Ordinance No. 12,110ORDINANCE NO.12,110
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS,DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD
NOVEMBER 6,2012,CONCERNING NINETEEN (19)PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS;
AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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WHEREAS,theCityCouncil of theCity of Baytownon August 9,2012,ordereda special
election tobe held on November 6,2012,forthepurposeof:
1.Amending
a.Article I "Incorporation;Form of Government;CorporateandGeneral
Powers,"Section9 "Extending limits byaction of thecitycouncil";
b.Article II "The Council,"Section 14 "Compensation of members of city
council"and Section 31 "Independent audit";
c.ArticleV"TheBudget,"Section47 "Effective date of budget;certification;
copiesmade available,"Section52"Budget,"andSection55"Contingent
appropriation";
d.ArticleVI"Borrowingfor Capital Improvements,"Section57"Powerto
incur indebtedness by issuing bonds andnotes";
e.Article VII "Finance Administration,"Section 68 "Transfer of
appropriations"and Section 78 "Borrowing in anticipation ofproperty taxes";
f.Article VIII "Tax Administration,"Section 82 "Property Subject totax;
method of assessment";
g.ArticleX "Initiative,Referendum and Recall,"Section 97 "Power of
initiative,"Section98"Power ofreferendum,"Section99"Form of petitions;
committee of petitioners,"Section 104 "Submission ofelectors,"Section 110
"Recallpetitions,"andSection 111 "Recallelection";
h.Article XII "General Provisions,"Section 127 "Personalinterest"and Section
138 "Amending the charter"of the Charter of theCity of Baytown,Texas;
and
2.Repealing
a.ArticleV"TheBudget,"Section53 "Anticipated revenuescomparedwith
otheryears"andSection54 "Proposed expenditures;comparisonwithother
years";
b.ArticleVI"Borrowingfor Capital Improvements,"Section59"Formand
content of bond ordinance,"Section 60 "Title of bond ordinance;citation,"
Section 61"Formandcontent when twoormoreprojectsare combined,"
Section 62 "Referendum on bond ordinance,"and Section 63 "Public sale";
c.Article VII "Finance Administration,"Section 67 "Director of finance;
powersandduties,"Subsection(6);Section79"Borrowingin anticipation of
other revenues,"Section 80 "Sales of notes,report of sale";and
d.Article VIII "Tax Administration,"Section 83 "Board of equalization;
appointment;qualification,"Section84"Board of equalization;public
hearings;noticetoowner,"Section85"Board of equalization;powersand
duties,"andSection86"Board of equalization;records;approval of rolls"
of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas;and
WHEREAS,on November 6,2012,a uniform election date,voters within the City voted
uponthepropositionsenumeratedhereinbelow;and
WHEREAS,on November 19,2012,theCityCouncil oftheCity of Baytown canvassedthe
results of the charter amendment election and found the votes cast were as follows:
PROPOSITION NO.1
The amendment of Section 9 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
conformthissectiontostatelaw,torequireadescription oftheannexationordinance
bepublishedinanewspaperafterthecitycouncil's first reading ofthe ordinance,and
toreducethenumber of daysbetweenpublishingnotice of theannexationinthe
newspaper andtaking final actiononthe annexation.
For 9,118 votes
Against 3,059 votes
PROPOSITION NO.2
The amendment of Section 14 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
compensate the members of the City Council for their service uptothe following
amounts:
Mayor $l,000/month
Council Members $500/month
For 5,385 votes
Against 7,250votes
PROPOSITION NO.3
The amendment of Section 31 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
conformthissectiontostatelaw regarding thenumber of auditsrequiredperyear.
For 9,360 votes
Against 2,715 votes
PROPOSITION NO.4
The amendment of Section 47 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
conformthissectiontostatelaw regarding changes/amendmentstothebudget,the
filing of thebudget,andtheavailability of thebudgettothepublic.
For 10,292 votes
Against 1,847 votes
PROPOSITION NO.5
Theamendments ofthe Charter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,torepealSections53
and54andto amend Section 52to conform this section to the budget content
requirements of statelaw.
