HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 15, 2004 Luncheon Agenda AGENDA
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL
June 15, 2004
After determining that a quorum is presem, the City Council of the City of Demon, Texas
will convene in a Work Session on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council
Work Session Room, 215 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas at which the following item will
be considered:
Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding an update on
the aquatic center and natatorium operations.
2. Hold a discussion and determine membership to Council Committees.
Hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding Council Rules of Procedure,
including but not limited to the recording of excused absences.
4. Hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the Council annual retreat.
CERTIFICATE
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall
of the City of Demon, Texas, on the day of , 2004 at
o'clock (a.m.) (p.m.)
CITY SECRETARY
NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM IS
ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
ACT. THE CITY WILL PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE
HEARING IMPAIRED IF REQUESTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF
THE SCHEDULED MEETING. PLEASE CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
AT 349-8309 OR USE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDD)
BY CALLING 1-800-RELAY-TX SO THAT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER
CAN BE SCHEDULED THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
AGENDA DATE: June 15, 2004
DEPARTMENT:
ACM:
Parks and Recreation Department
Howard Martin, 349-8232 ~
SUBJECT
Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding an update on the Aquatic Center
and Natatorium operations.
BACKGROUND
The regular season for Water Works Park opened Saturday, May 29, 2004 and will continue through
Labor Day weekend in September. The Parks and Recreation Department is implementing a new fee
structure, and other operational changes including: allowing families to bring food and drinks into the
facility, discounted evening hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, and no additional charge
for natatorium with Water Works Park admission.
After the first full year of operation, staff is continuing to face financial challenges related to the
aquatic center facility.
A detailed presentation with options, recommendations and fiscal information will be provided by
staff during the meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Simpson, Director
Parks and Recreation Department
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
AGENDA DATE:
DEPARTMENT:
CM:
June 15, 2004
City Manager's Office
Mike Conduff, City Manager
SUBJECT
Consider appointments to Council Committees.
BACKGROUND
Members of the City Council serve on designated standing committees to afford policy guidance and
direction to the staff. The committee assignments are reviewed annually by the City Council to allow the
opportunity to make adjustments if necessary. The attached information provides a brief history of each
Council committee plus includes a listing of current assignments.
Respectfully submitted:
Jennifer Walters
City Secretary
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES
AGENDA COMMITTEE
Ordinance 96-085 established the Agenda Committee. The ordinance indicates that the Agenda Committee
will be composed of the Mayor, one other member of the City Council selected by the Council, and the City
Manager. This ordinance was amended by Ordinance 2001-204 to increase the number of Council Members
on the Committee to two to be selected by the Council. Ordinance 2003-235 again amended the ordinance
on August 5, 2003 to reduce the number of Council appointees to two members composed of the Mayor and
the Mayor Pro Tem.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee was started in 1992 but does not have any formal enactment document. Audit
standards recommend independent representation on the committee. Current members include the Mayor (a
permanent position), two council members, the Internal Auditor, the City Manager, the Assistant City
Manager for Fiscal & Municipal Operations and the Assistant City Manager for Utilities. Council
membership on the committee may be as many or as few as desired.
INVESTMENT POLICY COMMITTEE
The Investment Policy Committee was enacted by Policy #408.04. The Policy indicates that the members
will consist of the City Manager, Executive Director of Finance (now the Assistant City Manager for Fiscal
& Municipal Operations), the Director of Fiscal Operations, Mayor and one member of the City Council.
LALOR FUND COMMITTEE
Started in 1995, the Lalor Fund Committee does not have any formal enabling document. The Committee
was started at the request of the then current Council to monitor the allocation and use of the hotel occupancy
tax and make recommendations to the full Council to ensure that the tax is being used to promote tourism and
the hotel and convention industry. The original membership resulted from council members who were
interested in the issue at that time. There is no set number of Council members who can serve on this
committee.
COMMUNITY JUSTICE COUNCIL
The Community Justice Council was established according to Article 42.131 of the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure. That Article indicates that a Justice Council has to be established as a prerequisite to establishing
a community corrections facility. The Community Justice Council provides continuing policy guidance and
direction for the development of criminal justice plans and community correction facilities and programs.
Among the members of the Justice Council is a council member of the most populous municipality in the
County that the facility will serve.
LAKE RA Y ROBERTS PLANNING AND ZONING
Enacted by S.B. 209, the Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning consists of 3 residents of affected precincts
who own land in the County appointed by the County Judge, one resident of each commissioners precinct
that is affected appointed by the County Commissioner for that precincts, and the Mayor or his designee that
includes any part of the lake area in the county.
CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU
The Demon Convention & Visitor Bureau was initiated in 1976 by the Demon Chamber of Commerce to
promote evems and attractions, provide hospitality education, and ensure a positive experience to Demon
visitors. It operates via an agreemem between the City of Demon and the Demon Chamber of Commerce.
The Bureau consists of an Advisory Board that makes recommendations to the Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors. This Board includes Chamber members, community volumeers, and a city council
represemative.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
There is no official document enacting the Environmemal Committee. The Committee was started in 1998 at
the request of two Council members who were imerested in tracking water and air quality issues as well as
environmemally sensitive areas. No specific number of members has been set for this committee.
