City Councilwoman Carol Berz during a past interview with the Times Free Press.A proposal to pursue a still undefined study of inequalities experienced by Chattanoogans in regard to opportunities and quality-of-life issues has hit a roadblock - but not necessarily a dead end - with the City Council.
In recent weeks, the council has been seeking clarity on a disparity study that could potentially research residents' disadvantages in accessing health care, education and jobs or starting businesses. Councilman Yusuf Hakeem has repeatedly called for the city to commit to such a study and put "skin in the game" by basing policy decisions upon at least some of the study recommendations.
On Tuesday, a divided council in a 3-4 vote shot down a request by Hakeem to invite a disparity study expert to consult with the panel. Council members Russell Gilbert and Jerry Mitchell supported Hakeem's proposal; Chairwoman Carol Berz and council members Chris Anderson, Larry Grohn and Moses Freeman opposed the measure. Councilmen Chip Henderson and Ken Smith were not present for the vote.
Anderson said a better plan might receive a "yes" vote from him in the future, citing the motion's unwritten lack of detail and a need to address other issues.
"I feel like in the last few weeks of strategic planning we have gotten bogged down in a couple of issues that are pet projects of a couple of council people," Anderson said. "I don't fault you for that, but we have an agenda that we will not get through for the third week in a row because we continue to hold the floor for one or two issues."
Berz and Grohn both indicated they wanted more information from Hakeem related to disparity studies performed by Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis to help them make a decision on the matter should it come before the city council again, which would require a vote.
Before the vote, Hakeem explained his vision for the disparity study.
The need for the study is because the findings of prior studies by organizations such as the Urban League and the Ochs Center have not been used for establishing city government policies, he said.
"It is my understanding that the best move on our part would be limited to [government] contracts and items of that nature," said Hakeem, citing the need for a study based on location and encouraging Chattanooga to support small businesses based in location study areas.
The beneficiaries of recommendations made by such a study would encompass "black folks, white folks, Hispanics, males, females and veterans," Hakeem said.
Freeman said enough studies have been performed already, and he called for the city to just take action on existing studies.
"The disparity study would say to people that we are serious about this and moving forward," Hakeem said.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.