For 9,249 votes
Against 2,448votes
PROPOSITION NO.6
The amendment of Section55 ofthe Charter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,toallow
contingent appropriations tobe used for the proper functioning oftheCity regardless
of any declared emergency and to provide for the proper accounting of such
expenditures.
For 8,861 votes
Against 2,927votes
PROPOSITION NO.7
The amendment of Section 57 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
update this section to reference financing tools permitted by state law,including
certificates of obligationsandrevenuebonds.
For 8,752 votes
Against 2,743 votes
PROPOSITION NO.8
The amendments oftheCharter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,torepealSections59,
60,61 and63,toremoveprovisions regarding theform,content,titleandsale of
bonds which are governed by statelaw.
For 7,022 votes
Against 4,233 votes
PROPOSITION NO.9
The amendment of Section 68 ofthe Charter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,toclarify
thelegallevel of controlforfundtransfersandtoallowfundtransfersbetween
departmentswiththeapproval of thecitycouncilatanytimeinstead of onlyduring
the last three months of a budget year.
For 8,260 votes
Against 3,363votes
PROPOSITION NO.10
Theamendments oftheCharter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,torepealSections79
and80andto amend Section 78to conform the issuance and terms of anticipation
notes to state law.
For 8,048 votes
Against 3,046votes
PROPOSITION NO.11
Theamendment of Section82 oftheCharter oftheCity of Baytown,Texas,toclarify
theadvaloremtaxratelimitationisformaintenanceandoperations oftheCityandto
remove provisions concerning ad valorem tax valuation and assessment which are
obsoleteduetochangesinstatelaw.
For 8,409 votes
Against 2,950votes
PROPOSITION NO.12
Theamendments of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,torepealSections
67(6),83,84,85and86toremoveobsoleteprovisionsconcerningtheassessment
and collection of ad valorem taxes governed by state law.
For 8,248 votes
Against 3,063votes
PROPOSITION NO.13
The amendment of Section 97 oftheCharter ofthe City of Baytown,Texas,to better
distinguish between a referendum andaninitiative,to limit thematterssubjecttoan
initiative ordinance,tosetastandard of review bythecourts,andto establish 1,000
asthe number of qualified voters'signaturesrequiredforavalid initiative petition
ratherthanapercentage of the number of all ofthe qualified voters who voted atthe
lastmayoralelection.
For 8,286 votes
Against 3,247 votes
PROPOSITION NO.14
The amendment of Section 62and Section 98 oftheCharter ofthe City of Baytown,
Texas,toremovethepermissivereferendumonbonds,tobetterdistinguishbetween
a referendum andaninitiative,to limit thematterssubjecttoareferendumordinance,
toestablishastandard of review bythecourts,to extend the time periodfor which a
referendum petitionmaybefiled from 20daysto365days,andtoestablish 1,000 as
thenumber of qualified voters'signatures required for avalid referendum petition,
rather thana percentage ofthenumber of all ofthequalifiedvoterswhovotedatthe
lastmayoral election.
For 8,014 votes
Against 3,379votes
PROPOSITION NO.15
The amendment of Section 99 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
conformtheinitiativeand referendum petitions to state lawandto require the petition
circulatorto witness thepersonssigningthepetitions.
For 8,951 votes
Against 2,493votes
PROPOSITION NO.16
The amendment of Sections 104and 111 of theCharter of the City of Baytown,
Texas,toestablishthe election dateforreferendum,initiative andrecallelections,as
thedate of the next regular municipalelectionforwhich preclearance isobtained.
For 8,828 votes
Against 2,302 votes
PROPOSITION NO.17
The amendment of Section 110 of the Charter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
requirethatthestatement ofthegroundsforremovalfromofficewhicharefiledwith
thecityclerkbeattachedtothepetitionbeingcirculated.
For 9,430 votes
Against 1,964 votes
PROPOSITION NO.18
The amendment of Section 127 of the Charter of the City of Baytown,Texas,to
requiremembers oftheCityCouncilaswellasofficersandemployees oftheCityto
comply with applicable statelawconflictofinterestprovisionsandtoremove
unenforceable,overbroad conflict of interest provisions.