DALLAS REGIONAL MOBILITY COALITION
In, 1997, the City of Demon emered imo an imerlocal agreemem with the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition
for the purpose of examining all issues related to and recommending transportation improvements and other
related actions for the portion of the Dallas Metropolitan Area served by District 18 of the Texas Department
of Transportation. The Executive Committee administers and governs the affairs of the Coalition. It consists
of seven members, one each from the cities of Carrollton, Garland, Grand Prairie, Irving, Mesquite, Plano
and Richardson being either the Mayor or another elected official designated by the City Council; four
members, designated by the Mayor of Dallas, being either two or three elected officials from the City of
Dallas and one or two community leaders who are non-elected officials; four members, one each from Collin,
Dallas, Demon, and Ellis County, being either the County Judge or another elected official designated by the
County Judge; elected officials from those cities not represented in either of the first two categories; one
community leader (non-elected official) appoimed by the Dallas County Judge; four ex-officio members
being the Texas Department of Transportation District 18 District Engineer, the Executive Director of the
Texas Turnpike Authority, the Executive Director of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority, the Staff
Director of the Regional Transportation Council; and one business leader (non-elected official) appoimed
annually by the Legislative Coalition of the Dallas Area Chambers of Commerce. Based on Demon's
population, one Executive Committee seat is available to be filled by the Mayor or another elected official.
Mayor Brock has asked Council Member Burroughs to be the City's designee to the Coalition.
REGIONAL TRANSPOR TA TION CO UNCIL
Since 1974, the North Cemral Texas Council of Govemmems has served as the Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPa) for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. The Regional Transportation Council
(RTC) is the policy body for the MPa. The RTC consists of 37 members, predominamly locally elected
officials, overseeing the regional transportation planning process and project selection. The City of Demon
has one representative on the RTC.
COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE
There is no official documem enacting the Council Mobility Committee. The Committee was started in 2001
at the request of the Mayor. No specific number of members has been set for this committee.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES 2003-04
AUDIT COMMITTEE Mayor Brock
Council Member Kamp
CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Council Member Kamp
Council Member Montgomery
REVIEW COMMITTEE iXd U°~t ~i~ ~mb~ M~ntg~
COUNCIL MOBILITY COMMITTEE Mayor Brock
VACANT (Buxoughs)
Council Member McNeill
Council Member Montgome~
COALIilON
ETHICS COMMITTEE (Ad Hoc) Mayor Brock
Council Member Kamp
Council Member Thomson
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMIttEE
INVESTMENT POLICY COMMITTEE Mayor Brock
Council Member Thomson
LAee Ua~ ma~R!S ~ ~ Z C~gil Memb~ M~ntg0~e~y
LALOR FUND COMMITTEE Mayor Brock
Council Member Kamp
Council Member Montgome~
Council Member Redmon
T~E COMMITTEE (Ad Hoc) VACANT (Buxoughs)
Council Member McNeill
Council Member Montgomew
S:\Boards & Comm\Council Committees.doc
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
AGENDA DATE: June 15, 2004 (Work Session Agenda)
DEPARTMENT: Legal
CM/DCM/ACM: Herbert L. Prouty, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction on the adoption of an
ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2001-193 and Section 2-29 of the City Code relating to
Rules of Procedure for the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas, and all amending
ordinances and repealing and consolidating ordinances 2001-204, 2002-018, 2003-235, 2003-
373, 2004-014 and 2004-033; providing for recording of attendance at council meetings and
setting work session times.
BACKGROUND: Council Member Thomson has requested that the Rules be amended to
provide a process for recording council members as either present, absent, or with an excused
absence at council meetings. Rule 2.3 of your Rules of Procedure currently states that no council
member shall be excused from attendance at a meeting except for good and valid reasons. There
is no process currently for recording absences or for defining excused absences.
The City Secretary has also requested that we consolidate all amendments to the Rules of
Procedure. The last time the Rules of Procedure were consolidated was in May of 2001. Since
that time there have been six amendments to the Rules of Procedure. Consolidating these
amendments into one ordinance would facilitate your use of the Rules.
The proposed Ordinance would consolidate all amendments to the Rules into one document. It
also requires the City Secretary to record, in the minutes for each meeting, each member of the
Council as either present, absent, or with an excused absence. Excused absence is defined to
include a broad variety of matters including personal or family illness, jury service and testifying
before the legislature. It will be the duty of each council member to report to the City Secretary
the reasons for being absent from a meeting. The Ordinance also makes a minor change to
Section 2.4 "Misconduct" due to your adoption of an Ethics Policy. The change merely indicates
that any punishment that the Council may give for misconduct will be consistent with any
adopted Ethics Policy. Finally, the Ordinance changes the times of workshop meetings in
Section 4.3 of the Rules to make it consistent with current practice. It also allows the agenda
committee to adjust the times of workshop meetings to provide for more flexible scheduling.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW: The definition of unexcused absence is taken from Section 2-
83(c) of the City Code which was adopted in February of 1999 due to a Council concern with
excessive absences of some board and commission members. The proposed Ordinance adopts
this definition.
Agenda Information Sheet
June 15, 2004
Page 2
OPTIONS:
Enact the Ordinance consolidating previous amendments to the Rules of Procedure and
establishing a method for recording absences.
