HomeMy WebLinkAboutEthics Commission 2007BY-LAWS OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION
SECTION I. NAME AND PURPOSE
1.1 The name of this commission is the “Ethics Review Commission,” and is sometimes referred to herein as “the Commission.”
1.2 The purpose of the Commission is to administer and to review annually Chapter 2.20 of the City Code of Ordinances relating to Ethics.
SECTION II. MEMBERSHIP
2.1 The number of Commissioners, their eligibility requirements, their method of selection, and their terms of office are set forth in Chapter 2.20 of the City Code of Ordinances.
2.2 Commissioners serve without compensation. Neither the Commission nor its individual members have the authority to expend funds nor make a financial obligation on behalf of the City.
The Commission may request necessary financial support from the City Council and the City Manager.
Commissioners shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 2.20 and 2.36 of the City Code of Ordinances.
The term of office for members shall be two (2) years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms allowable, with exceptions as provided in Ordinance 2007-16.
Members of the Board shall comply with City Council Policy regarding Responsibilities of Board Members as approved by the City Council.
Any member of the board may be removed from their position for any reason or for no reason by a majority vote of the City Council.
The City Secretary is staff liaison for the Commission.
SECTION III. OFFICERS
3.1 The officers of the Commission shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary elected as prescribed in Section 2.20.040(E) of the City Code of Ordinances.
3.2 The Chair presides at all Meetings/Hearings and performs all other duties pertaining to the office, including voting. The Vice-chair presides at Meetings/Hearings in the absence
of the Chair or in the event of a vacancy in that position. In the absence of both the Chair and Vice-Chair, the meeting shall be called to order and presided over by the Secretary.
The Secretary presents the minutes of the previous Meetings/Hearings for Commission approval.
SECTION IV. MEETINGS
4.1 The Commission shall meet as and when necessary to carry out its responsibilities, but in any event the Commission shall meet annually during March to elect officers, and to review
Chapter 2.20 of the City Code of Ordinances, these By-laws, and the Hearing Procedures appended hereto.
4.2 Commissioners shall vote on all items, except in cases where Chapters 2.20 or 2.36 of the City Code of Ordinances or state law dictate otherwise. In those instances, the Commissioner
shall abstain. Any Commissioner declaring excusal from voting for these reasons shall make an announcement to that effect at the commencement of consideration of the matter and shall
refrain from any discussion or debate on such matter.
Notice of all Commission Meetings shall be posted pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act. All Commission Meetings shall be open to the public and shall be conducted in accordance with
the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Texas Conflict of Interest Statutes, Chapters 2.20 and 2.36 of the City Code of Ordinances, these By-laws, and Robert’s Rules of Order.
Board Members are required to attend 75% of the Board meetings. Excessive absenteeism will be subject to action under Council policy.
4.4 The City Secretary will keep minutes of Commission Meetings and Hearings and shall maintain custody of all records and documents of the Commission.
4.5 Citizens wishing to address the Commission at a Meeting may do so if they sign up to speak to a particular posted item on the Commission’s agenda. Citizens shall be allowed three
minutes to speak, or up to a maximum of six minutes if another citizen who has signed up to speak yields their time to that citizen. Persons who disrupt the meeting may be asked to
leave and may be removed.
SECTION V. SUBCOMMITTEES
5.1 When deemed necessary by a majority of the Commission, Subcommittees may be formed to address specific matters. Subcommittees comprised of non-Commissioners may only be formed with
the prior consent and confirmation of the City Council.
5.2 No Subcommittee has the authority to expend funds or be reimbursed for expenses on behalf of the Commission without prior authorization of the Commission.
5.3 Subcommittee Meetings shall comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
SECTION VI. HEARINGS
6.1 The procedural rules applicable to Commission Hearings (“Hearing Procedures”) are appended hereto and adopted by reference for all purposes as if set forth in full. These Hearing
Procedures shall govern all Preliminary and Final Hearings on Complaints filed pursuant to Chapter 2.20 of the City Code of Ordinances.
6.2 No general public comment shall be admitted at a Preliminary Hearing or Final Hearing.
6.3. The provisions of Section 2.20.070(B) pertaining to Confidentiality shall apply to the Commission and its proceedings with regard to a Complaint filed pursuant to Chapter 2.20 of
the City Code of Ordinances.
SECTION VII. BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
7.1 These by-laws may be amended by vote of the Commissioners in accordance with Section 2.20.040(F) of the City Code of Ordinances.
7.2 By-laws and revisions thereto will be provided to the City Council and do not take effect until approved by the City Council.
Approved and adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the 25th day of September, 2007.
ATTEST: THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Sandra Lee Gary Nelon
City Secretary Mayor
Approved and adopted at a meeting of the Ethics Commission on the ______ day of _________________, 20____.
ETHICS COMMISSION
Fred Sellers, Board Chair