HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-577ORDINANCE NO. 25-577
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, RELATED TO CHAPTER 2, TITLED “ADMINISTRATION,” ARTiCLE
XI, TITLED “ETHICS,” TO RESTRUCTURE THE DEFINITION OF CONFLICT OF
INTEREST, SET A TIMELINE BY WHICH CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES
MUST BE FILED, AND CLARIFY THE EVIDENTIARY STANDARD FOR ETHICS
COMPLAINT HEARINGS; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVDING CODIFICATION;
CONFIRMING PROPER NOTICE AND MEETING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2018, the City Council of the City of Denton enacted a new Code
of Ethics to foster a culture of integrity for those who serve the municipality and our citizenry (the
“Code”); and
WHEREAS, the Code presented the consensus of preferences expressed by the City
Council over a period of eight (8) public work sessions, and four (4) public hearings, which were
broadcasted. Altogether, the work sessions exceeded twenty (20) hours of deliberations; and
WHEREAS, this Code of Ethics applies to the Mayor, City Council, Planning and Zoning,
Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Landmark Commission, Board of Ethics, Public Utilities
Board, Department Heads appointed by the City Council, and Vendors; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2018, the City Council passed an amendment, clarifying
ineligibiiity to serve on the Board of Ethics in Section 2-277; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020, by Ordinance No. 20-1035, the City Council repealed the
previously adopted Chapter 2, Article Xl, entitled “Ethics,” in its entirety and replaced it with an
amended Code.
WHEREAS, on January 25, 2022, by Ordinance No. 22-056, the City Council passed an
amendment, removing preference qualifications for Members of the Board of Ethics; and
WHEREAS, on July 19, 2022, by Ordinance No. 22-1245, the City Council passed an
amendment, updating the composition requirements of a panel, clarifying what is included in the
contents of an accepted ethics complaint, and clarifying the process for recommending a frivolity
hearing; and
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2023, by Ordinance No. 23-1165, the City Council passed an
amendment clarifying the gift disclosure requirements, adding to the definition of conflict of
interest recent offers of employment, clarifying the process to submit business disclosures, and
requiring the City Auditor to provide a copy of an Accepted Complaint to the Complainant; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, by Ordinance No. 23-2251, the City Council passed
an amendment eliminating alternate member positions on the Board of Ethics; and
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WHEREAS, the Board of Ethics, having heard and decided multiple complaints under the
Code, has met over five meetings to discuss proposed changes to the Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds the attached amended Code reasonable, necessary,
and consistent with the intent of the City Council in drafting the Code of Ethics; NOW,
THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are found to be true and incorporated into this
Ordinance by reference as findings of fact as if expressly set forth herein.
SECTION 2. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule
municipal corporation, is hereby amended by repealing the previously adopted Chapter 2, Article
XI, entitled “Ethics,” in its entirety and replacing it with the amended Code as provided in
Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated into this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. Should any of the clauses, sentences, paragraphs, sections, or parts of this
Ordinance be deemed invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of law or
administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter, such action shall not be construed to affect
any other valid portion of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. The City Secretary is hereby directed to record and publish the attached
rule, regulation, and policy in the City’s Code of Ordinances as authorized by Section 52.001 of
the Texas Local Government Code.
SECTION 5. It is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which
this Ordinance was passed was open to the public, and that public notice of the time, place,
and purpose of said meeting was given as required by the Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code, Chapter 551. Notice was also provided as required by Chapter 52 of the
Texas Local Government Code.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
The motion to approve this ordinance was made by Jill Jester and seconded by Joe Holland, the
ordinance was passed and approved by the following vote [ 7 - 0 ]:
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Aye Nay Abstain Absent
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth:
Vicki Byrd, District 1 :
Brian Beck. District 2 :
Paul Meltzer. District 3 :
Joe Holland. District 4:
Brandon Chase McGee, At Large Place 5 :
Jill Jester, At Large Place 6:
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PASSED AND APPROVED this the 15th day of April, 2025.
GERARb HUDSPETH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LAUREN THODEN, CITY SECRETARY t\\\\ IIII / //if
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
MACK REINWAND, CITY ATTORNEY
.„34b Deputy City Attorney
S Itt Bray
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