City ofLiberty Hill, TX Home Rule Charter Commission Special Called Joint Meetings with City Council Monday, July 8, 2024, at 6 PM City Council Chamber, 2801 RR 1869, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 Meeting minutes:  Commissioners Present: Bryan Rivera Karlyn Keller Liz Branigan Ron Rhea Jennifer Brandes Cathy Enderle Luke. Jernejcic Bill Brannan  Commissioners Absent: Danny Barringer Logan E. Yarborough Jessica Solis Wanda Sweeney Cory Brandes Day Wright Matt Pappas  City Council Present: Mayor Crystal Mancilla MPT Amanda Young Council Member Jacquetta Thayer Council Member Wade Ashley Council Member Diane Williams Council Members Absent: Council Member Micheal Helbing City Staff Present: Joe Crawford, Legal Counsel Paul Brandenburg, City Manager  City Secretary Elaine Simpson, Recording Secretary  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular.Called.Meeting,-Monday,'we24,2024,eeetingminutes, ptit Wtg WrCI Corencet Telay  Page 1of6    1. Welcome / Establish Quorum / Call to Order Call to order at 6:01 PM by Chair Bryan Rivera Call to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Crystal Mancilla 2) Housekeeping Items /Staff. Announcements There were no announcements.  3) Public Comments  Regarding items not on this agenda/Public Comments: Those desiring to speak on a topic not listed on the agenda, please complete a speaker form and present itto the City. Secretary before the meeting. Speakers will have three minutes each to speak, this time cannot be transferred or shared. Commissioners may not take action during this item and any responses will be limited toj factua! statements, recitation ofe existing policy, or request for the topic to be! placed on aj future agenda. Regarding topics listed as an agenda item/During. specific agenda item: Commissioners request that speakers complete a. speaker form, indicate which agenda item they are interested in speaking about, and submit form to the City Secretary before the agenda item is addressed.. Speaker forms may be emailed to the City Secretary before the meeting at simpoglbepallagow  There were no citizen comments.  3) Regular Agenda Items  a) Discussion, consideration and possible action regarding Home Rule Charter Commission meeting minutes from Monday, June 24, 2024. (E. Simpson)  Motion: Motion by Chair Rivera, seconded by Commissioner Enderle, to approve, as presented, the meeting minutes from the HRC meeting of Monday, June 24, 2024. Motion carried unanimously by an 8-0 vote. Ayes: Bryan Rivera, Karlyn Keller, Liz Branigan, Ron Rhea, Jennifer Brandes, Cathy Enderle, Luke Jernejcic and Bill Brannan. Nays: 0. With Danny Barringer, Logan E. Yarborough, Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory Brandes, Day Wright and  Matt Pappas absent.  b) The Home Rule Charter Commission has reviewed the following sections of the 'Model  Charter' and made and accepted initial changes: Introduction and Preamble Article I Form of Government Article II Powers oft the City Article III Mayor and Council Article IV. Administration and Personnel Article V Elections Article VI Initiative, Referendum and Recall Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Meeting, Monday, June 24, 2024, Meeting minutes  Page 2 of6    Article VII Finances Article VIII Charter Amendments Article IX General Provisions  The Commissioners and the City Council members discussed some misunderstandings that may have existed earlier in the process. There was a question posed to the City Attorney regarding whether or not the City Council must take this proposed draft Charter to the voters or if they can vote to reject it. Mr. Crawford will find his answer and let the Commissioners know. There was a discussion regarding the powers of Annexation. Will there be al benefit for the City to go from Type A General Law City to Home Rule ifv we are then more restrained from There was also a discussion about whether, when this draft Charter is ready, ifthe City Council might choose to send it to the voters in May of2025, instead of November of2024.  annexing?  The pros and cons were discussed regarding these questions.  Chair Rivera led the discussion of the nine (9) Sections starting with the Introduction and the Council Member Thayer requested information on the use oft the words 'God-given and' in the fourth line from the bottom oft the Preamble. The Commissioners may review this and consider For Article I, the City Attorney explained that ifthe voters adopt this proposed charter with Articlel Iasi is, this will automatically change the city to a 'Council Manager' form of  Preamble.  are-vote at their next meeting.  government.  For Article II, regarding Powers of the City, Mr. Crawford noted that section 2.02.01 Annexation For Section 2.02.03 Streets it was agreeable to modify the wording to change, in both instances ofi its occurrence in the paragraph "(except those under State control ifrequired by State law)' to For Article III, Mayor and Council, there was a discussion about the Section 3.02 a.) Eligibility, for item (9) where it says '9. An incumbent seeing re-election must file for the same position number presently held'. The Commissioners may take another look at this item at their next meeting, sO that perhaps instead ofwording like it is, it could say 'candidates are not eligible to run in opposition to another candidate for Council ift there is a Council place vacant that has no candidates currently applied to run'. This will prevent opposed races in an election where some Also on page 15, line 28, the word 'together' shall be added after the word "years. This will  and disannexation oft territory' conforms to state law.  'except those under State control or under the control ofany other entity'.  races have no candidates. make the sentences match. Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  RegularCaHed-Meeting-Menday.lune24,2024,Meetingminutes-  Page 3 of6    The group considered that there will be no 'resign to run' provision in this Charter ifiti is kept as Onp page 18, line 9, the letter (d) will be added in front oft the words Three Year Term vaçancies In Article IV. Administration and Personnel, there was al brief discussion ofs surrounding cities, and which ones have the Chief ofl Police report to the City Manager. Vice Chair Keller googled the question and said that all of the surrounding cities have the Police Chiefreport to the City Onj page 24, Line 27, Section 4.10 Public Works. Department, the groups discussed whether the Water and' Wastewater Department should also be listed. The Commissioners will consider this For Article V. Nominations and Elections, the City Secretary agreed to remove all the brackets For Article VIInitiative, Referendum and Recall the City Secretary to asked to add 'which may bei requested via internet from the City Secretary' to Section 6.04 Recall petition. This will make it read the same as the sections on petitions for the Initiative and Referendum sections. On page 38, lines 32 and 33, the following 'with the District Court of Williamson County, Texas' will be modified to read 'in a court with jurisdiction over the matter'. In Article VII. Finance. The City Secretary will correct globally throughout the section any reference to the 'city's Comprehensive Masterplan' with the correct reference, the 'city's Onj page 43, there was an extended discussion of Section 7.09 Independent Audit on line 17. 