HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 12-01-2022 RICHLAND HILLS CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
MINUTES
Roll Call:
Committee Members Present Committee Members Absent
Theresa Bledsoe
Bill Garretson
Athena Campbell
Stacey Morse
Roland Goveas
Sheleen Jaymes
Staff Present
Candice Edmondson, City Manager
James Donovan, City Attorney
Citizens Present
Allison Barger
1. CALL TO ORDER
City Manager Candice Edmondson called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Appoint a member to serve as Chairperson to the Committee
City Attorney James Donovan advised that the member chosen to serve as the
Chairperson will not be allowed to vote unless in the case of a tie as described in the
resolution creating the Charter Review Committee.
Motion: Motion was made by Athena Campbell to appoint Sheleen Jaymes
as Chair of the Charter Review Committee and seconded by Theresa
Bledsoe.
Motion carried by a vote of 6-0.
Charter Review Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3 December 1, 2022
4. Discuss and take possible action on amendments to the City Charter
City Attorney James Donovan introduced the charter review process and committee
objectives.
The committee reviewed and discussed proposed amendments to Article IV. Enumerated
Powers, Article V. City Council and Article VI. Powers and Duties of Officers.
The committee discussed the expansion of the governing body to six (6) Councilmembers
plus the Mayor with the Mayor being a voting member. The members discussed
expanding term limits to three (3) consecutive three (3) year terms.
Motion: Motion was made by Stacey Morse and seconded by Roland Goveas
to expand the governing body to six (6) Councilmembers plus a
Mayor with the Mayor being a voting member.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0
The committee wanted to add language to the charter that in order to be Mayor a
candidate must have served as a Councilmember previously. The candidate could have
served as Mayor or Councilmember for any other city and would have to list city and dates
of term. Additional documentation may be required to verify service.
Motion: Motion was made by Stacey Morse and seconded by Bill Garretson
that a prerequisite be added that a candidate for Mayor must have
previously completed a full term as a Mayor or Councilmember.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0
Motion: Motion was made by Theresa Bledsoe and seconded by Athena
Campbell to expand term limits to three (3) consecutive three (3)year
terms
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0
The committee discussed the ability for a person to serve as a Councilmember for three
(3) consecutive three (3) year terms and then immediately serve as Mayor for three (3)
consecutive three (3) year terms. After six (6) consecutive six (6) year terms a person
must sit out for one (1) election cycle.
The committee discussed Council absences and changing language to make it four (4)
meetings in a year (May — May). The committee also considered changes to Council
compensation.
Charter Review Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3 December 1, 2022
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Motion was made by Theresa Bledsoe and seconded by Stacey
Morse to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Jaymes declared
the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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