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Minutes - Regular Meeting - 5/3/2007 w Charter Review Commission May 3, 2007 The Round Rock Charter Review Commission met on Thursday, May 3, 2007, in the City Council Chamber, 221 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas. . Call Session to Order - 6:00 P.M. Vice-Chairman Bennett chaired the meeting until Chairman Lauhuf's arrival. The session was called to order at 6:10 p. . . Roll Call: Those members present were Robert L. Bennett, Vice-Chairman, Commissioners Craig Morgan, Karla Sartin, and Mark Fritz, Chairman ve Lauuf arrive during item 5. Commissioners Ron Buffum and Judy McLeod were absent. 3. Al2proval of the April 19, 2007 meeting minutes. MOTION: Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the minutes of April 19, 2007 as submitted. Commissioner Sartin seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 4. Citizen Communications: None . Consider a Dresentationy Mayor lea ell rear ! g the pro a charter amendment allowing for the direction and SUDervision of assistants by the Mayor and Council and possible action. Mayor Maxwell gave a brief history of the office hours he initiated to meet with constituents. He explained that since that time, the duties of the staff person, that provides clerical support, has expanded which calls for more communication between the Mayor and the staff person. This proposal would bringthe Charter in line with current practice. He added that the assistant would have no more powers than the Council would and the Council would not have the power to direct the staff person beyond clerical support. Mayor Maxwell read the proposed amendment to the Charter (Version 8) and noted that both he and the City Manager worked together on this amendment and are both in agreement i the scope of the clerical assistant. In addition, the City Manager will solely direct the duties of the assistant(s ). Mayor Maxwell added that he was not aware of any other municipality that has this type of provision but he wants to align the current Charter with the current practice. 1 Charter Review Commission May , 2007 The Commission discussed the proposed amendments and posed questions to Mayor Maxwell for clarifications on the proposal. Commissioner Bennett expressed his concern that this step would begin taking the City in the wrong direction and would "chip way" at the current Council-Manager form of government. Steve Sheets, City Attorney asked that the word "and" be included s follows: "The Mayor and Council, along with the City Manager,,." MOTION: Commissioner Sartin moved to approve the proposed amendment (Version with the addition of"and" as presented by the City Attorney. Commissioner Fritz seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Fritz Commissioner Morgan Commissioner Sartin Commissioner Laukhuf 1 ' � Nays: Commissioner Bennett ACTION: The motion carried with four ayes and one nay. 6. Consider discussion and possible action regarding a proposed charter amendment regarding designating the official neWSDaDer. In response to the Commissions questions at the last meeting, Will Hampton, Communications Director provided information regarding how the City keeps its citizens informed. Those means are as follows: • NewsF/ash newsletter in utility bills • City Beat ads in newspapers • Channe110 • Web site • -newsletters • Public meetings/Citizen participation initiatives • Media coverage • Blogs coming June 1 Steve Sheets outlined the new version of amendments regarding the designation of an official newspaper. He also provided other options the Commission could consider to 9��,, address staff's recommendation. Charter Review Commission May 3, 2007 MOTION: Commissioner Morgan moved that the Charter remain silent regarding publications in a newspaper. Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioner Bennett Commissioner Morgan Nays: Commissioner Fritz Commissioner Sartin Commissioner Laukhuf ACTION: The motion failed with two ayes and three nays. The Commission and staff continued their discussion bringingup several options and concerns on how to address the amendmentbrought forward by staff. Staff was asked t bring back the following options for the Commission to vote on at the next meeting. Those were: The option to do nothing and let the Charter remain as it is. Theo tion to dropthe word "official" Theo tion to completely delete all references toofficial newspaper. 0 The tion to reword the section that would address how the staff and Council would communicate with its constituents. The option using the website as recommended by staff.. 7. Consider discussion and uossible action regarding a proposed charter amendment regarin filing fees for candidates for MavoLand Council. Steve Sheets addressed Commissioner Morgan's uestio from the previous meeting regarding filing fees from other cities. Mr. Sheets reported that some cities that were polled charged a fee and others did not. In addition, most of the Charter's did not address filing fees. The fees were either $50 or $100 and the majority of the cities did not have a filing fee in excess of $50. The Commission discussed Mr. Sheets report and Commissioner Morgan's request to increase the filing fees for Council candidates. Commissioner Morgan added that the statutory option to file a petitionin lieu of the filing fee would still be available. Staff was asked to bring back a language o tion for the Commission's consideration. 8. Consider discussion of other provisions of the Charter and possible amendments. 3 Charter Review Commission May , 2007 Chairman Laukhuf called for any other provisions the Commission wanted to bring forward. There was none. . Consider discussion and possible action regardingprocurs and schedule for finalizing the Commissions' recommendations to City Council. The item was not addressed since the Commission had not completed their recommendations. Another meeting was scheduled for May 17 at 6:00 p.m. The Commission was asked to contact staff if this date did not fit into their schedule. 10. Adjournment: There beingno further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 Respectfully Submitted, Christine R. Martinez, City Secretary r.