For 9,272 votes
Against 2,143votes
PROPOSITION NO.19
The amendment of Section 138 of the Charter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,to
conform the process forcharteramendments tostatelaw,toremovethe requirement
thatthe proposed charter amendments be mailed to every qualified voterinthe city,
toaddthe requirement thatthe proposed charter amendments bepostedontheCity's
website,andtorequireacharterreviewcommitteebe appointed bythecitycouncilat
least 18 monthsbeforethedatetheCityisrequiredtocallitsregularmunicipal
election.
For 8,297 votes
Against 3,094votes
WHEREAS,becausethevotescastforeach oftheabovepropositions,withtheexception of
Proposition No.2,exceeded thevotescast against the same,theCity Council pursuant toits election
orderandSection9.005 of theTexasLocalGovernmentCodebythisordinanceentersitsorderin
therecords of theCity of BaytowndeclaringsuchCharteramendmentsadopted;NOW
THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS:
Section 1:ThattheCityCouncil of theCity of Baytown,Texas,herebyfindsthatthe
above-referenced recitals are true and correct.
Section 2:ThattheCityCouncil of theCity of Baytown,based upontheresults of the
Charter amendment election heldon November 6,2012,herebyentersan order intherecords of the
City of BaytowndeclaringthattheCharterAmendmentsenumeratedhereinbelowinSections3
through 24are adopted.
Section 3:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleI"Incorporation;
Form of Government;CorporateandGeneralPowers,"Section9 "Extending limitsbyaction of the
citycouncil"oftheCharter of theCityof Baytown,Texas,isamendedtoreadas follows:
ARTICLE I.INCORPORATION;FORM OF GOVERNMENT;
CORPORATE AND GENERAL POWERS
Sec.9.Extending limits by action of the city council.
Thecity council shallhavepowerby ordinance to fix,alter,andextendthe boundary limits of
the city;andtoannex additional territory,withor without the consent ofthe territory and inhabitants
annexed.Upon the introduction ofan annexation ordinance inthecity council,a description ofthe
ordinance sufficienttoidentifythepropertybeingannexedshallbepublishedintheofficial
newspaper ofthecityone time,andthe ordinance shall notbe finally acted upon until at least
fourteen (14)days have elapsed after the first publication thereof.Upon final passage ofan
annexationordinance,theboundaries of thecityshallincludetheterritoryannexedbyordinance.
When the territory is annexed,it shall beapartofthecityandbearitsproratapartofthe taxes levied
bythe city andthe inhabitants shall be citizens ofthe city and shall be bound bythe acts,ordinances,
resolutionsandregulations of saidcity.
Section 4:That pursuant tothe Charter Amendment Election,Article II"The Council,"
Section 31 "Independent audit"ofthe Charter oftheCityof Baytown,Texas,is amended toreadas
follows:
ARTICLE II.The Council
Sec.31.Independent audit.
Thecouncilshalldesignateacertifiedpublicaccountantwho,shallmakeanindependent
audit of accountsandother evidence of financial transactions ofthecity government in accordance
withstatelawandshall submit hisreporttothecouncil.
Section 5:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleV"TheBudget,"
Section47"Effectivedate of budget;certification;copiesmadeavailable"oftheCharter oftheCity
of Baytown,Texas,isamendedtoreadasfollows:
ARTICLE V.The Budget
Section 47.Effective date of budget;certification;copies made available.
Uponfinaladoption,thebudgetshallbeineffectforthebudgetyear,unlesschangedor
amendedinaccordancewithlaw.Acopy of thebudget,asfinallyadopted,shallbefiledwiththe
cityclerkandthecountyclerksofHarrisand Chambers Counties.Thefinalbudgetshallbea public
record maintained inthe office of thecityclerk.
Section6:ThatpursuanttotheCharter Amendment Election,ArticleV"TheBudget,"
Section 52"Budget"oftheCharteroftheCityof Baytown,Texas,isamendedtoreadas follows:
ARTICLE V.The Budget
Sec.52.Budget.
The budget shall provide a complete financial planforthe fiscal yearand shall contain the
contentsasrequiredbylaw.
