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Council debate over rescinding neon-sign ordinance produces tie votes; outcome not recorded in transcript
Summary
A split Lebanon City Council debated rescinding a signage ordinance on Aug. 26, producing a 3–3 roll-call split; the mayor was asked to cast a tie-breaking vote but the mayor's action is not recorded in the available transcript.
Lebanon City Council spent substantial time Aug. 26 debating whether to rescind a previously adopted ordinance that restricted certain signage, including neon signs. Councilors and members of the public described unintended consequences for historic businesses and compliance actions already taken; others argued the ordinance represented governmental overreach and should be rescinded.
Several councilors said the ordinance — which had been adopted previously and took effect in March — had been well intended but produced unanticipated outcomes for businesses and historic properties. Councilor Morehead and others urged amending the ordinance through the planning commission and permitting process rather than rescinding it outright. Councilor Carmack and Councilor Morehead cited staff work and planning meetings that informed the ordinance; Councilor Ashley and others noted that some businesses received citations and fines under the existing rules.
During the roll call on the motion to rescind, the recorded votes were: Joy Carmack — Yes; Jerry Ashley — No; Camille Burdon — No; Chris Veil — Yes; Chick Bridal — Yes; Phil Morehead — No. The tally produced a 3–3 split and the mayor was asked to resolve the tie. The transcript does not record whether the mayor cast a tie-breaking vote or what the final disposition was; the record available from the meeting audio/transcript ends before any tie-break vote is recorded.
Councilors said rescinding the ordinance could affect businesses that had already complied or been cited; one councilor warned the city could be exposed to damages if enforcement actions taken under the ordinance were later reversed. Councilors scheduled a work session to further discuss amendments and next steps.
Because the transcript does not show a final tie-break or recorded outcome, this report states only what is on the meeting record: council debate occurred, a tie vote was reached on the rescission motion, and the mayor was asked to resolve the tie; no final outcome appears in the provided transcript.
