FB Charter Review

Farmers Branch Charter Review Process

Information and comments furnished by Kathleen Matsumura (972-484-1391)


7/29	A vote of nine denied citizens the right to decide whether substantive changes to the Farmers Branch charter are warranted. The Charter Review Committee appointed by the city council has examined the document line by line, cleaning up some legal terminology along the way. The housekeeping changes were approved unanimously at the 7/28 committee meeting. Then came the time to address the three revisions I had proposed as citizen observer at last week's meeting. The chairman did allow public input at this point, once I requested it, but he reminded me that input of this kind rightfully belonged at the end of the meeting. That was what had been agreed upon by committee vote at the first session, but the chairman was lenient. I spoke, saying my basic hope was for the changes I had recommended to be included on the ballot at the next municipal election in May 2004. Longtime resident Marty Gierhl stated there were many opinions to consider regarding each proposed change. He said voters should hear these opinions, then make up their own minds. Former council members Calla Davis and Jim Robbs spoke in support of the status quo. Before public input was terminated, Calla added the only change she wanted considered is the stipulation that under certain circumstances the council and mayor should be allowed a stipend to help offset expenses incurred in the exercise of their duties. Before I left the conference room, the committee talked of having one more meeting, so they could study the feasibility of this change and vote the next time whether to recommend it to the council. The public is promised a hearing when the committee brings its recommendations to the council for final action. But for all intents and purposes, the decision has been made. I got the impression from opposing comments that the attitude is only a few have the capability to run this city, only a few can fully grasp the complicated issues. Involvement of the public in determining which municipal edifice should be built when and how long a person should serve on the council can only lead to unnecessary delay and confusion.
7/23	The Farmers Branch charter, last revised in 1999, is being reviewed by a group of citizens appointed by city council. The first meeting of the Charter Review Committee, under the chairmanship of Jim Barrett, took place at city hall on July 17, followed by a session last night, July 22. It is anticipated that committee members will confer with the city attorney and package recommendations for council approval by July 29. As a result of my request, the committee voted to allow public input at the end of each review session. Last night, the committee heard my proposed charter revisions. They are as follows: *Term limits. Wording should be added to Article II, Section 2.01 that stipulates that after two consecutive terms, council incumbents will stand down for a minimum of one term before running again. Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Denton and Dallas are among the cities in the area with charters stipulating term limits for council and mayor. *Capital improvement vote. Wording should be added to Article II, Section 2.06, subsection (3) that calls for voter approval for designated capital improvements. It was suggested that this change to the charter will give voters more control over projects that were once put on the ballot before the pay-as-you-go method of city financing was initiated. This suggested change to the charter would not interfere with pay-as-you-go financing. *Replanning, reconstruction, redevelopment. Wording should be added to Article II, Section 2.06, subsection (10) that would restrict council powers to the assignment of public funds to redevelop areas destroyed in whole or in part by disaster. With the textual change, no expenditures of public funds will be authorized for development of privately owned subdivisions. The Charter Review Committee members agreed to examine these proposed changes and to make a determination at next week's meeting as to whether they will be included in the final package presented to city council. According to Mayor Bob Phelps, who was present at both committee meetings along with council member Junie Smith, the changes the committee suggests will be reviewed in a public hearing at a future council meeting. A vote on council-approved changes may take place on an election date designated by council. The city has a choice of four dates during the year to call elections. A copy of the charter is at the city library. The charter is not scheduled to be reviewed again until 2008.
7/18	The Farmers Branch Charter Review Committee, under the chairmanship of Jim Barrett, met for the first time, Tuesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the conference room on the second floor of the City Hall. Review of the city charter, last reviewed in 1998, will continue next Tuesday, July 22, and the following Tuesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. in the conference room. As a citizen observer last night, I requested that the committee give the public a chance to give input. As a result, the committee voted to allow citizen input at the end of each review session. I understand a hard copy of the charter is at the library. I'm checking on the online access to the document through the city web site... http://www.farmersbranch.info/ If you would like to be part of the Charter Review process, attend the meetings and speak up at the end. According to Mayor Bob Phelps, who was present at the meeting along with Council member Junie Smith, the changes the committee suggests will be reviewed in a public hearing at a future council meeting and a vote on council-approved changes will take place following that...probably at the next municipal election in May next year...the city has a choice of four dates during the year to call elections.