January 18, 2016 - Council of the Whole - Committees

The meeting began at 6:33pm to discuss reducing the number of council members on each committee from 6 to 3 in most cases. Councilmember Tharp spoke in favor of the reduction arguing committees are meant to be handled by a smaller group of people to hash out details. A smaller group of people on a committee would allow council focus on more than just one topic at a time and improve efficiency. He stated that all councilmembers would be welcome to attend any and all committee meetings but the deliberations would be held with those on the committee.

Members of Council stated they liked to attend the meetings as it was a place of learning and understanding. Councilmember Mackey highlighted that this issue was a trust issue.

Councilmember Tharp stated the goal of any committee is move from point A to point B and provide that recommendation to council. He argued that the current committee structure is as inefficient as council.

Councilmember Hilliard brought up how the wages, phone and on call policies have been dragging along for months.

A discussion ensued about whose responsibilities these topics fall under (VA, Employee Handbook, the Mayor).

Councilmember Godwin stated that council gets in its own way.

Councilmember Tharp asked each councilmember how they felt about the proposal. After receiving each councilmembers opinion, Councilmember Tharp stated he would make a formal motion in the regular meeting to reduce the number of councilmembers to 3 on each committee based on the discussion that occurred in the committee.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00pm.

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Steven Tharp, Jr., Councilmember