HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 09-08-2011 /III Charter Review Committee Minutes
September 8, 2011
Community Board Room
Members Present:
Chairman Bill Agan
Secretary Jeff Ritter
Member Loyce Greer
Member Doug Knowlton
Member LaRue Wall
Members Absent:
Member Ralph Smith
Audience Present:
Janece Hill
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Agan at 7:05 PM.
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting (September 1, 2011)
Member Knowlton motioned to approve the minutes, Member Greer seconded.
The minutes from the September 1, 2011 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.
2 Review Preamble through articles 5.11
Chairman Agan stressed this Committee is for the benefit of Richland Hills citizens as a
whole, not for any particular person, group or faction.
Member Greer stated that we should be looking at many other Charters to determine the
best language and intent for Richland Hills' Citizens.
Secretary Ritter reminded everyone to look "above Politics" and focus on creating a
guideline to be used for many years to come.
Member Wall stressed how critical it is that the Mayor and each Council member must
read, understand and follow the Charter.
PREAMBLE
Secretary Ritter recited his proposed Preamble.
Chairman Agan recited his proposed Preamble.
Member Greer indicated both Preambles were similar and contained wording found in
many other Charters.
Chairman Agan recommended adding the first sentence from the North Richland Hills
Charter referencing God.
All members discussed possible concerns regarding the inclusion and reference to God.
Member Wall indicated that if we do not"stand for something, we will fall for anything".
Member Greer motioned to accept Secretary Ritter's Preamble with the addition of
Chairman Agan's first sentence from the North Richland Hills Charter referencing God.
Member Knowlton Seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sec. 1.01 —Corporate Name
Member Greer recommended adding the phrase, "hereinafter known as the `City' " as it
would shorten some wording, and match many references in the existing Charter.
Secretary Ritter motioned to include "hereinafter known as the `City'." Member Wall
seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
•-� Sec. 2.01 —Boundaries And Limits
Secretary Ritter indicated he would add the State Law Reference.
Member Greer indicated that the Charter requires significant re-indexing and re-
numbering and that the numbers of the Articles and Sections will probably change.
Member Knowlton questioned if the changing of"City of Richland Hills" to "City" in
various sections of the Charter would constitute a"revision" and therefore the citizens
would have to vote. He recommended consulting the City Attorney on the question.
Member Greer motioned to change "City of Richland Hills" wording to "City"
throughout the Charter. Member Wall seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Member Knowlton reserved the right to reconsider after consultation with the City
Attorney.
Sec. 3.01 —Form Of Government
Chairman Agan pointed out the State Reference as found in the McKinney Charter.
Member Greer recommended including the "Appoint City Manager..." language as most
all other Charters include that language.
Chairman Agan pointed out that City Secretary Linda Cantu will be providing a manual
from T.M.L. about Charter guidelines.
Member Wall motioned to include the "Appoint City Manager..." language. Secretary
Ritter seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sec. 4.01 —Enumerated Powers
Member Greer strongly recommended that Section 4.01 be broken into 3 separate
sections as most other Charters do.
She recommended 4.01 be "General Powers", 4.02 be "General Powers Adopted", and
4.03 be "Eminent Domain".
Secretary Ritter pointed out that the current Charter references Chapter 13, Title 28,
Article 1175 which already enumerates powers of a City and that some cities have chosen
to reiterate those powers specifically in their Charters. He recommended keeping the
reference to Chapter 13 instead of breaking down into 3 sections.
Member Greer pointed out that if other cities are specifically reiterating powers within
their Charters, it must be for an important reason, and maintained her recommendation to
break Section 4.01 into 3 separate sections.
Member Ritter agreed that when in question, it is better to be safe and reiterate important
language rather than to omit it.
Member Greer motioned to break down Section 4.01 into 3 sections and to enumerate
certain specific powers of the City—specifically"4.01 —General Powers", "4.02 —
General Powers Adopted", and "4.03 —Eminent Domain".
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sec. 5.01 —City Officials
Secretary Ritter read his proposed language.
Member Knowlton recommended including a statement regarding"Per Diem" method of
approving and reimbursing out-of-town actual expenses.
Member Knowlton recommended that the Mayor and Council members be required to
submit a report of their trip in order to be reimbursed for the expenses.
Member Greer pointed out that in the past, Council members and City employees have
been on trips and did not represent the City well, or even attend the training sessions they
were supposed to be attending.
Member Wall stated that when representing the City, the person should be professional at
all times, and return with a report of what was learned which will benefit Richland Hills.
Chairman Agan and Member Knowlton recommended that if training sessions, meetings,
conventions and events are held in multiple locations, the closest session should be the
one attended and reimbursed.
Chairman Agan recommended including language that the Mayor and Council members
only be compensated for City Council meetings actually attended.
Member Ritter pointed out that any travel expense policies for the Mayor and Council
members should also be applicable to City employees.
Discussion was held by all members regarding City employee travel expenses and
behavior while on official trips representing the City.
It was the consensus of the Committee that City employee travel and training expense
and reimbursement and employee expectations should be discussed further, possibly in
the Ethics section of the Charter.
Chairman Agan indicated it was getting close to 9 PM and recommended we stop
discussion.
3. Assignment for next meeting.
The next Charter Review Committee meeting will be Thursday, September 22, 2011 at
7PM.
Secretary Ritter will develop and submit to the members, a "working" or"draft"version
of the Charter from the Preamble through Section 5.01 representing the proposed
Committee consensus verbiage thus far in order for members to consider and see the
progress of the Committee.
Member Greer will develop and submit a proposed numbering/indexing system.
All members will each submit proposed verbiage beginning with Section 5.02 for
discussion at the September 22, 2011 meeting.
Member Greer recommended meeting every 2 weeks instead of every week to give
members a chance to properly research and develop proposals for discussion.
This was the consensus of the Committee.
4. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
5. Adjournment
Chairman Agan indicated the next meeting would be Thursday, September 22, 2011.
Secretary Ritter motioned to Adjourn, Member Knowlton Seconded.
The motion to adjourn was approved by unanimous vote.
Chairman Agan adjourned the meeting at 9:06 PM.
Jeff Ritter—Secretary ill Agan—Chairman