City Council - Special Meeting

February 11th, 2026 special session of the Clarksville City Council is now called to order. Our chaplain of the day will be Pastor Carrie Kendrick with Greater Commission Christian Church. The pledge of allegiance will be led by Councilman Shaen. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to please stand. And Pastor Kendrick.

Good afternoon, Mayor Pittz, and to all who have gathered, greetings. Let us pray. God of all creation, we welcome you into this chamber this afternoon. We call upon every member in this chamber with decision-making authority to do what they have been called to do as if they are doing it unto you. We trust you in all matters of government as you are perfect in all your ways. We are confident that the final decision will be the right decision for you are always right. On this afternoon, grant wisdom, insight, and understanding to the council as they select a replacement for war without prejudice. Pour into their hearts truth and courage. Show each member your ways, Lord. Teach them your paths even now. Let the count let the council's choice for replacement be one who cares deeply for the welfare of your people. One who will fight for justice and do the right thing even if doing it alone. You are the authority, O Lord, whether we agree or not. Your will be done. We believe that each member of the council desire that you are well pleased. And now may the peace of God that transcends all understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. God bless each of you.

Amen. Amen. Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. members, please register your attendance. Madam clerk, take the role, please. All members are present.

Thank you very much. I will now call on our city attorney to review the pro voting procedure we're about to embark upon followed by the madame clerk will read the names of all seven candidates and then we'll get to getting so Mr. Bner.

Okay. Voting procedure comes from section in one 10 paragraph D. Uh to begin the process tonight the U city clerk is going to read the name of each applicant. Uh then we'll proceed into a uh roll call voice vote. Uh each council member may vote for one applicant. Uh we'll begin with ward one work clockwise around as we go around each round. The applicant receiving a majority vote of the entire membership of the city council. So at least seven votes shall be appointed to the vacancy. If no applicant receives the majority vote of the entire membership of the uh city council during the first round, we'll proceed to a second round uh which will be under the same procedure using the roll call voice vote and we'll look for again for a majority of the entire membership for the candidate to be appointed to the vacancy. If no applicant receives a majority vote in the second round, we'll proceed to a third round of voting. Uh during the third round, no council member may consider any applicant that had the lowest vote total during the second round. If two or more members are tied with the lowest vote total in the second round, then we'll have a runoff between those two. All uh city council members will vote during the runoff except for the mayor and if there's a tie then the mayor will break the tie. Uh the person um who wins that runoff will proceed back into the third round and we'll proceed with the voting the same as we did in round one and two. And we'll continue with this until we reach a candidate that receives a majority vote of the entire city council membership which would be seven votes or more. Okay.

Okay. Madame clerk, if you don't mind, read read the list of the seven candidates. Eric Clunchch, AC Lopez, Jeff Lloyd, Deanna Sheepard, Ross St. Louis, David Watson Upurch, and Jeremy Wright. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We will now proceed with the roll call one at a time. The clerk will call your name and you'll just give the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Madame clerk. Councilman Zacharias. Deanna Shepard. Councilman Peters. Very close. Councilman Chandler.

Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. Jeff Lloyd. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood AC Lopez Councilman Brown AC Lopez Councilman Streetman Jeff Lloyd Councilman Shikina AC Lopez Councilman Lovado Eric Clunch and Council or I'm sorry Mayor Pitts Jeff Lloyd Madam Clerk telling the votes for us please

Mr. Clunch has three votes Mr. Lopez five Mr. Lloyd has three, Miss Shepard has one, and Mr. St. Louis, Mr. Watson Up Church, and Mr. Wright has zero. Okay. No, no candidate received the required number seven. So, we will go another round. Madame clerk, Councilman Peters, Mr. Claw. Councilman Chandler. Eric Claw. Councilman Marque. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez.

Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Jeff Lloyd. Councilman Shaab. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, and Mayor Pittz. Eric Clunch. Okay, Mr. Clunch has four votes. Mr. Lopez. Oh, hang on, Madam Clerk. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Zacharias. [laughter] Just kidding.

Sorry about that. Mr. Clunch has five votes. Mr. Lopez has five votes. Mr. Lloyd has two votes. Miss Shepard, Mr. St. Louis, Mr. Watson Up Church and Mr. Wright have zero votes. Okay. I'm going to ask the city attorney now that we're in the third round to explain this next round to us. Please, Mr. Bitner.

