While a majority of the Crossville city council voted in favor of a resolution seeking a change in the city charter to add two additional council members, at least one additional vote will be needed for final approval of such a change.
The proposal was brought up by council member Pamala Harris who said she felt the change could give the council a different dynamic. Harris added that it could give more people a chance to be represented as well as giving more women a chance to serve on the council.
Crossville city council members L-R J.H. Graham, Danny Wyatt
Mayor James Mayberry, Pamala Harris and Scot Shanks
Harris' motion was for the city attorney and city manager to draft a resolution to be submitted to the Tennessee State Legislature through the elected representatives that would change the city charter to have the council be made up of the mayor and 6 council members. Harris is also hoping to make the change effective for the 2018 election. To stagger the terms, one new council member would be elected to a 4-year term and the other new council member would be elected to a 2-year term.
Because the deadline for submittal is short, the resolution would not come back to the council before being submitted to the legislature but following approval by the legislature, it would require a 2/3 majority approval by the council before going into effect.
The motion was supported by Mayor James Mayberry.
Council member Danny Wyatt asked if anyone had checked with the election commission to see if they could handle the timeline for adding the new items to the November ballot. City attorney Will Ridley said he felt such measures usually made it through the legislature quickly and he felt there would be adequate time.
Wyatt continued saying he did not see the need for the change and listed some research on the number of citizens represented per council member in other cities including Memphis at 1-46,000, Knoxville 1-17,800, and Crossville is 1 to 2100. “As I said in the work session, the only way I'd support this is by referendum and let the public vote on it.”
Council member J.H. Graham said he had been ill and unable to take the proposal to his constituents or other city officials and former city officials he knows from around the state. Graham suggested the council consider tabling the proposal to form a charter committee.
Harris addressed the issue again saying she felt the change could give a broader representation for our city and the opportunity for more women to serve on the council. “I feel strongly about it,” added Harris. She said she had received a number of text messages and communications from people who liked the idea.
“I feel like it would change the dynamic of our council as far as our representation and our voting. That comment brought a question from Mr. Wyatt asking “What dynamics are you speaking of?”
Harris responded that both during her time on the council and before she would hear comments about “the same people and always a 3 to 2 vote.” She continued,”I just feel like that adding members would probably minimize that dynamic.”
Wyatt asked how hard it would be to find out how many 3 to 2 votes had been in the minutes for the past 2 years? City manager Greg Wood said it could be done but they might need to hire an intern to do it.
The motion passed with 3 yes votes from Harris, Mayberry and council member Scot Shanks. Council members Wyatt and Graham were opposed.
At least one additional vote will be needed to approve the change once the legislature approves the resolution.
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