Item 7BM E M O R A N D U M
(April 2, 2009)
To:
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From:
Alison Ortowski, Assistant to the City Manager
Clayton Comstock, Planner II
Subject:
Item 7B:Approve Ordinance No. 598-C and related exhibits,
revising aspects of the Southlake Program for the Involvement of
Neighborhoods (SPIN) and replacing Ordinance No. 598-B.
Action
Requested:
Review and approval of Item 7B:Ordinance revisions
establishing the Southlake Program for the Involvement of
Neighborhoods (SPIN)
Background:
Proposed Exhibit “A” Revisions
Section 2 of SPIN Ordinance 598-B directs, "At least
annually, as Southlake develops and its population
increases, the SPIN Standing Committee shall review the
neighborhoods designated on Exhibit ‘A.’ Based on this
review, new boundaries, as appropriate, shall be
recommended to the City Council for approval.”
In accordance with this direction, in November 2008, the
SPIN Standing Committee appointed four members to a
SPIN Map Revision Project committee to review the current
Exhibit “A” to determine if revisions were necessary and if
so, what revisions should be recommended.
On Monday, November 17, 2008, the SPIN Map Revision
Committee held their first meeting, resulting in the following
themes for revision for the Planning Department to use in
generating several alternatives:
Attempt to use the major arteries as spines to SPIN
neighborhoods rather than boundaries as those who
live in neighborhoods off of those arteries probably
share similar neighborhood interests with one
another;
Attempt to fashion the neighborhoods so that each
has comparable amounts of homes;
Keep subdivisions together (do not draw a boundary
line so that subdivisions are split);
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Item 7B
Page 2 of 20
Combine SPINs 1 and 2 - this is due to the small
number of residents in each of these neighborhoods;
Eliminate SPIN 7 due to the small number of homes
in this area - probably combine with SPIN 8.
Using these themes as a starting point, Planning staff
created seven revision scenarios which were presented to
the SPIN Standing Committee at their January 8, 2009
meeting.
On January 22, 2009, a workshop was held where the pros /
cons of each scenario were discussed during small group
breakout sessions which were followed by a large group
discussion. In addition to specific recommendations for map
revisions, the group agreed on a few larger points:
10 to 13 SPIN Neighborhoods would be preferred
•
3 or 4 SPIN Neighborhoods north of SH114 would be
•
preferred
If Timarron is divided between two or more SPIN
•
Neighborhoods, the division should be North-South by
Continental Blvd, but the preference is to keep
Timarron together in a single SPIN Neighborhood
The ability to verbally explain boundaries is important
•
The status quo is ruled out.
•
Using the feedback from the January 22, 2009 meeting,
Planning staff created three scenarios which were presented
at a Joint City Council / SPIN Standing Committee meeting
on February 10, 2009. At that meeting, a final
recommendation was made.
Exhibit “A” as proposed is attached and recommended
changes are as follows:
Combine SPINs 1 & 2 into one SPIN Neighborhood;
•
Renumber SPIN 3 as SPIN 2
•
Significantly revise the boundaries of SPINs 5 & 6 to
•
reflect a north-south boundary with Carroll Avenue as
a “spine” and renumber as SPINs 3 & 4.
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Item 7B
Page 3 of 20
Combine SPINs 11 & 12 and renumber as SPIN 5
•
Renumber SPIN 13 as SPIN 6
•
Renumber SPIN 10 as SPIN 7
•
Combine SPINs 7 & 8 and renumber as SPIN 8
•
Combine SPINs 9w & 9e and renumber as SPIN 9
•
Combine SPINs 14 & 16 and renumber as SPIN 10
•
Renumber SPIN 15 as SPIN 11
•
Proposed Ordinance Revisions
During the process explained above, the need arose for
amending the SPIN Ordinance 598-B so that language
would correspond to changes proposed on the map with
regard to the number and makeup of the SPIN Standing
Committee. As the Standing Committee began looking at
these changes, a number of discussions took place about
the possibility of amending the ordinance to allow for at-large
positions (in addition to the current at-large positions of
Senior and Youth representatives) since the number of
neighborhood representatives was reduced from sixteen to
eleven due to the new boundaries proposed in Exhibit “A.”
