ERTY  Cityo ofLiberty Hill, TX Home Rule Charter Commission  Regular Called Meeting - Monday, June 24, 2024, at 6PM City Council Chamber, 2801 RR 1869, Liberty Hill, TX 78642  Meeting minutes:  Commissioners: Present: Karlyn Keller Luke Jernejcic Liz Branigan Danny Barringer Jennifer Brandes Ron Rhea Bill Brannan Bryan Rivera Matt Pappas Cathy Enderle Commissioners Absent: Jessica Solis Wanda Sweeney Cory Brandes Logan E. Yarborough Day Wright  City Staff Present: Joe Crawford, Legal Counsel  City Secretary Elaine Simpson, Recording Secretary 1. Welcome /1 Establish Quorum/C Call to Order Call to order at 6:02 PM by Chair Bryan Rivera 2) Housekeeping Items /Staff Announcements  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 it to 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  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page 1of6    item and any responses will be limited toj factua! statements, recitation of existing policy, or request for the topic to 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  be placed on aj future agenda.  meeting at imponglberphilacgow There were no citizen comments.  4) Regular Agenda Items  a) Administration of Oath of Office for the following new HRC Commissioners: City  Secretary Elaine Simpson  Appointed on March 13, 2024-1 Day Wright Mr. Wright was not able to attend this meeting.  b) Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding meeting minutes from June 17, Motion: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from the June 17,2024, Home Rule Charter Commission meeting, as presented, motion by Bryan Rivera, seconded by Bill Brannan. Vote on the Motion: Motion carried by a 10-0 vote. Ayes: Rivera, J. Brandes, D. Barringer, B. Brannan, L. Branigan, C. Enderle, K. Keller, L. Jernejcic, R. Rhea and M. Pappas. Nays: 0. There were no abstentions. With Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory Brandes, Logan E. Yarborough, and Day There was some discussion about the Charter Commissions timeline and upcoming meetings. The Commissioners determined that they would like to invite the City Council members to the Home Rule Charter Commission meeting on July 8, 2024, Monday. They would like the City Secretary to provide a copy of the Charter Sections, as 'approved' sO far tol both the Charter Commission members and the City Council members. There is understanding that the Commissioners, upon approval of the last Article in the Model Charter, will then review the entire draft document. The City Council members are expected to have questions or possible input at the meeting on the gth. Ifneeded, after the meeting on July gt, the Charter Commission will meet either the 15th or the 22nd (or both, as needed), to prepare for presentation of the draft document to the City Council at their workshop meeting on July 24, 2024, at 5PM.  2024, regular called Home Rule Charter Meeting.(E. Simpson)  Wright absent.  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page2of6    Discuss, consider, and possibly approve Article VI Initiative, Referendum and Recall, as The Commissioners reviewed the updated version of Article VI with the yellow highlight on the Motion: Motion to approve, as presented, Article VI with modifications as made 6.10 and 6.17.2024. Motion by Bill Brannon, seconded by Matt Pappas. Vote on the motion: Vote on the Motion: Motion carried bya a 10-0 vote. Ayes: Rivera, J. Brandes, D. Barringer, B. Brannan, L. Branigan, C. Enderle, K. Keller, L. Jernejcic, R. Rhea and M. Pappas. Nays: 0. There were no abstentions. With. Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory Brandes, Logan E. Yarborough, and Day  reviewed June 10, 2024, and. June 17, 2024. (J. Crawford)  items most recently modified (modified 6.17.2024).  Wright absent.  d) Discussion, consideration, and possible action related to. Article VII. Finances. City Secretary Simpson disseminated a copy ofthe current Resolution that governs Financial Policy' for the Commissioners to review. Resolution No. 2024-R-008 'Fiscal and Budgetary Policy Updated'. This was provided for context, sO Commissioners could view the policy 6:23 PM. The Commissioners discussed some ofthe concerns that they had discussed at the 6.17.2024 meeting, specifically about the City having regulations regarding the amount of budget reserves that they are allowed to carry. Mr. Rhea suggested a minimum' and 'maximum' rule, such as the city should hold a minimum of3 months ofb budget reserves, but no more than a maximum of 6 months of budget reserves. Mr. Rhea explained that his research showed there are  currently in effect.  no statutes prescribing the limits.  The Commissioners began to review Article VII Finances in their agenda packets. There was discussion of changing forganizational goals' to 'the city's strategic masterplan' on page 18 on lines 15 and 16. This should read 'the City Comprehensive Masterplan' ifthisi is Onj page 19, lines 8-9, the sentence on budget reserves shall be modified to read: (4) Budget Reserves, maintained according to adopted financial policy, applicable state and federal laws, and best practices, including guidance from Government Finance Officers Onj page 191 lines 34-35 should: read the same as on page 18 lines 15 and 16, should be uniform  how the plan is commonly referred to.  Association (G.F.O.A)  how the City's Comprehensive Masterplan is referenced. Onj page. 20, the Commissioners accepted the changes to Section 7.08.  