>> WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL TO ORDER
[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
THE HOME RULE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING.TODAY'S DATE IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH.
WITH THAT, WE WILL START WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.
JOSE RIOS? IS NOT HERE. SUMBEL ZEB? IS NOT HERE.
JAISEN RUTLEDGE IS HERE. JIM POWELL?
>> CAN WE GIVE JIM MIKE. SORRY.
>> RANDALL ROBERTS IS NOT HERE.
RYAN GERFERS IS NOT HERE. TERRANCE JOHNSON.
>> JULIE ZELLER IS NOT HERE. ALLISON GUERRERO?
>> DAVID YOST IS NOT HERE. MARK CRISWELL?
>> AMISHA NEAL IS NOT HERE. MAXINE ELLIS?
>> JODY SUTHERLAND IS NOT HERE. CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES?
WITH THAT, WE WILL TRANSITION OVER INTO INVOCATION WHICH I WILL DO.
LET'S BOW DOWN. FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MEET AGAIN, GOD.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO USE THE SKILL SET, THE EXPERIENCES, THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, GOD, TO BE ABLE TO COME INTO THIS PLACE, FATHER AND BE ABLE TO USE IT TO BETTER THE CITY THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU LOVE GOD.
WE PRAY RIGHT NOW THAT DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE TODAY AS THEY IMPACT THE WHOLE FATHER THAT THEY'RE MADE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US THIS CHANCE GOD.
YOUR WORD TELLS US THAT EVERY PERSON THAT IS APPOINTED, EVERY PERSON THAT IS PUT IN A POSITION TO HAVE AUTHORITY, YOU'VE GIVEN HIM THAT OPPORTUNITY, GOD.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU RIGHT NOW, FATHER, FOR THE CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO ACT IN THIS SENSE OF FREEDOM, FATHER, TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE CITY.
GOD, WE PRAY THAT WE REMEMBER THAT YOUR WILL IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY IN ALL THINGS.
GOD, WE COVER THIS PRAYER IN YOUR SON JESUS NAME, AMEN.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
WITH THAT, WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC APPEARANCE.
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS SET ASIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE ON ANY ITEMS OF BUSINESS THAT'S NOT FORMALLY SCHEDULED ON THE AGENDA AS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD COMPLETE A PUBLIC MEETING APPEARANCE CARD PRIOR TO THIS MEETING AND PRESENTED TO THE CITY SECRETARY.
SPEAKERS ALLOWED UP TO THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THE COMMITTEE IS UNABLE TO RESPOND TO OR DISCUSS ANY ISSUES THAT ARE BROUGHT UP DURING THIS PORTION THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, OTHER THAN MAKE STATEMENTS OF SPECIFIC FACTUAL INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A SPEAKER'S, OR CITE EXISTING POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE INQUIRY.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK SHALL WANT ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE DIRECTLY, NO CITY STAFF OR OTHERWISE.
TO BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND CORDIAL.
THREE, REFRAIN FROM MAKING PERSONAL, DEMEANING, INSULTING, THREATENING, AND OR DISPARAGING REMARKS AS TO MAINTAIN DECORUM AND SUPPORT THE EFFICIENT AND ORDERLY FLOW OF THE MEETING.
I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANYONE FOR PUBLIC APPEARANCE. IS THAT CORRECT? AMBER? NO PUBLIC APPEARANCE.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE INTO ITEM G,
[G. CONSENT AGENDA]
WHICH IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME THAT.
YEAH, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT JOSE RIOS IS IN ATTENDANCE, AND HE CAME IN AT 6:41.
THANK YOU, ALLISON. CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS LISTED ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE COMMITTEE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.
THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS THE COMMITTEE MEMBER SO REQUEST.
IN WHICH EVENT, THE ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED IN ITS NORMAL SEQUENCE ON THE AGENDA.
THE ITEM WE HAVE LISTED FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM G.12025-182, CONSIDER APPROVING THE FOLLOWING HOME RULE CHARTER REVIEW.
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION MEETING FOR FOR SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2025, HOME CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING.
WITH THAT INTO MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> I MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM G.12025-182 AS IS.
>> WE CAN VOTE. WITH THAT WE HAVE THAT APPROVED EIGHT, ONE.
THAT MOVES US INTO ITEM H, THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[H.1 2025-183 Review and consider proposed amendments to Chapter 9 (“Boards and Commissions”) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Princeton, Texas, as discussed at the September 25, 2025, Committee meeting; and take appropriate action. ]
[00:05:03]
ITEM H.12025-183, REVIEW AND CONSIDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 9 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, AS DISCUSSED AT THE SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2025 COMMITTEE MEETING, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.THAT IS ITEM 2025-183, AND THAT OVER TO YOU, GRANT.
>> PERFECT. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.
THE FIRST ITEM BEFORE US IS GOING TO BE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS FROM CHAPTER N9.
WE'LL START WITH 9.06, THEN WE'LL GET INTO 9.07.
SO AS YOU SEE IT'S A NEW 9.06 CONTEMPLATES DUAL APPOINTMENTS PERMITTED UNLESS OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW.
LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS.
>> NO. I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE SECTION 9.06 AS IS.
THAT IS APPROVED NINE, ZERO. BACK TO YOU, GRANT.
>> MOVING ON TO SECTION 9.07, THIS HAS TO DO WITH TRANSPARENCY, ATTENDANCE, TERM LIMITS, AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON ALL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES OF THE CITY, AS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING.
AS YOU'LL SEE, THERE'S FIVE SUB PARTS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WE CAN GO THROUGH ONE BY ONE, GIVE YOU GUYS SOME TIME TO READ.
ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A NEW ADDITION TO CHAPTER 9, SECTION 9.07.
>> I'LL GIVE A MOMENT FOR EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO READ THROUGH.
>> I THINK WE ASKED THIS LAST TIME, BUT JUST FOR CLARITY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY SO THAT'S EVEN ELECTED POSITIONS, TOO?
>> THIS WAS HAD TO DO WITH BOARDS COMMITTEES AND COMMISSION, NOT COUNCIL, IS THAT YOU TALKING ABOUT?
>> WELL, I GUESS COUNCIL OR ANY OTHER ELECTED.
>> YEAH. ANY OFFICIAL PRINCETON COMMITTEE.
SO THIS ADHOC COMMITTEE, ANY OTHER ADHOC COMMITTEE.
THIS DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, RIGHT?
>> NO. I WILL SAY TWO SUBSECTIONS 9.07, B AND C. THOSE ARE TWO THE NEWEST COMPONENTS BECAUSE A, D, AND E ARE COVERED, THEY'RE NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE CHARTER.
ALL MEETINGS OF EVERY BOARD COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE, THEY'RE ALL VIDEO RECORDED.
UNDER STATE LAW, YOU EITHER HAVE TO KEEP MINUTES OR RECORD. CITY DOES BOTH.
I THINK BACK IN APRIL, THE CITY ADOPTED A PUBLIC MEETING RECORDING POLICY, SO ALL MEETINGS ARE RECORDED NOW.
THAT'S ALREADY ADDRESSED. ONCE AGAIN, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY STATED EXPRESSLY IN THE CHARTER.
SKIPPING DOWN TO D, EVERY ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIAL, THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE CERTAIN TRAININGS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT TRAINING.
THOSE ARE ALREADY DONE. THAT'S ALREADY APPLICABLE AS TO STATE LAW REQUIREMENT.
THEN THE LAST, THE MAYOR ALREADY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE AS LONG AS IT'S CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL.
ONCE AGAIN, A, D, AND E ARE ALREADY LIVE SO TO SPEAK, B AND C WOULD BE NEW EDITIONS.
WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR ONE MEETING THAT WOULD HAPPEN? THEN IT CAN'T BE PUBLICLY BROUGHT LIKE PUBLISHED.
IF WE'RE STATING AT IN A, BECAUSE THAT NEVER GOT PUBLISHED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE HACKERS.
YOU TALKED ABOUT THE COMPONENT, BUT WE DIDN'T.
WE HAVE MINUTES. THAT'S ALL IT'S REQUIRED TO THE MINUTES.
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD BREAK THIS CHARTER BECAUSE IT SAYS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECORDED.
JUST MAKING SURE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. [LAUGHTER]
>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 9.07 AS NOTED.
[00:10:06]
>> PARDON ME, JAISEN. REAL QUICK.
I WAS THIS JUST ON ACCIDENT? I HAD SECTION 9.5, 6.02.
>> SOME OF THE PRINTOUTS IN FRONT OF YOU WERE FROM LAST MEETING.
I THINK THERE WAS A COUPLE AND THOSE WERE ALL APPROVED AT THE LAST MEETING.
[H.2 2025-184 Review and consider proposed amendments to Chapter 10 (“Ordinances”) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Princeton, Texas, as discussed at the September 25, 2025, Committee meeting; and take appropriate action. ]
>> MOVING ON TO ITEM H.22025-184, REVIEW AND CONSIDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 10 ORDINANCES OF THE HOME OR CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, AS DISCUSSED AT THE SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2025 COMMITTEE MEETING AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> THIS IS AS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING, THERE WAS A REQUEST TO REMOVE THE LAST SENTENCE OF SECTION 10.05.
TAKE YOUR TIME TO REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> OTHERWISE, THIS IS THE SAME AS IT PREVIOUSLY WAS.
A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 10.05 AS IS.
MISS DAVID-GRAVES? CAN WE GET JOIN THE MIKE WITH?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS AND A SECOND BY MISS CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES. WE'RE GOOD TO VOTE.
THERE WE GO. THAT MOTION PASSES NINE, ZERO.
THAT MOVES US ON TO THE NEXT ITEM,
[H.3 2025-185 Review Chapter 9 (“Boards and Commissions”) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Princeton, Texas; consider any recommendations for amendments thereto; and take appropriate action. ]
ITEM H.32025-185 REVIEW CHAPTER 9 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS.CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AMENDMENTS THERE TO AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
I BELIEVE, GRANT WE HAD AN ITEM THAT WAS TABLED.
>> I'LL KICK US OFF AND THEN PUNCH IT OVER TO YOU.
THE ITEM THAT WAS TABLED WAS A RECOMMENDATION THAT I MADE IN REGARDS TO VERBIAGE WITHIN THE CHARTER TO ADDRESS BOARDS WHEN UNANIMOUS VOTES ARE MADE THAT EQUALLY FOR COUNCIL TO REJECT THAT.
A UNANIMOUS VOTE WOULD ALSO BE NEED TO BE MADE AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL.
I THINK THE IDEA LOGIC REGARDING THAT WAS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT OUR BOARDS FELT HEARD AND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO BE SEEN.
I THINK THE TAKEAWAY FROM THAT WAS THAT GRANT WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO THE LEGALITY BEHIND THAT, AND I WILL PUNCH IT OVER TO GRANT TO SPEAK TO THAT.
THE LAST MEETING AS I MENTIONED, JAISEN, IT'S CERTAINLY A NOVEL IDEA, AND I GET THE INTENT BEHIND IT.
I THINK IF A APPOINTED BOARD APPROVED SOMETHING UNANIMOUSLY 7,0 5,0, IT SHOULD SPEAK VOLUMES.
BUT IT DOESN'T, I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING HIGHLY PERSUASIVE VERSUS BINDING COUNCIL TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY BASED ON HOW THE BOARD FEELS.
I'VE DONE A LOT OF DIGGING INTO IT.
I SAID, IT'S VERY NOVEL CONCEPT AND I GET THE INTENT BEHIND IT, BUT I FEEL LIKE IF WE PUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN OUR CHARTER, IT WOULD BE MORE THAN LIKELY ILLEGAL, SOMETHING WE COULDN'T DO.
I THINK THE RESIDENTS, THEY ELECT COUNCIL TO KIND OF BE THE FINAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY.
IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE, YOU'D HAVE AN APPOINTED OFFICIAL BEING ABLE TO RESTRICT THE LEGISLATIVE DISCRETION AND JUDGMENT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I JUST CONTRARY TO HOW THE STATE AND HOW THIS COUNTRY FUNCTIONS AS A DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THROUGHOUT STATE LAW THAT SUPPORT THAT.
THERE ARE SOME AREAS TO WHERE COUNCIL CAN DELEGATE AUTHORITY.
THE EXAMPLE I MENTIONED TO YOU EARLIER, AND I'LL STATE THAT HERE IS LIKE, PLATTING AUTHORITY.
PLATS ALL GO THROUGH P&Z, THEN THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL.
WELL, STATE LAW ALLOWS COUNCIL TO DELEGATE PLATTING AUTHORITY SOLELY TO THE P&G.
SO IN THAT WHERE STATE LAW HAS ALLOWED A BOARD TO HAVE FINAL AUTHORITY,
[00:15:01]
THAT'S APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW AN APPOINTED BOARD OR COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION TO BIND COUNCIL OR FORCE THEIR HAND OR LIMIT ANY TYPE OF DISCRETION WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I FEEL WOULD BE ILLEGAL AND I SAID, I GET THE INTENT, BUT I THINK RESIDENTS APPOINT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION.>> YEAH. I APPRECIATE IT, RIGHT.
I THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY, AND I'LL PUT, SAY THIS ON THE RECORD THAT THE INTENT BEHIND IT WAS TO ENSURE THAT AS WE'VE EVEN SEEN HERE RECENTLY WITH THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE, WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH WE'VE HAD APPLICATIONS OUT FOR A WHILE NOW, AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FILL THEM.
I KNOW THAT. IN DOING SO, I SPOKE TO NINE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BOTH CURRENTLY ON BOARDS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ON BOARDS IN THE PAST, TO SEE HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THIS RECOMMENDATION AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, SOME OF THEM THAT I DON'T ALWAYS AGREED WITH THIS IDEA.
I DO APPRECIATE YOU DOING THE RESEARCH THERE.
I WOULD NEVER WANT TO RECOMMEND TO DO ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO PUT THE CITY IN ANY LEGAL BIND.
BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE RECOMMENDATION.
SO I'LL GO ON RECORD TO SAY THAT WHEN WE COME TO THE END THIS THING, I WILL PROBABLY COME BACK TO THE MAYOR'S VETO POWER, WHICH IS THE RECOMMENDATION THAT GRANT BROUGHT UP THAT WE COULD LOOK INTO TO ACHIEVE THE SAME THING, BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY, TO YOUR POINT, THE COUNCIL IS ELECTED.
BUT THEY ALSO VET THE APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS.
SO IF YOU'RE GOING THROUGH AND HAVING ME COME AND SPEAK ABOUT MY EDUCATION, MY BACKGROUND, MY EXPERIENCES, AND YOU GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT AND SAY, HEY, WE THINK THAT YOU'RE RIGHT TO SIT ON THIS BOARD.
WE KNOW THAT COUNCIL IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE WITHIN THE CITY.
SO IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPECT OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT PLANNING AND ZONING, EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CDC, EDC, LIBRARY, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE CITY CAPACITY.
YOU TALKING ABOUT PARKS AND RECS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE SME AT A GRANULAR LEVEL.
BUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THOSE BOARDS ARE.
IF THEY ARE APPOINTED TO BE THIS SME, WE'D HOPE THAT IF A BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREES UPON SOMETHING THAT IT'S A VERY RARE OCCASION THAT THEY GET TOLD NO, LET'S JUST GOING TO BE IN CONFLICT.
OFFICIALLY, I REMOVE THAT RECOMMENDATION FROM THE LIST.
>> JAISEN, I JUST WANT TO ADD TO THAT BECAUSE ME, MYSELF, AND I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN ON BOARDS, BUT BEING ON PLANNING AND ZONING, AND VOTING ONE WAY AND HAVING THE ENTIRE COMMISSION VOTE THE SAME WAY AND THEN IT GO TO COUNCIL AND COUNCIL JUST REVERSING WHAT WE DECIDED.
>> THAT IT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE AND JUST MY OWN EXPERIENCE, AND MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE WHY AM I THERE?
>> THAT WAS A FEEDBACK I GOT SOME OF WORKFORCE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE PURPOSE OF ME BEING ON THAT BOARD IF THE COUNCIL ISN'T GOING TO REALLY DO ANYTHING.
>> FOR SURE. YEAH. WELL, I OFFICIALLY WILL REMOVE THAT AS A RECOMMENDATION. I DON'T THINK WE HAD.
>> CAN I ADD ONE THING? MAYBE WHEN WE REVIEW THIS CHARTER AT THE END, WE CAN MAYBE COME UP WITH MAYBE A DIFFERENT SOLUTION.
IS GOING TO A LOT OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS IS ALSO SEEING THAT AND GOING TO PLANNING AND ZONING OR WATCHING THEM WHEN THEY HAVE THEM IS A LOT OF TIMES NOT ALL THE INFORMATION IS PRESENTED TO COUNCIL.
SO THEY DON'T ALWAYS KNOW THE WAY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE VOTED OR WHY THEY VOTED THAT WAY IS MAYBE THINKING OF A WAY THAT WE COULD MAYBE MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ALL THE INFORMATION WHEN IT'S REPRESENTED TO THEM BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THE COMMITTEE VOTED OR WHY THEY VOTED THAT WAY.
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ON THE AGENDA.
I THINK MAYBE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ALL THE INFORMATION MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT WAY TO ENSURE THAT THEY GET THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO VOTE THE CORRECT WAY.
>> INCIDENTALLY, I WAS GOING TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT JUST LIKE HOW THE DEPARTMENT HEADS GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL.
IF WE COULD HAVE PLANNING AND ZONING, OR THE HEADS OF THOSE COMMITTEES ALSO PRESENT TO COUNCIL IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE PROPRIETARY THAT COULD BE DONE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
BUT IF THE P&Z SME GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM COUNCIL, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING.
>> YEAH, AND I'VE SEEN THAT DONE IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHERE THE P&Z CHAIRPERSON, THEY ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING IS ALMOST LIKE I KNOW STAFF PRESENTS THE PLAN, OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, BUT TO BE THERE AND SAY,
[00:20:02]
WHEN WE REVIEWED THIS WE TOOK THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.JUST ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, I'VE SEEN THAT DONE.
THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT THE CITY COULD DO MOVING FORWARD.
BUT I THINK JUST TO PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT MR. CHAIRMAN SAID EARLIER, I THINK THE WAY AROUND IT, SO TO SPEAK, IS THE VETO POWER.
BECAUSE IF A BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDS AN ORDINANCE, THEN IT GOES TO COUNCIL AND THEY TURN IT DOWN, THE MAYOR COULD USE HIS VETO POWER, WHICH TRIGGERS A SUPER MAJORITY.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALL IMPOSED BY COUNCIL ITSELF, [OVERLAPPING] IT'S NOT THE BOARD, THE APPOINTED FORCES.
SO I THINK THAT'S THE HAPPY MEDIUM WAY AROUND IT, AND YOU'LL ADDRESS SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS.
NOW IT'S UP TO THE MAYOR TO USE THE POWER, BUT I THINK IT'S MAYBE HAPPY MEDIUM.
>> I DO LIKE THAT IDEA, ALLISON.
DEFINITELY, AS WE COME BACK TO IN THIS, WE CAN MAYBE DOUBLE CLICK ON THAT AS WELL.
I DO KNOW AS BEING ON THE CDC AS A CHAIR, I'VE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL ON ITEMS. THEY WERE AWARE WE HAD AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S STILL IN PLACE, BUT THERE WAS A LIAISON THAT WAS ALSO APPOINTED TO BE AT THE MEETINGS AND BE IN CONTACT.
MAYBE THERE'S SOME FORMALIZATION THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THAT REGARD TO MAKE THAT MORE.
>> MAYBE IF THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO ALL THE MEETINGS, JUST HAVING THE CHAIR MEET WITH THEM ONCE A WEEK OR AFTER EVERY MEETING AND JUST GIVE THEM A RUNDOWN OF EVERYTHING.
>> I THINK WE'LL PROBABLY CHAT WITH GRANT AND SEE IF IT'S A CHARTER OR MAYBE IT'S A BY LAW TYPE THING.
>> BUT WE DID IT WHEN COUNCIL WAS TALKING ABOUT HRC.
REMEMBER YOU COULDN'T DO IT, SO I GOT AND REPRESENTED US WITH GRANT FOR THAT.
I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION ON CHAPTER 9 JUST TO CONFIRM BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE DISCUSSED IT.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT P&Z, WE'VE GOT BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS, EDC CDC.
DO WE NEED TO PUT THE PARKS AND REC BOARD BACK IN HERE? NO.
>> I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK IT'S COVERED UNDER THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M SORRY. THIS IS A QUESTION I HAD WITH MAXINE AS WELL, IS WHEN YOU SAY IT'S COVERED ON THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSION, I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER TWO BOARDS THAT HERE RECENTLY, AD HOC BROUGHT UP THE ETHICS BOARD AS WELL AS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER AS WELL?
>> I DON'T THINK SO. THE ETHICS BOARD, MY RECOMMENDATION ON THAT ONE WOULD BE TO MAYBE ADD IT TO THE ETHICS SECTION IN CHAPTER 14, EXPAND ON THERE A LITTLE BIT.
THEN AS FAR AS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT'S ALREADY THAT'S A REQUIREMENT UNDER STATE LAW.
I THINK THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND THEN THE NEW LANGUAGE THAT WE APPROVED AT THE LAST MEETING.
WE DON'T NEED TO ADD THAT INTO THE CHARTER BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY SOMETHING BY STATE LAW THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.
>> GOOD. I THINK THAT COVERS US FOR CHAPTER 9.
SO WITH THAT, WE CAN MOVE ON TO ITEM H4.2025-186,
[H.4 2025-186 Review Chapter 11 (“Elections”) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Princeton, Texas; consider any recommendations for amendments thereto; and take appropriate action. ]
REVIEW CHAPTER 11 ELECTIONS OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS.CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AMENDMENTS THERETO AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
LET ME GET MY PAGE TURNED OVER TO CHAPTER 11.
>> WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, JUST ONE QUICK COMMENT BECAUSE I LIKE ALLISON'S IDEA.
WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMISSION SPEAKS AT A COUNCIL MEETING SO IT'S ON PUBLIC RECORD, NOT SIDEBAR MEETINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SOMETHING AT A COUNCIL MEETING, SO IT'S ON PUBLIC RECORD JUST TO ADD TO OUR THOUGHT ON WHAT ALLISON WAS SAYING.
>> GOT YOU. YEAH. I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
WE'LL START WITH SECTION 11.01, AND I'LL READ IT OUT FOR IT TO BE CAPTURED AS PART OF PUBLIC RECORD.
CITY ELECTIONS BEGINNING ON THE FIRST TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2023, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SEATS 3, 4, AND 5 SHALL BE ELECTED FOR A TERM OF FOUR YEARS.
ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AND NOVEMBER 2023, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE NEWLY ADDED SEATS 6 AND 7 SHALL BE ELECTED TO AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEAR TERM.
ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AND NOVEMBER 2024, EACH OF THE OFFICES OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER FOR SEATS 1 AND 2 SHALL BE ELECTED TO FILL TERMS OF FOUR YEARS.
THEREAFTER, THE MAYOR AND ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS SHALL BE ELECTED FOR TERMS OF FOUR YEARS.
CANDIDATES FOR EACH SEAT, INCLUDING THE MAYOR SHALL BE ELECTED AT LARGE UNTIL THE ELECTIONS HELD [NOISE] IN OR AFTER NOVEMBER 2030.
