HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRC Minutes 2021-09-02 RegularMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD MET IN A REGULAR
MEETING ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021, IN THE SECOND FLOOR (CMO)
CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, LOCATED AT 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE,
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS PRESENT CONSTITUTING A
QUORUM:
James H. Nye
Kitten Brizendine
Bill Provenzano
Ron Cox
Judy Wiggins
Dave Smith
Robin Hall
Morad Kabiri
Mary Kay Fischer
Leticia Brysch
Vice Chairperson
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Chairperson
City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
Commissioner Cox joined the meeting after Item 2. Ms. Brysch did not attend the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Robin Hall called the meeting to order with a quorum present at 5:41 P.M.; all members were
present.
2. MINUTES
A. Consider approving the minutes of the Charter Review Commission Meeting held on August 19,
2021
City Manager Morad Kabiri presented the item and asked if anyone had any comments, and/or edits to the
draft meeting minutes.
Vice Chairperson Nye made a motion to table the minutes in order to review them further. The motion
was seconded by Chairperson Hall. The vote was the following:
Ayes: Chairperson Robin Hall, Vice Chairperson James H. Nye, Commissioner Kitten
Brizendine, Commissioner Bill Provenzano, Commissioner Ron Cox, Commissioner Judy
Wiggins, and Commissioner Dave Smith
Charter Revie%N Commission Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2021
Page 2 of 4
Nays: None
The item passed unanimously.
3. BUSINESS ITEM
A. Discuss and take possible action on possible charter amendments.
The Commission briefly discussed this item, going through each section one at a time. Sections 1.00
through 3.05 were covered. Throughout each sections, questions were asked of staff present for
clarifications and thoughts.
The Commission made the following observations in regard to the following sections:
• Section 1.00, Glossary of Terms.
o A suggestion was made, and consensus reached, to make grammatical corrections:
■ To the Preamble, adding a comma after the phrase ... For that purpose
■ To review the use of quotations and make sure they are utilized consistently
■ To change the word or to and in the definition for Department Head. The new
language would read... appointed by the City Manager and City Council...
o A suggestion was made to include a definition for the City Secretary and revise latter part
of the definition for Department Head to read ... as used in this Charter, shall also mean
Department Head.
o The group consensus was to revisit this Section when they had completed their review of
the entire Charter.
• Section 1.01, Incorporation.
o Rather than inhabitants consider the term people.
• Section 2.02, Change of boundaries and annexation of territory.
o Remove the use of the term inhabitants in the first two sentences, in the first paragraph.
o Replace the term inhabitants in the last sentence of the first paragraph with people.
• Section 2.06, Limitations of Liability for damages.
o Change the 100 days to six months consistent with state law, but leave the 80 days reference
later on in this Section.
Charter Review Commission Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2021
Page 3 of 4
• Section 3.01, Number, selection, term, and term limitations.
o Evaluated the possibility of not having partial terms count against overall time served.
However, under any scenario, no one could to serve more than 14 years.
• Section 3.02, Qualification.
o The Commission suggested reviewing this Section when they review Section 6.02.
• Section 3.03, Judge of election qualifications.
o No changes were recommended for this Section. However, a procedural change may be
needed in regard to the administration of the Oath of Office on election night.
• Section 3.04, Compensation.
o No changes were recommended for this Section. However, a procedural change may need
to be needed to identify reasonable/necessary expenses with Council.
• Section 3.05, Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern.
o Consider removing the sentence... The Mayor shall see that all resolutions of the City
Council are faithfully obeyed and enforced. The rationale for this, no individual member
of Council can act unilaterally, and resolutions do not adopt laws or codes for enforcement.
o A grammatical change was also suggested: removing the use he/she in this Section and
replacing it with Mayor.
Overall, no formal action taken on all these Sections covered. The Commission would like to revisit these
suggestions later on and rate/rank them.
4. CLOSING BUSINESS AND NEXT MEETING
A. Consider setting any tasks, and/or processes, for the next regularly scheduled Charter Review
Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 16, 2021.
The Commission was reminded of their homework assignment; to review Sections 3.06 through 4.01 for
their next meeting. No formal action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
With there being no further business to discuss, Chairperson Hall adjourned the September 2, 2021,
Charter Review Commission Meeting at 7:45 P.M.
Charter Review Commission Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2021
Page 4 of 4
Robin Hall, rhairperson
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