HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 11-17-2011 Charter Review Committee Minutes
November 17, 2011
Community Board Room
Members Present:
Chairman Bill Agan
Secretary/Vice Chair 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 7:03 PM.
Chairman Agan pointed out that Ralph Smith has resigned from the Committee.
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting(October 20, 2011)
Member Wall motioned to accept the minutes from the October 20, 2011 meeting.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Member Wall distributed a letter from the County Elections Administration describing
the involvement of Tarrant County in the upcoming May elections.
The letter indicated that the County will be assisting municipalities if they choose to hold
elections this May.
Member Greer stated that the current Charter is silent in regards to the specific election
date for municipal elections.
Member Knowlton questioned if the 2013 municipal elections will be held in May or
November. Members Ritter and Greer pointed out that they will most likely be in
November in order to be assured of a uniformly recurring election date.
2. Review City Charter.
3.07— Vacancies,forfeiture, absenteeism and Filling of Vacancies.
Member Knowlton questioned having a special election after the 120 days after a
vacancy for places NOT up for election.
Secretary Ritter will research the last day a person could have their name/place placed on
the ballot, and if unable to be placed on ballot, how to hold elections for a place that has
become vacant sooner than 120 days.
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Sec. 3.08—Powers and Duties of City Council
Member Greer stated she felt it was important that the Council appoint the City
Secretary.
Secretary Ritter objected to paragraph 18 of the Council delegating authority to the
Planning and Zoning commission of officially adopting plats. Ritter felt it must be the
Council that adopts plats, not an advisory board.
Extensive discussion by all regarding Council deciding to relinquish authority.
Member Knowlton moved to accept Section 3.08 with Ritter's changes.
Member Wall Seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sec. 3.09-Prohibitions
Secretary Ritter recommended referencing the new section 4.07 when referring to City
Staff appointments by the City Manager and involvement of the City Council.
Secretary Ritter moved to accept Section 3.09 with the reference to Section 4.07.
Member Wall Seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sec. 3.10—Meetings of the City Council
Member Knowlton moved to accept the Section as presented.
Member Wall Seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
3. Assignment for Next Meeting
Continue studying new Article 3 for changes, modifications, additions or deletions.
4. Public Comments
Janece Hill—Stated we should not look at current Council—we must look at all future
Councils and Mayors when considering the Charter.
5. Adjournment
Member Greer Motioned to adjourn.
Chairman Ag*,adjourned the meeting at 8:57 PM.
Jeff Ritter-Secretar Bill Agan-Chairman