IF A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OR COUNCIL MEMBER FAILS TO RECEIVE A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE REGULAR ELECTION, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL ORDER A RUNOFF ELECTION TO BE HELD BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES
[00:25:01]
RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES TO BE HELD ON A DATE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.WE'LL PAUSE FOR ANY RECOMMENDATIONS THERE?
>> YES. I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD AND MAYBE THE CHARTER IS NOT THE PLACE, BUT I'M GOING TO PUT IT OUT THERE THAT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC CANDIDATE FORUM AND SHALL BE HOSTED OR ENDORSED BY THE CITY FOR EACH GENERAL ELECTION.
>> ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT RECOMMENDATION?
>> YEAH, BREAK THAT DOWN FOR ME LIKE I'M FIVE-YEARS-OLD.
>> LIKE THE CANDIDATES HAVE TO JUST HAVE AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM FOR THE RESIDENTS TO MEET THEM.
>> SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT'S HOSTED BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
I KNOW IN ARCADIA, WE HOSTED ONE WITH MARLO AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO THE OTHER PERSON WAS.
>> YEAH. YOU ALL KNEW WHO I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
BUT IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING BECAUSE JUST PUTTING YOUR NAME ON A BALLOT AND POSTING SOME STUFF ON FACEBOOK SHOULDN'T BE ENOUGH.
WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPEN FORUM WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN COME AND MEET THE CANDIDATES AND GET TO KNOW THEM.
>> CAN THE CITY LEGALLY DO THAT? THAT HAS TO BE IN ORDINANCE.
>> YEAH. I WOULD ADVISE AGAINST USING PUBLIC FUNDS.
TO YOUR POINT, I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DO IT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO PUT IN OUR CHARTER OR GET THE CITY INVOLVED WITH.
I THINK USUALLY IT'S CHAMBER OR OTHER ENTITIES.
CERTAINLY A GOOD IDEA. I'M SORRY.
>> I SAID I ALMOST FEEL LIKE IT'S REQUIRING IN A DEBATE.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS ILLEGAL TO REQUIRE UNLESS BOTH PARTIES AGREES TO DO SO.
IT'S MORE AN OPEN FORUM TO DO MEET AND GREET TO GET TO KNOW.
>> INDIVIDUALLY, OR IF ME, GRANT AND YOU ARE ALL RUNNING FROM THE SAME POSITION, WE ALL HAVE TO BE THERE AT THE SAME TIME.
>> THAT'S SO DEBATE. I WOULD TURN IT INTO IT.
>> I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND I PROBABLY FEEL THE SAME WAY, BUT I THINK WHAT MAXINE IS SAYING IS THAT THE INTENTION IS NOT FOR IT TO BE A DEBATE.
>> BUT GRANT SOLVES IT BY SAYING THAT WE'RE PROBABLY NOT IN LEGAL REALMS TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.
>> YEAH. GRANTS THE NO GUIDES.
>> WELL, ARCADIA FIRM WILL BE HOSTING ONE FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> AWESOME. ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 11.01?
>> REAL QUICK. I JUST WANT TO KNOW, AND AGAIN, IT MAY ALREADY BE DISCUSSED, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ANYWHERE.
IT'S JUST THE CITY? IS THAT SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONSIDER ADDING IN LEGALLY?
>> NO. I THINK USING THE TERMINOLOGY WE HAVE IN HERE IS FINE.
>> IS THERE SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS QUESTION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT SECTION 11.01 CITY ELECTIONS AS IS.
>> I HOPE I HEARD BOTH OF YOU GUYS.
BOTH OF YOU LADIES AT THE SAME TIME.
[BACKGROUND] I'LL SAY THAT ALLISON MADE A MOTION, AND THEN WE HAD A SECOND BY VICE CHAIR, ELLIS WITH THAT WE CAN VOTE FOR 11.01.
ONE PERSON LEFT. ALL RIGHT, 09, 0 PASS.
MOVING ON TO SECTION 11.02, SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
THE CITY COUNCIL BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION MAY CALL SUCH SPECIAL ELECTIONS AS ARE AUTHORIZED BY STATE LAW OR THIS CHARTER, FIX THE TIME AND PLACE OF HOLDING THE SAME AND PROVIDE ALL MEANS FOR HOLDING SUCH SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
EVERY SPECIAL ELECTION SHALL BE CALLED AND HELD AS NEARLY AS PRACTICABLE ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS GOVERNING REGULAR ELECTIONS.
>> I MOVE TO ACCEPT SECTION 11.02, SPECIAL ELECTIONS AS IS.
[00:30:02]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, SECOND BY MISS CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES, WITH THAT WE CAN VOTE?
>> IT SPECIFIES CITY COUNCIL BY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION.
IS THERE SUCH A THING IN PLACE OR EXISTENCE AT THIS TIME REGARDING SPECIAL ELECTIONS?
>> I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE AN ORDINANCE.
YOU HAVE TO CALL ELECTIONS VIA ORDINANCE USUALLY.
YEAH. DOES THAT ANSWER THE QUESTION? NO.
>> HAS TO BE IN PLACE AT THE TIME.
SOUNDS LIKE WE PUT THIS ORDINANCE IN PLACE FOR SPECIAL ELECTION.
>> SORRY. I WAS ANSWERING DIRECTLY.
>> I SENSE ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE AT THE TIME THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS READY. IS THAT WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING?
>> YEAH. THERE'S DEADLINE WHICH WE CAN CALL THE ELECTION.
IT'S DONE VIA ORDINANCE MOST OF THE TIME.
SO YEAH, IT'S JUST THAT'S THE METHOD FOR CALLING THE ELECTION.
NEXT SECTION IS SECTION 11.03, REGULATION OF ELECTIONS.
ALL CITY ELECTIONS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT THE CLERKS, JUDGES, AND OTHER ELECTION OFFICIALS AND SHALL PROVIDE FOR THEIR COMPENSATION AND OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED IN HOLDING SET ELECTION.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR QUESTIONS FOR SECTION 11.03?
>> MOTION, WE ACCEPT SECTION 11.03, REGULATION OF ELECTIONS AS IS.
PASSES 9, 0. OUR NEXT SECTION IS SECTION 11.04, CANDIDATES FILING FOR OFFICE.
ANY QUALIFIED PERSON AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 3.02 OF THIS CHARTER MAY MAKE AN APPLICATION TO HAVE HIS OR HER NAME PLACED ON THE OFFICIAL BALLOT FOR THE POSITION OF A MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICE.
THE APPLICATION SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND SHALL STATE THAT THE CANDIDATE AGREES TO SERVE IF QUALIFIED AND ELECTED.
EACH CANDIDATE SHALL EXECUTE SUCH OATH AND OTHER OFFICIAL FORM OF AFFIDAVIT AS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL REVIEW THE APPLICATION AND NOTIFY THE CANDIDATES WHETHER OR NOT THE APPLICATION SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CHARTER AND THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
IF AN APPLICATION IS INSUFFICIENT, THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL RETURN IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CANDIDATE WITH A STATEMENT OF SUCH INSUFFICIENCY.
THE CANDIDATE MAY FILE A NEW APPLICATION WITHIN THE REGULAR TIME FOR FILING APPLICATIONS.
THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL KEEP ON FILE ALL APPLICATIONS FOUND SUFFICIENT AT LEAST UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR WHICH SUCH A CANDIDATE FILED.
WITH THAT OPEN FOR ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 11.04.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS BECAUSE TO BE APPOINTED TO A BOARD OR COMMISSION, YOU HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS.
BUT IT DOESN'T STATE THAT HERE THAT IT JUST SAYS ANY QUALIFIED PERSON.
>> THAT'S COVERED IN 3.02 SECTION.
>> MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT UP ON 3.02 BECAUSE WE SET THE AGE LIMIT AT 21 AND NOT 18.
>> I LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF OTHER CHARTS, AND THEY LISTED IT AS 18.
>> IT'S GOT TO BE AT LEAST 18.
>> YES. IT'S A MIXED BAG 18 VERSUS 21.
ANY OPEN THOUGHTS 18 WHILE IT'S IN THERE.
>> I DEFINITELY THINK IT'S WORTH BRINGING BACK TO DISCUSS WHEN WE COME BACK TO 3.02, BECAUSE WE'LL BRING ALL THOSE BACK FOR US TO DISCUSS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 11.04?
BUT I GUESS IT MAY BE 3.02 AS WELL BECAUSE I WANT TO ADD ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AROUND A FILING FEE.
CAN THAT BE PLACED HERE OR WE GOT TO BRING THAT BACK TO 3.02?
>> I WOULD PROBABLY PUT THE IF YOU WANT THE FILING FEE, I'D PROBABLY DO IT IN THIS SECTION.
>> YEAH. MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS SECTION IS PART OF FOR ELECTED CITY, CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTIVE CITY OFFICE SHALL FILE FOR OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
EACH CANDIDATE'S APPLICATION FOR A PLACE ON THE BALLOT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY NON REFUNDABLE FILING FEE OF $100, OR IN LIEU OF THE PAYMENT, A FILING FEE,
[00:35:03]
A PETITION SIGNED BY NO LESS THAN 50 QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OR ONE HALF OF 1% OF THE TOTAL VOTES RECEIVED IN THE CITY BY ALL CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR AND THE MOST RECENT MAYOR ELECTION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.I THINK THIS GOES BACK TO YOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT JUST PUT THEMSELVES ON THE BALLOT FOR NO REASON.
IT PROHIBITS THAT FROM JUST IF I'M HAVING A BAD DAY, AND I WANT TO GO AGAINST YOU ON A BALLOT THROW MY NAME ON FACEBOOK.
> STAY IN THE GAME. I THINK MY REQUESTS, I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO EMAIL THAT TO RANK.
[LAUGHTER] I DIDN'T CATCH ALL THAT.
>> THAT WAS AN OFFICIAL MOTION. YES, MA'AM.
>> WELL, WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY MR. MARK CRISWELL, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY MAXINE ELLIS WITH THAT WE CAN VOTE. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS? [LAUGHTER] FOR THE RECORD, THAT WAS A NO, SO WE CAN VOTE.
ALLISON JUST WANTS TO GIVE YOU A HARD TIME, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT.
>> SHE WANTS TO KEEP US ON OUR TOES.
>> WE HAVE EIGHT ON THE RECORD SO FAR.
>> THAT RECOMMENDATION IS ACCEPTED 90.
>> ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 11.04? WE CAN MOVE ON.
THE NEXT SECTION IS SECTION 11.05 OFFICIAL BALLOT.
THE ORDER OF THE NAMES OF THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE CITY SECRETARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES SET OUT IN THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
THE NAME OF EACH CANDIDATE SEEKING AN ELECTIVE OFFICE, EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE WITHDRAWN, DIED OR BECOME INELIGIBLE PRIOR TO THE TIME PERMITTED FOR WITHDRAWAL SHALL BE PRINTED ON THE OFFICIAL BALLOT AND THE NAME DESIGNATED BY THE CANDIDATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
EARLY VOTING SHALL BE CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR QUESTIONS FOR SECTION 11.05?
>> I'VE A QUESTION. WHAT IS THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE ON THE ORDER OF HOW THEY'RE LISTED?
>> YOU BASICALLY DRAW LOTS OR DRAW NAMES.
AMBER CAN PROBABLY ELABORATE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, BUT ESSENTIALLY YOU DRAW NAMES IN WHATEVER ORDER THAT IS HOW IT'S LISTED ON THE BALLOT.
>> IS IT DONE IN A PUBLIC TYPE FORM?
>> THANK YOU. THEN I MOTION WE ACCEPT SECTION 11.05.
>> SORRY. I'M MR. ADDITION TODAY. I'M SORRY.
