HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/2012 - Regular Minutes - Citizens Charter Review Commission MINUTES OF THE CITIZENS' CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
APRIL 18, 2012
STATE OF TEXAS §
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COUNTY OF BRAZOS §
Present:
Brian Bochner
Terry Childers, Vice Chair, arrived at 4:03 p.m.
Chuck Ellison
Patrick Gendron
Paul Greer
Gary Halter
Tony Jones, absent
Lynn Mcllhaney, Chair
Buck Prewitt
City Staff:
Carla Robinson, City Attorney
Tanya McNutt, Deputy City Secretary
1. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum present, the Citizens' Charter Review Commission was called to order by Chair
Lynn McIlhaney at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 in the City Council Chambers, City
Hall, 1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas 77842.
2. Hear Visitors
Micheal Miore, a TAMU student on field assignment, stated he was here to see how the meeting
works.
3. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on minutes for April 4, 2012 Regular
Meeting.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Bochner and second by Commissioner
Ellison, the Commission votes five (5) for, and none (0) opposed, with Commissioners
McIhaney and Prewitt abstaining, to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2012 Regular Meeting.
The motion carried.
4. Presentation, possible action and discussion on using the term "Councilor" in lieu of
"Councilman" throughout the City Charter.
Commission discussed having a gender neutral position for Council.
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A motion by Commissioner Gary Halter and seconded by Commissioner Brian Bochner to
change the wording was withdrawn. However, there was a consensus to change "Councilman"
to "Council Member" throughout the Charter.
5. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on Article X Initiative, Referendum and
Recall within the City Charter.
City Attorney Carla Robinson presented her preferences and proposal to the Commission of
changes to Article X, Initiative, Referendum and Recall in the City Charter.
• Power of Initiative, Section 83
• Power of Referendum Section, 84
• Recall; General, Section 94
• Recall Procedure, Section 95
• Recall Petitions, Section 96
Commission discussed the proposal language presented by City Attorney and changes to Recall
Election, Section 97.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Bochner and a second by Commissioner
Terri Childers, the Commission voted seven (7) for and one (1) opposed, with Commissioner
Gendron voting against, to accept changes proposed by the City Attorney in Sections 94, 95, &
96 of Article X and to modify language in Section 97 to reflect the City Secretary's examination
of the recall petition shall be ministerial and to determine that the grounds for removal were
clearly stated, to verify signatures, and to also add changes to the time frame recommended by
City Secretary. The motion carried.
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Childers and a second by Commissioner
Halter, the Commission voted eight (8) for and none (0) opposed, to accept changes proposed by
City Attorney on Sections 83 thru 94 of Article X. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on a working draft of the charter reflecting
all the recommended changes to date.
The Commission discussed and directed staff to add definitions for `calendar day' and `business
day' as recommended by the City Secretary except that the definition of `business day' is to refer
to `State of Texas holidays' rather than `state holidays'.
7. Presentation, possible action, and discussion on amending 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 directed staff to note on the Plan of Work:
• May 2 - City Attorney, to bring complete draft of all changes and draft ballot language
• May 16 - Continue reviewing proposed language with an objective to approve the draft
for discussion with the City Council at its May 24 meeting.
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• May 24 — Initial meeting with the City Council on all recommended changes
8. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
No discussion was needed.
9. Adjournment
MOTION: Upon a motion made by Commissioner Childers and a second by Commissioner
Gendron, the Commission voted eight (8) for and none (0) opposed, to adjourn the regular
meeting of the Citizens' Charter Review Advisory Commission on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at
5:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
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