Committee approves deed-restriction amendment path for Mount Pleasant library; two board nominees forwarded to full commission

Maury CountyAdministrative Committee members voted Tuesday to advance an amendment to a 1989 deed restriction so a future Mount Pleasant library could be built at Howard Field and to send two library-board nominees to the full County Commission for final consideration.

The committee voted to move the proposed amendment, which would change a restriction that currently limits the parcel to "recreational purposes only," to the full commission for approval. The committee also approved sending two candidates, Clayton Smith and Michael Fulbright, to the full commission for consideration to fill a vacancy on the library board.

Why it matters: Howard Field (sometimes called Howard Park) sits adjacent to Mount Pleasant schools and includes a dog park and Little League fields. County staff said the parcel was deeded to the town in November 1989 with a recreation-only restriction. The amendment would allow both recreation and library uses if adopted by both the county and the Town of Mount Pleasant; the two governments must each approve the change and then sign an MOU that will set a timeline and site-plan requirements.

County staff described the next steps. The county and Mount Pleasant officials have discussed an MOU to define a site plan and timeline; staff said grant funds previously used to build the dog park mean the town cannot convey the entire 5-plus acre parcel, so any library plan would need a site plan showing how library space and remaining recreational use would coexist. "What this is is an amendment to the restrictions so that a library could be built in the future at Howard Field," a county official said during the meeting.

Public speakers and the library board described local interest. Deborah Davis of Polk Lane urged the committee to consider Clayton Smith for the vacant board seat, citing his volunteer work, education and military service. Smith spoke to the committee, saying he was ‘‘deeply passionate about education, service, and the transformative power of access to knowledge’’ and described his experience attending board meetings and supporting literacy programs. Michael Fulbright, another nominee, described prior experience working with public libraries across Tennessee and said that background would be useful to the board.

Rita Parks, chair of the library board, told the committee the library board had considered several applicants and asked the commission to review the remaining candidates. Commissioner Perretti moved to forward Smith and Fulbright to the full commission; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The committee did not set a construction schedule. County staff said the amendment and MOU are preliminary steps that would permit planning and grant applications but do not obligate the county to build immediately. Officials also noted the site is near planned housing growth, which they said makes the location desirable for a future branch.

Votes and next steps: The committee voted to forward the deed-restriction amendment to the full commission; the item will return to the County Commission and, if approved there and by Mount Pleasant, staff will proceed with an MOU and a formal site plan. The two library-board nominees will be considered by the full County Commission for appointment.

Who spoke: Deborah Davis (resident, public commenter), Clayton Smith (applicant/resident), Michael Fulbright (applicant/resident), Rita Parks (library board chair), Commissioner Kathy Grodi (committee member), Commissioner Prevetti (committee member), Commissioner Perretti (moved the board nominations).