Title
Ordinance - Third and Final Reading of an Ordinance of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Calling a Special Election for November 3, 2020 for the Purpose of Amending the City Charter
Requested Action
Approval of ordinance to amend the City Charter.
Recommendation
City staff recommends the City Council call a special election for November 3, 2020 for the purpose of amending the city charter.
Description/History
On June 29, 2020 and July 6, 2020 the City Council held discussions regarding possible amendments to the City Charter. Below are the propositions as they will be placed on the ballot:
PROPOSITION A
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to delete matters contrary to or superseded by state law with regard to qualifications for candidates for City Council, the Department of Taxation and amending the Charter by deleting Subsection 3.02(c) and Section 9.15 and revising Section 12.12?
PROPOSITION B
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to clarify the process for electing a Mayor Pro Tem by revising Subsection 3.06(b)?
PROPOSITION C
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to require one reading for the approval of all ordinances save and except ordinances changing a zoning classification or approving a planned development zoning, which shall require two or three readings at the discretion of the City Council by revising Section 3.13(c)?
PROPOSITION D
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that the City Manager may be removed by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the City Council instead of five (5), establish the duties of the City Secretary, provide that the City Council appoint the City Attorney and the City Secretary, and may remove each by an affirmative vote of four (4) members by revising Subsection 6.01(b), adding Section 6.03 and revising Section 8.05?
PROPOSITION E
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to revise the qualifications for members of the Planning and Zoning Commission members by revising Section 10.01?
7/20/20 - Follow up from first reading
During the discussion of this item on first reading the Council requested that propositions B, C, and D be more detailed as to what the amendments would be. The Council also asked to add a proposition for a possible doomsday event. Below are the revised propositions.
PROPOSITION B
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to clarify the time period in which a Mayor Pro Tem is elected by revising Subsection 3.06(b)?
PROPOSITION C
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to require one reading for the approval of all ordinances save and except ordinances changing a zoning classification or approving a planned development zoning, which shall require at least two readings by revising Section 3.13(c)?
PROPOSITION E
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to require members of the Planning and Zoning Commission be residents, but need not own property in Mansfield by revising Section 10.01?
PROPOSITION F
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for a reduced quorum requirement in the event two (2) or more Council Members are unavailable due to death or disability by adding Section 3.09(d)?
7/27/20 - Follow up from second reading
During the discussion on this item on second reading the Council requested the following changes:
Wording for proposition B change to read that section 3.06(b) will be deleted from the Charter.
Proposition E needs to have wording added stating a P&Z member does not have to resign their place on the board to run for office.
Completely remove proposition F.
Justification
Amend the City Charter.
Funding Source
All election costs are budgeted through the City Council budget (01-8806-11-01)
Prepared By
Susana Marin, TRMC, City Secretary's Office
817-276-4203