City Council delays appointment amid questions over resignation, quorum and redistricting

Council members decided not to act on a scheduled appointment after discussion about a recent resignation and questions over whether the body receiving the appointment had a lawful quorum.

Council member Reynolds raised why an appointment on the agenda had been removed and whether that removal was official; he asked if, in the mayor’s absence, the mayor pro tem could make the nomination. Other council members said the mayor had asked that the appointment be withdrawn for tonight. Some members expressed concern that a resignation (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Pittman's) had already taken effect and that the receiving board may not have a legally constituted quorum because of resignations. One council member noted that pending state legislation might change that board’s composition and suggested waiting for clarity.

City Manager Hank Griffith and others said they had discussed potential state legislation (referred to by Griffith as "House Bill 581") that could affect board formation and that staff would coordinate with state contacts. One council member said there did not appear to be urgent business on the receiving board's upcoming agenda and preferred waiting for the mayor’s input; another member said they would not support the mayor pro tem making the nomination in the mayor's stead. The council did not move forward with an appointment and left the item off the agenda for now.

Separately, a council member reminded the group that redistricting discussion was scheduled at the regional commission the following day and that plans 2 and 3 had been forwarded to the commission for review. The council concluded the evening without appointing anyone and adjourned the meeting.

The council did not take any formal votes on the appointment at this meeting.