HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/2011 - Regular Minutes - Citizens Charter Review CommissionMINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' CHARTER REVIEW ADVISORY COMMISSION
MAY 4, 2011
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Brian Bochner
Terry Childers
Chuck Ellison
Patrick Gendron
Paul Greer
Gary Halter
Tony Jones, arrived after roll call
Jim Maness
Lynn Mcllhaney
Buck Prewitt
City Staff-
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Citizens' Charter Review Advisory Commission was called to order
by City Secretary Sherry Mashburn at 4:12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 in the
Administration Conference Room #2 of the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas
Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
2. Discussion and possible action to appoint a committee Chair and Vice Chair.
The Commission elected Jim Maness as Chair and Lynn Mcllhaney as Vice Chair.
3. Presentation, discussion and possible action on parliamentary procedure.
The Commission agreed to Robert's Rules of Order.
4. Presentation, discussion and possible action on committee attendance policy.
The Commission briefly discussed the City's attendance policy for appointed officials serving on
boards and committees.
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5. Discussion and possible action to select regular meeting dates.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Prewitt and a second by Commissioner
Greer, the Commission voted ten (10) for and none (0) opposed, to establish the first and third
Wednesday of each month, 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m., as the regular meeting days and times. The
motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentation, discussion and possible action on committee duties and responsibilities.
In addition to the items directed by Council, which included:
• Article III, Section 21, Vacancies
• Article IX, Nominations and Elections
• Article X, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
• Article XI, Franchises and Public Utilities
• Compliance with state law
• Council compensation
• Adding to the charter the number of councilmembers required to place items on an
agenda
• Shortening terms of office from three years to two years
• Term limits;
the Commission also noted the following for review:
• Gender neutrality
• Clarification on whether "days" are calendar or business days.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Prewitt and a second by Commissioner
Bochner, the Commission voted six (6) for and four (4) opposed, with Commissioners Halter,
Ellison, Mcllhaney and Greer voting against, to research single- member districts or residency
place systems. The motion carried.
Staff was directed to obtain the Abilene City Charter for language regarding their residency place
system.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Ellison and a second by Commissioner
Childers, the Commission voted ten (10) for and none (0) opposed, to add to the scope a Public
Hearing on the front end to solicit input from the public regarding the public's general concerns,
and for each member of the Commission to speak to community groups, inviting them to said
Public Hearing. The motion carried unanimously.
The Commission agreed there will be additional Public Hearings throughout the process to allow
public input on identified issues. Staff was directed to check the calendar for a Public Hearing
on June 1.
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7. Presentation, discussion and possible action on creating a mission statement and
for the Citizens Charter Review Commission.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Halter and a second by Commissioner
McIlhaney, the Commission voted nine (9) for and none (0) opposed, with Commissioner
Bochner absent from the room, to adopt the mission statement and goals as recommended by
staff. The motion carried.
8. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items —A Citizens Charter Review
Commission Member may inquire about a_sub_ject for which notice has not been given. A
statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given.
Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to lace the subject on an agenda for a
subsequent meeting.
The Commission requested education on how a charter relates to the state constitution, charter
vs. ordinances, and standard resources.
Staff was directed to gather the charters of peer cities for comparison.
Staff was also directed to prepare a Plan of Work to be brought back to the Commission for
consideration at the next meeting.
9. Ad_Lour_nment
MOTION: There being no further business, Chair Maness adjourned the Citizens' Charter
Review Advisory Commission at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
ATTEST:
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