HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 09-19-2012 Charter Review Commission Minutes
September 19, 2012
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 Janece Hill
Audience Present:
Beverly Williams
Chairman Agan called the meeting to order at 7:09PM
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting
(September 12, 2012)
Member Wall pointed out that she was absent the previous meeting and pointed out a
grammatical error in the minutes. Secretary Ritter noted the changes and indicated he
would correct the mistakes.
Member Wall motioned to accept the Minutes of the Sep. 12, 2012 meeting with noted
changes.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
2. Review City Charter.
Member Knowlton motioned to allow Council member Beverly Williams to be seated at
the table and take part in discussion as she is the author of and is therefore extremely
familiar with the new City Council ordinances regarding boards and commissions.
Secretary Ritter seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
Section 9.05—Procedure and Legal Effect—The Comprehensive Master Plan
Secretary Ritter pointed out that the Zoning Commission does not conduct investigations
and therefore can make no findings.
Chairman Agan and Member Greer stated that the Zoning Commission acts as any other
advisory board, so there should be no special provisions as to investigations, findings,
and Council procedure.
Council Member Williams indicated that the Council has removed any investigative
provisions from the City ordinance governing the Zoning Commission.
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The consensus of the Commission was to shorten paragraph#5 to read, "The City
Council, after a public hearing, shall adopt or reject such proposed revision or any part
thereof as submitted within sixty (60) days following its submission to the City Manager. "
Secretary Ritter recommended changing the word "approved"to "reviewed" in paragraph
#8. Member Knowlton was concerned about allowing the City Council free-reign to
modify zoning at will without consulting the Planning and Zoning Commission, as that
would bypass the duty of the Commission.
Secretary Ritter stated that at times the Planning and Zoning Commission does not
always have complete and confidential information on developing a property and
therefore may not have sufficient information to solely make a decision. Ritter stated that
the City Council should have the final say in any zoning changes.
Member Knowlton agreed that using the word, "reviewed" would allow the Planning and
Zoning Commission to be aware of the situation, but still reserve the ability of the City
Council to make the final decision.
Section 9.06—General Building Regulations and Building Lines
The consensus of the Commission was to keep the language as proposed.
Section 9.07—Zoning Board of Adjustment
The consensus of the Commission was to add verbiage similar to the Planning and
Zoning Commission outlining when and ho alternates are seated and when they
may have voting privileges.
Paragraph#6 should have verbiage added to allow the Secretary of the Board to be a
member of City staff
Paragraph#7 should be removed.
Paragraph#8 to be modified to state the City staff is to set the agenda.
3. Assignment for Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday September 26, 2012 for the Commission to
continue reviewing the Charter.
The Commission will continue with Article X—Utility and Public Service Franchises and
Licenses—Mineral, Oil and Gas Rights and Revenues
4. Public Comments
Beverly Williams—Honored to be a part of the discussion, and pleased to know the City
ordinances are aligned with the proposed City Charter
5. Adjournment
Member Knowlton motioned to adjourn.
Member Wall seconded.
Chairman Agan adjourned the meeting at 9:07 PM.
Jeff Ritter-Secretary Bill Agan-Chairm
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