HomeMy WebLinkAboutBSC Bylaws 5.13.2014BYLAWS
CITY OF GEORGETOWN
BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.1. Name. Building Standards Commission ("Commission")
Section 1.2. Purpose. The Commission is established to hear and determine cases concerning
alleged violations or ordinances as authorized by Chapter 54, Subchapter C, Texas Local
Government Code and the City Code of Ordinances. See Ordinance Chapter 2.64.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.1. Number of Members. The Commission will be comprised of five (5) Members.
Section 2.2. Eligibility. Each Member shall reside in the City of Georgetown corporate limits
or ETJ while they serve on the Commission. At least four (4) Members should be experienced in
electrical contracting, mechanical contracting (heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC)), plumbing contracting, real estate, architecture, engineering, building construction
and/or fire protection. One (1) Member will serve at -large.
Section 2.3. Appointment of Commission Members. Members of the Commission shall be
appointed pursuant to and in accordance with the City Charter.
Section 2.4. Terms of Office. Generally, terms of office for each Member shall be two (2)
years. Generally, a Member may serve two (2) consecutive terms. Refer to Ordinance Section
2.36.030A for additional provisions regarding terms of office.
Section 2.5. Vacancies. Vacancies that occur during a term shall be filled as soon as reasonably
possible and in the same manner as an appointment in accordance with the City Charter. If
possible, the Member shall continue to serve until the vacancy is filled. An appointment to fill a
vacated term is not included as a term for purposes of counting consecutive terms.
Section 2.6. Compensation and Expenditure of Funds. Members serve without compensation.
The Commission and its Members have no authority to expend funds or to incur or make an
obligation on behalf of the City unless authorized and approved by the City Council. Members
may be reimbursed for expenses authorized and approved by the City Council and the
Commission.
Section 2.7. Compliance with City Policy. Members will comply with City Ordinances, Rules
and Policies applicable to the Commission and the Members, including but not limited to Ethics
Ordinance Chapter 2.20 and City Commissions, Committees and Boards Ordinance Chapter
2.36.
Building Standards Commission Bylaws
Revised May 2014
Page 1 of 6
Section 2.8. Removal. A Member may be removed from the Commission for cause, on written
charge. Before the decision regarding removal is made, the City Council shall hold a public
hearing on the matter unless waived by the Member that is subject to the removal action.
Removal shall be by majority vote of the City Council.
ARTICLE III. COMMISSION OFFICERS
Section 3.1. Officers. The Commission Officers are Chairman, Vice -Chairman and Secretary.
The Chairman is appointed by the City Council during the annual appointment process. The
other Commission Officers are elected by a majority vote of the Members at the first meeting
after the annual appointment process.
Section 3.2. Terms of Office for Commission Officers. Commission Officers serve for a term
of one year. In the event of vacancy in the office of Chairman, the Vice- Chairman shall serve as
Chairman until the City Council appoints a replacement Chairman. A vacancy in the other
offices shall be elected by majority vote of the Members at the next regularly scheduled meeting,
or as soon as reasonably practical for the unexpired term. If possible, a Commission Officer
shall continue to serve until the vacancy is filled.
Section 3.3. Duties.
a. The Chairman presides at Commission meetings. The Chairman shall generally manage the
business of the Commission. The Chairman shall perform the duties delegated to the Chairman
by the Commission.
b. The Vice -Chairman shall perform the duties delegated to the Vice -Chairman by the
Commission. The Vice -Chairman presides at Commission meetings in the Chairman's absence.
The Vice -Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in the Chairman's absence or
disability.
c. The Secretary shall perform the duties delegated to the Secretary by the Commission.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
Section 4.1. Time and Date of Regular Meeting. The Commission shall meet once a month on
the same week of the month, the same day of the week, at the same time, and at the same place.
The regular date, time and place of the Commission meeting will be decided by the Members at
the first meeting of the Commission after the annual appointment process. Hearings of the Board
shall be held at the call of the Chairman at such times as the Board may determine.
Section 4.2. Agenda. Items may be placed on the agenda by the Chairman, the Building
Official, the City Manager or designee, or at the request of a Member. The parry (or individual)
requesting the agenda item will be responsible for preparing an agenda item cover sheet and for
the initial presentation at the meeting. Items included on the agenda must be submitted to the
Staff Liaison no later than one week before the Commission meeting at which the agenda item
will be considered. Agenda packets for regular meetings will be provided to the Members in
Building Standards Commission Bylaws
Revised May 2014
Page 2 of 6
advance of the scheduled Commission meeting. Agenda packets will contain the posted agenda,
agenda item cover sheets, and written minutes of the last meeting.
Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or on written
request of two (2) Members.
Section 4.4. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Members. A quorum is
required for the Commission to convene a meeting and to conduct business at a meeting.
