Loading...
05A Charter Study Committee Min. 12-14-06 . MEETING OF THE CHARTER STUDY COMMITTEE. CITY OF PARIS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 107 E.KAUFMAN STREET PARIS. TEXAS THURSDAY. DECEMBER 14. 2006 4:00 O'CLOCK P.M. 1. The Charter Study Committee meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Philip Cecil, at 4:00 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Philip Cecil, Chairperson Bill Payne Charles Richards Marva Joe Ozie Battle Louise Hagood Charles Waldrum David Hamilton David Nabors Bobby Walters (alternate) The following members were absent: Robert High David House Also, present were Janice Ellis, City Clerk; and Monte Akers, legal advisor. 2. Approval of minutes. David Nabors made a motion to approve the minutes and David Hamilton seconded the motion. Motion carried, 10 ayes - 0 nays. 3. Monte Akers presented the Committee with proposed language pertaining to Section 17 - Qualifications. Charles Richards and Charles Waldrum expressed concern about the language, in that term limits does not specify a person cannot be appointed after serving two terms. Mr. Akers will bring back additional language for the Committee to review. Chairperson Philip Cecil moved to item number 5. 5. Recommendation of Charles Waldrum and David Hamilton with regard to the definition/clarification of the words "convicted of a felony" in Section 17. . - T , Charter Study Committee December 14, 2006 Page 2 Charles Waldrum presented the Committee with wording for "convicted of a felony." Charles Richards suggested language be included to cover what happens should someone be convicted of a felony while in office. Monte Akers suggested following state law. David Hamilton made a motion to retain the language that he and Charles Waldrum had prepared, as it related to pre-election qualifications and follow state law with regard to post-election. Bill Payne seconded the motion. Motion carried, 10 ayes - 0 nays. Chairperson Philip Cecil moved to item number 4. 4. Discussion of and possible action on publicity of Charter amendments. Chairperson Philip Cecil stated he was concerned about the passage of time between the Committee's recommendations and the actual election. Charles Waldrum suggested that they give presentations to the civic groups closer to election time. Bobby Walters suggested that Mr. Akers bring to the next meeting a draft of the propositions and that they be given to Council. Marva Joe said she did not think that was a good ideal, but instead present all of the recommendations at one time. No action was taken on this item. 6. Discussion of possible amendments to the City Charter. The Committee began working through the Charter Amendment Issues as outlined below: (30) Section 111 (Recall; general). Chairperson Philip Cecil stated that this section did not set out grounds for removal from office. David Hamilton left the meeting at 5:40 p.m. and returned at 5:45 p.m. Monte Akers advised the Committee that state law had recall provisions for general law cities, but not for home rule cities. He informed the Committee should they desire recall provisions, they would need to put it in the Charter. Charles Waldrum made a motion to have Monte Akers bring back wording at the next meeting and Charles Richards seconded the motion. Motion carried, 10 ayes - 0 nays. (31) Section 112 (Recall procedure). The Committee decided that Section 112 needed to be reviewed with Section 111. Monte Akers was asked to bring back wording for Section 112. (32) Section 113 (Recall petitions). Chairperson Philip Cecil suggested inserting the definition of a qualified voter. Charles Richards presented the Committee outlining the definition of a qualified voter as set out in the Election Code Section 11.001 and 11.002. The Committee decided that when a petition was circulated that it would have to be signed the qualified voters of the district in which a Council Member was being sought to be Charter Study Committee December 14, 2006 Page 3 removed. They also decided that the petition would require 51 % of the total number of votes cast at the last election held in that district. Charles Richards suggested the petition have at least 100 signatures and Charles Waldrum suggested 200 signatures. David Nabors made a motion to the that the qualified voters signing a petition for recall be of that district in which a Council Member was .sought for removal, that the number of signatures required be 51 % of the total number votes cast at the last election held in that district; however that the petition shall contain the signatures of at least 200 qualified voters of that district. Bill Payne seconded the motion. Motion carried, 10 ayes- o nays. (38) Section 132 (Personal Interest). Charles Richards made a motion to amend this section to follow state law and David Nabors seconded the motion. Motion carried, 10 ayes - 0 nays. Bobby Walters left the meeting at 5:30 p.m. (39) Section 135(Persons indebted to the city shall not hold office or employment). Monte Akers advised the Committee this section was in conflict with a federal lawsuit and recommended deleting it. David Nabors made a motion to delete Section 135 and Charles Richards seconded the motion. Motion carried, 9 ayes - 0 nays. Charles Richards suggested review of Sections 100 and 101. Louise Hagood suggested review of Section 27 and Marva Joe suggested review of Section 28. The Committee asked Monte Akers to bring back wording on these Sections at the next meeting. Marva Joe questioned as to whether or not they needed to review Section 39 and the wording "he shall reside within the city." Charles Richards made a motion to retain Section 39 as written and Louise Hagood seconded the motion. Motion Carried 9 ayes - 0 nays. The Committee will next meet Thursday, January 4, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. They will begin with Section 6 of the City Charter (#2). 5. Adjournment. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.