Title
Consider and take action on a resolution determining which charter propositions shall be included on the 2024 November election ballot (City Attorney)
Council shall vote on each charter proposition separately.
Background:
Approval of this resolution will give direction to staff on which charter propositions will be included on the 2024 November election ballot.
On April 25, 2023, through Ordinance 2023-10, the City Council created the Charter Review Advisory Committee (“CRAC”) to provide recommendations for amendments to the League City City Charter. On May 14, 2024, the CRAC presented its recommendations to the City Council.
Charter Review Advisory Committee Recommendations:
1. Appointive Officers (City Secretary): Delete the specific bond amount for City Secretary.
2. Appointive Officers (Mayor Appointment Authority): Allow any member of council (not just the Mayor) to nominate a person to a City board or commission, subject to Council confirmation.
3. Bond of Councilmembers: Delete the specific bond amount for Councilmembers.
4. General Election: Delete reference to 2013 and 2015 election dates.
5. Initiative/Referendum Requirements: Reduce signature requirement to 10% of those who voted in last General election with a 2,000 minimum signature requirement.
6. Recall Requirements: Reduce signature requirement to 10% of those who voted in last General election with a 2,000 minimum signature requirement.
7. Streets/Subdivisions: Include a reference to Harris County.
Subsequent Recommendations by Members of Council:
8. Term Limits: Prohibit any member of Council (including the Mayor) from serving more than 2 full terms.
9. Council Vacancy: Authorize City Council to fill a Council vacancy via appointment if there is less than 12 months on an unexpired Council term.
10. Official Notices (Advertisements) and Newspapers: Eliminate the charter requirement that all notices be published in the City's official newspaper so that the City may publish on a website if allowed by state law.
11. Fireworks: Authorize the City Council to allow the discharge of fireworks via ordinance during the Independence Day Holiday (July 4-5) and New Years Holiday (December 31- January 1).
12. Council-Initiated Propositions: Authorize the City Council to submit up to five (binding or non-binding) propositions to League City voters during any General Election.
13. Bond Ballot Language: Require that the ballot language for any general obligation bond must include language that approval of the general obligation bonds may result in a tax increase.
Once the list of charter propositions is finalized, Staff will bring back an election ordinance that will formally order the November 2024 election and contain finalized ballot language, including the selected propositions.
Timeline:
• 05/14/2024 Presentation by Charter Review Advisory Committee
• 06/11/2024 Recommended action to determine charter propositions (Today)
• 07/09/2024 Recommended 1st reading of election ordinance
• 07/23/2024 Recommended 2nd reading of election ordinance
• 08/13/2024 Last possible council meeting to approve election ordinance
• 11/05/2024 Uniform Election Date
• 11/14/2024 Special Meeting to Canvass returns
• 11/22/2024 Send certified copy of updated Charter to SOS
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Exhibit A - Charter Propositions
3. Recommendations from Charter Review Advisory Committee
FUNDING
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