Call for Special Meeting

City of Crossville 392 N. Main Crossville, TN 38555 Minutes Friday, August 26, 2022 12:00 PM Council Chambers Call for Special Meeting Mayor James Mayberry Mayor Pro Tem R.J. Crawford Council Member Scot Shanks Council Member Rob Harrison Council Member Art Gernt City Manager Greg Wood City Clerk Valerie Hale Call for Special Meeting Minutes August 26, 2022 Call to Order The Crossville City Council met in special session on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Crossville City Hall. Mayor James Mayberry was present and presiding. He called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Rollcall Present 5 - Council Member Scot Shanks, Council Member Rob Harrison, Council Member Art Gernt, Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford, and Mayor James Mayberry Others present were City Attorney Will Ridley, City Clerk Valerie Hale, Jessie Brooks, Ben Welch, Mike Denney, George Rye, Burt Allaire, Kevin Music, Bruce Anderson, Dave Miser, Sherry Hewitt, Scott Hewitt, Sara Hoover, Steve Threet, Fred Houston, Chris South, Mark Fox, Rick Myers, Levonn Hubbard, Monte Garrett, Mike Turner, David Willier, Staci Willier, Gwen Schallow, Tom Isham, Tony Perry, Rusty Graham, J.R. Blankenship, Sheila Van Riper, Mike Moser, Nathan Clouse, Kevin Poore, Earl Patton, Randy York, Joe Kerley, Lee Lawson, Danny Thurman, Lou Morrison, Tim Begley, and Dr. Buck Wood. Other Business 1. Discussion and action regarding selection of City Attorney/Tax Attorney City Attorney Will Ridley submitted his resignation effective August 31 as he has been elected as Circuit Court Judge. Requests for Proposals for City Attorney were received August 16, 2022. There were five applicants and their letters were presented for review. Those that submitted were Kevin Poore, Randy York, Earl Patton, Nathan Clouse, and Amanda Howard. A motion was made by Mayor James Mayberry, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford, to select City Attorney/Tax Attorney by paper ballot, submitting 1st and 2nd choices, then choosing top candidate from that point on until a consensus is reached. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5- Council Member Scot Shanks, Council Member Rob Harrison, Council Member Art Gernt, Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford and Mayor James Mayberry City of Crossville Page 1 Call for Special Meeting Minutes August 26, 2022 Round One: Mayor James Mayberry 1. Randy York 2. Kevin Poore Mayor Pro Tem R.J. Crawford 1. Randy York 2. Nathan Clouse Councilmember Rob Harrison 1. Randy York 2. Kevin Poore Councilmember Art Gernt 1. Earl Patton 2. Randy York Councilmember Scot Shanks 1. Randy York 2. Nathan Clouse Round Two: Mayor James Mayberry 1. Randy York Mayor Pro Tem R.J. Crawford 1. Randy York Councilmember Rob Harrison 1. Randy York Councilmember Art Gernt 1. Randy York Councilmember Scot Shanks 1. Randy York Randy York was selected as City Attorney. 2. Discussion and action regarding Village Inn and City Manager suspension Mayor Mayberry explained that the City Council voted to wait until the investigation/report was concluded before considering the City Manager's resignation, which was rescinded August 19. He announced that the final report from the investigation was received the day before. He stated that due to procedural errors on and before July 27, 2022 by members of the Crossville Police Department, Emergency Management Agency, Codes Department, and Crossville Fire Department, the responsibility falls on Mr. Wood's shoulders, and made a motion to terminate City Manager Greg Wood. Council Member Art Gernt began the discussion stating that after reviewing the report, he felt all parties involved acted in good faith. He disagrees with anyone being fired. City of Crossville Page 2 Call for Special Meeting Minutes August 26, 2022 Council Member Rob Harrison stated his job is to do what's best for the citizens and to be fair to all concerned. He expressed that on Mr. Wood's evaluation May 2, he received 4.17 out of 5. He also stated Mr. Wood has received high marks from City Council in years past. He said the current situation is unfortunate, but everyone seemed to have acted in good faith, however, procedural errors were made. He also said that corrective action needs to be taken, as well as training. Training should include the proper procedure for evictions, including policy that would give property owners time for corrective action. Council Member Harrison also suggested semi-annual inspections of the Village Inn. He expressed that the City needs to move past the situation with the current team, which has proven itself to be "pretty good". City Attorney Will Ridley stated that as City Attorney, he recommends that to avoid future liability to the City based upon actions that were taken without regard to the law and without regard to previous advice, he recommends to terminate the City Manager. Mayor Pro Tem Crawford stated that he does not take the current situation lightly. He had a chance to have a conversation with a young boy whom was evicted. He stated that he believed everyone could agree that closure of the Village Inn on July 27, 2022 was not a good day on behalf of City of Crossville. He explained that tenants were not given due process. He stated it is appropriate to listen to the City Attorney and his recommendations. He explained that the City Attorney's focus is to protect the City from liability and has done a great job. He said that the City Attorney provided previous history and previous guidance on smaller situations and that the City should own what happened, whether good or bad. He agreed Mr. Wood has received positive evaluations in the past, but that he's made his decision based on protecting the City from liability, as well as the City Attorney's recommendation. A motion was made by Mayor James Mayberry, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford, to terminate Greg Wood with cause paying insurance, vacation accrued, and salary through 8/31, and to keep City Clerk as Interim City Manager until a City Manager can be hired, and to contact MTAS to immediately start process for a new City Manager. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 2- Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford and Mayor James Mayberry Nay: 3- Council Member Scot Shanks, Council Member Rob Harrison and Council Member Art Gernt A motion was made by Council Member Rob Harrison, seconded by Council Member Art Gernt, that the City Manager's suspension be lifted and allow him to return to work immediately. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Council Member Scot Shanks, Council Member Rob Harrison and Council Member Art Gernt Nay: 2- Mayor Pro-tem R.J. Crawford and Mayor James Mayberry Adjournment Mayor James Mayberry adjourned the meeting at 12:19 p.m. City of Crossville Page 3