Okay. No member received the majority vote. So, we proceed to the third round. And we do not consider um applicants with the lowest voting total. And I believe that uh would be the the members that re the applicants that receive zero votes we would eliminate and proceed then forward to the third round. Okay. Okay. Madame clerk Councilman Chandler

question point of voter Councilman Zacharias. Yes, we're voting for one of the people that received zero votes. Correct? No. Mr. Bitner, if you don't mind, answer that question. [clears throat]

No, we're going to eliminate the applicants with the lowest vote total. Okay. My apologies. So, well, if two or more applicants are tied with the lowest vote totals of the preceding vote, we have we have several members with zero votes. Is that correct? Tied with zero votes, then we can uh that is correct. Uh, council councilman, we need to vote for the members with the zero votes to see who goes forward. [snorts]

Okay. So, the madame clerk, the three candidates with the lowest four candidates with the lowest vote totals are, if you don't mind, once you get those entered in, just read the names and we'll vote on one of those to move them forward and the other three will be eliminated.

[snorts]

Okay. So, those four members are um Diana Shepard, Ross St. Louis, David Watson Upurch, and Jeremy Wright. Okay. So, we're voting on one of those four names. uh the 12 council members, the mayor does not vote unless he breaks a tie. Uh so we're you're voting on one of the four names to move them forward to keep them in. Um and the other three will be eliminated. And if I've misspoken, I'll ask the attorney to correct me. You have a question, Councilman Smith, on the voting process only.

I thought all four of these got zero votes. Is that correct? That's correct. So why would we I thought we eliminate them. We have to vote because they're tied. Those four are tied with the lowest vote total. So we have to vote to break the tie and the one that receives the most votes will move on to the will still be considered. The other three will be eliminated. That makes sense to me. I know what you're saying, but I'm saying, okay, they all got zero votes and so we voting to put one back in. Is that what we're doing? You're voting to keep one alive because they all tied. Don't count the number of votes. Count the fact that they tied. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, Madame Clerk.

Okay. Again, it's Shephard, St. Louis, Watson Upurch, and right Councilman Zacharias. Uh, Deanna Shepard. Councilman Peters. Deanna Shepard. Councilman Chandler. Jeremy Ry. Councilman Marque St. Louis. Councilman Smith abstain. Councilman Hollowman. Deanna Shepard. Councilman Haywood. Deanna Shepard. Councilman Bran. Deanna Shepard. Councilman Streetman. David Watson. Up. Councilman Shaab. Jeremy Wright.

And Councilman Lovado. Jeremy Wright. Madam Cler. Okay, that is five for Shephard, one for St. Louis, one for Watson Upurch, and three for Wright. Okay, so um Deanna Shepard advances and the other three are eliminated. So we are now voting on the four who are still under contention. So madame clerk, if you don't mind. Okay, so we're now Clunch, Lopez, Lloyd, and Shephard. Okay. So, we're voting on those four candidates and we will be starting with ward four. Yes. All right. Madame clerk,

Councilman Chandler, I forgot his last name. My tablets went off. Yes. Councilman Marquee. Jeff Lloyd. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Shaab. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunchch. Mayor Pitts.

Eric Clunch. Okay, that gives us six for Mr. Clunch, five for Mr. Lopez, one for Mr. Lloyd and zero for Miss Shepard. Okay, that eliminates Mr. Bitner, Miss Shepard, and we are now have three remaining uh to get to seven votes. And Madame Clerk, those three names are Eric Clunch, AC Lopez, and Jeff Lloyd. Okay. All right. So, we will begin the fourth round of voting, and we will start with Councilman Marquee. Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez.

Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Sha, AC Lopeet, Councilman Lovado, Eric Cl. Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunch. Okay, that is a tie. Six for No, that can't be right. Yep, that's right. Who's adding up? [clears throat] Just a moment.

Yeah, that's right. Um, six for Mr. Clunch and six for Mr. Lopez. All right, that eliminates Mr. Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd. All right, so now we're voting on Mr. Clunch or Mr. Lopez. Take seven to be seated. And we're starting with Councilman Smith. Madame Clerk. Okay. Councilman Smith. Uh, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Sha, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado,

Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunch, Madam Clerk. Okay, again, we have a tie. Six to six, Mr. Clunch and Mr. Lopez.

Okay. So, we're down to two names.

Yes, sir. After the attorney and the clerk confer, I'm going to ask the attorney to come and just kind of set the stage for us. Mr. Bner, if you'll give us the posture we're in and explain the next round.

Okay, they're tied six to six. Um, so I don't believe that uh paragraph 4 applies that we can um eliminate the lowest vote. So, it looks like we're going to need to go to a runoff vote between the two of them. Uh, all city council members may vote, but only for one of the tied applicants except the mayor who shall have a vote uh who shall not have a vote um in the runoff vote. the applicant with the highest total number of votes. Uh well, we need to get seven. Uh or we're just going to be in the cycle through the through the evening. Um so we're going to basically the two of them are going to run off and we're going to need seven majority of the entire membership of the council.

