07 - Charter Review Consultant - Laserfiche WebLink

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SERVICES TO BE RENDERED Upon the City Council's authorization, I would undertake a comprehensive review of the current charter. With your assistance and that of the city attorney and city clerk, I would identify and analyze all substantive issues/problems within the current document. The specific thrust of this research would be to recognize any provisions in the current charter that are (a) not consistent with current administrative practices and operations of the city and/or (b) not consistent with state law and/or various court decisions. And I would eventually determine the desires of the review commission members to study specific other aspects of the city's current operation that might require charter amendments. Upon the appointment of the review commission and, again, with the cooperation of you, the city attorney and city clerk, I would provide all necessary staffing and research assistance to the review commission. This would include routine coordination with the commission chairman, establishment of a plan of work and time lines, general orientation of the commission, attendance at all subsequent meetings of the group, and drafting of proposed amendments. In the end, I would assist, as necessary, to develop a report and recommendations from the commission to the City Council. I would then assist, as may be required, the various steps necessary to calling and conducting an election on any proposed amendments. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES For these consulting services, I would propose to bill the city, on a monthly basis, at a rate of $125 per hour. Certain of these services (primarily research and drafting) may be rendered from my Tyler office, although much of my work will necessarily be performed in Paris. The city will not be billed for my time of travel between Tyler and Paris. However, a minimum of two hours will be charged for each trip to and the rendering of services of whatever nature and duration while in Paris. In addition, I would expect to be reimbursed for actual travel costs and for other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. This would include fifty cents per mile for automobile travel and actual costs for meals, printing, postage, etc. Any other project costs related to the involvement of other consultative assistance that might be deemed necessary by you, the city attorney, or the City Council would be borne by the city. SUMMARY Amending your home rule charter will not necessarily be simple. In addition to my efforts, it will require a certain amount of attention by you, members of your administrative staff, the city attorney and the City Council. Then, it will demand a considerable number of hours of study, contemplation, and conference by the group of citizens constituting the revision commission. This would hardly be justified to merely "tidy up" the current charter. A more practical reason exists. Your current charter may contain ambiguities and contradictions. These are a breeding ground for future misunderstandings, controversy, and legal action, which could prove to be adverse, expensive, and politically disruptive to the city government. In short, it may be easier and more productive to update the charter now, in the absence of a specific cause, than later and after serious problems have arisen.