Minutes - Regular Meeting - 10/16/1991 • October 16, 1991 1
The Round Rock Charter Review Commission met on Wednesday,
October 16, 1991 at 7:00 p. m. in the City Council Chamber, 221 E.
Main Street.
ROLL CALL: Those members present were Chairman Tom Gill ,
Vice-Chairman Roy Beard, Commissioners Jerry Van Hyfte, Diane
Shapiro, N. G. Whitlow and John Manbeck. Commissioner Dunham was
absent. Also present were Joanne Land, Assistant City
Manager/City Secretary and Steve Sheets, City Attorney.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 4, 1991
MOTION: Commissioner Beard moved to approve the minutes as
submitted. Commissioner Manbeck seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes : Commissioner Van Hyfte
• Commissioner Shapiro
Commissioner Whitlow
Commissioner Beard
Commissioner Manbeck
Commissioner Gill
Noes : None
Absent : Commissioner Dunham
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATION: None
CONSIDER DISCUSSION AND A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE CITY
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CHARTER•
Sheets reported on Charter provisions and state laws
regarding employee participation in or contributions to political
• campaigns.
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• October 16, 1991
Commissioner Manbeck stated he did not like to see one set
of rules for some employees and not the others.
Bob Bennett, City Manager, David Kautz, Finance Director and
Joe Vining, Planning Director were present to offer their input
concerning the Charter.
Bob Bennett pointed out the last time the Charter was
changed it was due to significant changes. He said he presently
had no concerns or saw no needed changes to the Charter. He
added the Charter was "excellent" in it' s present form.
David Kautz noted he had no concerns with the Charter and
"can work with it" in it' s present form.
Commissioner Van Hyfte led the discussion concerning the
• City auditor' s and to what extent they conduct a City audit.
Commissioner Van Hyfte asked how often the City change auditing
firms. Kautz said the City has used the same auditing firm for
the last six years and explained the reasons why the City has
used the same firm.
Joe Vining stated the Planning staff reviewed the City
Charter and recommended the following two revisions to the
Charter.
1 ) Article 1 , Section 1 . 03 - Extension of the Boundaries and
Article 1, Section 1. 04 - Contraction of Boundaries : Vining
noted these two sections set out how the City must go about the
business of annexation and disannexation. Staff ' s recommendation
is to simply state that the Council may extend/contract its
• boundaries as prescribed by Texas Law. Vining added the last
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• October 16, 1991
portion of Section 1 . 04 contains an interesting provision for
continued taxation.
2) Article 12, Section 12 - Boards and Commissions : Vining
noted this section should be expanded and rewritten to speak only
of the general qualifications for all of the City boards and
commissions. The Zoning Ordinance sets out the specifics of the
Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission
and the Development Review Board. It can be amended easily to
incorporate any item from the Charter not already spoken to.
Steve Sheets noted he agrees with the recommendations adding
if something is not allowed by statute then it does not matter
• what the Charter states.
Vining added the revisions are only a recommendation and
only if the Commission chooses to have an election to amend the
Charter. Staff can work with the Charter in it' s present form.
David Kautz responded to concerns on Article 8, Section 8. 05
- Emergency Appropriations. He noted the City has not had a
problem with these sections. Sheets added Section 8. 05 and
Section 8. 06 could be amended to read, "the Council may approve
emergency appropriations and borrow to meet emergency
appropriations according the State Law. " Under Article 8,
Section 8. 07 - Borrowing in Anticipation of Property Taxes, Kautz
said he had no concern with this section unless the tax notices
were delayed six months.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS :
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• October 16, 1991
Commissioner Shapiro asked if Joanne Land could compile and
summarize all the concerns into one document.
The next meeting was scheduled for November 6, 1991 at 7:00
p. m. A public hearing was scheduled for the next meeting and
the City Council was invited to attend.
ADJOURNMENT•
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8 :02
p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Land, Assistant City Manager/
City Secretary
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