'Every five (5): years, the city will conduct an independent audit.' The Commissioners explained to the Council Members that this requirement is unique to the City ofLiberty Hill proposed draft charter, that no other nearby cities have this feature. The Commissioners acknowledged that this will be an expense that will have tol be budgeted for, perhaps in ai reserve fund. The Commissioners explained their inçlusion oft this as a requirement, instead of an option, because they believed that the cost would prevent City Councils in the future from deciding to do these regularly. They explained to the Council Members that these special audits should function as a deterrent to any employee or Council Member who might consider breaking the law. They also There was a discussion oft the value of the every five year forensic audit, versus ai requirement for the establishment of! processes. There was support for processes to be established that should prevent any illegal activities. These would be less expensive than a forensic audit every five years. The Commissioners explained that with the personnel turnover that the City has  written.  filled by Special Election:'  Manager.  at their next meeting.  that were enclosing recently changed verbiage.  Comprehensive Plan'.  sawi it as a valuable tool for transparency for the citizens.  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Meeting, Monday, June 24, 2024, Meeting minutes  Page 4 of6    experienced over the years, the regular forensic audit was the best option to making sure that the  finances were being kept in good order.  The next Article was VIII Charter. Amendments. The group had no corrections. Onj page 46, Article IX General. Provisions there was a brief discussion about adding another group to the protected classes, by prohibiting discrimination based on familial status (such as being divorced). City Attorney Crawford will look this up but does not believe that this is a Next on page 48, line 32 'the Section number '9.05' will be added in before the word Continuity There was an extended discussion regarding possible ways to add Transitional Provisions'. City Attorney Crawford will research what other cities may have on this. Vice Chair Keller found some language which could be added stating for instance, that Council Members seated when the Charter is adopted shall remain seated until their term ends, that all ordinances and resolutions in effect, other that ones which conflict with this Charter, shall remain in effect. Commissioners and Council members desired that there be some explanation ofhow the Charter would be phased in, especially where additional duties were placed on the City Manager. There was another brief discussion about the pros and cons of changing to a Home Rule Charter form of government. One item that has been discussed before is the beliefthat a Home Rule Charter city would have an advantage over a General Law city regarding grant opportunities. City Attorney Crawford will also look into whether Home Rule Cities do have this advantage.  protected class. in change.  c) Future Agenda Items: The City Council and the Home Rule Charter Commission may take this time to identify items ofi interest to be discussed in future meetings, may discuss the Education campaign for the Home Rule Charter project and/or may schedule future  meetings or events.  The Commissioners and Council Members discussed the time frame for the items still to be The HRC Commissioners decided to hold a 'Home Rule Charter Commission Meeting' on The Commissioners and Council Members determined that they would like to meet in Workshop session (although with the ability to vote) on Wednesday, July 24 from 5-6 6PM, to look at the There was concern expressed that the citizens have not been included in the process and if they are not included soon, it will be tool late for them to have input into the Charter.  done.  Monday, July 15th.  proposed draft Charter document again once more.  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Meeting, Monday, June 24, 2024, Meeting minutes  Page 5 of6    The Council and Commissioners determined that they would hold an 'Open House' on Monday, July 22nd, at the City Council Chamber. This event will be modeled after sessions that were hosted by the P&Z Commission when they were involving the citizens in the process to design There was continued discussion about whether the City Council had discretion to vote not to hold an election for this Charter when iti is presented to them. There were comments made that ift the Council must call the election automatically, then there may be no need for them to see the draft for 30 days. City Attorney Crawford will: research whether or not this is a ministerial act.  the city's Comprehensive Plan.  Home Rule Charter Special Meeting July 8, 2024 Proposed Updated Syllabus/Meeting schedule: July 15, 2024-F HRC Meeting. July 22nd. Open House Meeting  July 8, 2024: Discussion with City Council in. Joint Meeting  July 24, 2024: 5:00 - 6:00 Meet with City Council in early Workshop Meeting to discuss any items identified during the. Joint Meeting 7.8.2024 or the Open House of7.22.2024. August 28, 2024: City Council Consideration of Calling of Special Charter Election in  November November 5: Election  seplember/October. Education Campaign / Open Houses, etc.  The City Secretary agreed to coordinate the Open House promotion effort with Katie Amsler, the  City's Director of Communication and Community involvement.  5) Adjournment  There being no other business on the agenda, and no objection from the Commissioners, Mayor  Mancilla adjourned the meeting at 8:28 PM. Approved by thel Home Rule Charter Commission this by a vote of_ Ayes, a Nays and Abstaining.  2024, absent.  u p  Approved: Paern ChairByan-Rivera:  BRaz  a2  Elaine Simpson, City Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  ZZde  Regular Called Meeting, Monday, June 24, 2024, Meeting minutes  Page 6-ei6." o p