At the February meeting of the SPIN Standing Committee, a
committee was appointed to review and recommend
changes to the ordinance. This committee met on March 3,
2009 and recommended the following changes to the
ordinance and to the Articles of Organization which are an
exhibit to the ordinance:
SPIN Standing Committee will be composed of both
1.
neighborhood representatives and at-large positions
with the total number of members not to exceed 20.
The committee felt it was important to allow for the
possibility of at-large appointments so that representation
was not reduced with the new map. The goal is to fill all
neighborhood representative positions initially along with
the current at-large positions of Senior and Youth
representative and then to return to City Council with a
proposal as to how additional at-large positions should be
considered.
A committee has been appointed by SPIN to review this
issue and create a policy document that would detail how
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Item 7B
Page 4 of 20
SPIN appointments are recommended to City Council.
This committee met on March 26, 2009 and will make
recommendations to the Standing Committee at their
April meeting. If approved, these recommendations will
come forward with a resolution for appointment that will
nd
accompany 2 Reading of this ordinance.
Terms of Office
2.
Terms of office were changed from following a calendar
year schedule to following a June to May schedule. This
change is recommended so that annual SPIN Standing
Committee appointments will follow the same schedule
as that of the City’s other boards and commissions.
Proposed Exhibit “B” - Articles of Organization Revisions
Section 3 of Ordinance 598-B states, “The SPIN Standing
Committee shall adopt Articles of Organization to govern its
activities and meetings. Any modification of the Articles of
Organization shall be subject to approval of the City Council,
and shall not take effect until so approved.”
In accordance with this direction and to ensure that changes
made to the SPIN ordinance were also reflected the Articles
of Organization, the SPIN Ordinance Revision committee
recommended the following changes to the SPIN Articles of
Organization:
1. Definitions
Definitions for SPIN Standing Committee At-Large
Members and SPIN Standing Committee Liaison
Members were added. Liaisons have been used for
some time by members to assist with meetings and other
responsibilities but their use has never been formally
addressed in the articles. This definition outlines their
responsibilities and also explains that liaisons are subject
to the SPIN Code of Conduct.
2. Attendance Policy
Included as an Exhibit to the SPIN Code of Conduct is an
Attendance Policy that was approved by the SPIN
Standing Committee at their meeting on November 6,
2008.
At the SPIN Standing Committee meeting held on March 10,
2009, the SPIN Standing Committee voted to unanimously to
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Item 7B
Page 5 of 20
recommend for approval by the City Council these changes
to both the ordinance and Articles of Organization as well as
the proposed revisions to Exhibit “A.”
Financial
Considerations:
N/A
Strategic Link:
B4 Provide high quality customer service
L5 Actively promote opportunities for partnerships and
volunteer involvement (individual and group)
Citizen Input/
Board Review:
The following meetings have been held regarding the
proposed revisions:
November 17, 2008: SPIN Map Revision Committee
January 8, 2009: SPIN Standing Committee
January 22, 2009: SPIN Map Revision Workshop
February 10, 2009: Joint City Council and SPIN Standing
Committee Meeting
March 3, 2009: SPIN Ordinance Revision Committee
March 10, 2009: SPIN Standing Committee
Legal Review:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed
ordinance revisions.
Alternatives:
Make no changes to the ordinance and related exhibits
Propose revised changes to the ordinance and related
exhibits
Supporting
Documents:
1. Ordinance 598-C
2. Exhibit “A” – SPIN Neighborhood Map
3. Articles of Organization
4. Code of Conduct
5. Attendance Policy
Staff
Recommendation:
Approval of Item 7B: Approve Ordinance No. 598-C and
related exhibits, revising aspects of the Southlake Program
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Item 7B
Page 6 of 20
for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN) and replacing
Ordinance No. 598-B.
ORDINANCE NO. 598-C
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE ESTABLISHING THE
SOUTHLAKE PROGRAM FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS (SPIN) AND REPLACING ORDINANCE NO. 598-
B, PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENTS TO A SPIN STANDING
COMMITTEE AND SPECIFYING FUNCTION; PROVIDING FOR
REPEALER CLAUSE; FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE
MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE IS PASSED IS OPEN TO
THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
WHEREAS,
the City Council of the City of Southlake, Texas is of the opinion that
a citizen advisory committee would be of assistance to the City Council and City staff by
providing a more available form of citizen participation in the affairs of the City and to
create a forum for neighbor-to-neighbor, neighbor-to-City and City to neighbor
communication; and
WHEREAS
, the City Council has created such a committee by ordinance
establishing the SPIN Standing Committee's membership, terms of office, and
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS,
the City Council desires to amend the provisions of such ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
:
SECTION 1.