2. Council can pass the Ordinance with changes from the current language.
3. Council can refuse to adopt the Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Council adopt the Ordinance consolidating the
various amendments to the Rules into one document. This will facilitate easy reference to the
Rules and provide a process for accurately recording council members attendance at Council
meetings. Since Section 2.14 of the Rules require that any amendment to the Rules must be
discussed at a prior meeting of the Council before being finally adopted, if you recommend
approval of this Ordinance it will be placed on your July 20, 2004 agenda for consideration and
adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT: This Ordinance has no fiscal impact.
Respectfully submitted:
Herbert L. Prouty
City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2001-193 AND SECTION 2-29 OF THE
CITY CODE RELATING TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AND ALL AMENDING ORDINANCES AND REPEALING AND
CONSOLIDATING ORDINANCES 2001-204, 2002-018, 2003-235, 2003-373, 2004-014 and
2004-033 PROVIDING FOR RECORDING OF ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS
AND SETTING WORK SESSION TIMES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas, and Section 2.07 of the City
Charter of the City of Denton, Texas, authorize the City Council of said City to promulgate and
establish rules of procedure to govem and conduct meetings, order of business, and decorum, while
acting as a legislative body representing said City; and
WHEREAS, because of its desire to more effectively and efficiently serve the public
through the medium of public meetings, it has become necessary to amend and consolidate all
amendments of the City Council Rules of Procedure; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, HEREBY ORDAINS:
SF, CTION 1 That Ordinance Numbers 2001-193, 2001-204, 2002-018, 2003-235, 2003-
373, 2004-014 and 2004-033 and Section 2-29 of the City Code are hereby amended and
consolidated into one Ordinance known as the Denton City Council Rules of Procedure to read as
follows:
1. (2-29(a)) AIITHORIT¥
1.1 (1) Charter: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07 of the Charter of the City of
Denton, Texas, the City Council hereby enacts these rules of procedure for all meetings of the City
Council of the City of Denton, Texas.
During any meeting, a reasonable opportunity shall be given for citizens to be heard under
these rules. These Rules of Procedure are enacted as guidelines to be followed by all persons in the
Council Chamber including the city administrative staff, news media, and visitors.
2. (2-29(b)) GF~NF~RAI~ RIII~F.S
2.1 (1) Meetings to be Public: All official meetings of the Council and Council
committees and subcommittees, except closed meetings permitted by the provisions of the Texas
Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vernons Annotated Texas Civil
Statutes 2003 (Vernons), as amended, shall be open to the public.
PAGE 1
2.2 (2) Quorum: Four members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. (Charter, Section 2.06)
2.3 (3) Compelling Attendance: No member shall be excused from attendance at a
Council meeting except for good and compelling reasons including personal or family illness, death
of a family member, jury duty, service in the armed forces, testifying before the legislature,
attending a seminar involving municipal matters of importance to the member's duties, absence
necessary for the member's business or employment, and any related emergencies or other matters
which the City Council finds qualify as an excused absence. It will be the duty of the Council
Member claiming an excused absence to notify the City Secretary prior to the meeting at which he
or she is going to be absent or within seven days after the meeting of the reasons for the absence.
The City Secretary will record each Council Member as being present, absent or with an excused
absence as a part of the minutes prepared for each Council meeting.
2.4 (4) Misconduct: The Council may punish its own members for misconduct consistent
with any Ethics Policy adopted by the Council.
2.5 (5) Minutes of Meetings: An account of all proceedings of the Council shall be kept
by the City Secretary and shall be entered in a book constituting the official record of the Council.
A certified agenda shall be prepared for all closed meetings and shall be approved by the Mayor in
accordance with Chapter 552, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vemons 2003), as amended.
2.6 (6) Questions to Contain One Su~ect: All questions submitted for a vote shall
contain one subject, except the City Council may approve all items which are on the consent agenda
in one motion, regardless of how many subjects are contained in the consent agenda, so long as all
items have been properly posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and have not
been removed from the consent agenda by a Councilmember. If two or more points are involved,
any member may require a division, if the question reasonably admits of a division.
2.7 (7) Right of Floor: Any member desiring to speak shall be recognized by the
Chairperson, and shall confine his or her remarks to the subject under consideration or to be
considered. No member shall be allowed to speak more than once on any one subject until every
member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
2.8 (8) City Manager: The City Manager, or Acting City Manager, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused. He or she may make recommendations to the Council and
shall have the fight to take part in all discussions of the Council, but shall have no vote. (Charter,
Section 5.03 (d))
2.9 (9) City Attorney: The City Attorney, or Acting City Attorney, shall be available upon
request for all meetings of the Council unless excused and shall, upon request, give an opinion,
either written or oral, on questions of law. The City Attorney shall act as the Council's
PAGE 2
parliamentarian.
2.10 (10) Ci~ Secretary.: The City Secretary, or Acting City Secretary, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused, and shall keep the official minutes and perform such other
duties as may be requested by the Council.
2.11 (11) Officers and Employees: Any officer or employee of the City, when
requested by the City Manager, shall attend any meeting of the Council. If requested to do so by the
City Manager, such employee may present information relating to matters before the Council.
2.12 (12) l~ules of Order: These rules govern the proceedings of the Council in all
cases, except that where these rules are silent, the most recent Edition of Robert's Rules of Order
revised shall govern.
