AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Discuss and consider the City Council’s charge to Charter Review Commission regarding matters for the Commission to study and consider as the Commission conducts its periodic review of San Marcos City Charter; and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: January 7, 2025
Department: City Attorney and City Clerk
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Background Information:
The City Charter sets out the requirement for periodic review of the Charter and the appointment of a Charter Review Commission as follows:
Sec. 12.12. Charter review commission.
Beginning in January 2013 and at least every four years thereafter, the city council shall appoint a Charter review commission of seven citizens of the City of San Marcos.
(a) Duties of the commission:
(1) Inquire into the operation of the city government under the Charter provisions and determine whether any such provisions require revision. To this end public hearings may be held; and the commission shall have the power to compel the attendance of any officer or employee of the city and to require the submission of any of the city records which it may deem necessary to the conduct of such hearing.
(2) Propose any recommendations it may deem desirable to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Charter by the several departments of the city government.
(3) Propose, if it deems desirable, amendments to this Charter to improve the effective application of said Charter to current conditions.
(4) The commission shall provide a final report. The chair or designated member of the commission, shall report its findings and present its proposed amendments, if any, to the city council.
(b) The city council may take action to amend the Charter in the manner provided by state law.
(c) Term of office: The term of office of such Charter review commission shall be six months, and, if during such term no report is presented to the city council, then all records of the proceedings of such commission shall be filed with the person performing the duties of the city clerk and shall become a public record.
This agenda item provides an opportunity for a majority of the city council to vote on any specific matters the council would like the Charter Review Commission to study and consider as it conducts its comprehensive review of San Marcos City Charter.
Each matter proposed should be considered by the council separately and voted upon. These matters can be approved by motion.
Related to this is another agenda item on this agenda under which each council member will nominate one San Marcos resident to serve on the Charter Review Commission.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation: