spend of a $100 000.

This purchase utilizes the Tennessee statewide contract.

Number 450.

The term starts upon approval and ends May 16th, 2026.

(Henderson) Council, you've heard tonight's purchases, what's your pleasure?

- Approved - Second (Henderson) I have a motion on the floor with the proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson (Henderson) yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

(Henderson) Motion to approve tonight's purchases does carry 9-0.

- All right, we have one RFP format recommended for approval.

We're requesting approval to issue this RFP, not approval to award any contracts at this time.

This is from the mayor's office.

This is a request to solicit proposals for grants management, compliance, accounting, data management, and community engagement, technical support and advisory services to assist the city in administering the $38.6 million allocated to the city of Chattanooga through the American rescue plans, coronavirus state, and local fiscal recovery funds.

Multiple proposals may be awarded to perform this work.

Proposals will be selected based upon their capabilities, experience and other factors as well as on price.

(Henderson) Alright, council, you have heard this request.

What's your counsel, Councilman Ledford?

(Ledford) Move to approve RFP.

- Second - All right, we have a motion on the floor to approve this RFP with a proper second.

Questions or comments before we vote?

Roll call please.

(Clerk) Councilwoman Coonrod (Coonrod) yes (Clerk) Councilman Berg (Berg) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Dotley (Dotley) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Berz (Berz) yes (Clerk) Councilman Hester (Hester) yes (Clerk) Councilman Ledford (Ledford) yes (Clerk) Councilwoman Hill (Hill) yes (Clerk) Vice chairman Smith (Smith) yes (Clerk) Chairman Henderson - Yes (Clerk) 9 yeses.

- Thank you Julia.

Moving now to committee reports.

Councilwoman Hill (Hill) No reports - Councilman Ledford (Ledford) Thank you, Mr. Chairman, the meeting we've all been waiting for, October 5th, finding its own immediately found agenda session.

(Henderson) I can't wait.

(Ledford) Try to curb your enthusiasm Sir.

- Councilman Hester (Hester) No reports, but we will meet next week.

- Thank you.

Councilwoman Berz - Mr.

Chair, today, after a very long process, we finally approved both the operational budget and the capital budget, in full.

Thank you.

(Henderson) Thank you.

(people clapping) (Henderson) Vice chair Smith (Smith) No reports (Henderson) Councilwoman Dotley - No reports (Henderson) Councilman Berg - No reports (Henderson) Councilwoman Coonrod - All I gotta say, Chairman is we gotta stop the violence.

We need the community to step up.

(people clapping) - Council, that concludes all of our agenda items this afternoon, which brings us down to recognition of persons wishing to address council is my understanding from the Vice chair that we do not have anyone that has registered to speak to us through our zoom platform this afternoon.

But I will ask if there's anyone here present with us this afternoon, if you would like to address the council, would you raise your hand and let us know that you'd like to address the council at this time?

Okay?

All right.

Let me allow the city attorney to read our rules of engagement.

- All right.

People wishing to address the council can stand at the podium and wait to be addressed by the Chair.

You will have three minutes to speak about the issues that the council has legislative and quasi-judicial authority to hear.

(Henderson) Mr.

IT if you would give us three minutes on the clock, give us your name and district number, please.

And just speak into the microphone as best you can.

- My name is David Deputy, I'm with the security engineers, we provide the security guard services for our city.

I'm a resident of Chattanooga, and I take great pride in having and serving the business in our parks for public buildings for the city of Chattanooga.

Recently, I found out that the city account for decided not to renew our contract.

And I was caught by great surprise because I keep in contact with our clients and the city.

And we have not had any issues that I'm aware of.

And even after the vote, I reached out to my clients and they were in shock as well with the decision that was made.

And I found the video.

I saw that there was a statement that the city, that some folks were not happy with our service But again, reaching out to our clients and specifically to the statement that the parks are not happy.

I reached out to that specific client and he was caught by surprise with the decision that was made and that he has no issue with our services.

So I showed him respect.

I'm not here to cause any trouble anything like that.

I certainly respect your decision, but I would kindly like to ask if you would reevaluate your decision and mostly whatever decision you do take, if I could know what to fix.

Currently, apparently something is broken, but unfortunately none of my clients know, contact for the city of Chattanooga here, nor do I.

And my goal is to at least find out what had been the issues.

So I can immediately, and my team, address those, even for the remaining time that we have until the contract goes out for bid.

And I guess the only last thing I would like to say is that speaking to some of the clients, they told me that, you know, they were shocked, because normally the process that it has to take in order to make a change in a vendor or put it out for bid, is that they have to provide documentation of what all the issues are but no documentation at least that my clients or contacts are aware of, had been given it to anyone.

Because again, they had no issue with the service and maybe there is something that you folks have seen, but I would like to at least be able to know what those issues are.

And again, I'd like to kindly ask that you reevaluate the things, your decision, and that please let me know what, your findings are.

(Henderson) Fair enough.

Thank you, Sir.

- Thank you.

(Henderson) Go ahead Sir.

Well, you have to add three minutes back on the clock.

There we go.

- Well, thank you Council and Chair.

My name is Montey Bell, I'm with the Gregor at Fox District 8.

Is where I'm calling from tonight, my home is in Cabinet there at 727 east 11th street.

I heard council representative Coodron say stop the violence I've asked for your assistance that the violence be stopped in my cabinet.

Pretty much we haven't received of that assistance until recently.

And I do appreciate the officers for coming, even though it's late, it's better than not at all.

Time is running out.

I've got less than 60 days to get a person by the name of Sarah James Virginia Parker for the court system of the 11th judicial district court.

It's within the purview of the city, the county, as well as the state.

In 2009, the judge shopping hearings began from incidents that were occurring from 2006.

Up until that time, it was former mayor, Ron Littlefield using CPD officers to harass the citizens that puts it within the purview of the city council.

Then thereafter, we had judges that were using Hamilton county deputies too harass certain citizens.

That also within the purview of the city, because had it not been for our city mayor, that plan would have not come to rise.

And we've got to get this discussion underway.

I was told recently that the duty of the city council is to enter into contracts as well as to fight against lawsuits against the city.

That puts my cause within the purview of the city, bearing all of my lawsuits against the city, but quickly, let me say that the judge shopping started with CPD, but in my case of the judge shopping hearings, it was CPD that came to the rescue.

The state was judge shopping against Montey Bell.

So I have to always think CPD, I do from day one and I would appreciate it.

If all of you would stop using some of the officers because we've got a doggone good department.

They've been with me since day one.

And I'm tired of those who have been used by these mayors and these attorneys that have been doing the number on me.

Cause I've had nothing but service from these officers.

I wouldn't be standing here tonight, if it weren't for them.

We'll see you next week.

(Henderson) Thank you Sir Council, I'm not seeing anyone else that would like to address the council this afternoon.

And what is your pleasure?

- Meeting adjourned (Henderson) So moved You've been watching highlights of the Chattanooga City Council Meeting, a production of WTCI PBS (upbeat music plays)