This directive sets forth the comprehensive process for items pertaining to appointments to the city's boards and commissions including advertising for candidates, data sheet forms, processing information to the city council, interviewing of candidates, appointment timetable, attendance records, and oaths of offices.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
The City Council of the City of Frisco has the right to appoint citizens to various boards and commissions. It is the stated desire and intent of the city council to provide for an orderly appointment process to be followed by city staff and to encourage participation by interested citizens. All appointments and removals are made at the discretion of the city council. This policy is intended to create consistency for all boards and commissions of the city, therefore, any portion of an ordinance or policy which conflicts with this policy, as amended, is repealed. All other portions of said ordinances or policies shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
Current ordinances and bylaws governing appointments to boards and commissions of the city shall be amended in such a manner so that the appointments shall be effective on one uniform date each year, October 1st, excluding the one annual board member appointment to the North Texas Municipal Water District.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11; Ordinance 14-08-41, sec. 2, adopted 8/5/14)
(a) 
The city secretary shall advertise that applications for appointment to boards and commissions are being accepted, at the appropriate times.
(1) 
Any person interested in being appointed or reappointed to a board or commission must submit a completed application and meet the following requirements:
a. 
Reside within the city for one (1) year prior to applying, except as otherwise provided in this article; and
b. 
Be a qualified voter.
(2) 
The completed application and supplementary materials must consist of:
a. 
Application form (attachment 1) ranking in numeric order the top two (2) boards and commissions the citizen wishes to serve on;
b. 
Essay questions (attachment 2); and
c. 
An updated personal resume.
(b) 
Completed application packets shall be submitted to the city secretary's office beginning the first business day of July through the last business day of July at 5:00 p.m.
(c) 
All application packets submitted to the city secretary shall be date-stamped received and shall be considered for one (1) year in making mid-term appointments as vacancies occur.
(d) 
After appointment or reappointment, each board/commission member must submit a completed affidavit of residence (attachment 3), and acknowledgement of reading and understanding the code of conduct (attachment 5) not later than the first meeting of the board or commission to which each such board/commission member was appointed or reappointed.
(e) 
Except as otherwise provided in this code, the city charter or other law, no member of a board or commission shall serve on the same board or commission for more than three (3) consecutive terms or six (6) consecutive years, whichever is less, unless extended by a super majority vote of the city council.
(f) 
The city secretary shall send a letter and/or email to each board or commission member with an expiring term of office to determine if the member wants to be considered for reappointment. If he or she desires reappointment, the board/commission member must update the information on file by filing a new application. Except for a board/commission member whose tenure has been extended by a super majority vote of the city council as provided above, a board/commission member who has served three (3) consecutive terms or six (6) consecutive years, whichever is less, on the same board or commission may be reappointed to serve on that board or commission after being off the board or commission for at least one (1) year, and upon reappointment, the member is eligible to serve another three (3) consecutive terms or six (6) consecutive years, whichever is less. Such member is eligible, however, for appointment to a different board or commission without waiting.
Editor's note-It should be noted that Attachments 1–5 above are not set out at length herein, but are on file and available for inspection in the office of the city secretary.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11; Ordinance 14-08-41, sec. 2, adopted 8/5/14; Ordinance 14-09-58, sec. 2, adopted 9/16/14; Ordinance 15-12-91, sec. 2, adopted 12/1/15; Ordinance 2021-06-38 adopted 6/1/21; Ordinance 2023-06-30 adopted 6/20/2023)
(a) 
June.
(1) 
The city council may determine the best method for appointment each year based on the needs of each board and commission and shall inform the city secretary of any changes to the process in June of each year.
(2) 
The city secretary will advertise positions/places on boards and commissions with expiring terms of office.
(b) 
July.
Applications will be accepted during the month of July.
(c) 
August and September.
By the second regular city council meeting in August of each year, the city secretary will provide the city council back-up materials to include a list of the positions/places on the boards and commissions with expiring terms of office, the incumbents, date of original appointment, last appointment date, the new applicant, copies of the application packages, and a copy of the most current attendance report for each board and commission.
(d) 
The city council shall hold a boards and commissions planning work session after the city council has had the opportunity to review the applications. The city council may or may not interview any or all applicants. An invitation to interview does not ensure appointment, and an applicant is not disqualified if he or she does not receive an invitation to interview.
(e) 
A full slate of nominees for all boards and commissions shall be presented to the city secretary before the deadline to prepare and post a city council meeting agenda for board and commission appointments.
