HomeMy WebLinkAboutCharter Review Minutes 2001-09-13 4
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
SEPTEMBER 13, 2001 )(
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CHARTER REVIEW
COMMISSION THAT WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2001 AT 7:00 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 HAIRLESS BENTHUL
MEMBER LAURA EWING (Arr. 7:30)
MEMBER WAYNE FORD
MEMBER CARL HILL
MEMBER DENNIS HOLT
MEMBER LARRY SEELIG
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mr. Steve Huffman, Chair of the Charter Review Commission called the meeting to order
Mayor Whitaker administered the Oath of Office to Chair Steve Huffman, Members Harless
Benthul, Wayne Ford, Carl Hill, Dennis Holt, and Larry Seelig.
Mayor Whitaker welcomed the members and presented information regarding the Charter
back to 1971 until the present, reviewed the duties of the Charter Review Commission and
the process of making recommendations of amendments to Council for approval, and
finally to the voters. Mayor Whitaker stated that this is a very important process for the
City. Mayor Whitaker stated that this is a Blue Ribbon Commission, stated he appreciates
their service and looks forward to the recommendation. Mayor Whitaker thanked all the
members for their willingness to serve and introduced Chairman Steve Huffman.
Each member gave a brief introduction of themselves.
City Manager Cox and City Secretary Deloris McKenzie introduced themselves.
Chairman Steve Huffman made a presentation — "Charter 101" and discussion followed
regarding the basic of government, types of cities including General Law, and Home Rule.
Discussion continued regarding legislative changes, state law superceding Charter,
changes in the Charter, for the first review propose to review the Charter line by line, page
by page to see if changes are needed, meeting with representatives informally the second
time to see if changes are needed, holding a Public Hearing, and Chairman Steve Huffman
does not foresee the need but will invoke Parliamentary Procedures if a member gets out
of order.
Discussion was held regarding that the appointment to the Charter Review Commission is
for approximately six months and the Commission plans to meet every other Thursday for
approximately two hours. The next meeting will be held September 27, 2001. Two Public
Hearings, regarding any proposed changes, will be held in the Council Chambers to gather
input from the citizens, before the changes are published. Then the Commission will meet
again to refine their written report and formally submit it to Council. Council may accept
the report, add to the report, refine the report and determine whether to place the
proposed amendments before the voters.
The Charter provides for review every five years. Changes may be made every two years
and are required to be voted on.
The City Attorney will bring legislative changes for the next meeting.
Member Laura Ewing was given the Oath of Office at this time.
Proposed meeting dates are: October 11, October 25,
November 1, November 15,
December 6, December 20.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
Deloris McKenzie, TRMC
City Secretary