HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 03-01-2012 9114) Charter Review Committee Minutes
March 1, 2012
Community Board Room
Members Present:
Chairman Bill Agan
Secretary/Vice Chair Jeff Ritter
Member Loyce Greer
Member Doug Knowlton
Members Absent:
Member LaRue Wall
Audience Present:
None
Chairman Agan called the meeting to order at 7:42PM
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting (February 23, 2012)
Secretary Ritter motioned to table the approval of the minutes from the February 23,
2012 meeting until the March 8, 2012 meeting.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
2. Review City Charter.
Member Greer recommended moving the Section on the "Taxing of a Franchise"to
Section 7.17.
The Consensus of the Committee was to move to move the "Taxing of a Franchise"
verbiage to Section 7.17.
Member Greer recommended not having an"Exempted Properties" Section due to the
fact that Richland Hills has none such property within City boundaries.
The Consensus of the Committee was to leave out the "Exempted Properties" verbiage.
Section 7.01
Secretary Ritter motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.02
Secretary Ritter recommended adding"individual" when referring to salaries in#8.
Member Greer recommended adding verbiage regarding making bank statements
available to City Council.
Member Greer motioned to add the word "individual"to #8 and to add a#19 with
verbiage to indicate all bank statements shall be made available to City Council.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Sections 7.03
Secretary Ritter motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.04
Secretary Ritter recommended adding the word"proposed"when referring to the
proposed budget to be presented to the City Council.
Member Greer motioned to add the word "proposed"to the Section.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.05
Members Greer and Knowlton recommended adding the first sentence of the current
Charter, Section 12.01 to the beginning of this Section.
Secretary Ritter recommended changing the word "hearing" to "hearings" in the caption.
Member Knowlton motioned to add the first sentence of the current Charter, Section
12.01 to the beginning of this Section and to change the word "hearing"to "hearings" in
the caption of the Section.
Secretary Ritter seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.06
Member Greer motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.07
Member Knowlton motioned to accept the Section as written.
Secretary Ritter seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.08
Discussion by all regarding the verbiage at the end of the Section regarding "...as
provided in the Open Records Act of the State of Texas."
Secretary Ritter motioned to remove "...as provided in the Open Records Act of the
�-. State of Texas" from the Section.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.09
Secretary Ritter motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.10
Secretary Ritter questioned the use and meaning of the words "the City Council shall pass
the appropriation ordinance on the first reading using the City Manager's estimate as a
basis." Ritter questioned the lack of an opportunity for the City Council to consider
and/or disagree with the estimate provided by the City Manager.
Extensive discussion by all regarding the opportunity for the City Council to question the
City Manager on estimates, the basis of estimates, and the mandate to pass as presented.
Member Greer stated that the verbiage was to mean the "estimate" is only to be used as
the "starting point" of budgetary discussions and that during the budget process, there is
ample time for the City Council to question the City Manager and Staff regarding
estimates and ordinances.
Members Knowlton and Ritter stated they believed this section and verbiage should be
re-examined and/or presented to the City Attorney for approval.
Member Knowlton motioned to accept the Section as written provided the Committee
will revisit the Section before final approval of the Charter.
Secretary Ritter seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.11
Secretary Ritter motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Greer seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 7.12
Secretary Ritter motioned to accept the Section as written.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
3. Assignment for Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2012.
Continue reviewing Charter beginning with Article 7.11
4. Public Comments
None
5. Adjournment
Member Knowlton motioned to adjourn.
Member Greer seconded.
Chairman Agan adjourned the meeting at 9:10 PM.
Jeff Ritter-Secret Bill Agan-Chairman 2,4Q€
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