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recommending that the requirement to have such councils be withdrawn, each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).