The legislative and governing body of the City shall consist of a Mayor and six members, and shall be known as the "Council." The seven Council members, whether elected or appointed, shall be referred to as the entire Council.
(Ordinance 01-850, sec. 3, adopted 2/27/01)
The Mayor and each Councilmember shall hold office for a period of two years. Should a duly elected Councilmember be disqualified under the provisions of this Charter, the Council shall declare a vacancy and select a successor as provided herein. No person shall serve for more than four consecutive terms on the Council, regardless of place. A term shall mean a period of time for which a councilmember is elected to office, regardless of the number of days served. No person shall serve his/her full complement of successive terms more than twice during his/her lifetime.
(Resolution 06-1832, sec. 13, adopted 3/9/06; Resolution 09-2137, prop. 1, adopted 5/15/09)
All members of the Council shall be elected under the place system, at large. Those members of the Council whose terms expire in even-numbered years shall be places two, four and six. Those members of the Council whose terms expire in odd-numbered years shall be places three, five and seven. The Mayor shall be elected, as place one, in even-numbered years.
A. 
The Mayor and each Councilmember shall be a resident of the City for a period of not less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of election, and a qualified voter of the State of Texas.
B. 
If the Mayor or any Council member fails to maintain the foregoing qualifications or
(1) 
is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude,
(2) 
holds any other public office other than a notary public, a member of the military or except as may be authorized by law or ordinance,
(3) 
shall move from the City,
(4) 
shall miss three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings, without valid excuse as determined by the Council,
(5) 
violates this Charter,
the Council shall at its next regular meeting declare a vacancy to exist and shall fill said vacancy as set forth in this Charter.
(Ordinance 01-850, sec. 3, adopted 2/27/01; Resolution 06-1832, sec. 13, adopted 3/9/06; Resolution 09-2137, prop. 2, adopted 5/15/09; Ordinance 2017-1227, prop. 1, adopted 6/13/17)
The office of a Councilmember or the Mayor shall become vacant upon death, resignation, or removal from office in any manner authorized by law.
A vacancy in the Council shall be filled within thirty days of the occurrence of the vacancy by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council by selection of a person qualified for the position as described in this Charter. This appointee shall serve until the position can be filled at the next regular City election regardless of place.
If an incumbent files for a different office within the first seven days of the filing period, the vacated office shall be placed on the ballot to be filled at the upcoming regular City election, and the effective resignation date shall be deferred until the date of the election.
The Council shall legislate by ordinance, and the enacting clause of every ordinance shall be: "Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Highland Village." The City Attorney shall review all ordinances adopted by the Council as to the legality thereof, or shall file with the City Secretary his written legal position thereto.
Evidence of the review of an ordinance by the City Attorney may be by notation on the ordinance itself, or by separate paper or instrument. Every ordinance enacted by the Council shall be signed by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or by three Councilmembers and shall be filed with and recorded by the City Secretary upon passage.
A. 
All routine ordinances shall be read at two open meetings of the Council on two separate days; the second such reading shall occur not less than ten days following the first such reading. The ordinance, unless provided by law or by its terms, shall take effect immediately upon the final passage thereof.
B. 
Emergency ordinances may be enacted without two separate readings when dealing with the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. These ordinances must be adopted by the favorable vote of not less than four of the entire Council and shall contain a statement as to the nature of the emergency and the length of time the ordinance will be in effect, not to exceed ninety days.
(Ordinance 01-850, sec. 3, adopted 2/27/01)
Except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter, the City Secretary shall give notice of the enactment of every ordinance imposing any penalty, fine or forfeiture for any violation of any of its provisions. The caption of the ordinance shall be published at least once within ten days after the final passage thereof or as soon thereafter as possible in the official newspaper.
The Council shall be the judge of the qualification of its members. If a member of the Council is charged with grounds for removal as set out in Section 3.04, such charges shall be set for a public hearing not less than ten days nor more than thirty days from the date on which the written charges are presented. At such hearing, the accused shall have the right to present evidence in defense but shall be disqualified from voting as to innocence or guilt. At the conclusion of evidence, a vote shall be taken, and upon the affirmative vote of five voting Council members, the accused member shall be removed from office and the seat declared vacant. The Council shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and require the production of records, but the decision of the Council in the exercise of such power shall be subject to review by the courts.
(Ordinance 01-850, sec. 3, adopted 2/27/01)
The Council shall serve without pay. Actual and necessary expenses incurred while in the discharge of the duties of the office shall be paid as provided in the budget.
(Resolution 09-2137, prop. 3, adopted 5/15/09)
The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council, administer oaths and be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. The Mayor may participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council and vote but shall have no veto power.
The Council, at its first meeting after election of Council members, shall elect one of its members Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor Pro Tem shall perform all the duties of the Mayor in the absence or disability of the Mayor.
The Council at its first meeting after election of the Councilmembers, shall select one of its members Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. The Deputy Mayor Pro Tem shall be authorized to perform all the duties of the Mayor in the absence or disability of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem.
(Ordinance 2017-1227, prop. 2, adopted 6/13/17)
Each Council meeting shall be held by published agenda. The Mayor or any member of the Council may place an item on the agenda. Once an item is placed on the agenda, it may only be removed by a majority vote of the Council. At each Council meeting, a quorum of five, composed of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or Mayor Pro Tem and four other members of the Council must be present for the conduct of business, but no action shall be of any force or effect unless adopted by the favorable vote of not less than four of the entire Council (unless otherwise provided by this Charter). In the event of a tie vote the item/issue shall be placed on the agenda of the next regular Council meeting for further consideration.
A. 
Regular meetings:
The Council shall have as many regular meetings as it shall deem necessary, provided it shall have at least one meeting each month to be held within the City limits.
B. 
Special meetings:
Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or upon written application of any three members of the Council. The City Secretary shall arrange a special meeting for the time and date set out in the applications. Notice of special meetings shall be given by the City Secretary to each member of the Council, including the Mayor, and to the City Manager, or left at such person's residence. Notice shall be given to the public as required by law.
C. 
Open meetings:
Meetings shall be open to the public except where closed meetings are authorized by law.
(Ordinance 2017-1227, prop. 2, adopted 6/13/17)
The Council shall determine by ordinance its own rules and order of business. Provisions shall be made for the taking of minutes, which shall be a public record. The vote of each Council member on any matter shall be recorded in the minutes.