Chickamauga city council, during its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, failed to move forward on its proposed new city charter.

The charter had been revised with minor changes suggested during a workshop session Jan. 14 and approved by the city attorney. But at Monday's council meeting, it failed to receive a second from any council member on a motion to approve made by council member Jim Staub.

Staub appeared shocked at the silence that accompanied mayor Ray Crowder’s petition for a second to the motion.

After the meeting, neither city manager John Culpepper nor assistant city manager and chief of police Michael Haney were aware of any hang-ups or concerns that may have caused the charter to fail to pass. It is unknown at this time if the charter will come before the city council at a future date.

The council did approve a pay increase to city employees after a lengthy discussion in executive session.

Because Haney took on more responsibilities with the utilities department in the past year, said Culpepper, his pay was increased by $7,000 per year. Culpepper’s own salary was increased by $3,000 per year. All other city employees received a cost-of-living raise as well: most received a 50-cents-per-hour raise while a small few were awarded a $1- or $1.50-per-hour raise.