2009-03-25 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES2009 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009
Present at the Meeting:
Larry Marcott, Chairman
Paul Knoble
Kurt Evenson
Mike O'Day
Lawrence Provins
The meeting was called to order at 6:42 p.m. by the chairman, Larry Marcott. Rushi Patel
said he could not be at the meeting.
Mr. Marcott recapped the discussion from the last meeting for Mr. O'Day. It was
concluded from the information that was shared with the committee from Mr. Doan, who
worked with the CRC in 2005, that Districts was probably was not in the best interest of
the City at this time. Mr. Evenson stated that districting did not warrant further
discussion for the time being. The other topic discussed and agreed upon at the last
meeting was increasing the number of councilmembers from five to seven.
Mr. Marcott shared information about the seven candidates on the ballot for council.
Mr. Marcott shared information from an article he read in the Galveston Daily News
about the City of Sante Fe. The article discussed term limits for their mayor and
councilmembers.
Term limits were discussed in depth. The concern was with two term limits or less.
Without longevity, council loses it influence with outside organizations like HGAC &
Transportation Mobility and these committees decide where money goes.
The Committee agreed that the term limits that are in place now, they want to change.
Mr. Marcott asked Lawrence to research the Election Code for number of terms. Also
research amount of time to gain seniority on steering committees such as HGAC,
Transportation Policy Council, Gulf Coast Water Authority & Region H Water Council.
Lawrence will also speak to the Mayor and Bill Eisen about where votes for money come
in. Mr. Marcott asked that Lawrence speak with the mayor about the different committees
out there and how much tenure is needed to have an influence on those committees and
how their respective resources are utilized.
Mr. Provins asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the March 4, 2009 meeting.
The minutes were approved by the Committee.
Mr. Marcott inquired about the list of housekeeping items mentioned in the first meeting.
Lawrence will provide the information he has via email prior to the next meeting.
Discussion resumed about the possibility of having a support staff person for each
Councilmember. It was discussed whether the issue was a charter issue or a budget issue.
Mr. O'Day asked that Lawrence research the criteria and status a part-time employee
working less than 20 hours a week for the City of Pearland.
Mr. Evenson would like to discuss Section 1.04 Detachment of territory more at the next
meeting.
Mr. O'Day shared information about House Bill 911.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2009 at 6:30
p.m.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this the 8th day of April, A.D., 2009.
/a_�a
Larry Ma tt
Chairman