Minutes - Regular Meeting - 8/21/1991 f
August 21 , 1991
The Round Rock Charter Review Commission met on Wednesday,
August 21 , 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, and John Manbeck. Commissioners N.G. Whitlow and James
Dunham were absent. Also present were Joanne Land, Assistant
City Manager/City Secretary and Steve Sheets, City Attorney.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 13, 1991
MOTION: Commissioner Van Hyfte moved to approve the minutes
as submitted. Commissioner Manbeck seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Beard
• Commissioner Gill
Commissioner Manbeck
Commissioner Van Hyfte
Commissioner Shapiro
Noes: None
Absent: Commissioner Dunham
Commissioner Whitlow
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS: None
CONSIDER A PRESENTATION OF THE CITY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND
RELATED INFORMATION.
Joanne Land briefly outlined the City information that was
provided to the Commission.
CONSIDER DISCUSSION AND A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE CITY
CHARTER,
Chairman Gill stated the Commission would thoroughly review
1
August 21, 1991 Charter Review Commission
each section of the Charter and any possible changes, questions
or concerns would be noted for further discussion. The number of
• sections that would be reviewed at each meeting would be
determined by the time allowed for each meeting.
ARTICLE 1 - FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND BOUNDARIES
Section 1 . 01 - Form of Government:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 1 . 02 - The Boundaries:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 1 . 03 - Extension of Boundaries :
Steve Sheets noted under Section 1 . 03 (a) "Article 974 of
the Revised Statutes of the State of Texas of 1925" would need to
reflect the current local government code specific section. This
would NOT be a mandatory change since the phrase "as now or
hereafter amended" was included in the current Charter. This
would be a "housekeeping" type amendment if necessary.
Section 1 . 04 - Contraction of Boundaries :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
ARTICLE 2 - POWERS OF CITY
Section 2. 01 - General :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 2. 02 - General Powers Adopted:
Steve Sheets stated that the phrase "Article 1175, Chapter
13, Title 28, of the Revised Civil Statutes of the State of Texas
of 1925" would need to reflect current state law and be a
2
August 21, 1991 Charter Review Commission
"housekeeping" amendment.
Section 2. 03 - Eminent Domain:
• At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 2. 04 - Zoning in General :
Steve Sheets noted that the phrase "Articles 1011A through
1011J inclusive, of the 1925 Revised Civil Statutes of Texas"
would need to reflect current state law. This would be another
"housekeeping" issue. Steve Sheets pointed out the Commission
may wish to make the Charter "gender neutral " if an election to
amend the Charter is recommended.
ARTICLE 3 - THE CITY COUNCIL
Section 3 . 01 - Number, Selection and Term:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
• section.
Section 3 . 02 - Qualifications :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3 . 03 - Judge of Election Qualifications :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
I
Section 3 . 04 - Compensation:
Steve Sheets pointed out this section had been amended in
1986. At the present time there were no concerns ,regarding this
section.
Section 3 . 05 - Mayor and Mayor Pro-tem:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3. 06 - Vacancies, Forfeiture, Filling of Vacancies:
3
August 21, 1991 .- Charter Review Commission
Steve Sheets noted that subsection (c) had been amended in
1986. At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3. 07 - General Powers and Duties :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3. 08 - Prohibitions:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3 . 09 - Meetings of Council :
Steve Sheets noted the phrase "upon no less than twelve
hours notice to each member" could be amended to read " in
accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. "
Section 3. 10 - Quorum:
• At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3 . 11 - Rules of Procedure:
Commissioner Van Hyfte expressed his concern that all City
"laws" are being followed exactly. He used the legislation on
the books stating how long a citizen may address the Council
during Citizen Communications as an example. The procedures
currently in place were discussed at length. A copy of the
appropriate ordinance will be forwarded to the Commission. It
was determined that further discussion will be held on this
section at a later date.
Section 3. 12 - Voting:
Steve Sheets noted that the sentence "Provided however that
there shall be no requirement for the taking and recording of
minutes of meetings held in executive or closed session in
4
August 21, 1991 - Charter Review Commission
accordance with Article 6252- 17, V.T.S.C. " be amended to read
"Provided however. . . . . . `except as required by law' . " Current
Procedures relative to executive sessions were discussed.
Section 3 . 13 - Ordinance in General :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3 . 14 - Emergency Ordinances :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section. Steve Sheets will check the original Charter to
clarify what and if there was a "Section 8. 058. "
Section 3. 15 - Bonds for City Employees :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 3. 16 - Investigative Body:
• At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
ARTICLE 4 - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE
Section 4. 01 - City Manager:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 4. 02 - Administrative Departments :
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 4. 03 - Municipal Court:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 4. 04 - City Attorney:
• At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
5
August 21, 1991 - Charter Review Commission
Section 4. 05 - City Secretary:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
ARTICLE 5 - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 5. 01 - City Elections :
Steve Sheets noted subsection (a) would need to reflect
current state law regarding the annual City Council election day.
He said the wording "according to State law" could be added to
allow this section to remain current.
Joanne Land noted in subsection (c) an amendment would be
needed because the County Tax Assessor-Collector prepares and
i
maintains a current voter registration list.
Section 5. 02 - Filing for Office:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
• section.
Section 5. 03 - Official Ballots:
Steve Sheets noted the following typographical errors. In
subsection (a) the word designed should be designated. In
subsection (c) and in subsection (e) the word Laws should be
Code.
Section 5. 04 - Canvassing:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 5. 05 - Election by Majority:
At the present time there were no concerns regarding this
section.
Section 5. 06 - Run-Off Election:
• Steve Sheets will check the statutes on the number of days
involved for a run-off election. At the present time there were
6
August 21, 1991 - Charter Review Commission
no concerns regarding this section.
The Commission will begin their next session with Article 6
- Recall of Officers .
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
After a brief discussion the Commission decided that Joanne
Land would be the contact person for obtaining information and
placing items on the agenda.
Commissioner Beard pointed out he picked up information from
the Texas Municipal League that could help them in their mission.
Commissioner Van Hyfte requested a copy of the ordinance
that addresses the time limit for citizens that wish to address
Council during citizen communications.
In response to a question that was brought up, the
Commission agreed to review the whole Charter before meeting with
Council , staff or citizens to receive input.
The next scheduled meeting of the Charter Review Commission
has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 1991 at 7: 00 p.m.
in the Council Chamber.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at
9: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Land, Assistant City Manager/
City Secretary
7