That the City Council of the City of Southlake, Texas does hereby create and
establish a program to be known as the "Southlake Program for the Involvement of
Neighborhoods" (SPIN). To assist the City Council with administration of the program,
the City Council hereby creates the SPIN Standing Committee (the “Standing
Committee”). Such Standing Committee shall be composed of neighborhood
representatives and other members, appointed at large by the City Council so that the
total number of committee members does not exceed twenty (20), all of whom shall be
voting members. All such voting members shall be citizens of the City of Southlake,
Texas, and shall reside and continue to reside within the corporate limits of the City
during the term of office for which the member is appointed. A representative of the City
Manager's Office shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Standing Committee
and shall be responsible for administration and coordination of Standing Committee
activities. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members present at
a meeting for the purpose of conducting business.
SECTION 2.
Members of the Standing Committee shall be appointed by a majority vote of the
City Council for a term of two (2) years and shall serve until their successors are
appointed and qualify. Members in odd-numbered places shall be appointed in odd-
numbered years, and members in even-numbered places shall be appointed in even-
numbered years, provided, however, that the initial term of the odd-numbered places
st
shall be one (1) year. Terms of office shall commence on June 1 and expire on May
stst
31. Any prior appointments will automatically extend through May 31 of the final year
of said appointment.
All of the neighborhood representatives shall be appointed according to
neighborhoods as indicated by the neighborhood map attached as Exhibit "A." Each
neighborhood representative shall reside within the neighborhood he/she is to
represent. At-large members shall be recommended to the City Council by the
Standing Committee for appointment according to the criteria for at-large membership
listed in Section 4. The Standing Committee shall be responsible for recommending to
the City Council revisions to Exhibit "A" and to the criteria for at-large membership listed
in Section 4. At least annually, as Southlake develops and its population increases, the
Standing Committee shall review the neighborhoods designated on Exhibit "A" and the
criteria for at-large membership in Section 4. Based on this review, new boundaries,
and revised criteria for at-large membership, as appropriate, shall be recommended to
the City Council for approval.
Members of the Standing Committee shall serve without pay, but may receive
reimbursement for actual expenses incurred after prior approval of the City when such
expenses result from the performance of official committee duties.
SECTION 3.
The Standing Committee shall adopt Articles of Organization, attached as Exhibit
“B,” to govern its activities and meetings. Any modification of the Articles of
Organization shall be subject to approval of the City Council, and shall not take effect
until so approved. In the event of any conflict between this ordinance or any other
ordinance of the City and the Articles, the ordinance shall control. The Standing
Committee shall be subject to the conditions set forth in the Articles of Organization.
The Standing Committee may recommend to the City Council by a simple majority vote
of the Standing Committee that the City Council amend or repeal the Articles of
Organization or adopt new Articles of Organization, provided a quorum of Standing
Committee Members is present. At least 72 hours written notice must be given of the
intention of the Standing Committee to recommend at such meeting that the City
Council amend or repeal the Articles, or adopt new Articles.
SECTION 4.
Any member of the Standing Committee duly appointed under the terms of this
ordinance shall automatically forfeit the seat on the Committee in the event he/she 1)
discontinues residency within the neighborhood he/she was appointed to represent as
shown on the neighborhood map attached as exhibit "A," 2) ceases to be a resident of
the City of Southlake if appointed at-large or 3) files for public office. The Standing
Committee may include in the Articles of Organization additional grounds for forfeiture
or removal from the Committee.
SECTION 5.
The Standing Committee shall elect from its members a chairperson, a vice-
chairperson, and secretary who, together with the City Manager's representative, shall
constitute the SPIN Executive Committee. The Standing Committee shall meet once a
month. The Standing Committee or representatives thereof, as determined by the
Standing Committee, shall meet with the Southlake City Council at regular intervals a
minimum of two (2) times a year to communicate citizen and neighborhood activities,
needs and concerns to the City Council.
SECTION 6.
