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Item 10ACity Charter Review City Council Meeting August 7, 2007 Background Charter Adopted April 4, 1987 Amended January 19, 1991 Amended January 21, 1995 Amended May 2, 1998 Amended May 5, 2001 Charter Adopted April 4, 1987 Amended January 19, 1991 Amended January 21, 1995 Amended May 2, 1998 Amended May 5, 2001 Why Review the Charter? Innovation Developing new approaches to local government structures or processes to “meet modern needs.” Adaptation Altering provisions to reflect new conditions and practices. The focus is on adjustment rather than innovation. Clean Up Simplify, reflect changes to state & federal law to avoid confusion and ambiguity, remove obsolete statutory references. Potential Election Timeline Points to Ponder Process governed by Chapter 9, Local Government Code Texas Constitution: “no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.” Citizen participation, education crucial Potential Amendment Master List Amendments to ensure the Charter conforms to State & Federal law Amendments to improve processes or reflect modern practices Amendments to address governance Amendments to “clean up” references to obsolete laws, etc. 1991 Election Prop. 1 – Council terms, Mayor’s vote and quorum – 408 / 335 Prop. 2 – Municipal Judge - 490 / 257 Prop. 3 – Requiring two readings for ordinances – 587 / 160 Prop. 4 – Acting City Manager – 586 / 157 Prop. 5 – Designating Election Day – 623 / 117 Prop. 6 – City Council members running for other office – 616 / 133 Prop. 7 – Designating a Tax Collector - 390 / 365 Prop. 8 – Budget approval process – 435 / 324 Prop. 9 – Borrowing in anticipation of property tax – 354 / 397 1991 Election (con’t) Prop. 10 – P&Z Commissioner absences – 621 / 143 Prop. 11 – Selecting the municipal court judge by City Council appointment – 217 / 545 Prop. 12 – Issuing bonds for street improvements – 299 / 470 Prop. 13 – Issuing bonds for a new City Hall – 207 / 563 1995 Election Prop. 1 – Election of City Council members by geographic districts – 294 / 397 Prop. 2 – Deputy Mayor Pro Tem - 497 / 182 Prop. 3 – Setting Council meeting times – 334 / 350 Prop. 4 – Voting by electronic device – 268 / 422 Prop. 5 – Code of Ethics – 643 / 45 Prop. 6 – Judge term, etc. – 505 / 177 Prop. 7 – Ordinance adoption, reading of captions – 318 / 365 Prop. 8 – Master Plan – 414 / 271 Prop. 9 – Conform with state & federal law – 621 / 68 Prop. 10 – Clean Up – 623 / 67 1998 Election Prop. 1 – Department of Public Safety – 2,197 / 211 Prop. 2 – City Council meetings (dates, electronic voting) – 1,591 / 828 Prop. 3 – Boards and Commissions – 2,203 / 367 Prop. 4 – Planning & Zoning Commission – 1,958 / 420 Prop. 5 – Adoption of ordinances – 1,830 / 522 Prop. 6 – Conforming with state and federal law, corrections – 2,166 / 206 Prop. 7 – Removing term limits for Council / Mayor - 617 / 1,836 2001 Election Prop. 1 – Municipal Judge appointment, qualifications, etc. – 2,800 / 241 Prop. 2 – Nepotism policy to follow State Law – 2,717 / 274 Prop. 3 – Dept. Head Authority – 2,182 / 746 Prop. 4 – Elected Official service until successor is elected – 2,759 / 276 Prop. 5 – August 15 Budget Filing 2,893 / 109 Prop. 6 – Council has sole authority for acquisition of easements and rights of way – 1,689 / 1,296 1991 Election 1995 Election 1998 Election 2001 Election