Recreation Dept. reorganization by Hill may have gone against city charter without formal council approval.

It has come to light that the reorganization of the city's recreation department made by interim city manager Steve Hill may have been a violation of the city's charter and that such reorganization should have gone before council for approval in an open meeting.

Former interim city manager Steve Hill

Hill was recently removed from the interim city manager position he had held since April 2016 after the actions and other problems came to public light under a personnel complaint filed by recreation director Tammie French.  While the personnel board decided some of the complaints made by French had merit, they were filed too late for action to be taken.  

Crossville Parks and Recreation director Tammie French

French recently requested an investigation into harassment of her by the now fired recreation secretary Amy Hester and marketing director Billy Loggins that used an in house city messaging system to allegedly undermine French. 

Changes made by Hill included moving the Palace Theatre operation and the Crossville Depot to be under the supervision of city marketing director Billy Loggins.  In addition, the parks department maintenance personnel were taken out from the supervision of Tammie French and placed under the public works department.  

Interim city manager Lee Lawson said that the changes made by Mr. Hill were currently under review but no changes have been made at the current time to undo the reorganization yet.  Lawson said he interpreted the city charter as saying council approval was required but he was waiting for an opinion from city attorney Will Ridley.    

The Crossville city charter says in Article XVI section 1 (1)  "Within the framework established by this charter, the administrative organization of the city shall be organized into departments of general government, finance, and such other departments necessary to provide health, welfare, police, recreational, fire, public works, utilities and other municipal services as shall be provided in a plan of administrative organization to be developed by the City Manager and submitted to the council for approval." (emphasis added)

Lawson said it is possible that the changes may be left in place for a new city manager to decide what needs to be done but a final decision has not yet been made.