HomeMy WebLinkAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 12/01/1994Members Present
Members Absent
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 1, 1994
MINUTES
Jimmy Payton, Chairman
Bonnie O'Brien
Harold Samuels
Dwayne Wilcox
Paul Tomme, City Attorney
Susan Crim, City Secretary
Letty Lynn Maloney
Billy Owens
Ron Shields
Neal Adams, Vice Chairman Bill Byers
Andy Chesney Bill Pasteur
Bob Pippin Don Warren
Guests Councilman Henry Boatright
Chairman Payton called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Seven members of
the Charter Review Committee were present, constituting a quorum. The agenda
for this meeting was properly posted in accordance with applicable law.
Mr. Tomme distributed copies of Chapter 15 of a book entitled "Texas Home
Rule Charters" published by the Texas Municipal League. The material related
to "Initiative, referendum and recall".
Chairman Payton stated that this committee has been given the charge of
looking specifically at Article IV of the Euless City Charter and to all
portions of the Charter with respect to any conflict with State or Federal
laws.
Mr. Tomme reported that he had reviewed the City's Charter through page 13
and had not found anything that conflicts with State or Federal law.
The Chairman directed the Committee's attention to the two main questions
that have been raised regarding recall: (1) number of signatures required on
recall petition and (2) specificity of grounds for recall.
It was the general consensus of the Committee that requirements for
signatures on petitions for initiative, referendum and recall should remain
alike in all three situations. If this committee decides to recommend a
change in the number of signatures required on a petition, then the same
number would be required for initiative, referendum and recall.
Various methods of determining the number of signatures required on a
petition were discussed. Mr. Samuels suggested that 30% of the average
number of people who voted in the last three elections be used. The City
Secretary was asked to secure these figures and provide the Committee members
with that information for the next meeting.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 1, 1994 PAGE 2
Mr. Tomme was asked to continue his review of the Charter for possible
conflicts with State and Federal law.
Mr. Owens expressed his preference that the Charter election not be held in
conjunction with the May general city officer election.
Councilman Boatright expressed his concern with the vagueness of the reasons
required on a petition for recall.
Chairman Payton announced that the next Charter Review Committee meeting will
be held on Monday, December 12, 1994, at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Susan Crim, CMC
City Secretary