June 26, 2022 - The Tenaha City Council was compelled to fill an open seat during their May 23 meeting following the election of O'Neal Jones to the position of mayor which then vacated his seat.
The majority of council members were in favor of appointing Florance Adams to the open position; however, there were combating motions and no final vote to carry any of them.
First Linda Vickery made a motion to appoint Florance Adams to the open seat, then a motion was made by Durand Steadman to appoint Lee Gibbs, which was followed by another motion from Janice Barton to appoint Florance Adams, Bryan Adams stated Ms. (Florance) Adams, and then mayor Jones called for a show of hands with three for Adams. Mayor Jones then asked for a second and Barton seconded Vickery's motion. Steadman stated he didn't accept.
Florance Adams was then sworn-in by Amanda Treat-Brock, City Secretary.
During the meeting the council heard public comment from Verna Stewart regarding garbage service in town. With the city council considering adopting garbage service for the entire city, she asked for them to exclude the housing authority if possible. She said they have been dealing with J&D Trash service there for years and she has a perfect agreement worked out with the supplier of that service. She felt it less expensive for her to stay with that agreement than with one of the new services the city was considering.
Cliff Lloyd addressed the council about agenda item 12 from the April 25, 2022, meeting where a motion was made by Janice Barton, and seconded, to postpone the item until the May regular meeting so that Lloyd could be on the agenda to speak about the item. The council then voted to approve the motion.
Lloyd reminded the council that was what was approved at the April meeting; however, he said the current mayor has stated to him it was not approved, and that the city secretary told him it was not approved. Lloyd played a recording from the April meeting where the motion and second could be heard, as well as the vote to approve it. Lloyd continued then by saying he didn't understand why he couldn't get on the agenda, and he asked for someone to answer
Mayor Jones asked Lloyd what his agenda is, and Lloyd said it was item 12. Jones asked again what his agenda is which he then read was discuss and consider water. Jones persisted in asking Lloyd what his agenda was when it clearly was item 12 from the April meeting.
Steadman clarified Lloyd was wanting to speak with the council about the water taps. Lloyd continued to state he wanted on the agenda to speak on the item and Jones persisted again in stating he needed to present an agenda.
In the end, the council didn't comply with their original motion to put Lloyd on the agenda to speak on that particular agenda item, which is an altogether different circumstance from public comment.
During council comments at the end of the meeting Bryan Adams made a statement regarding allowing citizens to speak.
"We're basically here for the citizens, you know, so anytime a citizen comes and ask to be put on the agenda no matter they could be talking about their dog, they should be put on the agenda," said Adams. "Regardless of what they want to talk about, that's why we're here for citizens input."
A motion was made during the meeting to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2022, meeting and it was seconded, Steadman made a separate motion to not approve the minutes because Cliff Lloyd was approved at that meeting to be on the agenda which he was not.
A vote then carried to approve the motion with one voting against.
Following the executive session, Florance Adams stated they evaluated Public Works Operator Kendrick McClure, and that he maintained or exceeded what was expected of him the past year and so they decided during executive session to give him a raise of $1. A motion was then seconded and carried by vote to give him a $1 increase.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Appoint Council Member Florance Adams for Place No. 5. 2. Appoint Council Member Florance Adams to the Mayor Pro-Tem position. 3. Minutes for the April 25, 2022, City Council Meeting with one vote against. 4. April 2022 Financials with one vote against. 5. Execute Interlocal Agreement to Participate in the Shelby County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and pay $1,326.47. 6. Approve Pineywoods Sanitation for waste services contract. 7. Open Bids for Mowing Services and then Discuss and Consider Approving the Mowing Contract. Durand Steadman made a motion to approve Ms. Hamilton, Florance Adams then made a motion to approve Blake Cranford, mayor Jones asked how many were in favor of Cranford and Bryan Adams said he was going with Hamilton. Jones then asked for a show of hands in favor of Hamilton with two and in favor of Cranford with three. Mayor Jones then stated the motion carried for Cranford. 15. Executive Session: $1 raise for Public Works Operator Kendrick McClure 16. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Discuss and consider revising the Water, Wastewater and tap fees.