2.13 (13) Suspension of l~ules: Any provision of these rules not governed by the City
Charter or Code may be temporarily suspended by the affirmative vote of four members of the
Council. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by yeas or nays and entered into the
minutes of the Council.
2.14 (14) Amendment of Rules: These rules may be amended, or new rules adopted by
the affirmative vote of four members of the Council, provided that the proposed amendments or
new rules shall have been introduced before the City Council at a prior Council meeting.
3. (2-29(c)) CODE OF CONDUCT
3.1 (1) Councilmembers:
a. During Council meetings, Councilmembers shall preserve order and decorum and
shall neither by conversation or otherwise delay or interrupt the proceedings nor refuse to observe
the rules of the Council.
b. A Councilmember, once recognized, shall not be interrupted while speaking unless
called to order by the Mayor or presiding officer, unless a point of order is raised by another
member or the parliamentarian, or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another
member. If a Councilmember is called to order while he or she is speaking, he or she shall cease
speaking immediately until the question of order is determined. If ruled to be in order, he or she
shall be permitted to proceed. If ruled not to be in order he or she shall remain silent or shall alter
his or her remarks so as to comply with rules of the Council.
3.2 (2) Administrmive Staff:
a. Members of the Administrative staff and employees of the City shall observe the
same rules or procedure and decorum applicable to members of the Council, and shall have no
PAGE 3
voice unless and until recognized by the Chaff.
b. While the presiding officer shall have the authority to preserve decorum in
meetings as far as staff members and City employees are concerned, the City Manager also shall be
responsible for the orderly conduct and decorum of all City employees under his or her direction
and control.
c. The City Manager shall take such disciplinary action as may be necessary to insure
that such decorum is preserved at all times by City employees in Council meetings.
d. All remarks and questions addressed to the Council shall be addressed to the
Council as a whole and not to any individual member thereof.
e. No staff member, other than a staff member having the floor, shall enter into any
discussion either directly or indirectly without permission of the presiding officer.
3.3 (3) Citizens:
Citizens and other visitors are welcome to attend all public meetings of the City
Council, and will be admitted to the City Council Chamber or other room in
which the City Council is meeting, up to the fire safety capacity of the room.
All meeting attendees shall conduct themselves with propriety and decorum.
Conversations between or among audience members should be conducted outside
the meeting room. Attendees will refrain from excessively loud private
conversations while the Council is in session.
Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of the feet, applauding,
whistles, yells, and similar demonstrations shall not be permitted.
Placards, banners, or signs will not be permitted in the City Council Chamber or
in any other room in which the City Council is meeting. Exhibits, displays, and
visual aids used in connection with presentations to the City Council, however,
are permitted.
Audience members may not place their feet on any chairs in the City Council
Chamber or other room in which the City Council is meeting.
f. Only City Council members and City staff may step on to the dais.
g. All people wishing to address the City Council shall first be recognized by the
PAGE 4
presiding officer and shall limit their remarks to the matter under discussion.
All remarks and questions addressed to the City Council shall be addressed to the
City Council as a whole and not to any individual members.
Any person addressing the City Council in the City Council Chamber shall do so
from the lectern unless physically unable to do so. People addressing the City
Council shall not be permitted to approach the dais. If they wish to hand out
papers or other materials to the City Council, they should express that desire to the
presiding officer, and the City Manager shall direct a staff member to hand out the
materials.
When the time has expired for a presentation to the City Council, the presiding
officer shall direct the person speaking to cease. A second request from the
presiding officer to cease speaking shall be cause of the removal of the speaker if
that person continues to speak.
Equipment, apparatus, or paraphernalia such as camera tripods, easels, or
wheelchairs shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise be located in the doorway,
entranceway, or walkways of the City Council Chambers or of any other room in
which the City Council may choose to meet. Representatives of the electronic
media may set up cameras and other equipment only in the back of the room. It is
permissible for television camera operators to film for short periods of time
(several minutes) from the entranceway to the City Council Chambers using hand-
held cameras only. Any radio station, which broadcasts the regular City Council
meetings live may hook their equipment up at the front of the room as long as it
remains out of sight and out of the way.
There will be a uniformed City of Denton police officer present at all regular
meetings of the City Council. This police officer shall act in the capacity of a
security officer/sergeant-at-arms, and shall enforce the meeting rules and act upon
the direction of the presiding officer.
Any person making personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks, or who
becomes boisterous while addressing the City Council or who otherwise violates
any of the above-mentioned rules while attending a City Council meeting shall be
removed from the room at the direction of the presiding officer, and the person
shall be barred from further audience before the City Council during that session
of the City Council. If the presiding officer fails to act, any member of the City
Council may move to require the offending person's removal, and the affirmative
vote of a majority of the City Council shall require the presiding officer to act.
The sergeant-at-arms, if so directed by the presiding officer or an affirmative vote
of the majority of the City Council, shall remove the offending person from the
PAGE 5
meeting.
3.4 (4) Enforcement: The City Manager, in the absence of a designated law enforcement
officer, shall act as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Council, and shall furnish whatever assistance is
needed to enforce the rules of decorum herein established.
3.5 (5) Seating Arrangement: The City Secretary, City Manager and City Attorney shall
occupy the respective seats in the Council Chamber assigned to them by the Mayor, but any two or
more members of the Council may exchange seats.