So Mr. Bner, if it's a tie, then the mayor would break the tie in this runoff. Um, in the case of a vote during the runoff vote, yeah, the mayor shall break the tie. Okay. But if yes, if we have a tie, but we shouldn't, well, we shouldn't have a tie because we should have 11. Um, but we'll end up the way it looks, we may end up six to five, right? Which would then um not be the seven we need. So can continue down this path until somebody changes their vote. Okay. All right.

Okay. We've got our instructions. So madame clerk, if you don't mind, give us the two names again that we were we are considering. It's Eric Clunch and AC Lopez. Okay. All right. So, Madame Clerk, uh, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shaab, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch,

Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Madam Clerk, it's uh five to six. Eric Clanch with five, Mr. Lopez with six. Nobody got to the seven and we didn't have a tie. So, we're going to have another round. And this is not a tiebreaker round. This is a round. Get Mr. Clunch and Mr. Lopez. And we'll be starting with Councilman Haywood. Yes. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman.

Eric Clunch. Councilman Shikab. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee AC Lopez Councilman Smith AC Lopez Councilman Hollowman AC Lopez Mayor Pitts Eric Clunch again we're at a tie six to six for Mr. Clunchch and Mr. Lopez.

Okay, we're at a tie again. So, we'll have a tiebreaking round and 11 members will vote. And if there's a tie, then the mayor will cast the tiebreaking vote. Madame clerk, you will be starting with Councilman Brown. Yes. For the tiebreaking vote. Okay. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunch. Councilman Shaab. AC Lopez.

Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clump. Councilman Marquee AC Lopez Councilman Smith AC Lopez Councilman Hollowman AC Lopez Councilman Haywood AC Lopez and Madam Clerk, it's five for Mr. Clunch, six for Mr. Lopez.

Okay. Well, we'll proceed with the next round. Everybody voting. Okay, we're proceeding with round number eight or nine.

Nine. And everybody is voting. And we're starting with Councilman Streetman or Councilman Brown. Streetman. Councilman Streetman. Eric Cla. Councilman Shikab AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. AC Lopez. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Mayor Pitts. Eric Cla. Madam Clerk.

Yes. We have a tie. Six to six. All right. We're in a tiebreaking tiebreaking round. 11 members voting. Mayor will break the tie if there is a tie. Okay. Council, I have a point of order. Councilman Chandler, you're recognized on a point of order. It's for the city attorney. If in this round the only vote that the mayor has is to break a tie, if it goes six to five, that would be a majority of the eligible voters. Correct or incorrect?

I think you're correct. What I was just reading here um is the applicant with the highest total number of votes in the runoff vote shall continue to the third round of voting. But that would that would put forward only one candidate the candidate six to five and then you you would essentially have a vote of one candidate which would need seven votes to proceed forward. Councilman Chandler, is that it? That's it. Okay. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Mr. Bitner, if you don't mind, tell us what the posture we're in currently, please.

Okay. Um, what was what was the score on that last vote? [clears throat] Six to six. Um, six to six uh runoff vote. Um, the applicant with the lowest number of votes um if would not move on to the next round and then we will have to one person to vote which will need seven votes. That's according to a here during this separate runoff vote. All city council members may vote. The applicant with the highest total number of votes shall continue to the next round for voting consideration by the council.

Okay. Okay. You have a point of order. Yeah. Councilman Smith, point of order. Uh, no. I don't have point of point of information. Okay. Point of information. What is your point of information? So, my question from what you just said. So, will the mayor vote in this round? This is the tiebreaking round, right? This if this is the tiebreaking round, the mayor can vote. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Well, during this, all city council members may vote, but for one applicant, except for the mayor, who shall not have a vote in the runoff vote. In case of a tie vote during the runoff vote, then the mayor shall break the tie. So, only if it's a tie, the mayor. Only if it's tie.

It's a tie. He should be voting. Well, unless it's a tie. Unless it's tie. So, okay. Okay. All right. And this is considered a runoff because the last round ended in a six to six tie. But what he's saying, mayor, is what I'm understanding is that you shouldn't vote now because we passed that stage is my understanding. I could be wrong where you would be voting with us. You can only vote now if it's a tie and then the one with the most votes will be the one that we will have as the city council. Have to get to seven though. I don't think so. I Well, you need to get to seven.

