2019-02-27 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES2019 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 6:10.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners
City Staff
Mr. Paul Eskine
Lawrence G. Provins
Mr. Gerald L. Koza, Jr
Katie A. Leininger
Mrs. Ruby Lee Sandars
Mr. E. Craig Slater - Chair
Mr. Michael Wills, III
III. Consideration and Possible Action: Discussion and Review of Charter and Proposed
Amendments
A. The Commission discussed potential changes to Article 3.
a. Section 3.01 (a) At Large vs. Districts
The Commission discussed the merits of councilmember positions being at -large verses single -
member districts and determined that rationale provided by prior Charter Commission Review
Committees still held true; therefore, no proposed changes are being recommended. Reasons
provided to keep each position at -large included:
b. Section 3.01 (b) — No issues identified, no proposed changes.
c. Section 3.01 (c)— No issues identified, no proposed changes.
d. Section 3.01 (d) —Term Length
The Commission reviewed the information discussed by prior Charter Review Commission, the
National Civic League's Model Charter, and TML's Texas Home Rule Charters. The Commission
discussed how up to 37.5% of the City Council can be elected each year (3/8); but that when City
Council was comprised of 6 people, only 33% of City Council could be elected each year (2/6).
The Commission discussed how when the City Council was comprised of 6 people, three-year
terms mathematically may have made sense; but now that City Council is 8 people, four-year
terms makes more mathematical sense. The Commission discussed how increasing term lengths
to 4 years reduces potential changes each election to 25% and allow for City Council to
maintaining consistency, keep experience on council, maintain institutional knowledge, and
improves efficacy. The Commission also discussed how longer terms also reduce the frequency
of elections, reducing the amount of time and potentially the costs of running a campaign, and
allowing City Council keep their focus on the City instead of a running a campaign.
By a vote of 5-0, the Commission is proposing that Section 3.01 (d) of the Charter be changed to
increase term lengths from 3-years to 4-years.
e. Section 3.01 (e)—Term Limits- No issues identified, no proposed changes.
f. Section 3.02—Qualifications
The Commission reviewed Sections 141.001 and 141.003 of the Election Code and discussed the
merits of increasing the residency requirements from 6-months to 12-months, which included -
insuring that candidates have the maximum amount of time allowed by law to learn about the
City before being eligible to run for office. The Commission wanted all candidates to have as
much a vested interest in the City as possible. The Commission discussed how in other regional
elections candidates were moving in a district 1 day before the deadline to submit a name and
thought that such
By a vote of 4-1, the Commission recommends the Charter be changed to require a minimum of
12 months residency to be qualified to run for office.
g. Section 3.03 — Council to be judge of election qualifications. - No issues
identified, no proposed changes.
h. Section 3.04—Compensation.
The Commission reviewed R2005-0086 and discussed that even though they do not have
authority to make changes to City Council compensation, they think City Council should review
the current compensation amounts and take action appropriate action.
IV. Future Business
The Commission agreed to continue reviewing Article 3 and start reviewing Article 4 at the next
meeting.
The Commission did not ask for any additional information for the next meeting but agreed that
if additional information is needed,they would send an email requesting it.
The Commission agreed to meet again on March 13, 2019 and March 27, 2019.
V. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 pm.
Minutes approved as submitt d and/or corrected on 4 2L 2019.
E. raig , hai
2