Section 7:That pursuant tothe Charter Amendment Election,ArticleV"The Budget,"
Section 53 "Anticipated revenues compared withotheryears"andSection54 "Proposed
expenditures;comparison with other years"of the Charter ofthe City of Baytown,Texas,are hereby
repealed.
Section 8:That pursuant tothe Charter Amendment Election,Article V"The Budget,"
Section 55 "Contingent appropriation"ofthe Charter ofthe City of Baytown,Texas,is amended to
read as follows:
ARTICLE V.The Budget
Sec.55.Contingent appropriation.
Provision shallbemadeintheannualbudgetforthe appropriation of an amount notmore
than three per centum ofthe total general fund expenditure,tobe used inthe case of unforeseen
items of expenditures.Such contingent appropriations shall be under the control ofthecitymanager
and distributed byhimafter approval bythecity council,anda detailed account ofsuchexpenditures
shall be recorded and reported.
Section 9:ThatpursuanttotheCharter Amendment Election,ArticleVI"Borrowingfor
Capital Improvements,"Section 57"Powertoincur indebtedness byissuingbondsand notes"ofthe
Charter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,isamendedtorenamesuchsectionasSection57"Powerto
incurindebtednessbyissuingbonds,notes,certificates of obligationand commercial paper"andto
read as follows:
ARTICLE VI.Borrowing for Capital Improvements
Sec.57.Power to incur indebtedness by issuing bonds,notes,certificates of obligation,and
commercial paper.
Thecitymayincurindebtednessbyissuingitsnegotiablebonds,revenuebonds,notes,
certificates of obligationandothercommercialpaperinaccordancewithstatelawtofinanceany
capitalprojectwhichitmaylawfullyconstructoracquire,orforanylegitimatepublicpurpose.
Section 10:ThatpursuanttotheCharter Amendment Election,ArticleVI "Borrowing for
Capital Improvements,"Section 59"Formand content ofbondordinance,"Section 60"Titleof bond
ordinance;citation,"Section61"Formandcontentwhentwoormoreprojectsare combined,"
Section 62 "Referendum on bond ordinance,"and Section 63 "Public sale"ofthe Charter oftheCity
of Baytown,Texas,areherebyrepealed.
Section 11:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVII"Finance
Administration,"Section67"Director of finance;powersandduties"Subsection(6)of theCharter
of theCity of Baytown,Texas,isrepealed.
Section 12:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVII"Finance
Administration,"Section68"Transfer of appropriations"of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,
Texas,is amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE VII.FINANCE ADMINISTRATION
Sec.68.Transfer of appropriations.
Attherequestofthecity manager,the council maybyresolutiontransferany unencumbered
appropriation balance or portion thereoffrom one office,department or agency to another.
Section13:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVII"Finance
Administration,Section78"Borrowinginanticipation of propertytaxes"of theCharter of theCity
of Baytown,Texas,is amended torenamesuchsectionasSection78"Anticipationnotes"andto
read as follows:
ARTICLE VII.FINANCE ADMINISTRATION
Sec.78.Anticipation notes.
Inanybudgetyear,thecouncilmaybyordinance authorize the borrowing of moneybythe
issuance of anticipation notes,each of whichshallbe designated "tax anticipation notefortheyear
20"(statingthe budget year).
Section14:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVII"Finance
Administration,"Section79 "Borrowing inanticipation of other revenues"andSection80"Sales of
notes,report of sale"of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,areherebyrepealed.
Section 15:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVIII"Tax
Administration,"Section82"Propertysubjecttotax;method of assessment"of theCharter of the
Cityof Baytown,Texas,is amended to rename such section asSection82"Taxratelimitation"and
to read as follows:
ARTICLE VIII.TAX ADMINISTRATION
Sec.82.Tax rate limitation.
Theadvaloremtaxrateformaintenanceandoperations ofthecityshallnotexceedatotaltax
of six-tenths (0.6)ofone percent.Anylevyoftaxestopay principal orinterestonanytaxbondsor
other tax-supported debtoftheCityshallnotbe subject tothe limitation prescribed inthis section.
Section 16:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleVIII"Tax
Administration,"Section83"Boardof equalization;appointment;qualification,"Section84"Board
of equalization;public hearings;notice to owner,"Section 85"Boardof equalization;powers and
duties,"andSection86"Board of equalization;records;approval of rolls"oftheCharter oftheCity
of Baytown,Texas,arerepealed.