Still seven. You still have to get to seven because it says subsequent number five. Subsequent voting rounds to include the runoff votes shall be conducted until such time as the applicant receives a majority vote of the entire membership of the city council, which is seven. Okay. All right. Seven. But does he vote in this round? Excuse me. The mayor still doesn't vote unless there's a tie. Is that correct? This is a runoff, so I would not vote unless there's a tie, right? Oh, this is a tie, right? Someone has to get to seven in order to prevail. Correct. Right. Okay. All right. Okay. Thank you.

All right. Madame clerk, if you don't mind, we're starting with Councilman Shaen, I believe. Yes. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Cl. Councilman Peters, Eric Cl. Councilman Chandler, Eric Cl. Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Oops. That right. Uh, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. and Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunch. Madame Clerk,

it's five for Mr. Clunch, six for Mr. Lopez. Okay, we're now ready for round 11. And this is not a runoff, Councilman Lovado. There's only one name, right? Two candidates. Two candidates still. It's still two candidates. You got to get to seven. Eric Clunch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler.

Eric Clunk. Councilman Marquee. AC Lopez. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez, Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch, we have a tie. All right, we're tied six to six, so we're going into a runoff unless otherwise advised by our city attorney. Oops.

Going back up to A. If the second round or if this round is tied, u we we proceed into the runoff vote. Okay. Question. Councilman Brown, you have a question for the city attorney.

Yes, sir. Uh, it's on the runoff. Does the one that has the least amount of votes, do they not fall off? So, that would technically just leave one name left. According to uh paragraph A, the last sentence, the applicant um with the highest total of votes in the runoff shall continue um forward. Um, so we would eliminate that one. If you continue forward, you'll have one candidate continue forward and then that candidate would need seven votes,

but it' just be one name to vote for, which was what we would have just done this last time also. Correct.

Okay, hang on a minute. Hang on. Councilman Brown, you have the floor. That's my question. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Bitner. That's Let's see. Um during the separate room, all may vote for one. Um the candidate with the highest total number of votes shall continue to the next round.

So, Mr. Bitner, if if in this runoff we have another six to five, that person with six would be the lone candidate, then the 12 members of the council would then vote either for or pass or abstain. Is that that's what this says on paragraph 4A under section 2110. The applicant um with the highest total number of votes in the runoff continues to the next round. seem like we ought to have a coin toss or arm wrestle or 40 yard dash or something. Yeah. Well, it definitely seems like we need uh we need to take a look at this paragraph in the future and amend it.

But you still have to get a majority of the person that gets six. If we eliminate the one with five, the one that gets six needs to have seven to be uh confirmed. That's correct. If we move the one with six forward, which under 4A, the applicant with the highest total number of votes shall continue to the next round for voting consideration by the council if it's six to five. Okay. So we we have two members that wish to ask you a question before we proceed with the next round. Councilman Smith for Mr. Bitner. Thank you, Mayor. Just for clarity, so in the runoff, uh will the mayor vote on the in the runoff? No. No. Okay. Mayor, no vote.

Okay. Um and another question, uh when we had the tiebreaker, there was five to six. AC had six, but we're not going back. We're going We're not going back. We're we're on the next round. So this is the runoff. Okay. Mayor, wait a minute. Let me finish asking my question. I'm not telling him to go back, mayor. I'm just asking a question. Thank you. What I'm saying in the tiebreaker then we should have already um let the one that had six, we should have just voted on that one and Eric should have been dropped because uh you have stated this that the one with the lease should have just kept going. It should have been in the next uh

it's been the same vote six to five through the entire thing. So if everybody votes in accordance with how they voted in the past, it produce the same result. So this next votes, whoever get the least votes will be the one that will continue and the other one will drop off. Is that correct? Based on what you just said, the the applicant with the highest total number of votes shall continue to the next round for voting for consideration by the city council 4. Okay. All right. Thank you. Councilman Lovado for Mr. Bitner.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to clarify the voting options um after the runoff. So, we have the runoff and we have one name, but I'm still able to pass and my vote would not count. Correct. Abstain. Abstain. Pass whatever the mayor said earlier. Yes. Yes. Yeah. So if we abstain and the loan member or the loan applicant does not have seven votes, what happens then? We will be in for a long evening. [laughter] [gasps] What? Yes, we will. So what happens?

We will continue to vote on the one person on the one person. Those are the official names that have been submitted according to the charter that appeared before us at our last regular session. Okay. And so we are now in this circular firing squad. Okay, that concludes my questions. Okay, Councilman Hollowman for Mr. Bitner, please.

Yes. Um, so if it's if it's just one candidate left and then we don't get to seven, the rest of the council abstains, that's pretty much the council saying that they'd rather just have the seat vacant than have or to represent it. Am I understanding that correctly? I don't think we can I don't know that I can say what the council is saying. Yeah. Subjective view. Yeah. what you're saying. Thank you, Councilman Zacharias. For Mr. Bitner.

