05-11-13 Charter (City of La Porte Texas Charter)- amended by Special Election held May 11, 2013

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1.04 LA PORTE CODE • 1.04. Form of government. The governing body of the city shall be a council composed of the mayor and eight (8) councilpersons, to be known as the city council of the City of La Porte, hereinafter called city council. The members of city council shall be elected from the city in the manner prescribed elsewhere in this Charter. State law reference—Form of government in home rule cities, V.T.C.A., Local Govern- ment Code § 26.001 et seq. 1.05. Powers of the city. a. Generally. The city shall have all the powers granted to municipal corporations and to cities by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas together with all the implied powers necessary to carry into execution the powers granted.The city may acquire property within or without its corporate limits for any city purpose in fee-simple title or any lesser interest or estate by purchase, gift, devise, lease or condemnation and may sell, lease, exchange, mortgage, hold, manage and control such property as its interest may require; and, except as prohibited by the Constitution of this state or restricted by the Charter, the city may exercise all municipal powers, functions, rights, privileges and immunities of every name and nature whatsoever. The city may use a corporate seal; may sue and be sued; may contract; may implead and be impleaded in all courts concerning all matters; may cooperate with the government of the United States and of the State of Texas or any agency or political • subdivision thereof to accomplish any lawful purpose; and may pass such ordinances as may be expedient for maintaining the city's peace and welfare and for the performance of its functions. b. Enumerated powers. Without limitation of the foregoing powers, the following are enumerated for greater certainty: 1. Eminent domain. The city shall have the full power and right to exercise the power of eminent domain when necessary or desirable to carry out any of the powers conferred upon it by this Charter or by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas. This power shall include the power to acquire any public utility operating with or without a franchise and furnishing a public service. The city may exercise its condemnation power in any manner authorized or permitted by the constitution and laws of this state.The power of eminent domain hereby conferred shall include the right of the city to take fee-simple title in land so condemned and such power and authority shall include the right to condemn property for such purposes. The city shall have and possess the power of condemnation for any municipal or public purposes even though not specifically enumerated in this Charter. 2. Streets. (a) Powers. The city shall have the power to lay out, establish, open, alter, widen, lower, extend, grade, abandon, discontinue, abolish, close, care for, pave, super- vise, maintain and improve streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, squares, public places and bridges; and regulate the use thereof and require the removal from • Supp.No.28 CHT:6