01-16-2024 Charter Reviews MinutesMINUTES
CHARTER REVIEW MEETING
January 16, 2024
A Charter Review Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas,
on January 16, 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: Commissioner -Chair Dana Eldridge; Commissioner -Vice Chair Richard Dziewit;
Commissioner David Bennett; Commissioner Demetric Herron; Commissioner
Michele Tereletsky; Commissioner Danielle Craig; Commissioner Paul Wiley;
Commissioner Marcus Forte; Commissioner Chris Evans; Commissioner Benjamin
Guerrero
Absent: Commissioner Roger L. Booker
Staff City Attorney Charles Zech; City Manager Steve Williams; City Secretary Sheila
present: Edmondson
Introduction: Charter Review 2024
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez welcomed the Charter Review Commission and thanked them for
volunteering their time. The last Charter Review Commission was in 2015. Since most cities
review their City Charter every 5 years, Mayor Gutierrez stated it was time to review the City
Charter.
Mayor Gutierrez recognized Councilmember Mark Davis who was on the 2015 City Charter
Review Commission. It consisted of 5 members. Mark Davis -Chair, Michael Dahle-Vice
Chair and Commission Member Reginna Agee, Commission Member Burt Crawford and
Commission Member Jana Votis.
Councilmember Mark Davis went through and explained the 19 Propositions from the 2015
Charter Review Commission.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSITIONS from the 2015 Charter Review Commission:
1. Proposition to delete items in the Charter due to redundancy in other Charter sections or
State Law.
2. Proposition to Increase City Council from 5 to 7 Places
3. Proposition to Increase elected official terms from 2 to 3 years in length
4. Proposition to Provide for Revised Prohibitions, Forfeitures of Office and Hearing
Process
5. Proposition for Revised Financial Procedures
6. Proposition to Conduct Elections Pursuant to State Law
7. Proposition to Revise Initiative, Referendum, & Recall Procedures
8. Proposition to Provide Disannexation Procedures
9. Proposition to Clarify Signature of City Documents
10. Proposition to Modify the Process of Hiring Assistant City Managers
11. Proposition to Allow the City Manager to Identify Designee to Attend Council Meetings
12. Proposition to Modify Personnel Policies
13. Proposition to Modify the Process of Hiring Deputy City Secretary
14. Proposition to Delete Planning & Zoning Commission Section of Charter
15. Proposition to Add Guidance Regarding Ordinances Passed by Petition
16. Proposition to Clarify Personal Financial Interest Policy
17. Proposition to Adjust the Size of Charter Review Commission
18. Proposition to Adjust the Term of Charter Review Commission
19. Proposition to Add a Disaster Clause for Reconstitution of the Council After an
Emergency
Councilmember Mark Davis thanked the 2024 Charter Review Commission and stated if
anyone had any questions, feel free to reach out to him.
Attorney Charlie Zech introduced himself and gave a brief presentation on types of cities
and city charters. He stated that the 2015 Charter Review Commission did a great job
reviewing the City Charter and updated where the state law had changed.
Mr. Paul Wiley nominated Mr. Dana Eldridge for Chair. Mr. Chris Evans seconded the
motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed 10-0.
Ms. Michele Tereletsky recommended Mr. Richard Dziewit as the Vice -Chair. Mr. Dana
Eldridge seconded the motion. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passed 10-0.
Attorney Charlie Zech asked the group if they preferred a simple majority or a super majority
to bring forward a recommendation to put on the ballot. Chair Dana Eldridge made a motion
to have a super majority of 8 members vote to approve a recommendation on the ballot.
Vice -Chair Richard Dzerwit seconded the motion. All in favor, none opposed.
The meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.
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Sheila Edmonds- , City Secretary
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