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page 30 of6    On page 20, Section 7.09, lines 18-19. The sentence was amended to remove portion of sentence after word audit, also, words 'an independent' was added before 'audit.' Sentence now reads 'Every five (5): years, the city will conduct an independent forensic audit.) Onj page 20, Section 7.11, lines 25 and 26, the proper name will be inserted next to the acronym GASB. The sentence will now read The City Council will adopt a Financial Policy, includinga Purchasing and Contracting Policy, based on GovemmenalAccouming Standards Board Motion: Motion by B. Brannan, seconded by M. Pappas, to approve the redline changes and the above mentioned 3 changes, as read, to Article VII Finances. Vote on the motion: Vote on the Motion: Motion carried by a 9-0-1 vote. Ayes: Rivera, J. Brandes, D. Barringer, B. Brannan, L. Branigan, C. Enderle, L. Jernejcic, R. Rhea and M. Pappas. Nays: 0. Abstentions: K. Keller, with Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory Brandes, Logan E. Yarborough, and Day Wright  (GASB) and current best practices."  absent.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Model Charter Article VIII  regarding Charter Amendments. (J. Crawford)  City Attorney Joe Crawford noted that this is a short Article, and to the point. He described the City Secretary Simpson noted that she had highlighted' text on lines 32-36 oft the Article, because she would prefer for Charter Amendment Elections to be held on uniform election dates. The new verbiage is The election shall be held on the next uniform election date as allowed by The Commissioners discussed language on line 31 regarding that the proposed amendment(s) be 'published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the city.... The Commissioners agreed by general consent that they would like this instead to say, published in a newspaper, and posted on the city website thirty days prior to election.' There was similar verbiage used in an earlier Article, ifthis can be found, the Commissioners would like this language used here. Motion: Motion by Commissioner Ron Rhea, seconded by Commissioner Luke Jernejcic, to approve Article VIII, Charter Amendments, with these two modifications. Vote on the motion: Vote on the Motion: Motion carried by a 10-0 vote. Ayes: Rivera, J. Brandes, D. Barringer, B. Brannan, L. Branigan, C. Enderle, K. Keller, L. Jernejcic, R. Rhea and M. Pappas. Nays: 0. There were no abstentions. With Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory Brandes, Logan E.  methodology whereby Charter Amendments can be brought to the voters.  law.)  Yarborough, and Day Wright absent.  Discussion, consideration, and possible action regarding Model Charter Article IX  General Provisions Article. (Joe Crawford)  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page 4 of6    City Attorney Crawford introduced this item and provided his analysis. He noted that this General Provisions Article is a 'catch-all" Article for items that did not fiti in other sections. Hei noted that the way this Article is drafted, the City Council will have to create a Board of Ethics.' Mr. Crawford explained the benefits ofhaving an independent Board of] Ethics for the City. There was general consensus on Commission that this was agreeable. Next there was an extended discussion regarding the list of discriminatory activities listed on page 25, lines 30-32. The words 'sexual orientation' was changed to 'sex.' The City. Attorney described that prohibiting discrimination on the basis of'sex' included discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, as well as pregnancy, lactating mothers, etc. The Commissioners wanted to make sure employees were protected from discrimination related to anything based on their sex. The Commissioners determined that they would remove the sentence from line 31-32. There will notl be a diversity in employment or contracting policy referenced in the Charter.  Mr. Crawford explained that he will revise page 25, lines 34-38, and this will become two  separate items. These will become (2) and (3).  This will mean the old (3), the new (4) will begin on line 40.  There was an extended discussion of needing protection for the employees from being coerced by political forces to support or to oppose a candidate in a city election. There was also concern that the city employees should have their full freedom of expression regarding their political beliefs. Mr. Crawford will draft a line fori insertion between the word 'employee' and 'shall' on line 43, to read the to effect ' no city employee. in the capacity as an employee or, representing, The Commissioners determined to remove the entire paragraph on page 26, lines 5-9. Under Campaign Finance, page 26, line 23 the amount that shall be noted is $250.00. Under 9.04, page 26, line 44, the word 'and' will be added between 'act' and 'may'. Onj page 27, City Attorney Crawford will seek guidance regarding section (d) lines 8-17. City Attorney Crawford read the Article modifications as discussed tonight.  suggesting or implying they represent the city'..  Motion: Motion by Ron Rhea, seconded by Cathy Enderle, to approve modifications, as read. Vote on the motion: Vote on thel Motion: Motion carried by a 10-0 vote. Ayes: Rivera, J. Brandes, D. Barringer, B. Brannan, L. Branigan, C. Enderle, K. Keller, L. Jernejcic, R. Rhea and M. Pappas. Nays: 0. There were no abstentions. With. Jessica Solis, Wanda Sweeney, Cory  Brandes, Logan E. Yarborough, and Day Wright absent.  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page 5 of6    5) Adjournment  There being no other business on the agenda, and no objection from the Commissioners, Chair  Rivera adjourned the meeting at 8:26 PM.  Approved by the Home Rule Charter Commission this Phayo of by a vote of BAyes, ONaysand OAbstaining. With  2024, absent.  Di  Zarsiinger,  Soliz,  Approved:    writr Tappas  Chair Bryan Rivera  City Secretary  E  Home Rule Charter Commission City of Liberty Hill, TX  Regular Called Mee?ng, Monday, June 24, 2024, Mee?ng minutes  Page 6 of6