Regular Chamber agenda item removal hits a snag but expected to pass eventually

Efforts to remove the Chamber of Commerce report from the Crossville city council's monthly agenda hit a snag when one council member was a few minutes late to a short special called meeting.

Because changing the order of business on the council agenda requires an ordinance, it must be approved by council three times. The first reading of the change came during the regular August meeting and was approved by a 3 to 2 vote. Often called meetings will include the second or third readings of previously approved ordinances to move the process along.

Chamber of Commerce Office on Main St.

When the item came up as the first item on the called meeting agenda only four members of council were present as councilman J. H. Graham was delayed at the dentist's office. The motion to approve the ordinance on second reading came from council member Danny Wyatt with a second by member Pamala Harris. Harris and Wyatt voted in favor while member Scot Shanks and Mayor James Mayberry voted against as they did on the first reading. A motion fails when the vote ends in a tie and the the action can be brought back before council again but must start over back at the first reading at that time.

During the regular council meeting councilman Wyatt brought the issue forward saying that he felt the Chamber needed to go through the city manager with issues that arise, reports to make or items that need to be acted upon. The item was added to the agenda last year that allowed a report from either the County government or the Chamber or both. The Chamber has used the spot every month but the council has rarely heard from the county.

Near the new car stores; not near the price!

PARK PLACE MOTORS!

During the regular meeting Mayor Mayberry described the Chamber as a vital partner in the promotion of Crossville and Cumberland County and he felt the communication they brought to the council was important enough to take the time to hear.

Councilman Wyatt said he felt the Chamber should go through the city manager who he added was doing a good job of keeping the council informed of items needing their attention. Councilman Shanks wanted to make sure that if the Chamber needed to speak before the council they could but was still opposed to removing the item from the agenda.