Um, yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um, would it be appropriate to take a recess and and look into this because and I I'm I'm only saying this because I've been through this process in the exact same situation that we're going through right now and it was handled differently. So, I ju like I just want to make sure we get this right. Yeah, that the the uh you can ask for recess and the mayor can grant it as mayor if you think it's appropriate. I think

I mean I've asked my assistant council to come back. We can discuss it. He's sitting in the back. Um but I think we're in agreement on it. But we can ask for the recess if you if you want the recess. All right, members. If we take a recess, this will be a conference between the attorneys and not council members and attorneys. Correct. So they will need they will need to consult with each other and not with us and then they will come back and report to us. So um before we get to the recess, we have two more members. Do you have a question for Mr. Bitner? Councilman Smith, I have a question about the recess. What's the question? Um why would we take a recess and we're we're in the the voting mode.

Well, the recess has been asked for to clarify where we stand as far as the code charter and the voting process. But I thought uh Mr. Bner just explained that. He did, but it's been requested. We will we will call for a vote for the recess. Can we talk amongst each other as a city council person? We're not supposed to. None of breaking the sunshine law. So, we don't need to be talking to each other about it. We don't want to break the sunshine law. We want to do what is right. We want to be transparent in this. I think if we could confer 60 seconds, I think we should. Okay. All right. Thank you, Mayor. Okay. Councilman Streetman for Mr. Bitner.

Yes. Uh Mr. Bitner, I too agree with the council person from Ward One. I was recalling it being different. We sat here and voted, voted, voted, voted, correct, voted with just the two candidates up. So I I agree with the statement that he made on that. Okay. Councilman Chandler, for Mr. Bner, make it official. I'll make a motion to go in to recess till we can get this straightened out. Okay. The motion been made and properly seconded to recess. We'll Mr. Ber, how long do you think you'll need? Uh, 5 minutes will be

all right. We'll recess until 5:15. Ladies and gentlemen of the council and the audience, please do not approach the member the attorneys while they confer and then they will come back. So, any objection to the recess? Seeing none, we stand in recess until 5:15.

ladies and gentlemen, we're back in session now and we will hear from the city attorney, Mr. Bitner, please.

Okay, we've read this, read this, or read this. Um, I think we need to amend it after tonight, but um, okay. If after the second round of voting, two or more applicants are tied with the lowest vote totals, um, the way we're going to read this is there is no low vote total because all 12 voted and it became a tie. So, it's six to six. So, I'm going to recommend that we just run uh Claunch and Lopez um headtohead until somebody changes their vote.

But we have to get to seven. You have to get to seven. The entire uh majority of the entire membership. Okay. All right. So, the attorney has opined and the chair confirms. So, we will now be voting. And I've lost track of what round this is. Doesn't matter. Yes, it is. It's a runoff. This the runoff. Hang on. Hang on a second. Councilman Smith, you recognize for a question. Yeah, mayor. This is the runoff vote. Is this the runoff, madam clerk? Okay. All right. So, you got to get to seven. And this is the runoff between Mr. Clunch, Mr. Lopez. Uh, the mayor votes in case of a tie. So, madame clerk, let's get to getting. All right.

Oh, I'm sorry. Uh I'm sorry, mayor. Maybe I wasn't clear. Um we're going to just run them out with no more runoffs. Okay. U because until we get to seven. Um they were tied. So let's vote and then we'll um see where we stand at the end of this run. All right. Okay. We are now voting on the two candidates remaining and so the clerk will now take the vote. Okay. Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee,

AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Shaab, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, and Mayor Pitts, Eric Cla, Madame Clerk, we have a tie six to six. Okay, we're now voting again around 465. [laughter] We'll start with Councilman Peters. Madame Clerk. All right, Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clone, Councilman Marquee,

AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikina, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, and Mayor Pittz. Eric Clunchch, we're tied 66. All right, Madame Clerk, let's start again. All right. Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez,

Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikina, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clounch. Mayor Pitts. Eric Cla. Okay, we have a tie. All right, next round. Madam Clerk, please. Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown,

AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Sha, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch. Right, we have a tie 66. All right, Madam Clerk, please. Let's go again. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. A Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunch. Councilman Shikab AC Lopez.

Councilman Lovado. Eric Cla. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. Across. Mayor Pitts. Eric Clunch. Okay, we're tied 66. All right, let's go again, Madam Clerk. Okay. Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman [clears throat] Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch,

Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch, we have a tie. All right, Madame Clerk, one more time. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Shikina. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric Cla. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Cl. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. AC Lopez. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman.