>> IT'S JUST REAL, JUST A NAMING ISSUE AS WE GROW.
WE MAY RUN INTO MORE SMITHS, JOHNSON'S, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I WANTED TO ADD IN THERE IF TWO OR MORE CANDIDATES HAVE THE SAME SURNAME, THEIR RESIDENT ADDRESS SHALL BE PRINTED WITH THEIR NAMES ON THE BALLOT.
TO ME, THAT'S IF I'M TRYING TO THROW.
>> YES. HERE'S THE REASON WHY IF MYSELF AND MAXINE ARE SPOUSES AND WE HAVE THE SAME LAST NAME AND WE'RE TRYING TO LOAD THE BALLOT, I CAN PUT MY NAME, SHE CAN PUT HER NAME, AND WE CAN GET MORE VOTES TO GET TERRANCE OUT VERSUS IF TWO REAL PEOPLE KNOW THAT NO, THEY LIVE IN THE SAME ADDRESS, THEY'RE TRYING TO THROW THE BALLOT.
>> IT'S ANOTHER ONE I HAVE TO LOOK INTO.
>> YEAH, I'D HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT.
I THINK IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND THEN I'LL COME BACK WITH MORE INFORMATION.
>> I THINK MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE THE LEGALITY OF, GRANTED, YES, ADDRESSES ARE PUBLIC INFORMATION, BUT ACTUALLY PUBLICIZING SOMEBODY'S ADDRESS.
>> I WILL SAY YOUR ADDRESS IS PART OF THE PART OF THE ELECTION CODE, THE APPLICATION TO FILE.
>> WELL THEN IT IS PUBLIC RECORD.
>> AS FAR AS ADDING THAT ON THE BALLOT OR LOGISTICS WITH THE COUNTY, WE'D HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT MORE, BUT I THINK.
>> ARE YOU PULLING THAT FROM A ANOTHER CHARTER?
>> JAISEN RUTLEDGE, HOW DO YOU KNOW ME, MAN?
>> I DON'T KNOW, GRANT. I STILL WORTH LOOKING INTO, BUT, PROBABLY A GOOD CHEER.
>> IT'S MORE OF AGAIN, AS WE GROW, AS THINGS START GETTING MORE STICKY, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE A GOOD ENOUGH SIZED CITY WHERE PEOPLE KNOW EACH OTHER.
BUT ONCE WE GET TO A CERTAIN SIZE, THAT KNOWING SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GO AWAY.
>> OH, YEAH. THAT WAS A MOTION.
[00:40:01]
>> SECOND. THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
>> THAT PASSES 90. ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 11.05? MOVING ON TO SECTION 11.06, CANVASSING AND ELECTION RESULTS READS RETURNS OF EVERY MUNICIPAL ELECTION SHALL BE DELIVERED FORTHWITH BY THE ELECTION JUDGES TO THE CITY SECRETARY WITH A COPY OF THE RETURNS BEING SENT TO THE MAYOR.
THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL CANVASS THE RETURNS AND DECLARE THE OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE ELECTION AS PROVIDED BY THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 11.06?
>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 11.06 AS WRITTEN.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MISS CAROLYN GRAVES AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY MISS GUERRERO, AND WE WILL MOVE TO VOTE. THAT PASSAGE 90.
>> I'M GOING TO DEFER TO THE VICE CHAIR READ.
SECTION 11.07 COUNCIL DISTRICT COMMISSION.
FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THIS CHARTER, BUT NOT LATER THAN JULY 1ST, 2029, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT TO DISTRICT AND COMMISSION COMPRISED OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF PRINCETON, WHICH SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SETTING OF BOUNDARIES FOR, SORRY, JUST SO MUCH TO READ.
SETTING BOUNDARIES FOR THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SEATS FOUR, FIVE, SIX, AND SEVEN.
APPOINTEES TO THE COMMISSION MAY NOT HOLD ANY OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICE FOR THE CITY OR ANOTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR SERVICE, EACH MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OTHER THAN THE MAYOR, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO NOMINATE AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION WHOSE APPOINTMENTS SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON RATIFICATION BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE.
ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY RULES ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, FOLLOWING THEIR APPOINTMENT, AND BEFORE THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE FOR THE CITY OFFICES CORRESPONDING TO THE NOVEMBER 2030 UNIFORM ELECTION DATE.
THE COMMISSION SHALL DIVIDE THE TERRITORY IN WHICH THE CITY'S VOTERS RESIDE INTO FOUR DISTRICTS AND ASSIGN ONE SUCH DISTRICT TO EACH THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT SEATS, EACH TO CONTAIN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF TOTAL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING NON VOTERS.
VARIATIONS OF DISTRICT SIZE CORRESPONDING TO LESS THAN 100 RESIDENTS SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLIANT WITH THIS SECTION.
THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE REFERENCE TO THE NUMBER OF OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS, AND SHALL INCLUDE CONSIDERATIONS OF FACTORS SUCH AS OCCUPANCY RATES REPORTED BY PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH THE DISTRICTING PROCESS.
IF THE COMMISSION USES A MATHEMATICAL FACTOR TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS AS PART OF ITS DRAWING OF DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, IT SHALL APPLY THE SAME VALUE TO ALL OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS OF THE SAME TYPE, SINGLE FAMILY, DUPLEX, APARTMENTS, ET CETERA.
THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S TERRITORY, THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT, INCLUDING A DIAGRAM OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND SUBMIT THE SAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RATIFICATION AND USE IN ELECTING THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT SEATS THEREAFTER.
THEN SHALL DISSOLVE HAVING COMPLETED THIS FUNCTION.
THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT A NEW DISTRICT AND COMMISSION TO CONSIDER ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT REVISED BOUNDARIES FOR ALL SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT SEATS EVERY EIGHT YEARS THEREAFTER, SUCH THAT THE FIRST REVISED DISTRICT BOUNDARIES WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED PRIOR TO THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE FOR THE NOVEMBER 2038 ELECTION.
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER WHETHER THE NEW DISTRICT BOUNDARIES ARE APPROPRIATE TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE THE OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS BETWEEN THE FOUR SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS.
EACH SUBSEQUENT COMMISSION SHALL EXAMINE THE CITY'S DISTRICT MAP COMPARED WITH THE UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS AS SET FORTH ABOVE, SPECIFY WHICH DISTRICTS CORRESPOND TO WHICH COUNCIL SEATS AND MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT WHICH INCLUDES A DIAGRAM OF REVISED DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
SAID REPORT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR RATIFICATION AND USE IN ALL CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS WITH THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES OCCURRING AFTER THE DATE THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED, OR UNTIL AGAIN, REVISED BY A SUBSEQUENT DISTRICTING COMMISSION.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME. THIS WAS SOMETHING WE ADDED IN THE ORIGINAL HRC.
>> JUST FOR AGAIN, SOME OF US PEOPLE THAT JUST BARELY MADE IT THROUGH POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
[00:45:04]
IF THE COMMISSION USES A MATHEMATICAL FACTOR TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS AS PART OF ITS DRAWING OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, IT SHALL APPLY THE SAME VALUE TO ALL OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS OF THE SAME TYPE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?>> LIKE TWO ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN.
>> I LIKE TO ADD TO THAT, LIKE FOR AN APARTMENT BUILDING.
ALL APARTMENT BUILDINGS SHOULD HAVE THAT SAME MATHEMATICAL EQUATION.
ALL TOWNHOUSES SHOULD ALSO BE HAVE THAT SAME MATH APPLIED TO IT THROUGHOUT.
>> IF THEY WERE TO AVERAGE EACH APARTMENT UNIT, THEY AVERAGED OUT TO FOUR OCCUPANTS.
THEN YOU'RE GOING TO APPLY THE SAME EQUATION TYPE.
>> SAME THING. EXACTLY. EVERY APARTMENT TYPE.
THAT WAS THE POINT BEHIND THIS BECAUSE WE HAD A VERY LONG DISCUSSION ON HOW TO FORM THESE DISTRICTS.
AT ONE POINT, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WALKING AND KNOCKING ON DOOR.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THAT IT'S ALREADY IN THE CHARTER, BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO ENCOUNTER FOR THE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.
UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE GLARING, MY OPINION WOULD BE JUST TO WAIT UNTIL THE COMMISSION IS FORMED TO SEE HOW IT GOES RIGHT NOW IT'D BE A LITTLE BIT PREMATURE TO ADMIT THIS SECTION, IN MY OPINION.
>> BECAUSE WE EVEN TALKED ABOUT WATER METERS AND ALL SORTS OF MAILBOXES.
>> I MOTION WE ACCEPT IT SECTION 11.07 COUNCIL DISTRICTING COMMISSION AS IS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY MR. SKYLER SMITH WITH THAT WE CAN VOTE.
THAT PASSES 90. THAT OFFICIALLY CLOSES OUT CHAPTER 11.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM H.52025-187,
[H.5 2025-187 Review Chapter 12 (“Initiative, Referendum and Recall ”) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Princeton, Texas; consider any recommendations for amendments thereto; and take appropriate action. ]
REVIEW CHAPTER 12, INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS.CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS THERETO AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
THAT STARTS US OFF WITH SECTION 12.01 OF CHAPTER 12.
POWER OF INITIATIVE IS THE TITLE, THE SECTION READS, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY RESERVE THE POWER TO DIRECT LEGISLATION BY INITIATIVE, AND IN THE EXERCISE OF SUCH POWER MAY PROPOSE ANY ORDINANCE NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE CHAPTER OR I START WITH THIS CHARTER OR STATE LAW, EXCEPT STATE LAW PROHIBITS INITIATIVE FOR AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEY OR AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF TAXES, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SORRY, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEY OR LEVYING TAXES OR AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEY OR LEVYING TAXES.
ANY INITIATED ORDINANCE MAY BE SUBMITTED BY A PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST 300 REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY OR THE REGISTERED CITY'S VOTERS EQUAL IN THE NUMBER TO AT LEAST 25% OF THE NUMBER OF CITY VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS IN THE MOST RECENT REGULAR CITY ELECTION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
SET PETITION SHALL BE FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE FILING OF AN AFFIDAVIT WITH THE SECRETARY INDICATING THE INTENTION TO CIRCULATE A PETITION.
ANY QUESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THAT SECTION.
>> THIS ONE IS PRETTY BORDER PLATE.
I'VE CHECKED IN OTHER CHARTERS, AND IT WAS BASICALLY LIKE VERBATIM ALL OVER SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO LEAVE SECTION 12.0 AS IS.
>> WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION BY MR. TERRANCE JOHNSON AND A SECOND BY MISS CAROLYN GRAVES THAT WE CAN MOVE ON TO VOTE.
THAT PASSES 90. SECTION 12.02 POWERS OF REFERENDUM.
THAT SECTION READS, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY RESERVE THE POWER TO APPROVE OR REJECT AT THE POLLS, ANY LEGISLATION ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO THE INITIATIVE PROCESS UNDER THIS CHARTER WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE FINAL ADOPTION OR PUBLICATION, WHICHEVER DATE IS LATER.
OF ANY ORDINANCE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO REFERENDUM, A PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST 300 REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY OR BY REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY EQUAL IN NUMBER TO AT LEAST 25% OF THE NUMBER OF CITY VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS IN THE MOST RECENT REGULAR CITY ELECTION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
AN AFFIDAVIT OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE A PETITION,
[00:50:03]
REQUESTING THAT A SPECIFIC ORDINANCE BE EITHER REPEALED OR SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE MAY BE FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY.SET PETITION SHALL BE FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE FILING OF AN AFFIDAVIT WITH THE SECRETARY INDICATING A INTENTION TO CIRCULATE A PETITION.