(f) 
Appointments to all boards and commissions shall be made by the city council in September of each year, excluding the board member appointment to the North Texas Municipal Water District. The mayor shall open the floor for a motion and a second for each slate of members for each board or commission. The city council agenda shall list the board or commission appointments in the following order:
(1) 
Economic development corporation.
(2) 
Community development corporation.
(3) 
Planning and zoning commission.
(4) 
Parks and recreation board.
(5) 
The remaining boards and commissions shall be listed in alphabetical order.
(g) 
Appointments are effective on October 1st of each year, excluding the board member appointment to the North Texas Municipal Water District.
(h) 
Officers of each of the city's boards and commissions will be elected in accordance with the ordinances, bylaws and home rule charter. All newly elected officers shall be reported to the city secretary for inclusion in the boards and commissions database and for public record.
(i) 
The boards and commissions database will be maintained and updated by the city secretary's office. City staff support to the boards and commissions will be responsible for providing updated information to the city secretary's office.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11; Ordinance 14-08-41, sec. 2, adopted 8/5/14; Ordinance 2021-06-38 adopted 6/1/21)
(a) 
Occasionally, a board or commission member may be unable to finish his or her term or will be removed by the city council prior to the term ending. In such cases, the vacant position must be filled by a "mid-term appointment" that will serve out the remainder of the term of the individual they are replacing.
(b) 
An appointment to fulfill an unexpired member term shall be computed as follows:
(1) 
If 50 percent or more of the term is remaining, it shall be included in the computation of term limits and shall be considered a completed term; or
(2) 
If less than 50 percent of the term is remaining, it shall not be included in the computation of term limits and shall not be considered a completed term.
(c) 
In these cases, the city secretary shall notify the city council. There shall be placed on the next regular city council agenda two items:
(1) 
Consider and act upon acceptance of letter of resignation of individual resigning or removal of board/commission member; and
(2) 
Consider and act upon preferred procedure to fill vacancy. The use of the current pool of applicants, who have selected the vacated board as their first or alternate choice, shall be considered first. If a majority of the city council votes to reopen the application process, a new solicitation campaign will take place in the same manner as the typical appointment process; or
(3) 
Consider and act upon the appointment of a person to replace the resigning or removed board/commission member.
(d) 
The appointment nomination and voting shall be the same as per the normal process.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11; Ordinance 2021-06-38 adopted 6/1/21)
For the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Frisco, an emergency process may be deemed necessary by the city council should a majority of any board or commission become vacant. Temporary appointments will be made by the city council to serve until the regular and/or mid-term appointments may be made. Emergency (temporary) appointments shall not exceed 90 days.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
All city staff providing support to the various city boards and commissions shall maintain attendance records that shall be provided to the city secretary on a quarterly basis. The city secretary or designee shall make the records available to the city council. Potential board members and commissioners will be made aware of the attendance policy as outlined in the Home Rule Charter.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
Board member absences shall be controlled by the City's Home Rule Charter as it currently exists or may be amended.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
(a) 
Any member may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time being specified, at the time of its receipt by the city council. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.
(b) 
When vacancies occur on a board or commission, the city council shall appoint, by majority vote, a replacement to serve the remainder of the term, in accordance with this division, as amended.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
Each board member serves at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed at the discretion of the city council.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
Each member shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses approved by the city.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
The city secretary shall be apprised of any and all committees that are created by various departments and or boards/commissions and the representatives on these committees, the dates and times of meetings, copies of agendas, and meeting minutes.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11)
(a) 
Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Ad hoc citizen committee.
A committee made up of citizens and established to serve in an advisory capacity only that addresses delegated matters with a limited duration or scope. Examples include the charter review commission and the comprehensive plan advisory committee.
Ad hoc city council subcommittee.
A subcommittee of the city council, solely made up of members of the city council, established to address delegated matters with a limited duration or scope. Examples include the council arts subcommittee.
Board or commission.
A permanent advisory or decision-making board, commission or committee established pursuant to section 8.01 of the city charter. Examples include the planning and zoning commission and the parks and recreation advisory board.
Board member.
A person appointed to a board or commission, standing city council subcommittee, ad hoc city council subcommittee or ad hoc citizen committee.
City committee.
A standing city council subcommittee, ad hoc city council subcommittee or ad hoc citizen committee.
Standing city council subcommittee.
A subcommittee of the city council, solely made up of members of the city council, established to address delegated matters of an indefinite or continuous nature. A standing city council subcommittee meets on a regular basis each year. Examples include the budget and audit subcommittee and the governance subcommittee.
(b) 
Establishment; appointment; powers.
