AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of a list of proposed City Charter amendments to be placed on the November ballot for consideration by the city’s voters, and provide further direction to staff on matters related to the Charter as appropriate.
Body
Meeting date: June 3, 2025
Department: City Attorney
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On May 20, 2025, the City Council received a presentation from the chair of the Charter Review Commission regarding recommendations for Charter amendments. The City Council then provided direction on which recommendations it accepted to place on the November ballot for voter approval. Direction was also provided on related matters, including whether to study the merits of single-member districts.
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Background Information:
Following City Council direction on May 20, 2025, staff has prepared a summary of Charter Commission recommendations for Charter amendments that were accepted by the City Council. The items that were accepted by the City Council will be placed on the November ballot for consideration by the City’s voters. The summary is attached to this item.
In addition to the summary, attached to this item is a draft of the proposed ballot propositions. The final wording is still subject to final approval when the City Council approves an ordinance calling the election at its first meeting in August.
The City Council also directed that a provision under Section 7.02(7) concerning the planning and zoning commission’s review of the comprehensive plan and a provision in Section 12.01 regarding public access to records be relocated to more suitable sections of the Charter. For convenience, attached is a mark up showing how the relocation of these two provisions would look like.
There was also discussion on May 20 regarding Section 12.09 of the Charter which provides that: All officers of the city, including appointed members of city boards and commissions, shall continue to perform the duties of their offices until their successors are duly qualified. And how vacancies on the council would be filled when a member resigns or is unable to continue service.
Currently, Section 3.06 of the Charter provides that vacancies are to be filled by a special election. While the election to fill a vacancy should normally be filled at the next uniform election under state law, the Texas Constitution requires that vacancies in a city that has terms of office more than two years must hold a special election within 120 days after the vacancy is created.
Staff is seeking the Council’s approval by motion of the list of matters to include in the ordinance calling the November election, plus any further direction as appropriate.
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Recommendation:
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