HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/03/2011 - Regular Minutes - Citizens Charter Review CommissionMINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
AUGUST 3, 2011
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Brian Bochner
Terry Childers
Chuck Ellison
Patrick Gendron, arrived after roll call
Paul Greer
Gary Halter, absent
Tony Jones
Lynn McIlhaney
Buck Prewitt
City Staff:
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Sherry Mashburn, City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Citizens' Charter Review Commission was called to order by Chair
Lynn McIlhaney at 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in the City Council Chambers of
the City of College Station City Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
2. Hear Visitors
There were no citizen comments.
3. Presentation, discussion and possible action on minutes for July 20, 2011 Regular
Meeting and July 27, 2011 Special Meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Childers and a second by Commissioner
Ellison,. the Commission voted seven (7) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the minutes of the
July 20, 2011 Regular Meeting, and four (4) for and none (0) opposed, with Commissioners
Greer, Jones, and Prewitt abstaining, to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2011 Special
Meeting. The motion carried.
4. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on proposed ballot language for proposed
charter amendments to be placed on the November 8, 2011 ballot.
Carla Robinson, City Attorney, presented proposed ballot language for the Commission's
consideration. The language relates to changing the terms of office to four -years and term limits
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of eight years, with elections in May of odd - numbered years. The charter provisions that would
be effectively changed are Article III, Section 17 and Article IX, Section 77.
Language presented by the City Attorney stated, "Shall the Charter of the City of College Station
be amended to provide for four (4) year term lengths for the Mayor and City Council and that the
Mayor and City Council be eligible to serve consecutive regular terms totaling no more than
eight (8) years for the purpose of holding municipal elections in May of odd - numbered years."
Discussion centered around whether to place the phrase, "for the purpose of holding municipal
elections in May of odd - numbered years" at the beginning of the proposition. The Commission
concluded that the City Attorney might need to modify the ballot language before the August 8
meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Prewitt and a second by Commissioner
Childers, the Commission voted eight (8) for and none (0) opposed, to approve the ballot
language and charter changes proposed by the City Attorney related to an election date in May of
odd - numbered years, extending terms to four years, and with term limits of eight consecutive
years. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Presentation, discussion and possible action on the attached Plan of Work, any items on
the Plan of work, and possible criteria to be used in order to add items to the Plan of Work.
The Commission expressed their desire to continue with their work even if a charter amendment
election cannot be scheduled until 2013.
The August 17 meeting is cancelled due to a conflict with Budget Workshops.
6. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
Chair McIlhaney recommended that on the September 7 meeting, Jay Socol be invited to provide
suggestions on educating the public on this charter amendment election, depending on the
Council's action.
7. Adiournment
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Childers and a second by Commissioner
Ellison, the Commission voted eight (8) for and none (0) opposed, to adjourn the Regular
Meeting of the Citizens Charter Review Advisory Commission at 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday,
August 3, 2011. The motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
City Secretar
r
Chaff 1
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