Section17:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleX"Initiative,
Referendum and Recall,"Section 97 "Power of initiative"of the Charter of the City of Baytown,
Texas,is amended to read as follows:
Article X.Initiative,Referendum and Recall
Sec.97.Power of initiative.
(a)Ingeneral.Theelectorsshallhavepowertoproposeanyordinance,exceptanordinance
appropriatingmoney,authorizingtheissuance of bondsorotherindebtedness,authorizing
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thelevy of taxes,grantingafranchise,fixingpublicutilityrates,amendingzoning
regulations,orzoningspecificproperty,andtoadoptorrejectthesameatthepolls,such
powerbeingknownasthe initiative.Asubject,whichthecitycouncilhaspreviously
addressedmaybethesubject ofaninitiativeordinance;providedthattheinitiativeordinance
makesorenactsanewlawanddoesnotmerelyrepealorhavethe effect of repealing an
existing law.
(b)Requirements.Anyinitiativeordinancemaybesubmittedtothecouncilbyapetitionsigned
byatleast1,000 qualified electors of thecity.
(c)Determination ofpower invoked Thepowerof initiative isseparateanddistinctfromthe
powerof referendum grantedpursuantto section 98.Thecitycouncilinthefirst instance
shalldeterminewhichpowerisbeing invoked,whichdecisionshallbesubjecttojudicial
review under the substantial evidence rule.
Section 18:Thatpursuanttothe Charter Amendment Election,ArticleX "Initiative,
ReferendumandRecall,"Section98"Power of referendum"oftheCharter oftheCity of Baytown,
Texas,is amended to read as follows:
Article X.Initiative,Referendum and Recall
Sec.98.Power of referendum.
(a)In general.The electors shall have power to approve or reject at the polls any ordinance,
except an ordinance appropriating money,authorizing the issuance of bonds or other
indebtedness,authorizing thelevyoftaxes,granting a franchise,fixingpublicutilityrates,
amending zoning regulations,or zoning specific property,passed bythe council,or submitted
bythe council toa vote ofthe electors,such power being known asthe referendum.
Ordinancessubmittedtothecouncilbyinitiativepetitionandpassedbythecouncilwithout
change shall be subject tothe referendum inthe same mannerasother ordinances.
(b)Requirements.Within 365 days afterthe enactment bythe council ofanyordinance which is
subject toa referendum,a petition signed byatleast 1,000 qualified electors ofthecity may
befiledwiththecityclerk requesting thatanysuch ordinance beeither repealed or submitted
to a vote of the electors.
(c)Determination ofpower invoked.Thepowerof referendum is separate anddistinct from the
power of initiative granted pursuant to section 97.Thecity council inthefirst instance shall
determinewhichpowerisbeinginvoked,whichdecisionshallbesubjecttojudicialreview
under the substantial evidence rule.
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Section 19:That pursuant totheCharter Amendment Election,ArticleX "Initiative,
ReferendumandRecall,"Section99 "Form of petitions;committee ofpetitioners"ofthe Charter of
theCity of Baytown,Texas,is amended toreadasfollows:
Article X.Initiative,Referendum and Recall
Sec.99.Form of petitions;committee of petitioners.
Initiativepetitionpapersshallcontainthefulltextoftheproposed ordinance.The signatures
toinitiativeorreferendumpetitionsneednotallbeappendedtoonepaper;buttoeachseparate
petition there shall be attached a statement ofthe circulator thereofas provided bythis section.Each
signer ofany petition papershallsignhis name ininkor indelible pencilandthereshallbe included
suchotherinformationasrequiredbystatelaw.Thereshallappearoneachpetitionthenamesand
addresses offiveelectors,who,asacommittee of thepetitioners,shallberegardedasresponsiblefor
thecirculationandfiling of thepetition.Attachedtoeachseparatepetitionpaperthereshallbean
affidavit of thecirculator thereof thathe,andheonly,personallycirculatedandwitnessedthe
signatures onthe foregoing paper,thatit bears a stated number of signatures,thatall signatures
appended thereto were made inhis presence,andthathe believes them tobethe genuine signatures
of thepersonswhosenamestheypurporttobe.