(1) 
Boards or commissions shall be established in accordance with section 8.01 of the city charter.
(2) 
The city council shall have authority to establish standing city council subcommittees and ad hoc city council subcommittees and to appoint councilmembers to serve on such subcommittees. The city council shall, by written resolution, prescribe the purpose, composition, function, duties, accountability and tenure of each such subcommittee. An ad hoc city council subcommittee so established shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was established or when abolished by the city council. No subcommittee so established shall have powers other than advisory to the city council or to the city manager.
(3) 
The mayor, with input from councilmembers, or the city council shall have authority to establish ad hoc citizen committees and to appoint persons to serve on such committees. The establishing authority shall have the sole power of appointment. The establishing authority shall, by written proclamation or resolution, as applicable, prescribe the purpose, composition, function, duties, accountability and tenure of each such ad hoc citizen committee. The written proclamation or resolution also shall set forth guidelines on the ad hoc citizen committee's communications with the establishing authority and the public, if applicable, including requirements for communications on social media. An ad hoc citizen committee so established shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was established or when abolished by the city council provided, however, that the city council may abolish ad hoc citizen committees established by the mayor within the first twelve (12) months of their establishment only upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4ths) of the members of the city council. No committee so established shall have powers other than advisory to the city council or to the city manager.
(4) 
Sections 2-64 through 2-67 of this code shall not apply to the appointment of board members of city committees.
(5) 
All city committees established before the effective date of this section shall continue in existence, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of this section. All board members serving on such city committees as of the effective date of this section shall continue serving, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of this section.
(c) 
Board, commission and committee review.
(1) 
The city council governance subcommittee shall review and make recommendations to the mayor and city council as to the advisability of abolition, continuation or reorganization of city boards and commissions and city committees. The governance subcommittee's review and recommendations shall be advisory in nature.
(2) 
The city secretary shall prepare and keep current a list of all existing city boards and commissions and city committees.
(3) 
The governance subcommittee shall prioritize and set a review schedule for such boards and commissions and committees with input from the city manager or his/her designees. The governance subcommittee shall review each ad hoc citizen committee in the twelfth (12th) month after its establishment and at least every two (2) years thereafter and shall make a recommendation to the city council on whether to continue the ad hoc citizen committee. The ad hoc citizen committee shall cease to exist unless the city council approves the continuation of the ad hoc citizen committee after receiving a recommendation from the governance subcommittee. All other city boards and commissions and city committees shall be reviewed at least every two (2) years, with the goal of one-half (1/2) of the boards and commissions and city committees being subject to review in even-numbered years and the other one-half (1/2) being subject to review in odd-numbered years.
(4) 
The governance subcommittee shall consider the following criteria in determining whether a public need exists for the abolition, continuation or reorganization of a city board or commission or city committee:
(A) 
The efficiency with which the city board or commission or city committee operates;
(B) 
Identification of the objectives intended for the city board or commission or city committee and the matters or needs that the city board or commission or city committee was intended to address, the extent to which the objectives have been achieved and any activities of the city board or commission or city committee in addition to those assigned;
(C) 
Assessment of alternative methods of performing the duties and responsibilities that the city board or commission or city committee performs that would benefit the city and the public;
(D) 
The extent to which the city board or commission or city committee is needed and is used;
(E) 
The extent to which the jurisdiction of the city board or commission or city committee and its duties and responsibilities overlap or duplicate those of another city board or commission or city committee, and the extent to which the matters delegated or addressed can be consolidated with the jurisdiction of other city boards or commissions or city committees;
(F) 
Whether the city board or commission or city committee has recommended or advised the mayor or city council of changes or actions calculated to be of benefit to the city and the public;
(G) 
The extent to which the city board or commission or city committee has encouraged participation by the public in its activities and the extent to which the public participation has resulted in achieving the goals and objectives of the city board or commission or city committee;
(H) 
The extent to which the city would lose federal or state funds or grants if the city board or commission or city committee is abolished.
(d) 
Staff support.
The city manager shall designate one or more staff members to provide staff support to each city board and commission and city committee.
(e) 
Record of proceedings.
All city boards and commissions and city committees shall prepare and keep minutes or make a recording of each of its meetings or proceedings and make them available to the city council and the public. The minutes must state the subject of each deliberation and indicate each vote, order, decision or other action taken.
