Title
Discuss and consider action to approve a resolution canvassing the votes of the November 8, 2016 Special Election for consideration of amendments to the City Charter.
Summary
The City of Pflugerville held a Special Election on November 8, 2016 to consider 28 propositions for amendment of the City Charter.
Official canvassing results are not yet available from Travis County and Williamson County. The resolution and official canvassing materials and will be provided to the Council at the meeting.
With the approval of the resolution canvassing the votes of the election, the amended Charter is adopted and then filed with the Secretary of State.
Background
As required by the City's Charter, the City Council appointed a Charter Review Commission on November 10, 2015. Fifteen members were appointed: Floyd Akers, Paul Bruggeman, Charles Colley, Troy Fuller, David Garlick, Victor Gonzales, Angela Hausner, Michael Marler, Pat McCord, Rudy Metayer, Christopher Miller, Tommy Nobles, Al Pattillo, Tom Roland, and Ron Sandford. Mr. Sandford was elected as chair and Mr. McCord was elected as vice chair. In March 2016, Tommy Nobles and Floyd Akers resigned and Michelle Sheehan was appointed.
The Charter Review Commission was appointed to serve for six months with the following powers and duties as prescribed in the City Charter:
1.) Inquire into the operations of city government and review the city charter to determine whether it requires revision. Public hearings may be held and the commission shall have the power to compel the attendance of city officers or employees and to require the submission of city records necessary to its inquiry and review.
2.) Propose any recommendations it deems desirable to ensure compliance with charter provisions by city departments.
3.) Propose any charter amendments it deems desirable to improve the effective application of the charter to current conditions.
4.) Make a written report of its findings and recommendations to the city council.
The Charter Review Commission held its final meeting and completed its work on May 9, 2016. At the June 28, 2016 regular meeting, Mr. Sandford presented the written report of its findings and recommendations to the City Council. The Charter Review Commission report was published in the Pflugerville Pflag on July 6, 2016. Please find the Charter Review Commission's report and recommendations for amendments attached.
Previous City Council Action
The City Council discussed the proposed charter revision propositions at the July 12, 2016 regular meeting, July 19, 2016 special meeting and July 26, 2016 worksession and regular meeting. The City Council held a special meeting on August 2, 2016 to consider the ballot language. The City Council ordered the special election to consider 28 propositions for Charter amendments at their August 9, 2016 regular meeting. The resolution ordering the election (RES 1509-16-08-09-0340) is attached.
Deadline for City Council Action
The deadline to canvass results is November 22, 2016.
Fiscal Impact
$50,000 is included in the 2017 fiscal year budget for election expenses. The cost of the November 2016 election is estimated at $48,785 with a breakdown as follows:
Travis County election services: $39,634
Williamson County election services: $1,102.68
Pflugerville Pflag election notices: $6,930
Spanish translation services: $1118.32
Staff Recommendation
Approve the resolution canvassing the results of the November 8, 2016 Special Election.
Drafter
Karen Thompson
City Secretary