Jackson Free Press

At a special meeting yesterday, Councilman Quentin Whitwell made an emergency motion for the city to get a supplemental lease at the Metrocenter Mall, an idea he shared with the Jackson Free Press last week. His motion died, but it comes before the council later today.

The City Council has asked Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. for more information about an additional $250,000 needed to complete technical wiring and cabling for computers and telephones in the old Belk store space where the city will move some offices. The mayor submitted a change order, but the council refused last week to act on it without the requested information. Whitwell's alternative idea was to have contractor Retro Metro complete the work and then allow the city to spread the expense over time in the form of the supplemental lease. When he made his motion, Whitwell suggested that the council should go into executive session to discuss legal consequences with city attorneys.

Councilman Charles Tillman, Ward 5, opposed Whitwell's emergency motion. Because of the emergency status that one opposing vote killed the motion—at least for a day. Tillman told the JFP that Whitwell's motion "blindsided" him. He also is looking for more information and is curious when the city knew about the overlooked specifications.

Whitwell's item will appear on today's City Council agenda at 4 p.m. This is another special meeting as the city tries to iron out the council schedule for the year. State law requires the council to meet on the first Tuesday after the first Monday, but a city ordinance says the council meets every other week.