4. (2-29(d)) TYPES OF MF. ETINGS
4.1 (1) Regular Meetings: The Council shall meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third
Tuesday of each month, with executive sessions (closed meetings) of the Council commencing at
5:30 p.m., or at any other time set by the Council, unless the meeting is postponed or cancelled for
valid reasons. All regular meetings of the Council will be held in the Municipal Building at 215
East McKinney Street, Denton, Texas or at such other location as the City Council may, by motion,
resolution or ordinance from time to time designate.
4.2 (2) Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, the City
Manager, or by any three members of the Council. The call for a special meeting shall be filed with
the City Secretary in written form, and he or she shall post notice thereof as provided by the Texas
Open Meetings Act, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. § 551.001, et seq. (Vemons 2003, as amended).
The Mayor, City Manager, or three of the council members may designate a location for the special
meeting other than the Municipal Building as long as the location is open to the public.
4.3 (3) Workshop Meetings: Workshop meetings or work sessions may be held from 4:00
p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month, or at such other times the Agenda
Committee may designate, to discuss near to mid range issues. Workshop meetings or work
sessions may be held from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or at such other times as the agenda committee
may designate, on the first and third Tuesday of each month, to answer Council questions
concerning consent agenda items. Workshop or Work Sessions may be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30
p.m. or at such other times as the agenda committee may designate, on the second Tuesday of each
month to discuss mid to long-range issues. Workshops or Work Sessions may be called using the
same procedure required for special meetings as provided for in Section 4.2(2) above. The purpose
of the workshop meeting is to discuss or explore matters of interest to the City, to meet with City
Boards, Commission, or Committee Members, City staff or officers of civic organizations,
governing bodies or individuals specifically invited to the session by the Mayor, Council or City
Manager. These meetings are informational and normally, no final action shall be taken unless the
posted agenda indicates otherwise. Citizens or other interested persons attending the work session
will not be allowed to participate in the session unless invited to do so by the Mayor. Citizens
should be advised of the nature of the work session and that their input may be received and
considered at a regularly scheduled council meeting where the agenda provides for final action to be
PAGE 6
taken on the matter. The purpose of this procedure is to allow the citizens attending the regular
meeting the opportunity of hearing the views of their fellow citizens in a more formal setting. Any
citizen may supply the City Council a written statement or report regarding the citizen's opinion on
a matter being discussed in a work session. If the Mayor invites citizens to participate in a work
session, their participation will cease at the point the Mayor closes the session to public input to
allow the Council to give City staff direction as to needed information for the possible future
meeting without distracting comment from the audience.
4.4 (4) Emergency Meetngs: In case of emergency or urgent public necessity, which
shall be expressed in the notice of the meeting, an emergency meeting may be called by the Mayor,
the City Manager or by three members of the Council, and it shall be sufficient if the notice is
posted two hours before the meeting is convened.
4.5 (5) Closed Meetings: The Council may meet in a closed meeting pursuant to the
requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vernons
2003), as amended.
4.6 (6) l~ecessed Meetngs: Any meeting of the Council may be recessed to a later time,
provided that no recess shall be for a longer period than until the next regular meeting.
4.7 (7) Notce of Meetngs: The agenda for all meetings, including Council Committee or
Subcommittee meetings, shall be posted by the City Secretary on the City's official bulletin board
and notice of all meetings shall be given by the City Secretary pursuant to the requirements of the
Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vernons 2003, as amended.)
5. (2-29(e)) PRESIDING OFFICER AND DUTIES
5.1 (1) Presiding Officer: The Mayor, or in the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro-
Tem, shall preside as chairman, or presiding officer at all meetings of the Council. In the absence
of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem, the Council shall elect a temporary presiding officer.
(Charter, Section 2.03)
5.2 (2) Call to Order: The meetings of the Council shall be called to order by the Mayor,
or in his or her absence, by the Mayor Pro-Tem. In the absence of both the Mayor and the Mayor
Pro-Tem, the meeting shall be called to order by the City Secretary, and a temporary presiding
officer shall be elected as provided above.
5.3 (3) Preservmion of Order: The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum,
and confine members in debate to the question under discussion. The presiding officer shall call
upon the Sergeant-at-Arms as necessary to enforce compliance with the rules contained herein.
5.4 (4) Points of Order: The presiding officer shall determine all points of order, subject
to the right of any member to appeal to the Council. If any appeal is taken, the question shall be,
PAGE 7
"Shall the decision of the presiding officer be sustained?". If a majority of the members present
vote "No", the ruling of the chair is overruled; otherwise, it is sustained.
5.5 (5) Questions to be Stated: The presiding officer shall state all questions submitted
for a vote and announce the result. A roll call vote shall be taken upon the request of any member,
and upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions.
5.6 (6) Substitution for Presiding Officer: The presiding officer may call any other
member to take his or her place in the chaff, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
5.7 (7) Call for Recess: The presiding officer may call for a recess of up to fifteen (15)
minutes at regular intervals of approximately one hour at appropriate points in the meeting agenda,
or if requested by any two members.
