County Commission – Not Enough “Ayes” For Meeting Changes But “Eyes” Pod Plan For DOE
The Jefferson County Commission will retain a quarterly meeting schedule, as the effort to move back to a monthly meeting schedule was not met with favor by the majority of the body. The item was brought to the agenda by Commissioner Austin Brooks who sought to change to a 8 month meeting schedule (the schedule historically held by the County Commission) to give the public more opportunity to address the Jefferson County Commission. Brooks stated that the length of time between meeting makes it prohibitive for some issues of concern to be brought by the public in a timely manner. Commissioner Solomon made the motion to keep the quarterly meeting schedule that the Commission currently works under. He was 2nd by Commissioner Scarlett and the motion was approved 12 to7 with Commissioners Huffaker, Norton, Brooks, Snodgrass, Blevins, Reed and Thomas voting No.
Commissioner Brooks also brought a resolution that would allow the public to address the Commission on any subject during the public comment section of the meeting including during Special Called Meetings. It had been ruled in a previous meeting that only the topics on the meeting call could be addressed by the public during a “Special Called Meeting”. Commissioner Scarlett offered an amendment to the motion to state excluding Special Called Meetings and was2nd by Commissioner Carmichael. The amendment failed 7-12 with Commissioners Byrd, Seals, Solomon, Bales, Scarlett, Carmichael and Thomas voting Yes. Though the original motion did garner favor with a simple majority (13 votes in favor) it failed to meet the 2/3 majority (14 votes) required to change policy so the motion failed 13-6 with Commissioners Byrd, Seals, Solomon, Scarlett, Carmichael and Thomas voting No.
The Jefferson County Commission will request that the Jefferson County School Board look at the “pod plan”(developed by School Board Member Ibbetson) and provide an educated estimate on the plan. The request was a part of a motion presented by Commissioner Brooks and 2nd by Commissioner Blevins, which was vigorously discussed among the full body during the voting meeting. The motion came on the heels of a request by the Jefferson County School Board via Director of Schools Arnold during the April Work Session to receive funding direction from the Jefferson County Commission regarding a proposed building/renovation project at Jefferson Elementary School. The Brooks/Blevins motion was approved 11-8 with Commissioners Huffaker, Byrd, Seals, Solomon, Bales, Scarlett, Carmichael and Thomas voting No.
A Resolution to request that the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee reject “red flag” legislation and better utilize current laws and treatment for the mentally ill to curb violence in Tennessee was brought by Commissioner Reed. The Resolution was Co-Sponsored by Commissioners Norton, Coleman, Patterson, Brooks, Coleman, Dockery and Douglas. It was approved 18-1 with Commissioner Thomas voting NO.
In other action, the Commission approved two zoning resolutions. The first, I1 to C2 on 11E was approved 18-0-1. The second A1 to C2 (Chestnut Hill) was approved 11-7-1. Also finding favor with the full body were several budget amendments, surplus, receiving of Opioid funds and committee appointments. Also approved was the Lake Haven Subdivision partial road release.