AC Lopez. Mayor Pittz. Eric Clunch. We have a tie. All right. One more time, Madam Clerk. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch. Councilman Sheen, AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunch, we have a tie.

All right, Madam Clerk, rewind the tape. Let's do it again. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Shikina, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Council Brown, AC Lopez, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Cla. Right, we have a tie. All right, let's go. Okay,

adjust my screen here. Okay, Councilman Street, Councilman Shaab, I'm sorry. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Mayor Pitch,

Eric Clunch, Definition of insanity. [laughter] Keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. Yeah. Put that on a t-shirt. All right, Madam Clerk. I need to um load more votes. Okay. All right. Stand by. Get the technology caught up. And whenever you're ready, Madam Clerk,

Councilman Sha, you have a question. Yes, I have a question for you. So, at some point, if we continue just to get six and six for another hour at some point, do we go into recess to another day or what? We'll have to we'll have to recess and and someone can make a motion to recess and and set the date. Of course, you'll need 48 hours notice and then we'll have to time it so it gets into the proper printed media newspaper. So, yes, that's the answer. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome, Councilman Brown. For what purpose? Does Does that still have to be within the 14 days from that regular session?

Yes, it does. And we're we're we'd be skirting it. you. They scared me. That's a good word. Close. That's a new Providence saying junior high. [laughter] When you was in school.

Yeah, I did go to school. Can't tell. Are you ready? Okay. Who are we starting with, Madam Clerk? We are going to start with All right. Eric Clutch. Okay. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clutch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clutch. Councilman Chandler, Eric Clump, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez,

Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikina, AC Lopez, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunchch. Okay, we're at a tie. All right, we're ready for the next round when you are, Madam Clerk. Okay. Okay. Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez.

Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, I'm sorry, Councilman H. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunch. Councilman Sheen. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunch. And Mayor Pitts. Eric Clunch. Okay. We're at the time. Okay. Ready when you are, Madam Clerk. All righty. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez,

Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, and Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch. All right, we have a tie. All right. Whenever you're ready, Madame Clerk. Councilman Chandler, Lar. Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown,

AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shaup, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunchch, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunchch. All right, we have a tie.

Councilman Shikina, for what purpose? Yes, mayor. I have another question. Might be kind of crazy, but just to break up the monade here of just going in the circle and circle. Can we at least let them two at least tell tell us something that way we just break it up? We don't have to ask any question but just let them just talk just to break it up because right now no one's going to change their mind the way we're going. Okay. All right. Any objection to allowing the two remaining candidates to have three minutes each and no questions would be asked from the council. Any objection to that?

I don't no statements. Just for them to make to give three minutes of their best pitch. Okay. All right. No objections. So, we will call on them in the order that we've been voting and they'll have three minutes each. So, Mr. Claunch, you're first and then followed by Mr. Lopez. So, if you would give us your name and the clock will start running.

Uh, Eric Clunch. Uh, I'd like to say I've never heard my name called so many times in my life. It's fascinating. Uh, no. So, I appreciate this opportunity. Thank you, sir. The the men and women that I ran against as being new to this are phenomenal individuals. I have made friends with several of them and I plan to work with them no matter who gets elected because there is a passion for W 2 that I didn't realize existed and [clears throat] I will take full ownus of that. But it is phenomenal the individuals out in this audience that are here tonight to watch this go around and around and their passion for our great ward. It is humbling to me. Um, I'm glad that my daughter's here to get to see it and she's, you know, threatened to beat me up a couple times. Uh, but other than that, I I am humbled to be a part of this process. It has been amazing. Uh, again, I will tell on myself again, Miss Deiana told me a long time ago, Eric, you need to be more involved. You need to be more involved. You need to be more involved. And I own that. in in front of all of you understanding that my knowledge isn't maybe where it should be. Uh but I'm a quick learner and I'm eager and I'm excited for this opportunity and it is exciting to be a part of this city. It is exciting to to watch it evolve as as we uh continue to grow and balance what we need versus what we want. Uh, I would also offer that I've watched myself and every other candidate on that threeh hour and 28 minute video uh probably about 17 times and I said, "Eric, you could have done this better. Eric, you didn't do this very well. Mr. Mr. Ross did this awesome." Uh, everybody brought something a little bit

different, a little bit different of a perspective, and I appreciate that. And I am humble enough to say uh we can all learn from each other. And I have learned a great deal in a short amount of time about my fellow residents in war I as well as some of the personalities on here. You know, late at night when you have nothing to do, uh you start googling people and you find out things that uh maybe could have helped me, maybe not could have helped me. uh but just learning about the personalities and the individuals that sit up here tonight. So with that, I'll leave the 30 seconds and again, thank you very much for your time.