6. ORDER OF BUSINESS (Section 2-29 (f)
6.1 (1) Agenda: The order of business of each meeting shall be as contained in the agenda
prepared by the City Manager, which shall be reviewed and approved by an Agenda Committee
composed of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem, and the City Manager. When items are removed from
the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda by members of the Council, the removed items
shall be taken up in the order of removal right after the consent agenda. Placement of items on the
agenda shall be governed by this Section and Section 6.3; provided that if a Council Member has an
"emergency" item that the Council Member believes should be placed on the next regular or special
meeting agenda, the placement must be approved by two members of the Agenda Committee.
Conduct of business at special meetings and Council Committees and subcommittees will likewise
be governed by an agenda and these Rules of Procedure.
6.2 (2) Pledge of Allegiance: Each agenda shall provide an item for the recital of the
"Pledge of Allegiance" at the regularly scheduled city council meetings. This item shall begin with
the recital of the pledge of allegiance for the United States flag and shall follow with a recital of the
pledge of allegiance for the Texas state flag in accordance with article 6139 (b) of Vemons
Annotated Texas Civil Statutes.
6.3 (3) Presentations by Members of Council: The agenda shall provide a time when the
Mayor or any Councilmember may bring before the Council any business that he or she feels
should be deliberated upon by the Council at a future Council meeting. These matters need not be
specifically listed on the agenda, but discussion and formal action on such matters shall be deferred
until a subsequent Council meeting. Any member may suggest an item for discussion at a future
work session. The City Manager or city staff shall only respond preliminarily on this item at the
work session. If the City Council believes the item requires a more detailed review, the Council
will give the City Manager or City Staff direction to place the item on a future regular meeting
agenda and advise staff as to the background materials to be desired at such meeting.
PAGE 8
6.4 (4) Presentmion by Citizens:
a. Citizen Reports: Any person who wishes to place a subject on the Council agenda
at regular City Council meetings shall advise the City Manager's office of that fact and the specified
subject matter which he or she desires to place on the agenda no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday
prior to the Council meeting at which he or she wishes the designated subject to be considered. A
time for such citizen reports shall be provided on the agenda after the pledge of allegiance, approval
of the minutes, and the presentation of proclamations. Any speaker providing a citizen report shall
speak for no longer than five (5) minutes on all items that he or she may bring before the Council at
each meeting, unless the Mayor or the majority of the Council grants an extension of time. No
citizen may fill out a "request to speak" form or have an opportunity to speak or comment on
another citizen's report which is given at the same Council meeting.
b. Speaking on Regular and Consent Agenda Items: Any person who wishes to
address the Council regarding a non-public hearing item that is on the Council's agenda for a
regular or special meeting, shall complete a "request to speak" form asking to speak regarding the
item and shall return it to the City Secretary before the Council considers the item. Any person
wishing to address the Council on a public hearing item should complete a request to speak form
and return it to the City Secretary. The Mayor will call upon the citizen to speak for no longer than
three minutes as that particular agenda item is considered by the City Council except that persons
giving citizen reports and applicants and their agents on public hearing items shall be allowed to
speak for no longer than five (5) minutes or as indicated in paragraph 6.5 (5) "Time l,imit~," The
provisions of this paragraph do not apply to workshop meetings, and a citizen's fight to speak and
provide input at these meetings shall be limited and controlled by subsection 4.3 (2-29(d)(3))
"Workshop Meetings".
c. Any person who wishes to address the Council at a public hearing should complete
a "request to speak" form and return it to the City Secretary before the applicable hearing. The
Mayor will call upon the citizen to speak for no longer than three (3) minutes or five (5) minutes for
applicants and their agents in accordance with paragraph 6.5(5) "Time !,imits."
d. Any group or organization comprised of ten or more members present in the City
Council Chambers who wishes to address the Council at a public hearing on a non-public hearing
agenda item shall designate a representative to address the City Council and shall limit their
remarks to ten (10) minutes or less.
6.5 (5) Time Limits: Speakers before the Council shall limit their remarks to three (3) or
less minutes or less for public heating items provided that applicants for land use or other public
hearing items and their agents shall limit their remarks to five (5) minutes or less per speaker and
shall have a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes to speak to the item. Citizens reports shall be limited
to five (5) minutes or less. Groups or organizations comprised of ten or more members shall limit
their remarks in accordance with the parameters established in paragraph 6.4d(4). At the discretion
of the presiding officer or a majority of the City Council, any speaker may be granted an extension
PAGE 9
of time to speak.
6.6 (6) Oral Presentations by City Manager: Matters requiring the Council's attention or
action which may have developed after the deadline for delivery of the written communication to
the Council may be presented orally by the City Manager. If formal Council action on a subject is
required, such action may be taken only if the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act have
been satisfied.
6.7 (7) Presentation of Proclamations: The agenda may provide a time for the
presentation of proclamations. The Mayor or presiding officer may deliver and present
proclamations upon the request of citizens. Proclamations may encompass any activity or theme
except that proclamations with a theme religious or partisan in nature shall not be presented.
Moreover, proclamations shall not be used for any commercial or advertising purpose.
7. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS. AND MOTIONS (2-29(g))
7.1 (l) Printed or T~vpewritten Form: All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented to
the Council in printed or typewritten form. The Council may, by proper motion, amend any
ordinance or resolution presented to it and direct that the amended ordinance be placed on the next
Council Agenda for adoption.
7.2 (2) City Attorney to Approve: All ordinances, resolutions, and contracts and
amendments thereto, shall be approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney, or he or she
shall file a written opinion on the legality of such ordinance, resolution or contract prior to
submission to the Council. (Charter, Section 6.02).