The Standing Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and
the City staff in the planning and implementation of programs and activities involving
neighborhoods and addressing citizen concerns. Specific concerns and activities of the
Standing Committee will be determined by the Standing Committee itself after due
consideration of the advice and cooperation of the City staff, the City Council, and
neighborhood groups, with an emphasis on programs and activities designed to improve
the quality of life in neighborhoods either singularly or collectively. A second and
equally important aspect of the Standing Committee shall be to provide leadership and
coordination for the activities of neighborhood based groups of citizens, to remain
current and informed on issues affecting the City, and to provide a channel of
communication between citizens of Southlake and elected officials and/or City staff.
SECTION 7.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8.
It is hereby found and determined that the meeting at which this ordinance is
passed is open to the public as required by law and that public notice of the place, time,
and purpose of said meeting was given as required.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING ON THIS ______ DAY OF
__________________, 2009
.
________________________________________________
THE HONORABLE ANDY WAMBSGANSS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
________________________________________________
LORI PAYNE, CITY SECRETARY
PASSED AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING ON THIS ______ DAY OF
____________________, 2009.
________________________________________________
THE HONORABLE ANDY WAMBSGANSS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
________________________________________________
LORI PAYNE, CITY SECRETARY
EFFECTIVE: ____________________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
________________________________________
CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE 598-C
EXHIBIT “A”
ORDINANCE 598-C
EXHIBIT “B”
SOUTHLAKE PROGRAM FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS
When used in these Articles of Organization, the below listed terms and phrases
shall have the following concepts and meanings:
(1) SPIN, The term SPIN shall mean the Southlake Program for the Involvement of
Neighborhoods, as established by Southlake City Ordinance No. 598, as
amended.
(2) SPIN Neighbor, The term SPIN Neighbor shall mean any citizen of the City of
Southlake, Texas.
(3) SPIN Neighborhood, The term SPIN Neighborhood shall mean each of the SPIN
neighborhood areas of the City of Southlake, Texas, as recommended by the
SPIN Standing Committee and established by the City Council in Exhibit "A" of
Southlake City Ordinance No. 598, as amended.
(4) SPIN Standing Committee Neighborhood Representative, The term SPIN
Standing Committee Representative shall mean the Southlake City Council
appointed member of the SPIN Standing Committee.
(5) SPIN Standing Committee At-Large Members. The term SPIN Committee At-
Large Members shall mean citizens of the City of Southlake, Texas appointed to
the SPIN Standing Committee by the Southlake City Council upon the
recommendation of the SPIN Standing Committee.
(6) SPIN Standing Committee. The term SPIN Standing Committee shall include the
SPIN Standing Committee Neighborhood Representatives, and SPIN Standing
Committee At-Large Members, each appointed by the Southlake City Council
according to Ordinance No. 598-C, as amended, and a designated, non-voting
representative of the City Manager's Office as well as non-voting SPIN Standing
Committee Liaison Members.
(7) SPIN Standing Committee Liaison Members. The term SPIN Standing
Committee Liaison Members shall mean citizens of the City of Southlake, Texas
who have been selected by currently serving SPIN Standing Committee
Neighborhood Representatives and SPIN Standing Committee At-Large
Members to assist them with their responsibilities as a SPIN Standing Committee
member. Such responsibilities include but are not limited to attending meetings
when a SPIN Standing Committee member is unavailable to attend. SPIN
Standing Committee Liaison Members do not have voting rights but do count as a
“present” for their respective members when attendance is taken at SPIN
Standing Committee meetings. SPIN Liaison members are subject to the SPIN
Code of Conduct.
(8) SPIN Executive Committee. The SPIN Executive Committee shall consist of the
officers of SPIN (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary), together with
the designated, non voting representative of the City Manager’s Office.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to provide a vehicle for citizen participation in the
affairs of the City of Southlake and to create a forum for neighbor-to-neighbor, neighbor-
to-City and City-to-neighbor communication. The program’s objectives are:
(1) To direct and channel citizen involvement and participation within the City and its
government;
(2) To provide a common meeting ground for neighbors to come together for the free
exchange of ideas on a wide variety of subjects;
(3) To act as a mechanism to leverage Southlake's wide array of human resources
and establish a public forum that will ensure a permanent, ongoing, community-
wide dialogue; and
(4) To include citizens in governmental problem-solving processes.
ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Composition of the SPIN Standing Committee. The City staff initially
identified, designated and defined sixteen (16) Southlake SPIN Neighborhoods in
Exhibit “A” to City of Southlake Ordinance No. 598, as amended. Characteristics of
geography, proximity and other homogeneous factors shall be used in their
determination. The SPIN Standing Committee shall be responsible for maintaining the
integrity and applicability of Exhibit “A”, as Southlake develops, by reviewing and
recommending to the City Council annual updates to this exhibit. The Southlake City
Council shall appoint a SPIN Standing Committee Neighborhood Representative from
each of the SPIN Neighborhoods, and other members appointed at-large and their
respective replacements. Together they shall constitute the voting membership of the
SPIN Standing Committee. Each SPIN Standing Committee Neighborhood
Representative shall reside and continue to reside within the SPIN Neighborhood he or
she is appointed to represent during the term of his or her appointment or in the case of
SPIN Standing Committee At-Large members, each At-Large member shall reside and
continue to reside within the City of Southlake during the term of his or her appointment.
A representative of the City Manager's office shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member
of the SPIN Standing Committee. A quorum, for the purpose of conducting business,
shall consist of a simple majority of the voting members attending a meeting.
Section 2: Officers. The SPIN Standing Committee shall elect from its members a
Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and a Secretary, who, together with the designated,
non-voting representative of the City Manager's office, shall make up the SPIN
Executive Committee. The roles and responsibilities of the SPIN Officers and the SPIN
Executive Committee are as follows:
(a) Chairperson. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the
SPIN Standing Committee and the SPIN Executive Committee, and shall
be responsible for their general supervision, direction and control. The
Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the SPIN Standing Committee
and the SPIN Executive Committee.
(b) Vice-Chairperson. In the absence, disability, or resignation of the
Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform all the duties of the
Chairperson, and when so acting shall have all powers of, and be subject
to all restrictions on, the Chairperson.
c) Secretary. The Secretary shall work with the designated representative of
the City Manager's office to ensure that there are appropriate minutes
kept of all SPIN Standing Committee and SPIN Executive Committee
meetings, and that there is timely public notification of SPIN Standing
Committee meetings as prescribed by law. The Secretary shall be
empowered to sign or attest any documents required by law, relating to
the business of the SPIN Standing Committee. In the absence of both the
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, the Secretary shall function as a
temporary Chairperson.
In case of the absence, resignation or disability of the Secretary, any
SPIN Standing Committee voting member may be authorized by the
Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson (when acting as Chairperson) to
perform the functions of Secretary.
(d) City Manager's Representative. The City Manager's Representative is an
ex-officio, non-voting representative, designated by the City Manager,
who shall be responsible for the administration and coordination of SPIN
Standing Committee and SPIN Executive Committee activities. The City
Manager's Representative will act as parliamentarian.
In the event that an issue requires a decision prior to the next regularly
scheduled SPIN Standing Committee meeting, the Executive Committee
may make decisions as required for the purpose of conducting the
business of the SPIN Program. Any action taken by the Executive
Committee will be subject to review by the SPIN Standing Committee.
Section 3: Meetings. The SPIN Standing Committee shall meet on a monthly basis,
unless otherwise approved by the SPIN Standing Committee, but no two (2)
consecutive monthly meetings may be omitted. Each meeting is to be open to all SPIN
Neighbors with public notice of the place, time, and purpose of said meeting given, as
required by law. Inclusive of these meetings, the SPIN Standing Committee and the
Southlake City Council shall meet in joint session at least two (2) times a year.
Section 4: SPIN Report to City Council. The agenda of every regularly scheduled
Southlake City Council meeting shall provide SPIN the opportunity to report SPIN
Neighborhood activities, needs and concerns.
Section 5: Removal of a Standing Committee Representative. If a SPIN Standing
Committee Representative resigns, such representative shall relinquish his/her
appointment and a vacancy shall result, but such representative shall continue to serve
until a successor is elected. If a SPIN Standing Committee Representative moves out
of his/her respective SPIN Neighborhood, ceases to be a resident of the City of
Southlake if appointed At-Large, or files for public office, or if the SPIN Standing
Committee, the City Council, or other adjudicatory body with jurisdiction over such
issue, determines that such representative has violated the SPIN Code of Conduct,
attached as “Exhibit 1” to these articles, or if the SPIN Standing Committee finds that a
replacement is necessary so that a SPIN Neighborhood is adequately served, such
representative may be removed from such appointment. Removal shall be upon the
recommendation of the SPIN Standing Committee and approval of the City Council. In
the event of such removal, a vacancy shall result, and be filled as provided herein.