Section 20:That pursuant tothe Charter Amendment Election,ArticleX "Initiative,
Referendum andRecall,"Section 104 "Submissionofelectors"of theCharter of theCityof
Baytown,Texas,isamendedtoreadas follows:
ARTICLE X.INITIATIVE,REFERENDUM AND RECALL
Sec.104.Submission of electors.
Ifthe council shallfailtopassan ordinance proposed byinitiativepetition,orshallpassitin
aformdifferentfromthatsetforthinthepetitiontherefor,orifthecouncilfailstorepealareferred
ordinance,the proposed or referred ordinance shall be submitted tothe electors atthenext regular
municipal election afterthe date the council takes its final vote thereon;provided,however,thatthe
electionisprecleared if necessaryinaccordancewithlaw.
Section21:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleX"Initiative,
Referendumand Recall,"Section 110 "Recall petitions"of the Charter of theCity of Baytown,
Texas,is amended to read as follows:
Article X.Initiative,Referendum and Recall
Sec.110.Recall petitions.
Therecallpetitiontobeeffectivemustbereturnedandfiledwiththecityclerkwithinthirty
daysafterthefiling of theaffidavitrequiredinSection109.Arecallpetitionconcerningacouncil
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membermustbesignedbyqualifiedelectorsentitledtovoteforasuccessortothemembersubjectto
therecall,equalinnumbertothevotescastatthelastgeneralmunicipalelectionatwhichatleast
two candidates ranfortheplace occupied bythemembersoughttoberemoved.Arecallpetition
concerningamayormustbesignedbyqualifiedelectors of thecityequalinnumbertoatleastfifty-
onepercent(51%)of thevotescastatthelastgeneralmunicipalelectionatwhichatleasttwo
candidatesranformayor,provided,however,thatthepetitionshallcontainthesignatures of atleast
sevenhundred(700)qualifiedelectorsofthecity.Arecallpetitionshallconformtothe provisions of
Section 99 herein and shall have attached toitatthetime of the execution of the petition byeach
electortherecallaffidavitfiledwiththecityclerkoutliningthereasonswhythepersonisbeing
subjecttoarecall.Nopetitionpapersshallbeacceptedaspart of apetitionunlessitbearsthe
signature of thecityclerkasrequiredinSection 109 herein.
Section22:Thatpursuanttothe Charter Amendment Election,ArticleX "Initiative,
ReferendumandRecall,"Section 111 "Recallelection"of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,
Texas,is amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE X.INITIATIVE,REFERENDUM AND RECALL
Sec.111.Recall election.
Thecity clerk shall at once examine the recall petition andifhe finds it sufficient andin
compliance with the provisions of this article of the charter,he shall within five (5)days submit itto
the city council with his certificate to that effect and notify the officer sought tobe recalled of such
action.Iftheofficerwhoseremovalissoughtdoesnotresignwithinfive(5)daysaftersuchnotice,
the city council at the next regular meeting shall thereupon order and fix a date for holding a recall
election.Any such election shall be held atthe next regular municipal election after the petition has
been presented tothe city council provided,however,that the election is precleared if required in
accordance with law.
Section 23:That pursuant tothe Charter Amendment Election,Article XII "General
Provisions,"Section127"Personalinterest"of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,is
amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE XII.GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec.127.Personal interest.
Nomember of thecounciloranyofficeroremployeehavingadirectorindirectinterestin
any proposed or existing contract,work,saleor service toorbythecityshallvoteorrendera
decision orusehisposition,authority or influence inamannerthatwouldresultinhis financial
betterment toany degree,exceptas allowed by law.Further,anyelectedofficershall publicly
disclose anysuchinterestupon assumption ofofficeorpriorto consideration ofanysuchmattersin
compliance withlaw.Anywillful violation ofthissectionshall constitute malfeasance in office,and
13
anyofficeroremployee of thecityfoundguiltythereofshalltherebyforfeithisofficeorposition.