Section 4.5. Call to Order. Commission meetings will be called to order by the Chairman or, if
absent, by the Vice -Chairman. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice -Chairman, the
meeting shall be called to order by the Secretary, and a temporary Chairman shall be elected to
preside over the meeting.
Section 4.6. Conduct of Meeting. Commission meetings will be conducted in accordance with
these Bylaws and City Council Meeting Rules and Procedures, as applicable to the Commission.
See Ordinance Chapter 2.24.
Section 4.7. Voting. Each Member shall vote on all agenda items, except on matters involving
a conflict of interest, substantial financial interest or substantial economic interest under state
law, the City's Ethics Ordinance, or other applicable Laws, Rules and Policies. In such instances
the Member shall make the required disclosures and shall refrain from participating in both the
discussion and vote on the matter. The Member may remain at the dais or leave the dais, at the
Member's option, while the matter is being considered and voted on by the other Commission
Members. Unless otherwise provided by law, each case before the Commission must be heard
and determined by at least three Members. Any request not approved by affirmative vote of
three or more Members shall be considered denied.
Section 4.8. Minutes. A recording or written minutes shall be made of all open sessions of
Commission meetings. The minutes shall show the vote of each Member upon each question or,
if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and examinations and other official actions. The
Staff Liaison is the custodian of all Commission records and documents.
Section 4.9. Attendance. Members are required to attend Commission meetings prepared to
discuss the issues on the agenda. A Member shall notify the Chairman and the Staff Liaison if
the Member is unable to attend a meeting. Excessive absenteeism will be subject to action under
Council policy and may result in the Member being replaced on the Commission. See Ordinance
Section 2.36.0101). Excessive absenteeism means failure to attend at least 75% of regularly
scheduled meetings, including Commission meetings and Subcommittee meetings. If a Member
is removed from the Commission that position shall be considered vacant and a new Member
shall be appointed to the Commission in accordance with Section 2.5 above.
Section 4.10. Public Participation. In accordance with City policy, the public is welcome and
invited to attend Commission meetings and to speak on any item on the agenda. A person
wishing to address the Commission must sign up to speak in accordance with the policy of the
Council concerning participation and general public comment at public meetings. Sign-up sheets
Building Standards Commission Bylaws
Revised May 2014
Page 3 of 6
will be available and should be submitted to the Chairman prior to the start of the meeting. If
any written materials are to be provided to the Commission, a copy shall also be provided to the
Staff Liaison for inclusion in the minutes of the meeting. Speakers shall be allowed a maximum
of three minutes to speak, but may take up to six minutes if another individual who signs up to
speak yields the time to the speaker. If a person wishes to speak on an issue that is not posted on
the agenda, they must file a written request with the Staff Liaison no later than one week before
the scheduled meeting. The written request must state the specific topic to be addressed and
include sufficient information to inform the Commission and the public. A person who disrupts
the meeting may be asked to leave and be removed.
Section 4.11. Open Meetings. Public notice of Commission meetings shall be provided in
accordance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act. All Commission meetings and
deliberations shall be open to the public, except for properly noticed closed session matters, and
shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Section 4.12. Closed Sessions. The Commission may conduct closed sessions as allowed by
law, on properly noticed closed session matters, such as consultation with attorney on legal
matters, deliberation regarding the value of real property, competitive utility matters, and
economic development negotiations. A recording or certified agenda shall be made of all closed
sessions of Commission meetings.
ARTICLE V. REPORTS TO CITY COUNCIL
The Commission shall meet with City Council, as requested, to determine how the Commission
may best serve and assist City Council. City Council shall hear reports from the Commission at
regularly scheduled Council meetings.
ARTICLE VI. SUBCOMMITTEES
Section 6.1. Formation. When deemed necessary by a majority of the Commission,
Subcommittees may be formed for specific projects related to Commission matters.
Subcommittees comprised of non -Members may only be formed with the prior consent and
confirmation of the City Council.
Section 6.2. Expenditure of Funds. No Subcommittee, or member of a Subcommittee, has the
authority to expend funds or incur an obligation on behalf of the City or the Commission.
Subcommittee expenses may be reimbursed if authorized and approved by the Commission or by
City Council.
Section 6.3. Open Meetings. Subcommittee meetings and deliberations shall be open to the
public, except for properly noticed closed session matters, and shall be conducted in accordance
with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Building Standards Commission Bylaws
Revised May 2014
Page 4 of 6
ARTICLE VII. BYLAW AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the Commission Members at any regular
meeting of the Commission. The Commission's proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be
approved by City Council at the next Council meeting after the Commission's approval. Bylaw
amendments are not effective until approved by City Council.
Approved and adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the day of
2014.
ATTEST:
THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
n
City e etary Mayor
Approsyi
and adopted at a meeting of the Commission on the day of
, 2014.
ATTEST: COMMISSION
David Dees - Commission Secretary Morris reenberg - Cololission Chairman
Building Standards Commission Bylaws
Revised May 2014
Page 5 of 6