Crossville council won't change public comment or standing rules. (Video included)

 The Crossville city council was asked to reconsider the location of the time of public comment once again by Mayor James Mayberry, but a majority did not support the change. In addition, a motion to rescind the latest changes to the council's standing rules that abolished work sessions and disallowed public comments during council discussions of an agenda item did not receive majority support.

Mayor Mayberry said that with the change that no longer allowed public comment during a discussion that he felt the public should have a chance to address the council before a vote is taken. Mayberry moved that the council pass first reading of an ordinance to place the comment time at the start of the council meeting instead of at the end. Council member Pam Harris, who had originally proposed the change earlier this year seconded the mayor's motion.

Harris said she originally proposed the change “to bring order back to our meetings whereby the citizens could speak to the council on agenda items prior to our deliberation and our vote.” Harris continued saying that over the last 18 months the meetings had harder for the council to conduct business in an orderly fashion.

Councilman Pete Souza said, “I'm not going to support this motion. I think that this motion would improve the current situation, but I also think this motion is a token thing towards what was taken away from the people to be able to speak during the agenda item.” Souza continued, “The people have a right to be heard. We, as a council, have to suffer what the people tell us. We don't get to sit here and just listen to the people say 'You're doing a great job,' we need to hear everything the people say, and that includes the criticism.”

Councilman Jesse Kerley commented, “I personally don't feel that I suffer by any means listening to either good or negative comments toward myself. I welcome all comments. Nobody's perfect and if anybody has anything they'd like to say to me, I'm always available.”

The motion failed with support only from Mayor Mayberry and Ms. Harris. Mr. Souza, Mr. Kerley and Danny Wyatt were opposed.

The next item was presented by Mr. Souza who moved to rescind the last change to the standing rules. Souza wanted to see the work sessions restored and public comment during an agenda item discussion as well. He described the previous action as “an assault on the people's rights to express what they have to say.” Souza added that the absence of the workshops encumbers the city in performance of the duties of the elected officials and gives more opportunities for the public to see the inner workings of government as each agenda item is discussed.

Following Mr. Souza's comments a roll call vote was taken and the motion failed with support from Mayor Mayberry and Mr. Souza. Voting against were members Wyatt, Harris and Kerley.