04-23-12 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A CITIZENS’ CHARTER REVIEW ADVISORY COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR UP TO NINE (9)MEMBERS; DETERMINING THE TERM OF OFFICE; PROVIDING FOR THEIR DUTIES AND METHOD OFAPPOINTMENT;PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. ******* BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE: WHEREAS, the City of La Porte City Charter was last substantially revised in 1980; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to create a Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission forthecomplete and thorough review of the Charter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAPORTE, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1:There is hereby created a Citizens’ Charter Review AdvisoryCommission. SECTION 2:The Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission members will elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson within thirty (30) days after appointmentof the Commission. SECTION 3:The term of office of the Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission shall be nine (9) months;and, if during such term no report is presented to the City Council, then all records of the proceedings of such commission shall be filed with the person performing the duties of the City Secretary and shall become public record. SECTION 4:The City Council shall provide direction to the Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission as to the charter provisions to be reviewed.The duties of the Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission shall be to: (1) Inquire into the operation of City government under the charter provisions and determine whether any such provisions require revision. To this end, public hearings may be held; and the commission, upon agreement of a majority of the Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Commission,shall have the power to compel the attendance of any officer or employee of the City and to require the submission of any of the City records which it maydeem necessary to the conduct of such hearing. (2) Propose any recommendations it may deem desirable to ensure compliance with the provisions of the charter by the several departments of the City government. (3) Propose, if it deems desirable, amendments to the Charter to improve the effective application of said charter to current conditions. (4) Report its findings and present its proposed amendments, if any, to the City Council. SECTION 5:The City Council may take action to amend the charter in the manner providedby state law.