WHEN SUCH A PETITION HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AS SUFFICIENT BY THE CITY SECRETARY, THE ORDINANCE SO SPECIFIES IN THE PETITION SHALL NOT GO INTO EFFECT, OR FURTHER ACTION SHALL BE SUSPENDED IF IT SHALL HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT UNTIL AND UNLESS IT IS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AS HEREIN PROVIDED.
>> THIS IS BASICALLY BOILER PLATE THAT IS SAME EVERYWHERE.
I MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.02 AS IS.
>> WE HAVE MOTION BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, SECOND BY MR. SKYLER SMITH, AND WE ARE VOTING.
WE HAVE EIGHT ON THE RECORD SO FAR.
NEXT SECTION IS SECTION 12.03, FORM A PETITION FOR INITIATIVE, RECALL, AND REFERENDUM.
ALL PETITION PAPER CIRCULATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM SHALL BE UNIFORM IN SIZE AND STYLE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PETITION REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
FOR PURPOSES OF ALL PETITIONS, THE REFERENCES TO A QUALIFIED VOTER FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY TO SIGN A PETITION MEANS REGISTERED VOTER, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY STATE LAW, SIGNER SHALL INSCRIBE THEIR SIGNATURES IN INK OR INDELIBLE PENCIL AND INCLUDE WITH THEIR SIGNATURES THE DATE OF SIGNING, ALLEGEDLY PRINTED VERSION OF THEIR LEGAL NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBER, AND THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE BY STREET AND NUMBER OR OTHER DESCRIPTION SUFFICIENTLY TO IDENTIFY THE RESIDENTS OF THE PERSON AS WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE TERRITORY.
THE SIGNATURE IS THE ONLY INFORMATION WHICH IS REQUIRED TO APPEAR ON THE PETITION IN THE SIGNER'S OWN HANDWRITING.
EACH PAGE OF THE PETITION CONTAINING SIGNATURES, MUST HAVE A CORRESPONDING AFFIDAVIT OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PERSONALLY CIRCULATED THAT PAPER, ATTESTING THAT IT BEARS A STATE NUMBER, I'M SORRY, A STATED NUMBER OF SIGNATURES A FIXED ONLY DURING THE APPROPRIATE CIRCULATION PERIOD, AND THAT ALL SIGNATURES WERE APPENDED THERE TOO IN THEIR PRESENCE AND THAT THE CIRCULATION BELIEVES THEM TO BE GENUINE SIGNATURES OF THE PERSONS WHOSE NAMES THEY PURPORT TO BE.
ANY QUESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS ON SECTION 12.03?
>> DOES THE CITY HAVE A STANDARDIZED FORM?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION FOR FRANK OR MAYBE AMBER.
>> I'LL DEFER TO AMBER. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A FORM.
THERE'S JUST REQUIREMENTS THAT WE CHECK FOR IT TO MAKE SURE.
>> IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS RIGHT, I JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE AND STYLE.
>> YEAH. IT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ELECTION CODE, EITHER YOUR NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, RESIDENCE?
>> I FELT LIKE IT'S LIGHT, BUT I DON'T THINK I HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO ADD UNLESS I CAN GET SOME LEGAL GUIDANCE.
>> I THINK THERE IS A FORM BECAUSE WE USED IT IN OUR HOA AT ONE POINT.
>> THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE A SPECIFIC FORM, BUT THERE IS A FORM THAT THEY CAN.
>> WELL, IF THERE'S A FORM, MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE ADD IT AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CHARTER, SO A REASONABLE, PRUDENT PERSON CAN PULL THE CHARTER AND KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO FILL OUT.
>> LIKE THE LINK TO THE FORM, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
>> THE FORM ITSELF, SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PURSUE.
>> IS THAT A GENERIC FORM OR ONE BY THE CITY? ONE DRAFTED BY THE CITY.
>> THE GENERIC FORM THAT STATE DESIGN.
>> MY CONCERN WITH THAT WOULD BE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE. WE DON'T KNOW THAT IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO ATTACH, LIKE THE IMAGE OF THE FORM.
>> TEXAS COUNTY OF UNDERLINE I, MARK CRISWELL, AND THERE HAS TO BE A BLANKET [INAUDIBLE].
>> BECAUSE THIS IS REFERENCING BOTH SIZE AND STYLE.
>> BECAUSE IF WE CAN REFERENCE SIZE AND STYLE, WE GOT TO BE ABLE TO REFERENCE WORDING AS WELL, TOO.
>> MY CONCERN IS THAT, AGAIN, WE DON'T OWN THAT DOCUMENT, SO IT'LL CHANGE.
>> I THINK YOU CAN MAYBE PUT SOMETHING IN THERE LIKE, POINTING BACK TO THE FORM ADOPTED BY THE TEXAS ELECTION COMMISSION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE THAT FORM AS LONG AS IT MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, BUT THERE IS A TEMPLATE FORM THAT YOU CAN, YEAH, I AGREE WITH HAVING A LINK.
>> I THINK A LINK WOULD BE GOOD TO THE FORM.
[00:55:03]
>> AGAIN, I DEAL WITH THIS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THAT LINK IS GREAT UNTIL THAT WEBSITE AGES, CORRECT? THEN THAT LINK NO LONGER IS VALID, SO I'D RATHER POINT TO WHERE YOU'D FIND THAT, BASICALLY SAY IT'S ON THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE SITE OR POINT TO THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE, WHICH I THINK WE MAY HAVE DONE HERE A LITTLE BIT.
MAYBE WE CAN ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL AROUND THAT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO BE COGNIZANT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO ADD A FORM THAT CAN BE OUTDATED VISUALLY AND A LINK THAT COULD END UP BEING WRONG BECAUSE THEN NOW WE HAVE INCORRECT INFORMATION IN THE CHARTER ITSELF.
>> THAT'S TRUE. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW LINKS AND STUFF CHANGE CONSTANTLY.
>> JUST AS AN EXAMPLE OF MY JOB, I HAVE A POLICY THAT I'M WORKING WITH THAT HAS SEVEN LINKS IN IT THAT ARE BROKEN.
IT'S A POLICY OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
WE SEND IT OUT ON A CONSISTENT BASIS.
IT DOESN'T PUT US IN A GREAT SPOT WHEN THE INFORMATION POINT IS NOT VALID ANYMORE.
>> I GUESS MAYBE I'M LEADING MORE TOWARDS THE PETITION BY OATH SHOULD HAVE A STANDARD PARAGRAPH, AND YOUR PETITION ITSELF IS YOUR OWN WORDING.
>> WHEN YOU GOOGLE A FORMER PETITION, COUNTY OF COLLIN, STATE OF TEXAS, STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF UNDERLINE, I MARK CRISWELL, BEING FIRST DULY SWORN, ON OATH TO POSE AND SAY THAT I AM ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE ABOVE DECISION.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, A VERY BLANKET.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED HERE TO HELP THE CITY, NOT HAVE TO DENY SO MANY FORMS IF IT EVER COMES TO THAT POINT.
GIVEN SOMEBODY A TEMPLATE TO RUN WITH, TO HELP THE CITY MAYBE NOT HAVE TO REJECT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET IT DONE THE RIGHT WAY, THE RIGHT FORMAT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> MY THOUGHT ON THAT IS IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH WANTING TO DO A PETITION ON SOMETHING, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE IT'S RIGHT. IS MY POINT.
>> THAT CAN HELP OUR RESIDENTS. [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF I WAS ELECTED OFFICIAL, I WANT TO HELP THE RESIDENTS.
I'M JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE. I'M UNELECTED.
>> I'M GOOD. IF NOBODY ELSE IS GOOD, IT WON'T BE A MOTION.
>> GOT YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> I'LL TEND A MOTION FOR SECTION 12.03.
>> IF NOTHING ELSE, I WOULD MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.03 AS WRITTEN.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, AND WE ARE VOTING.
PASSES 90. SECTION 12.04, FILING EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF PETITIONS.
ALL PAPERS COMPRISING A PETITION FOR INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM SHALL BE ASSEMBLED AND FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY AS ONE INSTRUMENT.
WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE PETITION IS FILED, THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER EACH PAPER OF THE PETITION HAS A PROPER STATEMENT OF THE CIRCULATOR AND WHETHER THE PETITION HAS BEEN SIGNED BY SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS AND SHALL HOLD ANY PETITION PAPER ENTIRELY INVALID, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ATTACHED TO THE STATEMENT SIGNED BY THE CIRCULATOR THEREOF.
THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL CERTIFY THE RESULT OF THIS EXAMINATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
IF THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL CERTIFY THAT, THE PETITION IS INSUFFICIENT, THE CERTIFICATE SHALL SPECIFY THE PARTICULARS IN WHICH IT IS DEFECTIVE AND SHALL AT ONCE NOTIFY IN WRITING THE PERSON FILING THE PETITION OF THIS FINDING.
A PETITION MAY BE AMENDED AT ANY TIME WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER A NOTICE OF INSUFFICIENCY HAS BEEN SENT BY THE CITY SECRETARY BY FILING ONE SUPPLEMENTARY PETITION.
IN SUCH EVENT, THE SAME PROCEDURES SHALL THEN BE FOLLOWED BY THE CITY SECRETARY AND THE CITY COUNCIL AS IN THE CASE OF THE ORIGINAL PETITION FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR QUESTIONS?
>> MOVE TO ACCEPT SECTION 12.04 AS WRITTEN.
>> WITH THAT, WE HAVE A SECOND BY MR. CRISWELL.
>> FIRST BY MARK, A SECOND BY MISS. CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY MR. CRISWELL. THANK YOU.
AND A SECOND BY MRS. CAROLYN DAVE GRACE. WE'RE VOTING.
>> HOW DID I EVER MAKE IT TO THE HRC COMMITTEE?
>> I KNOW. SOMEBODY DIDN'T VOTE. CAROLYN.
>> PASSES 90. OUR NEXT SECTION, I NEED SOME WATER.
SECTION 12.05 COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AND SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES AN AUTHORIZED INITIATIVE PETITION
[01:00:04]
CERTIFIED BY THE CITY SECRETARY TO BE SUFFICIENT, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL EITHER, A, PASS THE INITIATED ORDINANCE WITHOUT AMENDMENT WITHIN 20 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE CERTIFICATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OR B, SUBMIT THE INITIATED ORDINANCE WITHOUT AMENDMENT TO A VOTE OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON A UNIFORM ELECTION DATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.BUT NOT LESS THAN 90 DAYS FROM THE DATE THAT THE CITY SECRETARY CERTIFIES THE SUBMISSION TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES AN AUTHORIZED REFERENDUM PETITION CERTIFIED BY THE CITY SECRETARY TO BE SUFFICIENT, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL RECONSIDER THE REFERRED ORDINANCE.
IF UPON SUCH RECONSIDERATION, SUCH ORDINANCE IS NOT REPEALED, IT SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON A UNIFORM ELECTION DATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT NOT LESS THAN 90 DAYS FROM THE DATE THAT THE CITY SECRETARY CERTIFIES THE SUBMISSION TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
SPECIAL ELECTION ON INITIATED OR REFERRED ORDINANCES SHALL NOT BE HELD MORE FREQUENTLY THAN ONCE EACH SIX MONTHS, AND NO ORDINANCE ON THE SAME SUBJECT AS AN INITIATED ORDINANCE WHICH HAS BEEN DEFEATED AT ANY ELECTION MAY BE INITIATED BY THE VOTERS WITHIN TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF SUCH ELECTION.
ANY QUESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 12.05?
>> JUST A QUESTION. THE ONLY STOP GAP I SEE IS WHAT'S THE QUALIFICATION BETWEEN IT BEING CERTIFIED BY THE CITY SECRETARY? WHERE'S THE TIME FRAME? I TURN IT IN TODAY. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE HER?
