HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 08-20-1985 Page 1 August 20, 1985
The Charter Commission met for the first time , August 20, 1985,
at the Richland Hills City Hall , at 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Ragan administered the Oath of Office to the 14 elected
Commissioners present. R. G. Elliott was unable to attend. However,
he sent his proxy for Paul Daniels to cast his votes for him.
Following the Oath of Office, Mayor Ragan called for nominations
for Chairman. Mr. Bridges nominated Paul Daniels. Bill Agan was also
nominated. Paul Daniels was elected by 11 to 3 vote.
Paul Daniels took the chair and called for nominations for vice-
Chairman. Tom Harvey was nominated by Agan. Bridges was elected by
9 to 4 votes. (Jean Smith nominated Tommy Bridges)
Nominations for Secretary were called for. Tommy Bridges nom-
inated Byrtie Adams. Mike Logan nominated Elizabeth Sheppard. Byrtie
Adams was elected by 9 to 6 votes. Each meeting will be taped, and
the Secretary will keep the tapes.
Motion was made by Tommy Bridges that we have a Treasurer.
Although we will be handling no money, we will be handling bills, and
records will need to be kept. Jean Smith seconded the motion. This
passed unanimously.
Byrtie Adams nominated Jean Smith for Treasurer. Mike Logan
Elizabeth Sheppard. Bill Agan nominated Olivia Ray. Elizabeth Sheppard
withdrew her name. Jean Smith won with 10 to 3 votes.
In the discussion for a meeting time, Jean Smith moved for.
Friday to be the meeting night. Byrtie Adams seconded the motion.
7 voted for Friday, 8 against. Lloyd Leach suggested Monday night.
Tommy Bridges seconded the motion. The vote for Monday was unanimous.
Next meeting will be Monday, September 16 , 1985, at 7:00 p.m. in the
City Hall.
It was agreed, at that time, to try to select a meeting time that
would be best for the greatest number of people. We will have no less
than two meetings a month. Commissioners will be notified by the City.
Paul Daniels pointeaAe do not have a dead line for the Charter.
He stated that information packets would be received and distributed
to the members. This will take about two weeks.
Tommy Bridges made the motion the meetings be conducted under
Robert 's Rules of Order. Mike Logan seconded. It was agreed unanimously.
Also, it was agreed there would be a copy of Robert ' s Rules of Order
at each meeting.
Mike Logan wanted to know if there would be a night for question
and answers from the public. There was discussion of, at one time or
more, for the Commission to receive suggestions from the audience. The
law states we do not have audience input at all. Explanation of the
411 Charter, to the public , will be done after the Charter is completed.
Tom Harvey asked at what point will we need an attorney in building
the Charter. This led to the discussion we will need to consider the
Page 2 August 20, 1985
cost of all items. 19e need to save the City as much money as possible.
Tommy Bridges suggested we get bids and take the lowest bid. . . we cer-
ainly don't want this to cost the City $15,000.00.
one Mr. Black asked about what happens if n of the Commissioners drops
out? Are they to be replaced? Paul Daniels agreed to make inquiries of
T11L about the proper legal procedure.
Mr. Black also asked about what will be the policy of talking to the
press. A discussion followed. Tommy Bridges moved that any information
to the press ( other than what happens in the open meetings) be given bl the
Chairman. The Chairman will be the official spokesman. Mike Logan
amended this by adding that what the Chairman says will be a consensus of
the group. Others are prohibited to speak to the press officially. Jean
Smith seconded. The vote was 9 for, and 6 against. If others see fit to
talk to the press, it must be their opinion only. They are not to speak
for the Commission.
Agreeing with Jean Smith, who stated that there were no opponents
on this Commission, Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Donohue, and Mr. Agan concurred,
verbally. They stated they were here t.o write a good Charter. Mrs. Pay
nodded in agreement.
Mr. Agan made the motion to adjourn. The group adjourned at 9:20p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
• ,�;� -
Byr ie B. Adams