HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 07-11-2012 Charter Review Commission Minutes
July 11, 2012
Community Board Room
Members Present:
Chairman Bill Agan
Secretary/Vice Chair Jeff Ritter
Member Loyce Greer
Member Janece Hill
Member Doug Knowlton
Member LaRue Wall
Audience Present:
Beverly Williams
Michaela Williams
Chairman Agan called the meeting to order at 7:03PM
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting
(June 27, 2012)
Member Wall motioned to approve the minutes from the June 27, 2012 meeting.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
2. Review City Charter.
Chairman Agan indicated he would not be available on July 18. Vice Chair/Secretary
Ritter indicated he would be happy to conduct the meeting on July 18.
Chairman Agan recommended the Commission still strive to present a finished proposed
Charter to the City Council on August 7, 2012.
Member Greer reminded the Commission that the Charter is not only for the City
Council, but also and more importantly for the Citizens. Member Greer stated that the
Charter is the one document that guides the City and allows the public to understand the
basic tenets of their Municipal Government.
Chairman Agan stated that we must be cautious not to "tie the Council's hands"when it
comes to provisions within the Charter. Secretary Ritter commented that it would be a
decision of the Commission whether or not to send a proposed Charter to the Council that
the Council had options to change, or to send a proposed Charter that was simplified and
not offering an opportunity for the Council to make amendments.
Member Knowlton stressed that the Commission must produce the best document
014, possible to submit to the Council for them to consider.
Secretary Ritter questioned the manner of procedure the Commission should take in this
"finalization" stage of reviewing the Charter. Member Greer stated that she believed the
best approach is to start from the beginning and go through each Section again and make
a final approval for inclusion in the proposed Charter document.
It was the consensus of the Commission to go through each Section one by one and give
a"final approval" to each Section.
Sections 1.01 - 1.03
No changes necessary—retain proposed language.
Section 2.01 —General Powers of the City
The consensus of the Commission was to retain the proposed first paragraph and then
include Attorney Elam's recommended City of River Oaks enumerated powers.
Section 2.02—Eminent Domain
No changes necessary—retain proposed language.
Section 2.03— General Powers Adopted
The consensus of the Commission was to follow Attorney Elam's recommendation and
delete the section.
Section 3.01 —Number, Selection and Term
The consensus of the Commission was to follow Attorney Elam's recommended
language and to move the verbiage regarding employees to 3.02.
Section 3.02—Qualifications
The consensus of the Commission was to follow Attorney Elam's recommended
language and to add verbiage regarding employees, moral turpitude, and holding other
public offices.
Section 3.03 — Quorum
The consensus of the Commission was to follow Attorney Elam's recommended addition
of"not including the Mayor".
Section 3.04—Mayor is Presiding Officer
No changes necessary—retain proposed language.
Section 3.05—Election of Mayor Pro-Tem
No changes necessary—retain proposed language.
Section 3.06— Council Compensation
No changes necessary—retain proposed language.
Section 3.07— Vacancies, Forfeiture, Absenteeism and Filing of Vacancies
Secretary Ritter stated that this section was complex with legal verbiage and definitions
and would therefore require careful consideration.
Chairman Agan indicated that since it may require careful consideration, it would be best
to review this section at the next meeting.
Member Greer recommended that everyone come to the next meeting with a list of
forfeitable offenses for consideration.
3. Assignment for Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday July 18, 2012 for the Commission to
continue reviewing the Charter.
Everyone is to bring a list of forfeitable offenses for consideration of inclusion in Section
3.07.
4. Public Comments
Beverly Williams—Stated that she believes that the Charter should include a prohibition
against Council Members from accepting donations of any kind from a business while
they have active business pending in a Council action.
5. Adjournment
Member Hill motioned to adjourn.
Member Greer seconded.
Chairman Agan adjourned the meeting at 8:48 PM.
Jeff Ritter-Secretar Bill Agan-Chairman_G1 r--