>> NOT LESS THAN THE BELIEVE IT 30 DAYS [OVERLAPPING].
>> WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PETITION FURTHER, THE SECRETARY SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER EACH PAPER PETITION IS A PROPER STATEMENT OF THE CIRCULAR AND WHETHER THE PETITION HAS BEEN SIGNED BY SUBMISSION OF NUMBERS THAT ATTACHED IN THE SAME.
YES. SHE CERTIFIED THAT I TURNED IN THE RIGHT PAPERWORK.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE HER TO CERTIFY IT?
>> WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE PETITION IS FILED.
CITY ACTUALLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER EACH PAPER OF THE PETITION HAS A PROPER STATEMENT BLAH BLAH.
MAYBE I'M JUST READING THE WORDS WRONG.
WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES AN AUTHORIZED INITIATIVE.
HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE THE SECRETARY TO GIVE IT TO THE COUNCIL? MAYBE THAT'S MY QUESTION. [BACKGROUND]
>> I THINK IT WAS 12.04. CITY SECRETARY HAS 30 DAYS, AND THEN ONCE IT'S DETERMINED, MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS, IT SAYS THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
I THINK I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION? SECOND.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MOTION BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY MR. CRISWELL. WITH THAT WE'RE VOTING.
THAT PASSES 90. SECTION 12.06 BALLOT FORM AND RESULTS OF ELECTION.
ORDINANCES SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PROVISIONS OF THIS CHARTER SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY THE BALLOT TITLE WHICH SHALL CONTAIN A CLEAR, CONCISE STATEMENT WITHOUT ARGUMENT OF THE SUBSTANCE OF SUCH ORDINANCE.
THE BALLOT YOU SHALL HAVE BELOW THE BALLOT TITLE, THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITION ONE ABOVE THE OTHER IN THE ORDER INDICATED.
FOR THE ORDINANCE AND AGAINST THE ORDINANCE, ANY NUMBER OF ORDINANCES MAY BE VOTED ON AT THE SAME ELECTION AND MAY BE SUBMITTED ON THE SAME BALLOT.
IF A MAJORITY OF ELECTORS VOTING ON A PROPOSED INITIATED ORDINANCE SHALL VOTE IN FAVOR THEREOF, IT SHALL THEREUPON BECOME AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY.
A REFERRED ORDINANCE WHICH IS NOT APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE ELECTORS VOTING THEREON SHALL BE THEREUPON, BE DEEMED REPEALED.
IF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES ARE APPROVED BY THE ELECTORS AT THE SAME ELECTION, THE ONE RECEIVING THE GREATEST NUMBER OF AFFIRMATIVE VOTES SHALL PREVAIL TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT.
>> IF NO QUESTIONS, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.06 AS WRITTEN.
[01:05:04]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY MISS CAROLYN GRAVES, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, WE'RE VOTING. THAT PASSES 90.
>> SECTION 12.07, POWER OF RECALL.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY RESERVE THE POWER TO RECALL THE MAYOR OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAY EXERCISE SUCH POWER BY FILING WITH THE CITY SECRETARY OF PETITION SIGNED BY QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY, EQUAL IN THE NUMBER OF AT LEAST 400 REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY, OR THE REGISTERED CITY VOTERS EQUAL IN THE NUMBER TO AT LEAST 25% OF THE NUMBER OF CITY VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS IN THE MOST RECENT REGULAR CITY ELECTION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, DEMANDING THE REMOVAL OF THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE PETITION SHALL BE SIGNED AND VERIFIED IN THE MANNER AND WITHIN THE TIME RESTRICTIONS REQUIRED FOR AN INITIATIVE PETITION SHALL CONTAIN A GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE REMOVAL WAS SOUGHT AND ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF EACH PETITION PAPER SHALL MAKE AN AFFIDAVIT THAT THE STATEMENTS MADE THEREIN ARE TRUE.
IN THE CASE OF AN OFFICIAL WHO WAS ELECTED FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE VOTERS RESIDING WITHIN A PARTICULAR SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT, ONLY THOSE SIGNATURES FROM THE PERSON QUALIFIED TO VOTE FOR THE OFFICIAL TARGETED BY THE RECALL AS THE RESIDENTS OF THE CORRESPONDING SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT AT THE TIME OF THEIR MOST RECENT ELECTION, AND WHO REMAIN REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY AT THE TIME THE RECALL PETITION WAS CIRCULATED, SHALL BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED TO TRIGGER A RECALL ELECTION.
SECTION 12.07, ANY QUESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> IT SAYS ONLY THEY'RE THE RESIDENTS CORRESPONDING WITH A SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT, BUT IT DOESN'T CLEARLY SAY WHAT NUMBER OR PERCENTAGE.
AM I READING THAT WRONG? IT SAYS 400 OR 25% OF THE CITY VOTERS, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY WHAT THE NUMBER IF IT IS IN THE DISTRICT.
IT SAYS ONLY THE DISTRICT MEMBERS CAN RECALL THE DISTRICT ELECTED OFFICIAL, AND ONLY THOSE VOTES WOULD BE COUNTED, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY WHAT PERCENTAGE OR WHAT NUMBER UNLESS I'M MISSING IT.
>> BUT IF WE'RE NOT IN DISTRICT YET, WOULD THAT REALLY APPLY?
>> I WAS JUST THINKING THIS IS ONE THAT'S JUST A TEE UP FOR WHEN WE START.
>> JUST TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHEN WE CURVE THE DISTRICTS OUT, RIGHT NOW, IT'S EASY.
05,000 PEOPLE VOTE, GOT TO BE 25%, 17/50, ONCE WE START CUTTING AND REZONING, WE'LL PROBABLY STILL LEAN ON THE 25% NUMBER.
NO. YOU HAVE A SMALL DISTRICT THAT WILL HAVE TO HIT 400.
BUT IT'S SAY IN BOTH, WE RECALL MAYOR.
IS THIS, IF WE RECALL CITY COUNCIL SEAT, IS THAT AS WELL?
>> I'M READING AS IF YOU CITY WANT TO GET IT GOING, AND THEN ONLY THE DISTRICT CAN VOTE WELL.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT I'M READING THIS.
>> EVEN IF MY DISTRICT IS THE SMALL BABY DISTRICT.
I STILL GOT STILL GOT TO HAVE THE 25% [OVERLAPPING].
>> SAFEGUARD IN ORDER TO EVEN GET IT TO A RECALL FOR YOUR DISTRICT, YOU NEED TO MEET A REQUIREMENT TO DO SO.
>> IT DOES. IT JUST DOESN'T SAY WHAT THE REQUIREMENT IS.
WE DON'T HAVE TO ADDRESS IT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE NOT IN DISTRICTS, BUT IT WOULD JUST BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO NOTE THAT THEY DON'T FORGET TO DO WHEN THEY DO GET INTO THE DISTRICTS LATER.
>> I AGREE WHEN I READ THROUGH, I HAD THE SAME COMMENT.
I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM FOR ANOTHER DAY, POTENTIALLY, BUT I WOULD SAY PROBABLY YOU GO BACK TO THE 25% [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WOULD AGREE. I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN, THIS PORTION OF THE CHARTER AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH BEFORE ABOUT THE DISTRICTING? THIS PORTION OF CHART IS WHOLE, AND THERE'S NO REASON TO TINKER WITH IT.
THIS ONE, I THINK WE FEEL LIKE THERE'S A GAP.
I HONESTLY FEEL IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMITTEE TO FIX THAT GAP AT THIS POINT.
>> THIS IS JUST FOR THE RECALL.
THIS IS NOT SAYING HOW THE VOTE WILL OCCUR.
>> WE COULD JUST A THOUGHT, DO WE WANT TO REMOVE THAT FOR NOW AND THEN READDRESS IT WHEN WE HAVE DISTRICTS IN PLACE? OR WE COULD JUST POP IN THE 25%.
>> THEN THEY CAN ADDRESS IT MORE SPECIFICALLY IF THEY NEED TO WHEN THEY GET TO THE ACTUAL DISTRICT.
[01:10:04]
I LIKE HAVING THE LANGUAGE IN HERE BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU REMOVE IT, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU CAN PUT IT BACK IN THERE [OVERLAPPING] WHEN THE DISTRICT COMES INTO PLAY.
BUT I DO THINK WE CAN GO A STEP FURTHER.
YOU WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE BIT AMBIGUOUS, IN MY OPINION.
>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A MOTION, ALLISON?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADD THAT SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS AT THE TIME. LET'S SEE.
VOTERS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD PUT IT, BUT TO ADD THE 25% REQUIREMENT FOR THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS NEEDED FOR REMOVAL OF THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE.
>> I THINK WE COULD PUT IT IN LINE 1, 02, 3, 4, 5, 6.
>> GRANT, YOU KNOW HOW TO PUT IN THE LEGAL JARK IN WITH IT?
>> I THINK I HAVE THE DIRECTION.
YOU ALL CAN SEE IT NEXT MEETING.
>> WE HAVE SEVEN ON RECORD SO FAR.
>> EIGHT ON RECORD SO FAR AND EIGHT MORE.
THAT COVERS US FOR SECTION 12.07, MOVING ON TO SECTION 12.08.
THIS SECTION IS TITLED RECALL ELECTION. IT READS.
ALL PAPERS COMPRISING A RECALL PETITION MUST CONFORM WITH THE SECTION 12.03 ABOVE AND BE ASSEMBLED AND FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY AS ONE INSTRUMENT.
WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE PETITION IS FILED, THE CITY SECRETARY SHALL DETERMINE IF SUFFICIENCY AND IF FOUND TO BE SUFFICIENT, SHALL CERTIFY THIS FACT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
IF A RECALL PETITION IS FOUND TO BE INSUFFICIENT, IT MAY BE AMENDED WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF SUCH INSUFFICIENCY BY THE CITY SECRETARY.
BY FILING ONE SUPPLEMENTAL PETITION, IN THAT EVENT, THE SAME PROCEDURE SHALL THEN BE FOLLOWED BY THE CITY SECRETARY AND THE CITY COUNCIL AS IN THE CASE OF AN ORIGINAL PETITION.
THE FINDING OF INSUFFICIENCY OF A RECALL PETITION SHALL NOT PREJUDICE THE FILING OF A NEW PETITION FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WHOSE REMOVAL IS SOUGHT BY A RECALL PETITION, MAY WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER SUCH PETITION HAS BEEN CERTIFIED AND PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL, REQUEST IN WRITING THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD TO PERMIT HIM OR HER TO PRESENT FACTS PERTINENT TO THE CHARGES SPECIFIED IN THE PETITION.
IN THIS EVENT, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL ORDER SUCH PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD NOT LESS THAN FIVE DAYS NOR MORE THAN 15 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING SUCH REQUESTS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHOSE REMOVAL IS SOUGHT DOES NOT RESIGN, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL ORDER OR RECALL ELECTION AND FIX A DATE FOR SUCH ELECTION.
THE DATE OF WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 90 DAYS FROM THE DATE THE POSITION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL OR FROM THE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING IF ONE WAS HELD, WHICHEVER IS LATER, OR AT THE EARLIEST DATE THEREAFTER PERMITTED BY THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR QUESTIONS FOR SECTION 120.8?
>> IN MOTION WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.08 AS IS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY MR. POWELL. WITH THAT, WE'RE VOTING.
BALLOTS USED IN A RECALL ELECTION SHALL READ AS FOLLOW.
SHALL FOR'S NAME OF PERSON OR PERSONS BE REMOVED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL BY RECALL BELOW? BELOW SUCH QUESTION THERE SHALL BE PRINTED THE FOLLOWING AS TO EACH PERSON NAMED FOR THE REMOVAL OF NAME OF PERSON AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF NAME OF PERSON.
