The Crossville City Council did a double take Tuesday night in a combo style work session – special called meeting.  The Council conducted a closed executive session with the city attorney to hear information concerning a law suit the City had filed against a local excavation company demanding $216,600 for breach of contract concerning work at the Duer Soccer Field. Hicks Excavating had countered the demand with an offer of $60,000.   Nothing illegal about that.  However, the Council apparently actually deliberated on the issue during the closed session and agreed on a counter settlement offer in the lawsuit of $108,000. That isn’t allowed. Once the special called meeting was convened, the Council voted on a counter offer to Hicks without specifying the amount – that vote passed. Without hesitation after the vote, reporter Jim Young for the Chronicle asked what was the counter offer amount.  Young was told that information was confidential.  Young then made a formal objection to the action of the Council after the city attorney refused to disclose the particulars of the settlement offers to Young citing attorney-client privilege. Young continued to object stating to the City Attorney:  (In a closed meeting) “you are allowed to give information  to them (Council) and they can ask questions but you are not allowed to deliberate in secret – no sir, that’s State law.” After a few exchanges with City Attorney Ridley, Young asked that his objection be on put on the record.   City attorney Ridley advised the council to re-convene the special called (public) meeting, rescind the earlier vote and re-vote on the settlement offer. Once the special called meeting was re-convened, the City attorney spelled out the particulars of the settlement offers. The Council then openly made a motion to counter Hicks offer of $60,000 with an offer of $108,000. That motion was passed.  The audio of the meeting can be heard HERE.