Thank you. We will now hear from Mr. AC Lopez. Mr. Lopez, if you would come forward, give us your name and the clock will start running for three minutes.

Asencio Lopez Jr. 578 Joshua Drive. Put me in coach. I'm ready to play. I know uh sir Robert rules of order. It's uh I know it's uh all the zonings. I've been here. You've seen me. I've agitated a whole crapload of y'all. It's probably why y'all ain't voting for me. But that's okay because I don't har harbor I'm not the person to harbor any uh anger towards anybody. I said I am the most easiest going guy. I have friends that are Republicans. I have friends that are Democrats. I have friends that is uh are libertarians. It doesn't matter because when it comes down to it, nobody had to tell me to help people. I help people because that's what I was taught. You think I wear the cowboy boots? You think I wear the cowboy hat because it's fashion or because it make me look skinnier? No, I don't. It's a lifestyle. It's about helping people. If I was on the ranch, if I was in the city, it doesn't matter. I help people because it's the right thing to do. A few weeks ago during the county commission meeting as uh one of my I will call her my uh my uh best friend, enemy, whatever they call that, whatever the kids call that. Uh, she got stuck in the snow, right? I pulled her out. That was the fifth person I pulled out that day. It's a in war two when I got stuck in my own driveway. Someone helped and took me out of it because war two is oh it's just a micro uh it's it's a small caring community that

really really really cares about each other. It's uh and my wife, God bless her soul, it's uh she loved it and that's what she wanted to be her home forever. Now it's my home forever. Miss uh God started if I ain't going to do it as a stay. It's a y'all stuck with me. Y'all stuck with me. So even if you don't vote me in, it's a or select me in. Okay, because y'all stuck with me. Because I love this community. I love people. I love I love my God. I love my country. I love the veterans that freaking the offended and gave their lives for their country. I love the police department that protects us from the evils of this world. So, yeah, do what y'all must, but this cowboy is here to play and he's going to stay. Thank you. All right, we're now going to be voting the next round,

Madame Clerk. Who are we starting with? Council Marque. All right, Council Marque, AC Lopez. Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch.

Okay, we're tied. All right, Madame Clerk. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clounch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, and Mayor Pittz. Eric Clunch. Okay,

we're tied. Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shaab, East Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Mayor Pittz,

Eric Clunch. Okay, we're tied. Okay. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez. Councilman Brown. AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman. Eric Clunch. Councilman Shaab. AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Chandler, Eric Clounge, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Mayor Pittz,

Eric Cla, okay, we're tied.

Okay. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch. Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunch. Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch. Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunchch. Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch. We're tied. [clears throat] Councilman Streetman. Councilman Shikab. AC Lopez.

Councilman Lovado. Eric Clunch. Councilman Zacharias. Eric Clunchch. Councilman Peters. Eric Clunch. Councilman Chandler. Eric Clunch. Councilman Marquee. AC Lopez. Councilman Smith. AC Lopez. Councilman Hollowman. AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood. AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunch. Okay, we're tied. Council Councilman Shikab Lopez. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunchch,

Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunch, Tide, Councilman Lovado, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez. Councilman Smith, AC Lopez. Councilman Hollerman, AC Lopez. Councilman Haywood,

AC Lopez. Councilman Brown, AC Lopez. Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Shaab, AC Lopez, and Mayor Pittz. Eric Clunchch. We are tied. Right. Okay. Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Councilman Peters, Eric Clunch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Cl, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez,

Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab, AC Lopez, Yes. Councilman Lovado, Eric Clotch, and Mayor Pittz, Eric Clunchch. Okay, we're tied. Councilman Peters, Eric Clunchch, Councilman Chandler, Eric Clunch, Councilman Marquee, AC Lopez, Councilman Smith, AC Lopez, Councilman Hollowman, AC Lopez, Councilman Haywood, AC Lopez, Councilman Brown, AC Lopez, Councilman Streetman, Eric Clunch, Councilman Shikab,

AC Lopez, Councilman Lovado, Eric Cla, Councilman Zacharias, Eric Clunch, Mayor Pitts, Eric Clunchch, we're tied. I need to queue up some more votes.

All right, Councilman Chandler, for what purpose? to try to figure out this insanity there. Uh we're not getting anywhere. It's obvious. Everybody has their choice. Rightfully so, but we're not solving anything. Uh Councilman Shanda brought up, you know, about maybe postponing We we've got to do something. We need to move on something. And I I I'll be the first one to sit right here and tell you not because I'm hard-headed most of the time I am, but not tonight necessarily. I'm not going to change my vote. And I rightfully so, the majority in here not going to change their vote. So instead of just chasing our tail around like a dog, we need to come up with something else. some other plan. And I know it's frustrating. It's frustrating to everybody up here. It's frustrating to everybody out there. But it it's I can just I can just see it in the media. It's going to make us look crazy.