I NOTICED THAT THIS IS TYPED IN ALL CAPS.
MIGHT BE A SILLY QUESTION, BUT DOES IT MEAN IT HAS TO BE TYPED IN ALL CAPS? [BACKGROUND] BUT NO, BECAUSE EVEN ON THE 12.06, IT WAS IN ALL CAPS.
DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE BOUT HAS TO BE IN ALL CAPS, OR, WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE ALL CAPS?
[01:15:02]
>> ARE YOU REFERRING TO JUST THE RECALL PORTION, BEING IN ALL CAPS, NOT THE NAME OF THE PERSON?
>> IN TODAY'S WORLD, WHEN YOU HAVE CAPS SCREAMING, BUT OLD SCHOOL IS JUST EMPHASIS.
I THINK IT'S JUST TO EMPHASIZE.
>> TYPICALLY THE BALLOT LANGUAGE IS IN ALL CAPS. [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING AT.
>> IF IT WAS, IT WOULDN'T AVOID THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF IT.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING AT. BECAUSE EVERY TIME I'VE SEEN A BALLOT AND YOU'RE VOTING FOR SOMETHING, IT'S IN ALL CAPS.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE'S A LEGALITY REGARDING THAT.
>> THAT'S TYPICALLY HOW IT IS.
>> I'LL ALSO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I WILL MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.09 AS IS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS AND A SECOND BY MR. POWELL. WE'RE VOTING.
SECTION 12.10, RESULTS OF A RECALL ELECTION.
IF A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST AT A RECALL ELECTION IS AGAINST REMOVAL OF THE MAYOR OR A COUNCIL MEMBER NAMED ON THE BALLOT.
THAT MEMBER SHALL CONTINUE IN OFFICE.
IF A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST AT SUCH ELECTION ARE FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE MAYOR OR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER NAMED, ON THE BALLOT, THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL IMMEDIATELY DECLARE THE OFFICE VACANT AND SUCH VACANCY SHALL BE FILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHARTER.
A MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THAT'S REMOVED IS DISQUALIFIED FROM CANDIDACY IN ANY SPECIAL ELECTION CALLED TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED.
ANY QUESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> WAS IT JUST PRINTED WITH THIS SPACE IN THE EDIT?
>> I MOVED TO ACCEPT 12.10 AS IS.
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. CRISWELL, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR ELLIS, WE'RE VOTING.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, REAL QUICK BEFORE WE MOVE ON.
AT THE VERY LAST SENTENCE, I KNOW WE JUST ADOPTED IT AS IT IS, BUT I JUST WANT TO CHIME IN REAL QUICK.
WHERE IT SAYS DISQUALIFIED FROM CANDIDACY, ANY SPECIAL ELECTION CALLED TO FILL THE VACANCY.
I WOULD ELABORATE ON THAT TOO.
DISQUALIFIED FROM ANY APPOINTMENT CONSIDERATION.
BECAUSE DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT IN THE TERM, IT MAY NOT BE FILLED BY SPECIAL ELECTION.
YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? THIS JUST SPEAKS TO SPECIAL ELECTION, NOT NECESSARILY THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING REAPPOINTED.
OBVIOUSLY, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO REAPPOINT SOMEONE WHO WAS JUST REMOVED BY RECALL ELECTION?
>> DO WE HAVE TO MAKE A NEW MOTION FOR THAT?
>> IF YOU GUYS WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE, I THINK IT'S OKAY AS IS, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL METHOD TO FILL THE VACANCY OUTSIDE OF JUST A SPECIAL ELECTION.
SPECIAL ELECTION IS ONLY IF THERE'S 12 MONTHS OR MORE REMAINING IN THE TERM.
IF IT'S LESS THAN THAT, IT'S VIA APPOINTMENT.
>> GOT YOU. WELL, WE REOPEN 12.10.
>> THAT WAS SO QUICK BEFORE I COULD CHIME IN.
>> I DO HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.
LET'S SAY SOMEONE DOES GET REMOVED.
I DON'T THINK I SAW IT IN THE OTHER SECTIONS.
DOES THAT THEN DISQUALIFY THEM, OR DO WE WANT TO SAY IT DISQUALIFIES THEM FOR A PERIOD OF X AMOUNT OF YEARS TO RUN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER POSITION? LET'S SAY FOR WHATEVER REASON A COUNCIL MEMBER GETS VOTED OFF, DO WE WANT TO SAY THEY CAN'T PUT THEIR NAME ON THE BALLOT AGAIN FOR FOUR, EIGHT, WHATEVER YEARS?
>> WOULDN'T THAT GO BACK TO ONE OF OUR PRIOR SECTIONS?
DOES THAT COVER THE NORMAL TERM LIMITS?
>> BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE COVERED DISQUALIFICATION.
I THINK IT WAS JUST GENERAL TERM LIMIT CONSIDERING THAT SECTION.
>> MAYBE WHEN WE GO BACK AND RE REVIEW, WE COULD..
>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, JOSE.
>> IS THERE ANY LEGAL STIPULATIONS FOR NOT ALLOWING SOMEONE TO RE-RUN FOR SOMETHING AFTER THEY'VE BEEN DISQUALIFIED?
>> NO. YOU JUST WERE REMOVED FROM OFFICE, I THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE ALREADY HAVE DISQUALIFICATION LANGUAGE HERE.
>> I GUESS, IT WOULD BE OPEN IF THEY WANTED TO RE RUN.
>> WITH YOUR LANGUAGE, GRANT, LET'S SAY, I GET RECALLED IN AT HALF OF MY FIRST TERM.
[01:20:02]
THAT MEANS MY FIRST TERM IS TECHNICALLY FULFILLED, IF I GET KICKED OUT, 3.03 ALLOWS ME TO RUN FOR A SECOND TERM.BUT IF YOUR LANGUAGE GOES IN THERE WON'T ALLOW ME TO RUN.
>> I GUESS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IS, IF THEY'RE REMOVED VIA RECALL, THIS LAST SENTENCE THAT THEY'RE DISQUALIFIED FROM BEING FILLED VIA SPECIAL ELECTION, IT DOESN'T CONTEMPLATE THE APPOINTMENT POSSIBILITY.
I KNOW THERE'S LIMITATIONS ON RECALL AND APPOINTMENTS IF IT'S LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, BUT THERE'S POTENTIALLY A CHANCE WHERE SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BETWEEN 6-12 MONTHS LEFT IN THEIR TERM, WHICH YOU WOULD FILL VIA APPOINTMENT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] HAS A CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE COUNCIL IS ABLE TO APPOINT SOMEONE. CORRECT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DO WE KNOW WHAT THE COST OF A RECALL ELECTION WOULD BE? [BACKGROUND]
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE AMEND THE VERBIAGE IN REGARDS TO THE SENTENCE THAT ADDRESSES A MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THUS REMOVED A DISQUALIFIED FROM CANDIDACY IN ANY SPECIAL ELECTION CALL TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED TO INCLUDE VERBIAGE, AS RECOMMENDED BY ATTORNEY LOWERY, TO ADDRESS NOT JUST A SPECIAL ELECTION, BUT APPOINTMENT AS WELL.
I'LL LEAVE IT TO HIM TO ADJUST THAT VERBIAGE.
>> THE MEASURE AIN'T CLEAR AGAIN. YOU VOTE ME OUT.
I CAN NOW NEVER BE APPOINTED AND NEVER RUN FOR ELECTION.
>> NO. JUST TO FILL THE REMAINDER OF THAT TERM.
>> CORRECT. YES. I MADE A MOTION.
SEVEN ON THE RECORD SO FAR. ONE MORE.
>> NINE ZERO. IT'S STILL OPEN.
YOU CAN STILL OFFER THAT WAS MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT ONE SECTION.
I KNOW JOSE WAS STILL THINKING THROUGH IT, SO HE STILL HAS THE ABILITY.
WE'RE STILL ON 12.10. IF ANYONE HAS ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OR AMENDMENTS, YOU STILL OFFER UP ANOTHER OPTION.
[BACKGROUND] CAN I GET YOU ON THE MIC, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
>> GOING BACK TO SECTION 9.04, I KNOW IT'S FOR THE CDC, AND I GUESS THE OTHERS AS WELL, IT TALKS ABOUT, IF YOU HOLD OFFICE.
>> CAROLYN I THINK WE GOT TO RUN THAT BACK WHEN WE COME BACK TO NINE.
BECAUSE WE ALREADY CLOSED NINE.
>> ARE YOU JUST REFERRING BACK TO THAT TO SPEAK TO 12? WERE YOU REFERRING TO NINE TO SPEAK TO SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO IN 12.10? [BACKGROUND]
>> NOT BEING ABLE TO HOLD OFFICE FOR A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO AMEND TO RECOMMEND THAT WE SAY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
>> I THINK SHE WAS REFERENCING SECTION 9.2 SPEAK TO AN AMENDMENT.
SHE WANTS TO MAKE SECTION 12.10 SECTION.
>> NO, I WAS SAYING BACK IN SECTION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO. SHE WANTS TO GO BACK TO 9 AND IT'S ALREADY CLOSED THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING WE CAN BRING IT BACK UP.
>> NO. THIS WAS JUST REFERENCING IN NINE THERE IS, TWO YEARS THAT SOMEONE HOLDING, SAY A COMMISSION CAN NOT HOLD OFFICE IN TEXAS FOR TWO YEARS.
I'M SAYING JUST TO BE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT WITH 12, WE CAN ADD THAT TIME PERIOD, JUST AMEND IT TO ADD A TIME PERIOD.
>> DOESN'T THAT FALL UNDER, FOR THE RE-ELECTION.
>> WOULDN'T THAT BE BACK IN THREE, FOR LIMITATIONS? I'M JUST NOT UNDERSTANDING. I'LL STOP.
>> SORRY, THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION.
AMEND TO SAY THAT THE PERSON, IF THEY'RE REMOVED, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RUN FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
THEY'LL BE BARRED FROM RUNNING FOR TWO YEARS.
HOWEVER, TO WHATEVER TERMINOLOGY YOU CAN PUT THERE, BUT JUST THE TIME PERIOD.
>> MY QUESTION ON THAT IS, DOES IT FALL UNDER THE SECTION 3.04 WITH THE TERM LIMITS AND THAT?
>> NO. SHE'S USING THAT AS A BASIS.
I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK THROUGH LOGISTICS BECAUSE TERMS ARE TYPICALLY FOUR YEARS.
[01:25:07]
IF I GET REMOVED MY FIRST YEAR AND MY TERM WAS GOING TO BE FOUR, I JUST BASICALLY HAVE TO SIT OUT THAT TERM AND I'D BE ABLE TO RUN AGAIN.>> I GUESS WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO CHANGING THAT TO SAY THAT THEY WOULD BE THEY WOULD BE, I GUESS, PROHIBITED TO RUN AGAIN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT TERM PLUS AN ADDITIONAL TERM?
>> THEY ALREADY CAN'T RUN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT TERM? BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY FILLED THE A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND IT ALREADY SAYS YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE JUST QUALIFIED.
BUT THE ADDING THE ADDITIONAL TERM.
SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS COULD POTENTIALLY DO.
>> HONESTLY, I'M FOR IT. I LIKE THAT IDEA.
I THINK IF YOU'RE REMOVED, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD SIT IT OUT FOR A WHILE.
IF YOU'RE REMOVED THE CHANCES OF YOU GETTING ELECTED AGAIN ARE GOING TO BE SLIM TO NONE.
WE STILL HAVE TO PUT IT IN WRITING. I'M FOR THAT.
>> YOU MADE A MOTION. HE OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO THAT MOTION.
ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT AMENDMENT?
>> TECHNICALLY, THAT WOULD BE A FIRST AND A SECOND.
>> MISSING ONE MORE. THERE WE GO.
ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SECTION 12.10?
>> MAYBE JUST A CLARIFYING QUESTION ON THAT SAME PART, IF I'M RECALLED AFTER I WAS APPOINTED IN, THAT COUNTS AS MY TERM.
>> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT. I'M SORRY.
>> IF I WASN'T ORIGINALLY ELECTED AND I GOT APPOINTED IN, AND THEN I GET RECALLED OUT?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'D BE A SCENARIO IN WHICH YOU'D BE APPOINTED IN AND THEN YOU'D BE ABLE TO HAVE TIME TO RECALL BECAUSE OF THE NEXT SECTION WE'RE ABOUT TO GET TO THE LIMITATIONS.
>> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD WORK MATH ON THE CALENDAR. BUT A GOOD POINT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE FOR SECTION 12.10? THE VOTE IS CLOSED AND THAT WAS 9:0.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO SECTION 12.11, LIMITATIONS ON RECALL.
NO RECALL PETITION SHALL BE FILED AGAINST THE MAYOR OR ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT OFFICIAL FIRST OFFICE OR WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER AN ELECTION FOR THAT SAME OFFICIALS RECALL, NOR WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE END OF THE OFFICIALS CURRENT TERM.
A PETITION REQUIRING SUPPLEMENTATION SHALL BE DEEMED FILED ON THE DATE THE CITY HAS RECEIVED ALL MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE THE PETITION COMPLETE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT SECTION 12.11, THE LIMITATIONS ON RECALL AS IS.
>> CAN WE OPEN THAT UP FOR A VOTE? MOTION PASSES 8:0.
WE WILL MOVE TO SECTION 12.12.
DISTRICT JUDGE MAY ORDER ELECTION.
SHOULD THE CITY COUNCIL FAIL OR REFUSE TO ORDER ANY ELECTION FOR INITIATIVE REFERENDUM OR RECALL WHEN ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH ELECTION HAVE BEEN SATISFIED BY THE PETITIONERS IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS ARTICLE OF THE CHARTER, THEN IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE DISTRICT JUDGE OF COLLIN COUNTY UPON PROPER APPLICATION THEREFORE TO ORDER
[01:30:02]
SUCH ELECTION AND EFFECTUATE THE PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE CHARTER.>> IF NONE, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT SECTION 12.12 AS WRITTEN WITH THE CORRECTION OF THE TITLE, AND THEREFORE.
>> CAN WE OPEN THAT UP FOR A VOTE, PLEASE? MOTION PASSES 8, 04, AND 1 ABSTAINED.
CHAIR, FRONTAGE ABSTAINED AND WITH THAT?
>> THANKS, MAXINE. THAT CONCLUDES CHAPTER 12, AND THAT WILL MOVE US INTO RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> WE JUST FINISHED SECTION 12.12 NOW.
>> WAS THAT I MUST BE OFF HERE. I'M SORRY.
>> NOW FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHAPTER 1. ADDITIONS.
>> I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP ON THE LIMITATIONS ON RECALL.
SINCE THERE IS A FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THESE FINANCIAL RECALLS, SHOULD WE I GUESS, PUT IT IN WRITING THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE TO WAIT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO PETITION AN ADDITIONAL OR TO PETITION A RECALL FOR THAT SAME IS THERE? I GUESS BECAUSE WHAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER THEY TAKE OFFICE OR SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE END OF OFFICE.
THEY CAN'T RECALL. SORRY. THANK YOU.
>> WE'VE COMPLETED SECTION 12.12.
WITH THAT, WE'RE OPENING UP FOR ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
CHOOSE CHAPTER 12 AS SEPARATE SECTIONS.
>> I HAVE TWO ITEMS, I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD.
I GUESS THIS WOULD POSSIBLY BE SECTION 12.13, PUBLIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.
A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF EACH PROPOSED ORDINANCE OR RECALL QUESTION SHALL BE PROVIDED ON THE BALLOT AND CITY WEBSITE TO AID VOTERS IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE VOTING FOR.
BASICALLY, PUT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS.
>> I THINK IT'S CALLED VOTENOW.ORG, AND IT TALKS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE BALLOT AND IT EXPLAINS LIKE IN PRETTY THOROUGH DETAIL, LIKE WHAT IT IS, EACH ITEM THAT YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE ON ON YOUR SPECIFIC BALLOT, AND IT TALKS ABOUT LIKE THE PROS AND THE CONS ON VOTING FOR IT AND BREAKS IT DOWN IN LAYMAN'S TERMS.
>> DOES THAT I MEAN, OUR BALLOTS PUT OUT THERE FOR EVERY ELECTION WE HAVE ON THAT WEBSITE? AMBER.
>> IT'S LIKE US. IT'S FOR EVERYWHERE.
SO BASICALLY, YOU JUST PUT IN YOUR ZIPCODE AND IT COMES UP BEFORE EVERY ELECTION.
THEN IT ALSO EVEN HAS CANDIDATE FORUMS, BUT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS FILLED OUT.
THEY SEND IT TO ALL THE CANDIDATES AND THEY CAN CHOOSE TO FILL IT OUT OR NOT.
THAT ALWAYS ISN'T FILLED OUT, BUT THE ACTUAL BALLOT IS ALWAYS FILLED OUT.
>> BUT DON'T THEY HAVE TO GET THE BALLOT FROM OUR CITY TO DO THAT.
HOW DOES THAT WEBSITE GET OUR BALLOT?
>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT, BUT.
>> THAT'S COVERED. BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S SOMETIMES ORDINANCES OR THINGS THAT PUT OUT THERE AND NOT EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ON IT.
THEN MY OTHER ONE IS A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO THE PETITION THRESHOLD
[01:35:07]
THAT RESIDENTS MAY INITIATE A CHARTER AMENDMENT BY PETITION SIGNED BY 5% OF REGISTERED VOTERS OR 1,000 SIGNATURES, WHICHEVER IS LESS.>> THIS IS ALREADY COVERED UNDER STATE LAW.
I DON'T THINK WE COULD DO THE 1,000.
>> I WAS GOING TO ADD THAT LATER, BUT IF THIS IS THE PLACE TO PUT IT, PETITIONS TO AMEND CHARTER, SHOULD READ AMENDMENTS TO THIS CHARTER MAY BE FRAMED AND SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY IN A MATTER PROVIDED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, INCLUDED UPON THE CITY COUNCIL'S OWN MOTION OR UP POSITION BY 5% OF QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE CITY OR 20,000 QUALIFIED VOTERS IN THE CITY, WHICHEVER IS LESS, OTHERWISE, STATE OF TEXAS LAW.
>> THAT IS THE LAW RIGHT THERE?
>> YEAH. IF YOU WANTED TO PUT IT IN THERE, WE CAN JUST A MOTION TO PUT IT 12.13.[OVERLAPPING]
>> MY OPINION IS YOU DON'T NEED TO BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE[OVERLAPPING] STATE LAW IS.
IF WE WERE DRAFTING FROM SCRATCH, MAYBE.
BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S TO AMEND THE CHARTER, I WOULDN'T.
>> THANK YOU. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? ANSWER TO ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CLOSES US OUT FOR CHAPTER 12. LET ME SEE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD MOVE US INTO CHAPTER 13, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'LL GET THROUGH IT WITHIN THE TIME ALLOTTED.
I THINK WE'VE MADE SOME PERTINENT GROUNDS.
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS I WOULD LIKE IF WE HAVE A MOTION TO.
SORRY. LET ME OPEN ITEM A-62025-188, REVIEW CHAPTER 13 OF THE HOMER CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AMENDMENTS THERE TOO AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
WELL, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE TABLE THIS FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DO SO.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE TABLE ITEM H-62025-188 TO OUR NEXT MEETING ON OCTOBER 23.
>> MOTION BY MAXINE ELLIS AND A SECOND BY MR. SMITH.
[H.7 2025-189 Consider selecting the dates and times of future Committee meetings; and take appropriate action.]
E-72025-189.CONSIDER SELECTING THE DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
I DON'T HAVE MY CALENDAR IN FRONT OF ME.
>> THE NEXT THREE MEETING DATES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE CONFIRMED IT WILL BE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, IS 6:30.
IT'S GOING TO BE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6 AT 6:30 AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 6:30.
>> ANY OBJECTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THOSE DATES?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LITTLE CONSENSUS ON NOVEMBER 6, BECAUSE THAT IS THE FINAL MEETING OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PARKS STATE.
IT'S AN OPEN HOUSE FOR EVERYONE TO BE THERE TO VIEW THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BEFORE IT GOES IN FRONT OF COUNCIL.
LOOK TO MAYBE SEE, WILL WE HAVE A QUORUM? WON'T WE JUST AN IDEA? BECAUSE THE COMP PLANS AND I WILL SAY I'M PART OF THE STAKEHOLDER FOR THAT.
BUT I JUST THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE RESIDENTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE SAYS HERE.
>> WHAT IT ALSO GOING TO BE LOOKED INTO IF THEY WERE GOING TO NEED THIS ROOM OR NOT?
>> THEY'RE MEETING AT THE COMMUNITIES.
>> I'LL SAY ON THE RECORD THAT I WILL BE HERE FOR HRC IF WE AT THIS POINT, FEEL THAT WE'LL HAVE A QUORUM.
I UNDERSTAND THAT VICE CHAIR ELLIS HAS COMMITMENTS, SO I DEFINITELY WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE THERE, BUT IF WE HAVE A QUORUM, THAT WOULD BE HERE.
ONLY IF WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM, WOULD I.
>> ALSO, I THINK THE COMP PLAN, IT'S AN OPEN HOUSE, SO YOU CAN COME IN.
>> IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO IT, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY, IF YOU HAD THE AVAILABILITY, GO BEFORE THIS AND THEN STILL MAKE IT TO THIS MEETING IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO IT THAT WAY.
[01:40:03]
>> COULD WE MAYBE PUSH THAT MEETING TO THE 13TH AND THEN THE MEETING WE HAVE ON THE 20TH, PUSH THAT TO DECEMBER 4? THEN THAT WAY, WE CAN MEET AGAIN DECEMBER 18, BECAUSE OTHERWISE, IF WE'RE DOING EVERY TWO WEEKS, ONE OF THE MEETINGS WOULD FALL ON CHRISTMAS.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS.
WE'RE PROACTIVE ON OUR SCHEDULING.
WE STILL HAVE THE MEETING ON THE 23RD, AND WE ONLY HAVE CHAPTER 13, 14, AND THEN 15.
WE COULD JUST DO EVERYONE THE PROGRESS WE MAKE AND HOW EVERYONE SCHEDULES LINE UP AND THE NEXT.
>> YEAH. I THINK IT'S A GREAT POINT. THANKS GRANT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE ONE OKAY WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION BY GRANT? WITH THAT, WE'LL RETAIN THE CALENDAR AS IS, AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FAVORITE ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM[OVERLAPPING].
>> WAIT. FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ITEMS. I HAVE AN ITEM THAT I'D LIKE US TO GET AN UPDATE.
WHEN I WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL HRC COMMITTEE, EVERY WEEK AFTER THE MEETING WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS PUT OUT ON OUR WEBSITE, WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND WHAT WE APPROVED.
>> THE RECOMMENDATIONS. WE HAD BROUGHT THAT UP.
I THINK YOU GUYS WERE ALREADY WORKING ON THIS.[OVERLAPPING] SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS OR LISTEN ON THE SITE BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING, IF POSSIBLE.
>> THANKS FOR REMINDING ME. I WAS READY TO GET OUT OF HERE.
WITH THAT, WE ARE MOVING ON TO ITEM'S ADJOURNMENT.
IF YOU'RE FORGED, YOU CAN LEAVE, IF NOT, YOU CAN STAY HERE, AND WE'LL JUST LET THE PD TAKE CARE OF YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.