7.3 (3) Distribution of Ordinances and Resolutions: The City Manager shall prepare
copies of all proposed ordinances and resolutions for distribution to all members of the Council at
the meeting at which the ordinance or resolution is introduced, or at such earlier time as is
expedient.
7.4 (4) Recording of Votes: The yeas and nays shall be taken upon the passage of all
ordinances and resolutions and the vote of each member shall be recorded in the minutes. (Charter,
Section 2.06 (b)).
7.5 (5) Majority Vote Reo)fired: An affirmative vote of four (4) members is necessary to
repeal any ordinance or take any official action in the name of the City except as otherwise
provided in the Charter or by the laws of the State of Texas. (Charter, Section 2.06).
7.5.1(a) Tie-Vote: Matters voted on by the City Council which end in a tie-vote shall
automatically be placed on each subsequent Council meeting agenda until a full Council is present.
7.6 (6) Demand for Roll Call: Upon demand of any member, the roll shall be called for
PAGE 10
yeas and nays upon any question before the Council, with the exception of those circumstances set
forth in Section 7 12~ The Previous Question. It shall not be in order for members to explain their
vote during the roll call.
7.7 (7) Personal Privilege: The right of a member to address the Council on a question of
personal privilege shall be limited to cases in which his or her integrity, character, or motives are
assailed, questioned, or impugned.
7.8 (8) Dissents and Protests: Any member shall have the fight to express dissent from or
protest against any ordinance or resolution of the Council and have the reason therefore entered
upon the minutes. Such dissent or protest may be filed in writing, and presented to the Council not
later than the next regular meeting following the date of passage of the ordinance or resolution
objected to.
7.9 (9) Voting Required: No member shall be excused from voting except for lack of
information and except on matters involving the consideration of his or her own official conduct, or
where his or her personal interests are involved in accordance with Chapter 171, TEX. GOV'T.
CODE ANN. (Vemons 2003), and in these instances he or she shall abstain. Any member
prohibited from voting by personal interest shall announce this at the commencement of
consideration of the matter and shall not enter into discussion or debate on any such matter and
shall leave the meeting room. The member having briefly stated the reason for his or her request,
the excuse from voting shall be made without debate.
7.10 (10)Order of Precedence of Motions:
a. The following motions shall have priority in the order indicated:
1. Adjourn (when unqualified) and is not debatable and may not be amended;
2. Take a recess (when privileged);
3. Raise a question of privilege;
4. Lay on the table;
5. Previous question (2/3 vote required);
6. Limit or extend limits of debate (2/3 vote required);
7. Postpone to a certain time;
8. Commit or refer;
PAGE 11
9. Amend;
10. Postpone indefinitely;
11. Main Motion.
b. The first two motions are not always privileged. To adjourn shall lose its privilege
character and be a main motion if in any way qualified. To take a recess shall be privileged only
when other business is pending.
c. A motion to adjourn is not in order:
1. When repeated without intervening business or discussion;
2. When made as an interruption of a member while speaking;
3. While a vote is being taken.
d. Only certain motions may be amended as provided in the most current edition of
Robert's Rules of Order, revised. A motion to amend shall be undebatable when the question to be
amended is undebatable.
7.11 (11) Reconsideration: A motion to reconsider any action of the Council can be
made not later than the next succeeding official meeting of the Council. Such a motion can only be
made by a member who voted with the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any member. In
order to comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act, any Councilmember who wishes to make such
a motion at a meeting succeeding the meeting where the action was taken shall notify the City
Manager to place the item for reconsideration on the Council agenda. No question shall be twice
reconsidered, except by unanimous consent of the Council, except that action related to any contract
may be reconsidered at any time before the final execution thereof. A matter which was not timely
reconsidered in the manner provided by this section or was reconsidered but the action originally
taken was not changed by the Council cannot be reintroduced to the Council or placed on a Council
meeting agenda for a period of six (6) months unless this rule is suspended as provided for in these
Rules of Procedure.
7.12 (12) The Previous Question: When the previous question is moved and
seconded, it shall be put as follows: "Shall the main question be now put?". There shall then be no
further amendment or debate; except that nothing herein shall allow the previous o~]esfion to be
called prior to a least one opporn]nity, for each member of the Council to speak on the o~]esfion
before the Council. Any pending amendments shall be put in their order before the main question.
If the motion for the previous question is lost, the main question remains before the Council. An
affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Council shall be required to move the previous question. To demand
the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That debate now cease, and the Council
PAGE 12
shall immediately proceed to vote on the pending motion". In practice, this is done with the phrase
"Call for the question", or simply saying "Question".
7.13 (13) Withdrawal of Motions: A motion may be withdrawn, or modified, by its
movant without asking permission until the motion has been stated by the Presiding Officer. If the
movant modifies his or her motion, the seconding councilmember may withdraw his or her second.
After the question has been stated, the movant shall neither withdraw it nor modify it without the
consent of the Council. The subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under
color of amendment. A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order, but one to amend an
amendment to an amendment shall not be in order.
