Split City Council Approves Increase in number of council members from 5 to 7.

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.

January City Council Meeting agenda includes New Clerk, Handle Mill property and Inn of the Cumberlands.

The Crossville City Council holds their First regular meeting of 2018 Tuesday, January 9, and as part of the agenda, new city clerk Valerie Hale will be sworn in.

With the retirement of long-time city clerk Sally Oglesby, city manager Greg Wood appointed Hale as the new Clerk. Hale has served as the assistant city clerk since 2010.

Valerie Hall, Crossville city clerk

The council's evening starts with the Audit Committee meeting at 5:15, followed by the beer board at 5:45 then a public hearing on the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The regular council agenda gets underway at 6:00 PM.

In addition to a decision on submitting an application for the CDBG, the council will discuss the possible purchase of the remaining property from the old handle mill next to the Art Circle Library. Councilman Danny Wyatt has proposed that the county help with the purchase of the site and the city would pay for the development the property into parking and a possible park area. The vote would authorize the city manager to begin negotiations with the county and the property owner.

The possibility of a change in the city's charter to add two more council members was also discussed at the council's work session and is on Tuesday's regular agenda. The action proposed by council member Pamala Harris who said 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.

Council member Danny Wyatt was less supportive of the proposed change saying, “More ducks in the puddle and the muddier it is.” Wyatt said he would only support the proposal if it would be put on a referendum for voters to decide.

Council will also consider the addition of a part-time fraud examiner position requested by police chief David Beaty. Beaty told the council in last week's work session that the position would help with the increasing reports of fraud cases and the proposed employee is a retired certified fraud examiner who would work part-time with no benefits. The expected annual cost for the position is $17,000.

Condemned Inn of the Cumberlands

Listed under the city attorney's report is possible action on the Inn of the Cumberlands building that the city condemned over 2 years ago and nothing has been done by the property owners. Another item is a lease breach for a hanger at the Crossville Airport.