by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Aug. 25 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council set the amount allocated to the council for municipal improvements at $10,000. The council also defined the procedures to be followed in selecting municipal improvement projects and voted on two constitutional amendments affecting the election of council representatives.
At its June 30 meeting, the council voted to increase the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000–$20,000 in funds to be used by the Community Council for municipal projects benefiting the community. This is in addition to normal expense-related increases in the municipal service fee. The council-authorized fee increase is for a trial two-year period. All proposed allocations of funds will be reviewed by a project funding committee appointed by the chair before being brought to the council for a vote. Meetings of the committee will be publicized at least one month in advance.
Asked about the financial impact on leaseholders, Barbara Schlichting, superintendent of leases, said 318 leaseholders would see a fee increase of $25 or less; 136 would see an increase of less than $50 but more than $25; and 13 leaseholders would see an increase of more than $50.
The proposal to allocate funds to the council was drafted by a committee consisting of council representatives Pam Byerly, John Flynn and Theresa Shackelford, Provost John Swallow and Schlichting.
“This is the first time the University has turned loose any control” over financial decisions, Schlichting said.
“We’re trying to give the council more authority than it’s ever had,” said Vice-Chancellor John McCardell, supporting the trial initiative.
Possible projects suggested include more lighting for the downtown area, a crosswalk for the Senior Citizen’s Center and improvements to the ball field.
Swallow said the “University would be glad to partner on selected projects,” especially those benefiting students, and in some cases might contribute more than the $10,000 in funding from the council. Council Representative Phil White pointed out the dog park project, but stressed the project would not have been realized without University support.
Echoing the objections made in June by two council representatives, several visitors at the Aug. 23 meeting said they supported the allocation of funds to the council, but took issue with the proposed motion not being publicized before the vote.
Following the vote at the June 30 meeting, Vice-Chancellor McCardell advised council representatives to speak with their constituents regarding the motion to allocate funds to the council.
Schlichting reported four major objections to the plan: some residents didn’t want more fees; some wanted a community meeting to discuss the proposal; some residents have no confidence in the council; and some objected that council members who were not leaseholders did not pay the municipal service fee.
To improve communication, the council discussed hosting a meeting with constituents as it did in 2013 and publishing district boundaries in the Messenger so constituents will know who their representatives are.
A community resident living off the Domain in an area without council representation expressed a desire to be more involved in future projects and the decision-making process. Council representative Flynn said the council was considering adding at-large representatives to the council.
The council approved two constitutional amendments related to council representation. The first decreased the residency requirement for representatives from four years to two years. Also, council representatives elected in 2014 will serve only a two-year term rather than a four-year term, so that in 2016 all council seats will be open for election.
The temporary adjustment in term limits will provide an opportunity to implement other changes to council representation while keeping all council members on an equal basis. Changes being considered include adding at-large members, redrawing district boundaries and equalizing district proportions.
Election Officer Theresa Shackelford said nominating petitions for the November 2014 council election will be available at the post office, Community Center, Sewanee Senior Center and the Blue Chair. Petitions must be signed by 10 residents living in the candidate’s district. Deadline for returning petitions is Oct. 15. In district one, there is one seat open for election. Two seats are open for election in districts two, three and four.
The council accepted an invitation to meet with the University’s Trustees Community Relations Committee on Oct. 15. The trustees want to give council members an opportunity to express their views and the views of their constituents. Also on Oct. 15, the community is invited to a reception with the Community Relations Committee. The time and location for events will be announced closer to the date.
The council will not meet on Oct. 13, as previously announced. The council will review agenda items and schedule a meeting for September or November, if needed.
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