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Item 7A MemoCity of Southlake, Texas MEMORANDUM February 9, 2005 TO: Shana Yelverton, Acting City Manager FROM: Ben Thatcher, Assistant to the City Manager, SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 598 -B, 2" Reading, Ordinance revisions establishing the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN). Action Requested: City Council approval of the proposed revisions establishing the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN). Background Information: SPIN ordinance #598 -A, requires that the SPIN standing committee review the Articles of Organization and SPIN Boundaries on an annual basis, and make any recommendations to City Council regarding needed revisions. The last revision of the ordinance was done in 1996. The current standing committee has just finished a review of the Articles of Organization and SPIN Boundaries and has recommended that some minor revisions are necessary to more accurately reflect practices within the SPIN program. The main recommendation from the Standing Committee strikes out language regarding neighborhood councils. Recent SPIN practice has shown that this concept, although an effective tool early on in the establishment of SPIN, is actually more difficult to maintain now. While the standing committee is recommending that the requirement to have such councils be withdrawn, each SPIN representative is encouraged to continue to invite residents of their SPIN to serve as liaisons and to have such a neighborhood council if they are able to do so. The City Council approved this recommendation in a first reading in the January 18, 2005 City Council Meeting. Since the first reading the City Attorney has reviewed the Ordinance and has also made recommendations to the actual body of the Ordinance as well as the Articles of Organization. Those recommendations are: Shana Yelverton, Acting City Manager December 17, 2010 Page 2 1. Section 1 of the ordinance The City Attorney is recommending clarifying language as to what constitutes a standing committee. The exact number of neighborhood representatives is included in the language. 2. Section four (4) of the ordinance This explains the grounds for removal from the committee, and the City Attorney is recommending that language be added allowing the Standing Committee authority to establish additional grounds for removal. 3. Article III, Section 5 : The City Attorney has rewritten this section to add clarity to the subject. Concept wise, nothing new has been added to this section. 4. Article IV, Section l : The City Attorney has added clarifying text to this section, most notably explaining that if the election does not take place in March then it will take place "soon thereafter as is practicable." It must be noted that the City Attorney recommended that the Annual Election date be changed from March to January, to be consistent with the terms of service for the SPIN representatives (January to December). The Standing Committee preferred to keep the election date in March allowing any new representatives that may join in January to become more familiar with the Standing Committee before the election date. The City Attorney sees no problem in keeping the election date in March. Financial Considerations: Not applicable. Financial Impact: Not applicable. Citizen Input/ Board Review: The SPIN Standing Committee reviewed the City Attorney recommendations at their regular meeting on February 8, 2005. Legal Review: SPIN Ordinance reviewed by City Attorneys. Shana Yelverton, Acting City Manager December 17, 2010 Page 2 Alternatives: • City Council decision to approve the proposed Ordinance as presented • City Council decision to approve the proposed Ordinance with comment • City Council decision to not approve the proposed Ordinance as presented Supporting Documents: SPIN Ordinance No. 598 -B Staff Recommendation: City Council approval of the proposed revisions establishing the Southlake Program for the Involvement of Neighborhoods (SPIN).