The governing and law-making body of the Town shall consist of the Mayor and five (5) Council Members and shall be known as the Town Council of the Town of Highland Park.
The members of the Council shall be the only elective officers of the Town and they shall be elected and hold office as herein provided. Said members shall be elected from the Town-at-large.
No person shall serve as Mayor for more than three (3) successive terms and no person shall serve as a Council Member for more than three (3) successive terms. A term of office shall be for a period of two (2) years or any portion thereof.
Each candidate for mayor and council member shall meet the following qualifications: 1. Shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; 2. Shall be a citizen of the United States of America and a qualified voter of the State of Texas; 3. Shall be a qualified voter of the Town; 4. Shall have resided for at least twelve (12) months preceding the election within the corporate limits of the Town; 5. Shall be a bona fide owner of real estate within the corporate limits of the Town; 6. Shall not be in arrears in the payment of any taxes or other liabilities due the Town; 7. No candidate may file for more than one office or position number per election; 8. No employee of the Town shall continue in such position after becoming a candidate for an elective office.
When any member of the Council no longer possesses all of the qualifications specified in this section, or is convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude while in office, such office shall immediately and automatically become vacant. The Council shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members and for such purposes shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and require the production of records, but the decision of the Council in any case shall be subject to review by the courts.
The members of the Council shall serve without pay or compensation; provided, however, that they shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses in the performance of their specific duties when approved by the Council.
The Mayor shall preside over the meetings of the Council, and perform such other duties consistent with the office as may be imposed upon the Mayor by this Charter, and by ordinances and resolutions passed in pursuance thereof. The Mayor may participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council and in case of a tie vote, the Mayor shall have a casting vote. The Mayor shall sign, after authorization by the Council, all contracts and conveyances made or entered into by the Town, all bonds, warrants and any other obligation issued under the provisions of this Charter, in the manner prescribed in the ordinance authorizing the signing of any such obligation. The Mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the Town by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, by the Governor for the purpose of enforcing military law, and for all ceremonial purposes.
At the first meeting of each new Council, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Mayor shall appoint one of the Council Members, with the approval of the Council, as Mayor Pro Tempore who shall hold office for two (2) years. The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of Mayor in case of the absence or disability of the Mayor, and if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Mayor, shall become Mayor until the next regular election. In case of absence or disability of both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tempore, the remaining members of the Council shall elect one of its members to act as Mayor Pro Tempore.
A vacancy in the Council shall be filled by a qualified person possessing all of the qualifications outlined in 2.04 hereof. Such a vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council.
Where more than one vacancy shall exist at the same time, then a special election shall be called within forty-five (45) days after the occurrence of the second vacancy, and the vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as herein provided for general elections; provided, however, if such vacancies occur within ninety (90) days of a general election, then no special election shall be called.
The Council shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting in each month at a time to be fixed by it for such regular meeting, and may hold as many other meetings as may be necessary for the transaction of the business of the Town. All meetings shall be held at the Town Hall or at such other places as will permit the attendance of the general public.
The Mayor or any two (2) of the other members of the Council may call special meetings by giving notice to the Town Secretary who shall notify each member of the Council of the time of such meeting and purpose thereof. Only matters mentioned in the call shall be considered.
The Council shall determine its own Rules of Procedure. It shall cause and require the Town Secretary to keep a permanent record or journal of the minutes of these meetings.
A majority of the Council, not including the Mayor, shall constitute a quorum to do business. A number less than a quorum may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members. If the Council is reduced to less than three members on account of vacancies, the remaining members shall constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of calling an election. The vote upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions shall be taken by the “Ayes” and “Nays” and entered upon the minutes, and every ordinance or resolution, upon its final passage, shall be authenticated by the signature of the presiding officer and the person performing the duties of Town Secretary.
No person related within the second degree by affinity or third degree by consanguinity to the Mayor or any member of the Council or the Town Administrator shall be appointed to any permanent paid office, position, clerkship, or other service of the Town.