41.1 F
Clarksville
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsClarksville Mayor Kim McMillan holds Press Conference on Charter Revision Plan

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan holds Press Conference on Charter Revision Plan

City of ClarksvilleClarksville, TN – Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan held a press conference Friday January 24th, 2012 at 11:00am to discuss her plan for addressing the needed revisions to Clarksville Charter.

Some of the topics covered included the need to update and revise the City Charter and the issue of people on boards and commissions who also having dealings with the City as well as appointing a Charter Revision Commission.

Mayor McMillan is sending the Charter Revision back to the Clarksville City Council for another vote.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40uJrivdVbk[/youtube]

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan

Good Morning.  I’m going to read a prepared statement and then I’ll be happy to take your questions.

For some time, the issue of updating and revising our City Charter has been a topic of discussion and sometimes a topic of dissension. There is no question that our Charter needs to be revised.  However, there has been much talk about the most effective and efficient way of proposing changes to the Legislature and who should be involved in making those proposals.

During the January City Council meeting, the City Council had the opportunity to pass a resolution that would have provided long over-due updates to our Charter.  The resolution also addressed the five major provisions identified by the Legislature that needed further consideration, together with the single issue of the boards and commission conflict of interest provision.

Although the resolution passed, it did not receive the 2/3 majority approval that is necessary for ultimate Council approval following passage by the General Assembly. After this vote, I then proposed sending a charter revision that would address only the single boards and commissions conflict of interest provision.  Again, it did not receive the 2/3 majority vote that is required for ultimate Council approval following passage by the General Assembly.

As I stated during the Council meeting and have re-emphasized to the citizens of Clarksville, this issue is too important to wait any longer. While the City is moving ahead with the work on these boards and commissions, Clarksville is missing the opportunity to have the benefit and service of qualified, interested and talented board members.

I have heard some people, even Council members, suggest that there are plenty of Clarksville citizens who would be willing to serve on these boards. I agree wholeheartedly and I cannot thank them enough for their desire to serve.  But there are some positions which require special knowledge, education or training for appointment. The positions we are talking about are required by law to be filled by architects, attorneys, engineers, design professionals and accountants, for example.

We need these people on boards and commissions for two primary reasons:  first, the law requires it; second, we need their expertise and experience for the boards and commissions to operate as they are intended.  Because of the current conflict between this single Charter provision and the Ethics Code adopted by the City Council, citizens who meet these specific requirements but who have indirect business relationships with the City that pose no real conflict cannot currently fill these positions. This situation is not good for our city.

There is not a reasonable basis to delay action on this issue. I know that there are Clarksvillians who are concerned about this issue because I hear from them every day. The business community is also concerned because it affects them directly.  I have heard from many business owners who ask why we can’t resolve this issue quickly.  Quite frankly, I can’t answer that question because I’ve been ready and willing to send this single issue revision to the Legislature for weeks.

I am going to resubmit this single issue to the City Council for another vote. I encourage all of you who have asked why this hasn’t been resolved to contact your City Council member and let them know that it’s time to stop playing political games and do what’s best for Clarksville. It’s time to get these boards and commissions back on track for everyone’s benefit.

I am also immediately appointing a Charter Revision Commission. This Commission will be made up of the City Council members and 12 citizens and they will join me in a review of the work produced by the previous Charter Commission and the resolution I submitted to the City Council. I have been consistent in my view that the people should have a voice in any changes made to the Charter and I believe there are efficient and less expensive ways to do this other than some suggestions I’ve heard thrown around.  The Charter is Clarksville’s Constitution. It is the framework for our government, charts a course for our priorities and provides a leadership roadmap for future generations.

As I have said before, revising our Charter is not and should not be easy. It’s not something that every newly elected City Council should have to, or want to undertake. I am certain that resolving the boards and commissions issue during this Legislative session and working through the Charter Revision Commission is the responsible and most efficient way to proceed on this vitally important subject.

Thank you.

Mayor Kim McMillan

RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles