CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville City Council has voted down an ordinance that would have provided additional premium pay, or COVID hazard pay, to four department heads.
Additionally, council members approved an ordinance to rezone and subsequently remove Prewitt Mobile Home Park, where around 41 people currently reside.
Premium pay
The ordinance on premium pay was introduced last month but was postponed after a similar ordinance failed for lack of a second. The measure that failed last month would have given more funds to any department heads who hadn’t received the full $7,500 in hazard pay initially. A similar ordinance was expected to be brought up at Thursday’s regular session, but it was not on the agenda.
The ordinance that was postponed last week dealt with just four department heads. With no ARPA funds left in the budget, any additional COVID hazard pay would have to come out of the city’s general fund. Councilperson Wanda Allen was the sponsor.
“So, this is just for the four department heads that make less than some of our other employees (and) did not get the full amount. It will cost the city $29,323,” she said.
“I know that this has been a big thing lately for the city. The premium pay was something that was decided on, and I know that there is this thing about making over $75,000, but we did find out that there are employees that make more than $75,000 that did receive this, and I’m just asking for these four employees.”
The ordinance saw opposition from multiple council members, with some noting concerns over using tax dollars for additional pay.
“I disagree with us taking money from the general fund for us to be able to pay four department heads,” said Councilperson Stacey Streetman, chair of the Finance Committee. “There was a lot of people in our community that worked every day. They didn’t get any type of COVID bonus. The city did what they could to be able to try and take care of the employees.”
The motion to extend premium pay to four department heads failed 9-4.
Those in favor of disapproval were Brian Zacharias, Dajuan Little, Wallace Redd, Joe Pitts, Ambar Marquis, Wanda Smith, Travis Holleman, Streetman and Joe Shakeenab.
Those in favor of approval were Allen, Vondell Richmond, Karen Reynolds and Trisha Butler.
Prewitt Mobile Home Park
Council members also voted to rezone the area known as Prewitt Mobile Home Park from agriculture to R4. Universal Exports was the applicant and stated on the application that the plan is to remove the mobile homes to extend the existing multi-family developments.
“This is currently a trailer park that has 41 very low-income units. As a reminder from last week, there are 41 occupied trailers, but they are not owned by the residents. I spoke with the owner, and he indicated that the trailers were older models, but they were all occupied,” said Councilperson Karen Reynolds.
“He (the owner) indicated there is a turnover of residents about every 24 months, but he does have some long-term residents. I have spoken to the owner several times, and he indicated that the property requires infrastructure updates as well replacing older units if he were to retain ownership – and the current owner does plan to sell the property.”
Reynolds explained that she was in support of the rezone but stated that it was important to note that the community would be losing 41 low-income housing units.
“I want the residents of Prewitt Mobile Home Park to know that I see them, and I’ll work to assist them in the future,” she said.
The measure was approved unanimously.