Cramerton commissioners review written expectations for mayor, council and manager; agree to use a 'pineapple' cue

At a special-called meeting on Oct. 29, 2022, the Board of Commissioners for the Town of Cramerton reviewed a drafted set of expectations that lays out responsibilities and conduct for the mayor, council members and the town manager. The document includes five headings (Mayor of Council; Council of Mayor; The group of each other; Council of Manager; Manager of Council) and lists specific expectations such as speaking when recognized, supporting council decisions, working through the manager and avoiding surprising one another.

The text instructs members to "use the pineapple code word" to initiate a private conversation when they believe another member is not abiding by the expectations. The meeting record states, "We agree to follow these expectations and to use the pineapple code word," but it does not record a formal vote on adopting the document or any enforcement mechanism, nor does it list who drafted the text.

The expectations also include operational guidance: council members should route vendor contacts through the manager, manage citizen expectations, send angry or technical emails to the manager copied to all council, and provide at least an annual evaluation for the manager. The transcript records the content of the draft but does not identify a motion, vote or timeline for implementation.

Members present for the discussion included Mayor Nelson Wills, Mayor Pro Tempore Susan Neeley and Commissioners Atkinson, Kincaid, Ramsey and Helms. Interim Town Manager Leamon Brice and Town Attorney Karen Wolter were present for the meeting.