ARTICLE IV: ANNUAL ELECTIONS
Section 1: Annual Elections. Elections shall be held annually during the regularly
scheduled March meeting, or as soon thereafter as is practicable. Permanent officers
of the SPIN Standing Committee shall be Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and
Secretary. Subject to a quorum being present, a simple majority of members present
shall determine each office, with voting being in the order of Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson, and Secretary. The term of each office shall be one (1) year, with no term
limits. Each officer so elected shall serve until the next annual election, unless otherwise
removed. Officers shall not be subject to term limits.
Section 2: Special Elections. Upon the resignation of any officer, each officer in the
order of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary, shall move up to the next office
and serve in that capacity until the next annual election. In the event that two or more
offices become vacant simultaneously, a special election shall be held to elect
replacements for each office to fill the unexpired term(s). In the event that the office of
Secretary becomes vacant, a special election shall be held, as indicated above, to elect
a replacement Secretary for the remainder of the unexpired term.
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
EXHIBIT 1
SOUTHLAKE PROGRAM FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS
Code of Conduct
Preamble
The purpose of the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN)
is to foster two-way communication between the City and its citizens. Broad based
participation in neighborhood issues and projects is an important element of the SPIN
program.
SPIN Standing Committee members have been appointed by the Southlake City
Council to serve as representatives of the SPIN program, in addition to serving as
leaders in their respective neighborhoods. Standing Committee representatives are
responsible for directing and promoting the SPIN program. The role of the Standing
Committee representative includes, but is not limited to, assisting the neighborhood by
facilitating communication between City officials and the neighborhood, clarifying
issues, and encouraging participation in the local government process.
It is a privilege to serve the City of Southlake as a SPIN Standing Committee
representative and each SPIN representative should make every effort to fulfill the
obligations of the selection. The highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and
professional competence are expected from Standing Committee representatives.
The importance of neutrality cannot be overemphasized in regard to maintaining
credibility as a Standing Committee representative for the neighborhood. As such,
SPIN Standing Committee representatives have a continuing duty to disclose anything
that may affect, or might appear to affect their ability to be an impartial leader of their
SPIN neighborhood. Standing Committee representatives should be committed to
representing all parties as necessary.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to define the high standards expected of
Standing Committee representatives. These standards will ensure public confidence
in the SPIN program. The guidelines represent a standard of behavior for SPIN
leaders, and it is expected that this Code shall also help to guide the official behavior
of other Neighborhood Council members. This Code is not intended to address every
situation which may arise in the conduct of SPIN program business; rather, it is
envisioned that SPIN participants will rely on the ideals embodied in this Code to lead
them through issues concerning conflicts of interest and ethical behavior.
1. Process
1.1 Standing Committee representatives shall ensure that meetings they
conduct are open to all individuals and organizations and shall not be
limited by age, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, income, or home
ownership.
Any form of discrimination by a SPIN member against any party on the
basis of characteristic, condition, preference, belief or status of such party
conflicts with the purpose of SPIN, and shall not be practiced, condoned,
or facilitated by Standing Committee representatives.
1.2 Standing Committee representatives shall create an environment
conducive to the expression of ideas by any neighbor wishing to be
involved in the Program. It is hoped that SPIN will be a forum for
encouraging open and honest discussion of issues, which would include
differing viewpoints.
1.3 Standing Committee representatives should conduct neighborhood
meetings in sufficient frequency to provide an opportunity for neighbors to
be well informed of events, issues and activities. Standing Committee
representatives shall make sure that minutes of all meetings are
maintained in accordance with City Ordinance 598.
In addition to neighborhood meetings, Standing Committee
representatives should make diligent effort to ensure that their neighbors
are made aware of SPIN activities and projects.
1.4 Standing Committee representatives shall transmit both recommendations
and dissenting views proposed by particular neighborhoods on given
issues to City officials. It is important that all viewpoints be considered on
a particular issue.
1.5 Standing Committee representatives should participate in Standing
Committee activities and abide by the terms and conditions of the SPIN
Standing Committee Attendance Policy attached hereto as Exhibit “AA”.
1.6 Should a Standing Committee representative be found in violation of this
Code and refuse to accept the decision of the majority of Committee
members reviewing the violation, by either withdrawing from the Standing
Committee or correcting said violation, the case shall then be referred to
the City Council for action.
