Minutes - Regular Meeting - 4/5/2007 Yips
Charter Review Commission °µ
April 5, 2007 (�J-2PJW
` The Round Rock Charter Review Commission met on Thursday, April 5, 2007, in the
City Council Chamber, 221 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas.
LL SESSION TO ORDER -
LL CALL: Those members r s t were Steve Laukhuf, Chairman, Robert L.
Bennett, Vice-Chairman, Commissioners Ron Buffum, Craig Morgan, Karla Sartin and Mark
Fritz who arrived during item at 6:15 p.m. Commissioner Judy McLeod was absent.
APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 15 2007 MEETING MINUTES•
MOTION: Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the minutes of March 1 , 2007 as
submitted. Commissioner Buffum seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously
approved. Commissioner Fritz was absent when the vote was taken.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
CONSIDER PUBLIC TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE CURRENT ROUND ROCK CITY
CHARTER. Chairman Luuf opened the public hearing. There being no testimony, the
public hearing was closed.
MISSIONERS CONCERNINGALL
ASPECTS OF THE CITY CHARTER.
Bryan Williams, Chief of Police was present to respond to questions brought up at the
March 15 meeting regarding Article 13, Police Department Disciplinary Procedures. He added
that the document is working very well, it is well written and it is servingboth the City and
Officers very well at this time.
Will Hampton, Communications Director brought forward a recommendation
concerning Article 1 , Section 14.02, the designation of the `official newspaper."
He reported that state statute does not require publications to be in an "official newspaper",
they just need to be published. He outlined the following sections in the Charter that refer to
the "official newspaper."
On page 9, Section 3.13, Publication of ordinances. He added that this is a local
requirement and not a State requirement.
On page 25, Section 7.06 (c), Publication of Proposed and Referred Ordinance.
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Charter Review Commission
April 5, 2007
On page 29, Section 8.03, Annual Budget. The publication of a public notice for
public testimony regarding the budget is already required by State regulations.
On page 31, Section 8.10, Independent Audit. A notice is published in the `official
newspaper" when copies of the audited annual financial report is available to the public.
On page 46, Section 14.12 (b), Charter Review Commission - Report from the
Charter Review Commission should be published in the "official newspaper."
Mr. Hampton reported that many notices are published in both the Round Rock
Leader, to comply with the City Charter, and the Austin American Statesman, since the
Statesman captures a larger audience. Staff discovered that more people are using the
City's website to get information on the City. In addition, individuals who wish to bid on City
projects are getting the information from the City's website and not the newspaper.
Mr. Hampton recommended that Section 14.02 be removed from the City Charter
since the City still needs to comply with State regulations or provide language that the City's
website is the official location for the publication of notices. He added that the media world
has changed since 1977 when this section of the Charter was adopted.
At the request of the Commission, staff will bring to the next meeting recommended
language that would allow flexibility and still comply with State regulations for required
publications.
Commissioner u r s concern that there are people who do not have
access to the internet and howwould they receive information. Mr. Hampton outlined other
means that are currently used to inform the public.
Staff will also provided information concerning Article 9, Bonds as requested at the
March 15 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45
Respectfully Submitted,
A'
Christine R. Martinez, City Secretary
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