Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution readopting the Governing Standards and Expectations as amended.
Summary
DATE: June 28, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, Deputy City Attorney
SUBJECT: Readopting amended Governing Standards and Expectations
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Governing Standards and Expectations were first adopted by the City Council in 2018. It serves as a single-source reference containing the City Council’s rules, protocols, procedures, policies and expectations for itself, committee members, staff and the public. Section 7-20 provides that the Governing Standards will be reviewed annually after a new City Council is seated.
The City Council discussed proposed revisions at its work session on June 21, 2022 and directed that the following changes be brought back for consideration:
• Section 1-50 (a)(8): add language that allows for Mayor and Councilmembers to have one (1) minute to respond to citizen comments with a statement or explanation without engaging in dialogue.
• Section 1-80 (b): clarify that the Mayor Pro Tem shall not vote when presiding in the absence of the Mayor unless in the event of a tie vote among Councilmembers.
• Section 2-60: increase the number of meetings supported by city resources for the Mayor and each Councilmember from one to three meetings per calendar year.
• Section 2-60 (a): add the Killeen Civic and Conference Center Boardroom and the Killeen Arts and Activity Center to the list of meeting spaces that can be used for non-political Mayor- or Councilmember-sponsored meetings.
• Section 2-60 (c): add language reflecting the creation of a shared calendar for City Council town hall events that will be managed by the City Manager or Assistant City Manager.
• Section 2-70: remove the section that currently states that no city tax dollars will be used to support non-city events by purchasing tables or seats at fundraising events.
• Section 2-80: add both the annual Juneteenth Festival and the annual Juneteenth Parade to the specific list of events where the City will provide in-kind non-monetary services.
• Section 3-10 (f): amend the section to reflect a new process for making Councilmember appointments to committees and subcommittees that includes the mayor having the first choice of three (3) committees, followed by councilmembers in tenure order selecting one committee each, followed by additional round(s) of Councilmembers selecting committees until all committee appointments are filled. For the purpose of this section, tenure shall mean time in current office without a break from the time of election or appointment to present. In the event that tenure of Councilmembers is the same, the order of those Councilmembers’ selections will be based on the number of votes received when elected in highest to lowest order.
• Section 3-20 (f): update to reflect that the Animal Advisory Committee does have a City Council subcommittee.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council may: 1) continue discussions for further amendments to the Governing Standards and Expectations; or 2) readopt the Governing Standards and Expectations as amended.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
It is recommended that the City Council readopt the Governing Standards and Expectations as amended based on Council direction on June 21, 2022.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
The City Charter provides that the City Council may enact rules or procedures for all meetings of the City Council. The Governing Standards and Expectations provide for annual review of the document.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
There is no expenditure related to this item.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
N/A
Is this expenditure budgeted?
N/A
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council readopt the Governing Standards and Expectations as amended.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
N/A
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Amended Governing Standards and Expectations