KYLE — Nearing its final meeting, the Kyle Charter Review Commission met to review previous recommendations June 5.
Previously, at the April 28 meeting, the commission discussed Article 12 Ethics and Conflicts and Article13 General Provisions. The recommendations made were approved unanimously, including Section 12.01 Ethics Commission, where it was suggested by commissioner Diane Hervol to add language similar to the city of Pflugerville. Following the suggestion, city attorney Aimee Alcorn-Reed added the information: “The code of ethics shall provide guidance to city officials and employees in order to instill and maintain a high level of public confidence in the professionalism, integrity, and commitment to the public interest of those in public service. At a minimum, the code of ethics shall include (1) standards of conduct related to public administration and offenses against public administration, as set out in Chapter 36, Penal Code; (2) a travel and expense policy regulating the expenditure of public funds for travel, conferences, and entertainment; and (3) other regulations required in this Article.”
Next, Alcorn-Reed provided an overview of the changes made throughout the 13 articles of the review, in preparation for council approval at a later meeting.
She noted that many of the recommendations included simplifying and clarifying language and referencing state law, though a major recommendation was reducing term limits to Section 3.03 Term Limits, so that no council member may serve more than three consecutive terms as a council member or mayor. Prior to the change, a resident could serve three terms as both a council member and mayor.
Some recommendations that were made, according to the presentation, include:
• Changing Section 3.04 Vacancies in Office to allow a special election to be held on the next uniform election date, rather than within 120 days
• Changing Section 4.03 The City Council to allow council to confirm the appointment and removal of the finance director
• Adding Section 8.15, which would allow council to create the position of city auditor
• A new addition of Section 12.06, which requires council members to take a two year break prior to accepting a job with the city
• Changing Section 13.08 to require a Charter Review Commission every sixth year instead of every fifth
In the review, commissioner Alex Villalobos referenced Section 7.06 Police Department. He stated that he is aware of a charter limit that was voted in that required the police department to do a quarterly update: “So, how are they abiding by that under the current system … From a local government standpoint, [it] is to provide more opportunity for those departments that use taxpayer dollars to address certain issues in their expertise. It’s to create a better relationship with the governing body when it comes to budget, so that we’re not waiting until budget season to address issues.”
When looking at 7.06 b), commissioner David Glickler noted that it states annually the police chief must present to council, which does happen. In response, Villalobos stated that an increase in those reports was passed in referendum.
Alcorn-Reed stated that she would have to do research to see how the police are potentially keeping up with this.
“Just keeping that in mind how we’re developing that communication with the city and the taxpayers,” said Villalobos. “I know it creates more of an interval, but I think it’s very important, especially since these costs are something that everybody’s concerned about in the community.”
Hervol shared that, taking it a step further, she believes that when this information is shared through the city, it should be shared through the homeowners associations, as well.
“I do think that to the extent that this is or is not being followed or an ordinance is or is not being followed or enforced is more of an issue for the city council and less of an issue for us,” said Glickler.
Commissioner Hannah Foarde backtracked to Article 5, where she requested to specify that city hall will be a polling location “unless, for some reason, it is not available,” as she was concerned about voter turnout.
Additionally, Alcorn-Reed suggested adding the following language from Section 3.08 to Section 12.04: “All members of the council present shall vote upon every issue, subject or matter properly before the council and requiring a council vote; provided that, if any member of the council has a conflict of interest that fact shall be stated in the minutes and such member shall abstain from discussion and voting on the issue.” This is because 12.04 discusses conflicts of interest.
Recommendations and discussions will be further reviewed at the June 23 meeting. To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/43KVxak.
