Good afternoon, everyone.

I now call this agenda meeting of the Chattanooga City Council Tuesday, October the seventh, twenty twenty-five to order.

Thank you for being with us.

Whether you're here in person or joining online, let us stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation being led by Council Elliott.

And to the Republic for which it stands, why nation occupied indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Look, you know, you never know on any given day when you're going to be in need of a rescue, or that you may be the one doing the rescuing.

And that's what happened to Austin Camp and Brandon Shadwick, who were driving back from a Lawson Electric Worksite in Dalton when flash flooding hit our interstate.

So with that, uh, I'd like to read the spectral special proclamation.

I've got a cheat sheet too.

Whereas on August twelfth, twenty twenty-five, the city of Chattanooga experienced significant flooding, presenting unprecedented challenges to our community and infrastructure, and whereas throughout this challenging period, the dedicated employees of EPB and Lawson Electric Company demonstrated extraordinary commitment, courage, and professionalism in their tireless efforts to restore vital services and ensure public safety.

And whereas EPB and Lost and Electric Employees work diligently around the clock to address power outages, repair damaged infrastructure, and maintain the reliability of essential utilities, often in hazardous conditions.

And whereas specifically we recognize the heroic actions of EPB and Lost and Electric Employees, notably Austin Camp, Troy Plemens, and Brandon Shadwick, who on August 12, 2025, exemplifying true civic duty, rescued individuals trapped by rising floodwaters on I-24, risking their own safety to assist their fellow citizens.

And whereas these acts of selflessness and dedication are a testament to the unwavering spirit of service that defines our Chattanooga community and the vital role these organizations and their personnel play in our city's well-being.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Tim Kelly, mayor of the city of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga City Council do hereby jointly extend our deepest gratitude and commendation to Austin Camp, Troy Plemens, and Brandon Shadwick for their outstanding efforts, unwavering commitment, and heroic actions during the recent flooding events.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Yeah.

Maybe with with council behind us, they're in on this too.

Okay.

Thank you.

Well, uh, everybody, thank you, uh, chairwoman, for allowing the opportunity for me to present this proclamation on behalf of the council and to keeping in the theme of saving lives and keeping people safe.

Uh, I would like to present this proclamation today, um, the 2025 City Council Domestic Violence Proclamation, whereas the family is the foundation of a safe and healthy community, and it is the goal of this mayoral administration for our community to be safe, and whereas domestic violence impacts individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality in which children are also affected, one in three women and one in four men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner.

And whereas more than half of the crimes against persons in Tennessee are domestic violence related, research shows that domestic violence is often a root cause of other crimes, such as mass shootings, gun violence, and whereas within the city of Chattanooga, we have experienced more than 1,417 domestic violence incident incidents so far this year of 2025.

And whereas, while domestic violence is not always revealed as physical abuse, it is also any pattern of behaviors that attempts to control and intimidate a partner of fam or family member through fear, manipulation, isolation, financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, mental abuse, and or verbal abuse.

While physical injury with visible damage may often be the most obvious signs of offense, the effect of emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual trauma is much deeper, and we can have lifelong consequences for survivors and their families.

And whereas, as we we as leaders in this community realize that family is the foundation and the core of a safe and healthy community, and ending domestic violence requires a combined effort involving every part of our society, including law enforcement and our justice system to work together to hold offenders accountable and to protect and empower survivors and their children to create pathways to hope and safety.

And whereas the Dr.

Carol B.

Burr's Family Justice Center served 905 victims in 2024-2025 and provided 250 trainings and events, together with their co-located partner organizations, there is help to hold offenders accountable and reduce recidivism while helping to ensure justice, victim safety, and healing.

And whereas during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we affirm our dedication to forging a community where no one suffers the pain and hardship that domestic violence causes, and we recommit to doing all that is within our power to uphold the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, and whereas we dedicate ourselves to create a community where domestic violence is not tolerated, where survivors are supported, where offenders are held accountable, and where all people have an opportunity to thrive without fear of violence or abuse.

And whereas we dedicate ourselves to create a community where domestic violence is not tolerated, where survivors are supported, where offenders are held accountable, and where all people have an opportunity to thrive without fear of violence or abuse.

And whereas, last but not least, we dedicate this proclamation in the memory of Dr.

Carol B.

Burr, recognizing her as a staunch advocate for victims in our community and a visionary leader whose steadfast support advanced the mission of the Family Justice Center and strengthen the work of our partners.

Her legacy of compassion, justice, and collaboration continues to guide and inspire us all.

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in us, we, the Chattanooga City Council, do hereby proclaim 2025, October 2025 as domestic violence awareness month and call on all citizens to know the power of we, as one Chattanooga to observe and speak out against domestic violence and support efforts of law enforcement, the justice system, advocates, service providers, health care providers, and the leadership of survivors to end domestic violence.

In witness whereof, we are hereunto set our hands and cause to the seal of Chattanooga to be fixed this seventh day of October 2025.

I present this to Regina McDevitt, the executive director of the Family Justice Center, and I think she has a few words to add as well.

Do you want to volunteer?

Yes, yes, okay.

Yeah.

Thank you, Councilwoman Burrs.

I would just like to take a moment to recognize our staff and partners that are in the room with us.

If you guys would stand up, we couldn't do this work without the partners that we have in the community and the staff that we have at the Family Justice Center.

Thank you.

I want to thank all the members of the City Council for the opportunity just to speak for a few moments today.

This is the first time I've been here since Dr.

Burr has no longer been with us and from last year.

And so this is very meaningful.

So thank you, Tim.

Each October, we come together to raise awareness about domestic violence.

It's a crisis that touches everyone, one in three women, one in four men in our country.

This year we dedicated our recognition to Dr.

Burr, whose vision, leadership, and relentless advocacy made the Family Justice Center a reality 10 years ago.

Her legacy lives on through every survivor who finds safety, every child who experiences peace, and every partnership that grows stronger because of her commitment to this city.

On average, the Family Justice Center serves about a thousand people each year.

Our partners serve multiple thousands, which just increases the impact that we make with that throughout the community.

Last year, we mentioned that we had 250 outreach and training opportunities, helping our community recognize, respond, and prevent abuse in our community.

We also hosted a multi-faith workshop in collaboration with 10 other faith groups.

And our upcoming 10th annual conference this year is on domestic violence in the workplace, which will be October the 24th.

And it's addressing how employers, co-workers, and communities can support safety and prevention where we live and work.