7.14 (14) Appropriations of Money: Before formal approval by the Council of
motions providing for appropriation of money, information must be presented to the Council
showing purpose of the appropriation. In addition, before finally acting on such an appropriation,
the Council shall obtain a report from the City Manager as to the availability of funds and his or her
recommendations as to the desirability of the appropriation.
7.15 (15) Transfer of Appropriations: At the request of the City Manager, at anytime
during the fiscal year, the Council may by resolution transfer an unencumbered balance of an
appropriation made for the use of one department, division, or purpose; but no transfer shall be
made of revenues or eamings of any non-tax supported public utility to any other purpose.
8. CREATION OF COMMITTEES.. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (2-29(h))
8.1 (1) Council Committees: The Council may, as the need arises, authorize the
appointment of the "ad hoc" Council committees. Any committee so created shall cease to exist
upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created or when abolished by a
majority vote of the Council.
8.2 (2) Citizen Floards~ Commissions~ and Committees: The Council may create other
Committees, Boards and Commissions to assist in the conduct of the operation of the City
govemment with such duties as the Council may specify not inconsistent with the City Charter or
Code. Memberships and selection of members shall be as provided by the Council if not specified
by the City Charter or Code. Any Committee, Board, or Commission so created shall cease to exist
upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created, or when abolished by a
majority of the vote of the Council. No Committee so appointed shall have powers other than
advisory to the Council or to the City Manager, except as otherwise specified by the Charter or
Code.
8.3 (3) Appointments:
a. Individual City Councilmembers making nominations for members to citizen boards and
PAGE 13
commissions will consider interested persons on a citywide basis.
b. The City Council will make an effort to be inclusive of all segments of the community in
the board and commission appointment process. City Councilmembers will consider ethnicity,
gender, socio-economic levels, and other factors to ensure a diverse representation of Denton
citizens.
c. The City Council will take into consideration an individual's qualifications, willingness
to serve, and application information in selecting nominations for membership to each board and
commission.
d. In an effort to ensure maximum citizen participation, City Councilmembers will continue
the general practice of nominating new citizens to replace board members who have served three
consecutive, full terms on the same board.
e. Each City Councilmember will be responsible for making nominations for board and
commission places assigned to him or her, which may correspond to the City Councilmember's
place. Individual City Councilmembers will make nominations to the full City Council for the
governing body's approval or disapproval.
8.4 (4) Rules of Procedure: Board and Commission members shall comply with the
provisions of Article IH of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances. Each Board shall be provided a
copy of these rules of procedure and each advisory board shall adopt rules of procedure governing
the operation of its board, incorporating Sections 2, 3, 5, and 7 hereof insofar as is possible.
9. VOTES REQUIRED (2-20 (i))
Questions on which the voting requirement is varied by the Charter, State Statutes and these
rules are listed below:
9.1 (1) Charter and State Statutory Rea2firements:
a. Charter Amendment - Five Votes: Ordinances submitting proposed Charter
amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. (Article XI, Section 3, Texas
Constitution and Chapter 9, Texas Local Government Code (Vernons 2003.) For a seven member
Council, this means five members must vote affirmatively.
b. l,evyfi'ng Taxes - Five Votes: Ordinances providing for the assessment and
collection of certain taxes require the approval of two-thirds of the members of the Council
(Section 302.101, Texas Tax Code) (Vernons, 2003)
c. Changing Paving Assessment Plans - Five Votes: Changes in plans for paving
assessment require a two-thirds vote of the Council. (Section 313.053(e) Transportation Code,
PAGE 14
Vernons 2003.)
d. Changes in Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Classifications: In cases of a written
protest of a change in a zoning regulation or zoning classification by the owners of twenty (20%)
percent or more either of the area of the lots included in such proposed change, or of the lots
immediately adjoining the same and extending two hundred feet (200') therefrom, such amendment
shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all members of the
City Council; six (6) votes of the City Council is required to override the decision of the Planning
and Zoning Commission that a zoning change be denied.
e. Amendment of Tax Abatement Policy: The guidelines and criteria adopted as the
City's Tax Abatement Policy may be amended or repealed by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all
members of the City Council. (Section 312.002(c)) Texas Tax Code (Vernons 2003.)
10. SEVERABILITV CLAUSE (2-29(j))
That if any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in this
ordinance, or application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance, and the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas, hereby declares it would have
enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
~ That Ordinances 2001-204, 2002-018, 2003-235, 2003-373, 2004-014 and
2004-033 are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3_ That this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the __ day of
_, 2004.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
BY:
PAGE 15
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY:
PAGE 16
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
AGENDA DATE: June 15, 2004
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
CM/DCM/ACM: Michael A. Conduff, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the Council annual retreat.
BACKGROUND:
The Council meets for a full day or more at least annually to discuss strategic issues and to set
priorities for the upcoming year. The annual retreat meeting is usually held offsite to allow
Council discussion to occur in a more relaxed atmosphere with limited interruption. While the
meeting is held offsite, the Council has chosen to stay in Denton County so that participants can
return to Denton quickly if necessary and to keep costs at a minimum. For the last two year's,
the Council has had a one-day annual retreat held in the clubhouse at Robson Ranch.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The recommendation is to hold a one and half day retreat at the Lantana Lodge located on Lake
Ray Roberts.
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Costs associated with the retreat were approved in the FY 03/04 City Manager's Office budget.
Respectfully submitted:
Betty Williams
Director of Management & Public