02-06-2024 Charter Review MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
February 6, 2024
A Regular Meeting was held by the Charter Review Committee of the City of Schertz,
Texas, on February 6, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex
Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following
members present to -wit:
Present: Chair Dana Eldridge; Vice Chair Richard Dziewit; Commissioner David
Bennett; Commissioner Roger Booker; Commissioner Danielle Craig;
Commissioner Chris Evans; Commissioner Marcus Forte; Commissioner
Benjamin Guerrero; Commissioner Demetric Herron; Commissioner Michele
Tereletsky; Commissioner Paul Wiley
Staff City Manager Steve Williams; City Attorney Daniel Santee; Deputy City
present: Secretary Sheree Courney
Call to Order
Chair Dana Eldridge called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Hearing of Residents
This time is set aside for any person who wishes to address the Charter Review Committee. Each
person should fill out the speaker's register prior to the meeting. Presentations should be limited to
no more than 3 minutes.
All remarks shall be addressed to the Committee as a body, and not to any individual
member thereof. Any person making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks while
addressing the Committee may be requested to leave the meeting.
No residents addressed the Committee.
Discussion and Action Items
1. Minutes -Approval of the minutes from the January 16, 2024, Charter Review meeting.
(S.Edmondson)
Minutes for the January 16, 2024, Charter Review meeting will be presented for approval at
the February 20, 2024, meeting.
February 6, 2024 City Council Agenda Page 1
2. • 2.A. Review and possible action on amendments to Charter Article I.
• Mr. Williams, City Manager, requested an update to Article I, Section 1.02 (b)
Extension of Boundaries; Annexation of Territory. The section needs to be
changed to reflect a change in the applicable annexation laws of the state. The
City Council no longer has the power by ordinance to annex territory lying
adjacent to the City, with or without the consent of the owners or inhabitants.
Suggested change: The City Council has the power by ordinance to annex
territory in accordance with State law, thereby extending and enlarging the
bounds and limits of the city.
• Commissioner Herron suggested a change to Section 1.02 (c)(ii) which reads,
Before the 1 Oth day before the hearing date before the Planning and Zoning
Commission, written notice of the public hearing shall be sent to each owner, as
indicated by the most recently approved municipal tax roll, of real property
within 200 feet of the area to be disannexed. Commissioner Herron
recommends increasing the notification area to 1,000 feet of the area to be
disannexed, which is consistent with some neighboring cities to include San
Antonio, Converse, and Live Oak.
Mr. Santee explained that the 200 feet notification area was consistent with
statutory rules, but nothing that requires the City to limit the area. Notification
is only required to be given to property owners within the City limits, not
property owners within an ETJ. Any additional costs for increasing the area can
be passed along to the disannexation applicant.
City wants to control disannexation in the Charter as a Home -rule municipality.
Action item: Mr. Williams will bring data to show the effects of increasing the
area to 500 feet and 1,000 respectively to the next meeting.
• 2.13. Review and possible action on amendments to Charter Article II.
• No changes were recommended to Article Il.
• 2.C. Review and possible action on amendments to Charter Article III.
• No changes were recommended to Article III.
• 2.1). Review and possible action on amendments to Charter Article IV.
• Section 4.01 Number, Selection and Term.
Commissioner Forte asked at which point the City would consider increasing
the number of councilmembers given the rapid growth of the City. It was noted
that many large cities only consist of seven councilmembers. The number of
councilmembers is generally not determined by population growth. Not a
consideration for Schertz right now.
Discussion regarding districts vs at -large places. Some commissioners
stated having districts would give greater representation to the residents.
Mr. Santee provided some additional items for consideration to include
the cost and work involved for cities that are governed by district
representatives. There is a defined process that must be followed to
February 6, 2024 City Council Agenda Page 2
change from one format to another. Each census may require redistricting
and reapportionment. If approved by voters, the city would need to start
by apportioning the city accordingly. Additionally, current
councilmembers would need to be assigned to districts and/or at -large
seats based on the location of their residence.
Commissioner Booker stated that using districts is a greater benefit to the
residents of the City. It provides greater data, larger census track, better
representation, helps with grant applications. Overall, a good thing.
Commissioner Herron doesn't like the current set-up because he feels they
don't understand the issues of individual areas, nor do they represent
individual areas. He is a strong proponent of changing to
district representation.
Several commissioners would like to see data on various cities that use
different combinations of council representation.
Commissioner Evans asked what type of education and/or training is
required for new council members. Mr. Williams stated there is a newly
elected officials' orientation that deals mostly with administrative
processes, but the City is working to expand on the onboarding process to
include the roles and responsibilities of the Council. Council also has a
Rules and Procedures guide that they are provided and expected to follow.
The City cannot require Council members to attend any training sessions.
Only the residents can hold them accountable.
Action items: Mr. Williams to provide data on districts vs at -large council
organizations.
o No changes to Sections 4.02, 4.03, or 4.04.
o Section 4.05 Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem
City Council does not sign official plats, so that item needs to be stricken from
the Charter.
Review of Charter Article IV to continue at next meeting.
• 2.E. Review and possible action on amendments to Charter Article V.
3. Next Charter Review Meeting: February 20, 2024.
Adjournment
Chair Eldridge adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
February 6, 2024 City Council Agenda Page 3
ATTEST:
Sheila Edmon&o , City Secretary
f
Dana Eldridge, Chair'
February 6, 2024 City Council Agenda Page 4