2.
Professionalism
2.1 To effectively serve, Standing Committee representatives should take
every opportunity to educate themselves about the operations of the
municipal organization and current events within the City so that they may
provide accurate information to their neighborhoods.
2.2 Standing Committee representatives should promote mutual respect
among all parties involved in the program, including, but not limited to,
other Standing Committee representatives, City staff, and elected officials.
Standing Committee representatives and other SPIN participants should
always exercise decorum, discretion, patience, restraint, and consideration
of others time during Standing Committee and neighborhood meetings.
2.3 Standing Committee representatives shall represent facts or
circumstances as accurately as possible in the course of either providing
information from the City to their neighborhoods, or in reporting
information from their neighborhoods to the City.
2.4 Standing Committee representatives shall not use their influence as SPIN
representatives to influence the electoral process. A SPIN Standing
Committee representative shall never coerce, make a decision for, or
impose his or her own judgment on neighbors.
Although Standing Committee representatives may, as individuals and
citizens of the City of Southlake, exercise their right to support or oppose
candidates, it is inappropriate to use their position with SPIN as a political
tool. Standing Committee representatives must maintain electoral neutrality
and remain nonpartisan in regard to all candidates running for public office
or ballot issues when performing functions in their official role.
2.5 When serving in an official capacity, Standing Committee representatives
shall not offer any type of personal or professional opinions as an official
representative of SPIN.
2.6 Standing Committee representatives should withdraw from the Standing
Committee if they feel they can no longer maintain the impartiality needed
to effectively serve as representatives of their neighborhoods.
2.7 Standing Committee members should withdraw from hosting a
neighborhood meeting within their district if they feel they can not remain an
impartial representative regarding a particular project.
2.8 Standing Committee representatives shall not accept any type of financial
remuneration, direct or indirect, as an incentive to promote or support a
particular political or commercial issue.
SPIN Standing Committee Code of Conduct
EXHIBIT “AA”
Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN)
Standing Committee Attendance Policy
POLICY PURPOSE:
This policy sets expectations and standards of SPIN Standing Committee member
attendance such that members are able to meet and act as an advisory body more
effectively by participating regularly at meetings.
POLICY DETAILS:
The SPIN Standing Committee at its November 6, 2008 meeting adopted the following
policy, regarding attendance, absences, and excused absences for SPIN Standing
Committee members:
1. Every member of the SPIN Standing Committee is expected to attend all
regularly scheduled meetings. Attendance of less than sixty percent (60%) of the
regularly scheduled meetings and/or two consecutive absences in twelve (12)
months is considered substandard.
2. When substandard attendance issues are identified, a letter from the SPIN
Executive Committee may be sent to the member asking for improved
attendance and reminding the member of the policy on consecutive absences. If
the member has two (2) consecutive absences from regularly scheduled
meetings, the SPIN Standing Committee may recommend that member's seat be
declared vacant by the Council.
3. A SPIN Standing Committee member shall be required to attend sixty percent
60% of scheduled meetings during a fiscal year. If a member appoints a liaison
and that liaison attends a meeting when the member is absent, that absence
shall be recorded as being present at the meeting.
4. The SPIN staff liaison shall monitor attendance requirements for non-compliance
and report such noncompliance to the SPIN Executive Committee. Upon
notification of such noncompliance, the SPIN Executive Committee may submit a
recommendation to the City Council for appropriate action.
5. The SPIN staff liaison shall prepare an annual report and preset such report to
the SPIN Standing Committee each April. The report shall include number of
meetings attended, meetings missed (excused or unexcused), and a delineation
of two consecutive absences or less than sixty percent (60%) attendance.
6. Prior to the annual report being submitted for SPIN Standing Committee review,
the SPIN staff liaison shall provide the report to the SPIN Executive Committee
for review and comment. The SPIN Executive Committee shall notify those
Committee Members whose attendance is below sixty percent (60%) that
improvement is needed
7. Following submission of the annual report, the SPIN Standing Committee may
make a recommendation to the City Council for appropriate action during the
appointment process.
8. The City Council may remove those members who do not meet the qualifications
for appointment or the requirements for attendance at meetings.
9. All applicants for the SPIN Standing Committee shall be notified prior to City
Council appointment regarding time requirements for serving and the policy
regarding removal.