You know, 62 votes and still didn't get anywhere. Christian will be kind. [laughter] Councilman Chandler. Councilman Chandler, you have the floor. Uh I I just think we need to come up with a consensus on ending this merry goround.

Well, unfortunately, the code in the charter doesn't speak to a merrygoround. Um so we have limited to no options other than to continue or to postpone the vote to to recess until a date certain, but we got to stay within that 14-day window. I'll make a motion that we postpone the vote and get it within the 14-day window.

We've got a motion in a second. So, we would have to postpone it to a date certain, but we got to get it within the window. Plus, we've got to make sure that we can put it in the newspaper and I and I stand to be corrected by the city attorney uh about it. So, let's let's recess for a moment to give them time, the clerk and the attorney, to confer about what can take place and get us a date certain. Without objection, we're in recess. I need to use bathroom. We're in recess.

Councilman Chandler to um postpone to stay within the 14-day window and allow us to be able to properly notice the next meeting. And so that was what the conference was about. So I'm going to call on our city attorney, Mr. Bitner, to help us.

Okay. We'd like next Thursday to stay within the 14 days. So, uh, Councilman Chandler, I would recommend that you, uh, since you did a motion to continue to a set date, maybe we could do a amendment to your motion and we'll do a motion to recess uh, the meeting until the 19th of February. No second. Okay. I'm going to call on Councilman Chandler for an a your amendment to your motion.

Yes. So, you are recognized to amend your motion uh to amend it to 19th. The 19th at 4:30 at 4:30 p.m. to make sure PM to make sure we get in with the 14-day rule. Okay. All right. That amendment's been made and properly seconded. I have a list. We're speaking to the amendment to postpone this vote until the 19th. Uh at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Bitner is getting up out of his chair. We prefer the word recess if we could do that. I'm sorry. Recess. Excuse me. Thank you. I misspoke. Thank you,

Councilman Sha on the amendment to recess until the 19th. Yes, Mayor. Just uh for clarity, it's only for the runoff, right? It's only for the two candidates. Yes, only for the two candidates. And then I have a question for Mr. Bitner regarding the motion. Okay.

So the motion uh Mr. Bitner um for the run for the runoff for next week. Um if we find ourselves in the same situation, then what's the course of action that we have in a runoff? If you find yourself in the same uh position, you're going to have to uh sit here, I think, until we have a majority vote seven. Um and then if if we can't reach a majority of the entire membership of the city council uh within that time, um we'll take a look at that and see. Uh it could be that we start over or not with these two, but maybe we'll look at um whether we have to renotice the meeting for the whole thing. But um I think what you're going to end up doing is you're going to be locked into these two candidates and we're going to sit here until we come up with a majority 7%. Excuse me, seven of 13.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Good. Councilman Marquee on the motion to on the amendment that is you're recognized. Yes. So um since we do have to make a decision by the 19th and we are supposed to have um list this 48 hours beforehand. Would it not be better to do the 16th? That way in case we find ourselves again we have one more chance to get to the 19th. Is that too close? That's too close because today is Wednesday and the deadlines for the printed media which is a state law y are too tight. Okay. Would not allow us to get it in there. Okay. 16th is a holiday, I'm being told. Is it? 16th is President's Day.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Fair point. Okay. Any more questions about the amendment to Councilman Chandler's motion to recess until Thursday, February 19th at 4:30 p.m. So, we're voting on the amendment. All in favor, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote? Madam clerk, we're voting. We're taking the vote on the amendment. Madam clerk, 10 yes, two no zero abstain. Okay, the amendment is [clears throat] adopted. We're now on the motion as amend. Yes, you're recognized. Point of information.

Yes. But we all understood it to be the 19th. That's all right. It's scrimmary. will. Okay. Thank you. Wait a minute. We're dizzy. We've been going around. Okay. So, we're voting on the motion to recess until Thursday, February 19th at 4:30 p.m. to resume voting on the

on the two remaining candidates for I'm stretching here to allow the clerk for W two. TWWO. All right. Every member, please cast your vote. Every member voted. Any member wish to change their vote. Madame clerk, please take the vote. Nine yes, three no, zero abstain. Okay. The the motion to recess is adopted.

We will now we are ready for public comment. We allow three people, five minutes each. If you're a member of the public and wish to address the council, we ask you to come forward. Seeing none, the purpose for which this special session of the Clarksville City Council, having been accomplished, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Without objection, we are adjourned.