Commission Reverses Grindstaff Decision, Tables Mosier Agreement

Commissioners acknowledge an earlier mistake, rescind an appointment and stipend, and delay approval of an incomplete rental agreement.

Two issues previously reported by The Johnson County Line returned to the Johnson County Commission Thursday night, resulting in one reversal and one postponed decision.

The first involved the appointment and stipend for defeated 3rd District Commissioner Jerry Grindstaff to serve on the Planning Commission for an indefinite term. Mayor Larry Potter had requested a suspension of the rules to bring the matter to a vote, and commissioners approved it. Public outcry subsequently brought the issue back before the commission.

“I feel like we made a mistake there,” Commission Chair Freddy Phipps said before the vote. “We’re here tonight to try to correct it, and we’ve got a motion and a second to take this away and correct our mistake.”

All commissioners present voted to rescind the earlier decision, with the exception of District 6 Commissioner Gary Matheson, who abstained.

The commission also established term limits for Planning Commission members.

The second issue involved the proposed rental agreement for special events at the Cpl. William C. Mosier Memorial Building. The agreement, included in the commissioners’ agenda packet, raised concerns not because of its provisions, but because it was incomplete. The document was labeled a draft and accompanied by a list of unanswered questions.

District 5 Commissioner Eric Garland had already expressed reservations about voting on a draft. “Since the agreement is on the agenda, I would expect it to be finalized and ready for approval before we are asked to vote tomorrow evening.”

Mayor Potter outlined his goals for making the Mosier Building available for community events, an idea that appeared to have broad support. But the discussion repeatedly returned to a more fundamental question: Why was the commission being asked to approve an unfinished agreement?

Potter acknowledged that the agreement was primarily the work of his executive assistant, Amanda Hall. “She used to work for a lawyer, and I said, ‘Put on the lawyer hat.’” He conceded that the document was incomplete but said it was the best they could produce in the time available.

School Board Chair Chad Greever questioned the urgency, expressing concern both about the pending commission vote and the School Board’s earlier approval of the agreement.

“If we’re not at the final finished product, I don’t know that we should have voted on it, and I don’t know that it should be presented to them or not to vote on.”

Phipps asked commissioners whether they wanted to table the matter pending further clarification. A subgroup was formed to review the agreement and report back to the commission, and the motion to table passed unanimously.