Anyviolation of thissectionwiththeknowledgeexpressorimplied of thepersonorcorporation
contractingwiththecityshallrenderthecontractvoidablebythecitymanagerorthecouncil.
Section24:ThatpursuanttotheCharterAmendmentElection,ArticleXII"General
Provisions,"Section 138 "Amending thecharter"of theCharter of theCity of Baytown,Texas,is
amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE XII.GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec.138.Amending the charter.
(a)Amendments by charter commission.Amendments tothischartermaybeframedand
submittedtotheelectors of thecitybyachartercommissioninthemannerprovidedbylaw
for framing and submitting a new charter.
(b)Amendments by council orbypetition.Amendments mayalsobeproposedand submitted by
ordinance,passedbyamajorityvote of thefullmembership of thecouncil,orbyapetition
satisfyingallapplicable requirements established bylaw.Whenacharteramendment
petition shallhavebeen filed withthe council in conformity withthe provisions ofthis
charter asto petitions for initiated ordinances,the council shall forthwith provide by
ordinanceforsubmittingsuchproposedamendmenttoavote of theelectors.
(c)Calling the election.The ordinance ordering the election shall provide forthe election tobe
heldonadate prescribed bylaw,whichallowssufficienttimetocomplywithall
requirements of law.Notice ofthe election shall be published ina newspaper of general
circulation published inthecity.
(d)Election.Anycharteramendment tobe submitted toavoteoftheelectorsshallbe posted on
thecity'sinternetwebsiteifthecity maintains a website.Ifaproposed amendment be
approved byamajorityoftheelectorsvoting thereon,itshallbecomeapartofthecharterat
thetimefixedtherein.Each amendment shallbe confined toonesubject;andwhenmore
thanone amendment shallbesubmittedatthesametime,theyshallbeso submitted asto
enable the electors to vote on each amendment separately.
(e)Charter review committee.Eachmember ofthecitycouncilshallappointonecitizen,whois
notamember of thecitycouncil,toacharterreviewcommitteeatleast 18 monthspriorto
thedatebywhichthecitycouncilisrequiredtocallitsregularmunicipalelectionforthe
office of the mayor.
(1)Duties ofthe committee:Itshallbetheduty of suchcharterreviewcommitteeto:
a.Inquireintotheoperations of thecity government underthecharter
provisionsanddeterminewhetheranysuchprovisionsshouldberevised;
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b.Proposeanyrecommendationsitmaydeemdesirabletoensurecompliance
withtheprovisions of thischarterbytheseveraldepartments of thecity
government;
c.Propose,ifitdeemsdesirable,amendmentstothischartertoimprovethe
effective application of said charter to current conditions;and
d.Reportitsfindingsandpresentitsproposedamendments,if any,tothecity
council.
(2)Actionby the citycouncil:Thecitycouncilshallreceiveanyreportpresentedbythe
charterreviewcommittee,shallpostanysuchreportonthe city's internetwebsiteif
thecitymaintainsawebsite,shallconsideranyrecommendationsmade,andifany
amendmentsoramendmentbepresentedasapart of suchreport,mayordersuch
amendment or amendments tobe submitted to the voters of the city in the manner
providedbytheapplicablestatuteoftheStateofTexas.
(3)Term ofoffice:Membersofthecharterreviewcommitteeshallservefromtheirdate
of appointment until the first dateaftersuch appointment bywhichthecity council is
requiredtocallitsregular municipal electionfortheofficeofthemayor.Ifduring
suchtermnoreportispresentedtothecitycouncil,thenallrecordsofthe
proceedings ofsuch committee shallbe filed withcityclerkandshallbecomea
public record.
Section 25:This ordinance shalltakeeffect immediately fromand after itspassagebythe
CityCouncil of theCity of Baytown.
INTRODUCED,READandPASSEDbythe affirmative vote oft
of Baytown this the 19th day of November,2012.
APpROvf&Pg^TOFORM:
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JACIO RAMIREZ,SR.,CitVUtorney
R:\Karen\Filcs\CityCouncil\Ordinances\2()12\Ndvemer 19\ChartcrAnicndmentsWithNumbersClean.doc
15
CityCouncil oftheCity
ONCARLOS,Mayor