The Bryant City Council called a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 to discuss and vote on the removal of board members of the Bryant Advertising and Promotion Board Commission. In the end, two of those Commissioners were voted to be terminated from the position.
Some background: The City of Bryant Advertising & Promotion Commission was created by the City Council to facilitate tourism and the promotion of the City of Bryant. The Advertising and Promotion Commission collects taxes on hotel/motel accommodations and levy taxes on all prepared food and beverages. The board consists of seven members each of whom serves a 2- or 4-year term. It is a volunteer position.
Discussion was focused on four out of seven board members – Scott Hill, Position 3; Fran Micili, Position 4 and Treasurer; Bob Joiner, At Large and Chair; and Lorne Gladden, Council Member. Board members who were not in question were Ash Patel, Position 1; Jared Voth, Position 2; and Carlton Billingsley, Council Member.
Mayor Allen Scott began the meeting by reading the above purpose, then Alderman Carlton Billingsley, consulted City Attorney Josh Farmer about whether the meeting should continue, because of the way it was scheduled. Farmer said it should. Billingsley made a motion to not take a vote on removal of Commissioners at this time and Alderman Lorne Gladden, seconded the motion.
Gladden asked the Council the reason for consideration of the board members’ removal. Alderman RJ Hawk replied, giving two reasons. He stated that the Commission has been assembled for over a year and still lacks bylaws, and that the Commission hired an attorney outside of the City Attorney to help to create the bylaws and by doing this, Hawk stated they incurred extra expense. Billingsley rebutted, stating that the Commission Members wanted someone who is familiar with the type of services they needed.
There was much back and forth discussion between the Aldermen and then Alderman Rob Roedel requested the discussion be limited to five more minutes before taking a vote on individual Commission Members. Discussion continued and then Mayor Scott noted the time limit elapsed and reminded the Council there was a motion to not take a vote on removal of Commissioners at this time. Gladden and Billingsley voted yes – to not continue the discussion and vote on their removal. The other six Alderman voted no – that the process should continue.
Next the Council proceeded to take a vote on individual Commission Members. There was some discussion on each one. Billingsley asked each time if the particular member had broken any laws or bylaws or local government policies. The answer for each was that to everyone’s knowledge, none had. The votes for each Commissioner were as follows:
A No vote is to keep them on the A&P Commission; a Yes vote is to terminate them. Each vote needs a 2/3 majority to pass.
- Bob Joiner
Billingsley, Gladden voted No.
6 others voted Yes.
The motion passed for Joiner to be terminated. - Fran Micili
Billingsley, Gladden voted No.
6 others voted Yes.
The motion passed for Micili to be terminated. - Scott Hill
Billingsley, Gladden, Roedel voted No.
5 others voted Yes.
The motion failed and Hill will remain. - Lorne Gladden
Gladden recused himself.
Billingsley, Roedel voted No.
5 others voted Yes.
The motion failed and Gladden will remain.