Signal Mountain council moves to dissolve or reassign several advisory bodies, to update ordinances

At its Dec. 22 meeting the Signal Mountain Town Council agreed on a plan to dissolve or reassign several advisory bodies and to prepare the ordinance changes needed to effect those changes.

Council members discussed moving the condemnation board and the board of construction appeals to the town's hearing officer, and noted that dissolving the personnel and recycling committees would require ordinance or resolution action. Members said the recycling committee had not been staffed since its renewal and could simply lapse or be rescinded by resolution.

The manager explained that code changes will be necessary to move duties to the hearing officer and that the town must update the hearing officer's job description where appropriate. Council member (voice 4) argued that openings should be publicly posted and that incumbents should not automatically be given a seat without opportunity for others to apply: "I think we should give people a chance to apply," they said. The council agreed the practice to date has been to accept applications while also considering incumbents who wish to remain.

Council members set procedural guidance for boards and commissions to hold elections for chair, vice chair and secretary in January (or by February at the latest) and discussed the role of council liaisons in presiding when a board lacks an attorney or permanent chair.

Next steps: council members asked staff to draft the necessary ordinance language and resolutions for the next meeting so formal actions can be taken to dissolve or reassign the identified boards and committees.