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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCharter Review Minutes 2001-10-11 STATE OF TEXAS )( CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )( COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )( OCTOBER 11, 2001 )( MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION THAT WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2001 AT 1:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL, SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM: CHAIR STEVE HUFFMAN MEMBER CARL HILL MEMBER LAURA EWING MEMBER WAYNE FORD MEMBER LARRY SEELIG CITY ATTORNEY JOHN OLSON CITY MANAGER RON COX CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE Mr. Steve Huffman, Chair of the Charter Review Commission, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. City Attorney John Olson, City Manager Ron Cox, and City Secretary Deloris McKenzie led the continuation of the review of the Charter, continuing from Section 8.05. Section 8.05 — Borrowing for capital improvements Section 8.05e - Addition of ordinance— Discussion was held regarding posting ordinances and posting requirements being consistent. The City Attorney will review to see if this section is needed. Section 8.05f — Elections to authorize debt — Discussion was held regarding what defines an emergency and bond counsel, and having our bond agent review the section. Section 8.06 — Lapse of appropriations - City Manager Cox presented input as to the city process. Section 8.07 — Administration of budget — Director of Administration Roger Roecker will review. Section 9.01 — Powers of the city Section 9.02— Power to grant franchise Section 9.03 — Ordinance granting franchise — Discussion was held regarding reading of the ordinance at three regular meetings, possibly changing to two readings for consistency. Section 9.04— Grant not to be exclusive H:\Charter Minutes 10-11-01.doc Section 9.05 — Transfer of franchise — Discussion was held regarding the approval of Council. Section 9.06 — Franchise value not to be allowed Section 9.07 — Right of regulation Section 9.08— Extensions Section 9.09 — Regulation of rates Section 9.10 — Public service corporations to file annual reports Section 9.11 —Accounts of municipally-owned utilities Section 9.12 — Sales of municipal services Section 9.13 — Franchise records Section 11.01 — Public Records Section 11.02 —Official Newspaper a er Section 11.03— Personal financial interest Section 11.04— Nepotism Section 11.05 —Assignment, execution, and garnishment Section 11.06 — Security or bond not required Section 11.07 — Separability clause Section 11.08—Amending the Charter Section 11.09—Charter review commission Chair Huffman stated that the Charter Review Commission will immediately review the Charter from the beginning again. Discussion was held regarding the following. Section 1.02 - Form of Government - Discussion was held regarding inserting federal constitution, or state law, or by the Charter." Section 3.01 — Number, selection, term, and term limitations — Discussion was held regarding at-large versus single-member district, representation in Harris County, term limits, and 3-year terms. It was the consensus of the Commission to leave this section as it is. Section 3.04 — Compensation (Council) — Discussion was held regarding the pro's and con's, volunteer meetings, donations, travel, expenses, mileage versus car allowance, voting for an increase while in office, oppositions to a salary for elected official, H:\Charter Minutes 10-11-01.doc reimbursement for expenses, and lack of support for compensation. City Secretary Deloris McKenzie presented pro's and con's for and against compensation. Comments will be brought to the Commission from the Mayor and Councilmembers. Section 3.05 — Mayor and Mayor pro tem Section 3.06c — Election to be called — Discussion was held regarding adding changes to verbiage with the City Attorney and the City Secretary to develop verbiage. Section 3.09 — Meetings of council — Discussion was held regarding locations of meetings, removing the necessity of adopting a resolution every time a meeting is held away from city hall and removing verbiage except as "the council may hold such special meetings as it deems necessary and appropriate." Section 3.11 —Ordinances in general Section 3.11c — Effective date — Discussion was held regarding all regulations being effective upon adoption except the "fine" being effective after publication. Section 3.11 d — Reading— No change needed. Section 3.17 — Officials protected from financial loss — Discussion was held regarding adding "appointed officials" and add claims along with lawsuits, changing verbiage "city officials and employees". City Attorney Olson will review this section. Section 4.01 — City Manager er Section 4.02 — Municipal Court Section 4.03 — City attorney Section 4.04— City Secretary Section 4.05 —Administrative departments Section 4.06— Personnel system — Section 5.01 — General Authority— Discussion was held regarding petitions, state statutes. City Attorney Olson will bring a copy of the state statute that is believed to supercede the Charter. Section 5.02 — Initiation of proceedings; petitioners; committee; affidavit Section 5.03 — Petitions Section 5.04— Determination of sufficiency Section 5.05 — Reserved Section 5.07 — Results of election Section 5.08— Power of recall H:\Charter Minutes 10-11-01.doc Section 5.09 — Recall Election Section 5.10 — Results of recall election Section 5.11 — Limitation on recall Section 5.12 — Failure of council to call an election Section 5.13 — Failure of council to call an election on recall Section 6.01c — Voter eligibility list — Discussion was held regarding removing this item. This information is maintained by the County Voter Registrar. Section 6.02 — Filing for office— Discussion was held regarding age limitation Section 6.02b — Procedure and schedule for filing— State law will be reviewed by the City Attorney and the City Secretary. The next meeting will be held October 25, 2001. A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 9:10 PM. Deloris McKenzie, TRMC City Secretary H:\Charter Minutes 10-11-Ol.doc