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Home My WebLink AboutORD 2002-20AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 2.36 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND BOARDS TO ADD SECTION 2.36.010, AND TO AMEND SECTIONS 2.36.0309 2.36.040, and 2.36.050; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND A CONFLICT CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas adopted a policy on May 16, 2000 regarding the responsibilities of board and commission members; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to codify said policies in new Section 2.36.010, and to make the policy provisions part of the Code of Ordinances; WHEREAS, the City Council also desires to amend certain provisions of Chapter 2.36.030 pertaining to the beg'mnmg and ending date of the terms for each commission, committee, or board member to reflect the current schedule for making such appointments; WHEREAS, the City Council also desires to amend certain provisions of Chapter 2.36.040 and 2.36.050 to more accurately reflect the current schedule and practices for filling vacancies and for honoring volunteer members of the City's commissions, committees, and boards. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are found to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this ordinance implements Century Plan Policy End number 6.0 which states, "A high level of cooperation and involvement exists among Georgetown's citizens and governmental organizations," and further finds that the adoption of this ordinance is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other Century Plan Policies, as required by Section 2.03 of the Administrative Chapter of the Policy Plan. Responsibilities of Board and Commission Members Ordinance No. J10 •0 Page 1 of 5 SECTION 2: The Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to add Section 2.36.010 as follows: 2.36.010 Duties of Commission, Committee, and Board Members A. Commission, committee, and board members (hereinafter referred to as `Board Members") will represent unconflicted loyalty to the interests of the citizens of Georgetown. This accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and membership on other boards or staffs. This accountability supersedes the personal interest of any Board Member acting as an individual citizen of the City. B. Unless otherwise specified by Federal law, State law, the City Charter, or other provisions of this Code of Ordinances, appointed committees, commissions, and boards are advisory to the Council; they play a unique and important role in this advisory capacity, assisting the Council to carry out its responsibilities for making the decisions which shape City policy. C. Each Board Member is responsible to come to meetings prepared to discuss the issues on the agenda. D. Attendance by Board Members is integral to the Board's success. It is Council policy to require a minimum of 75% attendance of each Board Member, based on excused absences, and 67% attendance considering total absences. (Excused absences shall be determined by the Board Chair, who shall submit a running summary of absences to the Council in June and November of each year.) Excessive absenteeism will result in the Board Member being replaced on the Council. E. All Board Members appointed by the City Council shall comply with the provisions of the City's Ethics Ordinance (Chapter 2.20 of the Georgetown Municipal Code), and the Texas Open Meetings Act. F. Board Members shall act and conduct themselves in a manner which will promote trust in their integrity, impartiality, and their devotion to the best interests of the City. During Board Meetings, Board Members shall preserve order and decorum and shall conduct themselves in a manner which will not, either by conversation or activity, delay or interrupt the proceedings. Board Members shall not indulge in personalities, use offensive language, arraign the motives of members, charge deliberate misrepresentation, or use language tending to hold any Board Members, Council Members, the public, or the staff, in contempt. Board Members will comply with the directions of the presiding office. G. Board Members shall vote interests or when he/she appearance of impropriety. Responsibilities of Board and Commission Members Ordinance No. c? ®&- l Page 2 of 5 on all items, except on matters involving personal believes that voting on a matter would create an In these instances, the Board Member may abstain. Any Board Member excused from voting for these reasons shall announce at the commencement of consideration of the matter and shall refrain from discussion or debate on any such matter and shall have previously filed an affidavit stating the conflict of interest. The Board Member, having briefly stated the reason for his/her request, shall be excused from voting without debate. H. Board Members are encouraged to be active in discussions and activities of the Board, seeking to be innovative, creative, and freely sharing the skills and knowledge which prompted their appointment to the Board. I. Communication between the Council and the committees, commissions, and boards is important to fulfilling their purpose. Committees, commissions, and boards are encouraged to establish a liaison program for their Board to attend Council meetings relevant to their program, and to communicate with Council regarding issues in their domain. SECTION 3: Section 2.36.030 `Beginning, ending date of terms" is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 2.36.030 Beginning, ending date of terms A. Unless otherwise specified by the City Council, the term of office for all committees, boards, and commissions of the City shall be two years in length with normal, yearly appointments made in February. B. All members shall continue to serve until reappointment for that position takes place. C. Members of the city's commissions, committees, and boards shall be recommended by the Mayor and appointed by a vote of the majority of the Council, unless otherwise provided by law. Should the Mayor fail to make a recommendation, or should the Council fail to appoint a member recommended by the Mayor, a majority of the Council plus one may make the appointment without a recommendation from the Mayor. D. Annual new member orientation shall occur within two (2) weeks after the annual appoints are made to each commission, committee, or board. Responsibilities of Board and Conunission Members Ordinance No. Qaa Page 3 of 5 SECTION 4: Section 2.36.040, "Filling vacated term" is hereby amended to provide as follows: Section 2.36.040. Filling vacated term A. Vacancies that arise during the year shall be filled as soon as reasonably possible and in the same manner as described in Section 2.36.030 for original appointments. B. Any person who is appointed to fill a vacated term of office that occurs at a time other than the annual appointments will not have the initial appointed term count towards the maximum amount of terms allowed for that person to serve on the committee, board, or commission. SECTION 5: Section 2.36.050, "Standing Meeting Date" is hereby amended to provide as follows: Sec. 2.36.050. Standing meeting date. Each March, the City Council shall recognize all outgoing members, introduce new members, and honor the volunteer effort of the commission, committee, and board members. SECTION 6. This ordinance shall be and is hereby declared to be cumulative of all other ordinances of the City of Georgetown, and this ordinance shall not operate to repeal or affect any of such other ordinances, except insofar as the provisions thereof might be inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, in which event such conflicting provisions, if any in such other ordinance or ordinances are hereby superseded. SECTION 7. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. SECTION 8. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. Responsibilities of Board and Commission Members ordinance No. A00A . Page 4 of 5 PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 26th day of March 2002. PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the ' day of , 2002. ATTEST: THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN: Jg fes' By: Sandra Lee, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: atricia E. Carts, Brown & Cads, LLP City Attorney Ordinance No. Ao r Mary Ellen Kersch, Mayor