(Ordinance 11-09-46, sec. 5, ex. A, adopted 9/20/11; Ordinance 14-08-41, sec. 2, adopted 8/5/14; Ordinance 2021-06-38 adopted 6/1/21)
The city council is authorized and reserves the right to appoint and remove the chairperson or other presiding officer of any city board, commission or committee, notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any bylaws, policy, resolution, ordinance or other law prescribing the authority over such appointments and removals. The affected board, commission or committee shall recognize the city council's action to appoint or remove the chairperson or other presiding officer under this section. The city council's action to remove the chairperson or other presiding officer under this section shall not affect the individual's membership or eligibility to serve on the city board, commission or committee in the absence of separate city council action to remove the individual pursuant to section 2-71 (removal) of this division and/or section 8.01(2) of the city charter.
(Ordinance 2023-06-30 adopted 6/20/2023)
The following rules of procedure for the conduct of public testimony shall govern all meetings of the boards, commissions and committees of the city that are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act,[1] and the conduct of all members and other persons in attendance at such meetings. Right to be heard:
(1) 
Any member of the public shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any and all meetings of the boards, commissions and committees of the city that are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act regarding any and all matters to be considered at each such meeting. A time shall be set aside at the beginning of each meeting for the board, commission or committee to hear from members of the public. Each member of the public wishing to address the board, commission or committee shall be entitled to speak for up to five minutes for each agenda item about which the individual desires to speak; provided, however, that a member of the public who addresses the board, commission or committee through a translator shall be entitled to speak for up to 10 minutes for each agenda item about which the individual desires to speak in order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the board, commission or committee.
(2) 
Members of the public who request additional time to speak on a specific agenda item must present their request, in writing, to the board, commission or committee staff liaison by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday immediately preceding the board, commission or committee meeting at which the agenda item is scheduled to be considered, discussed or acted on.
(3) 
The board, commission or committee may, in its sole discretion and by majority vote, reduce the above-referenced time limits from five minutes to three minutes or from 10 minutes to six minutes, respectively, if 10 or more members of the public present a request to speak on a single agenda item in order to ensure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to speak.
(4) 
Members of the public shall not engage in any of the following in the meeting room during a board, commission or committee meeting:
(A) 
Any conduct that impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of the meeting, including shouting, unruly behavior, distracting side conversations, speaking out when another person is talking, booing, hissing, foot stomping, parading, singing, displaying a prop or other similar conduct;
(B) 
Defamation, obscenity, threats of violence or other expressive conduct that is not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution;
(C) 
Audible use of phones, pagers, radios, computers or other electronic equipment in a manner that impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of the meeting;
(D) 
Approaching nearer the board, commission or committee than the front of the speaker's podium without leave of the presiding officer; or
(E) 
Displaying or causing to be displayed any sign, placard, poster or banner within the meeting room.
(5) 
The rules in this section shall be enforced against individuals participating in meetings in the following manner:
(A) 
The presiding officer will request that a person who is violating a rule cease the violation;
(B) 
If the violation continues, the presiding officer will warn the person that he or she will be required to leave the meeting room if the violation continues;
(C) 
If the violation continues, the presiding officer will order the person to leave the meeting room or building for the duration of the meeting; and
(D) 
If the person does not leave the meeting room or building, the presiding officer may order any peace officer to remove the person from the meeting room or building for the duration of the meeting.
(6) 
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly resist removal from the meeting room or building by the presiding officer or a peace officer under subsection (5).
(7) 
These rules of procedure are not exclusive and do not limit the inherent power and general legal authority of the board, commission or committee, or of its presiding officer, to govern the conduct of meetings as may be considered appropriate from time to time, or in particular circumstances, for purposes of orderly and effective conduct of the affairs of the City. These rules of procedure are solely to expedite and facilitate the transaction of the business of the board, commission or committee in an orderly fashion and shall be deemed to be procedural only, and the failure to strictly observe or enforce any such rules shall not affect the jurisdiction of, or invalidate any action taken by, the board, commission or committee.
(8) 
Nothing in these rules of procedure is intended or shall be interpreted to prohibit public criticism of the board, commission or committee, including criticism of any act, omission, policy, procedure, program or service. The board, commission or committee or the presiding officer thereof may, however, disallow public criticism that is prohibited by law.
(9) 
The foregoing rules of procedure shall not apply to meetings of the City Council, which are governed by a separate set of rules of procedure set forth in section 2-19 of this code. In the event of a conflict between the foregoing rules of procedure and a rule, bylaw, order or other practice adopted by a board, commission or committee subject to these rules, the foregoing rules of procedure shall control and supersede any such conflicting rule, bylaw, order or other practice.
(Ordinance 19-10-87 adopted 10/1/19; Ordinance 2026-04-33 adopted 4/7/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–See Texas Government Code Ch. 551.