All powers and authority which are expressly or explicitly conferred
on or possessed by the City shall be vested in and exercised by the
City Council, provided however, that the Council shall have no power
to exercise those powers which are expressly conferred upon other
City officers by this Charter.
(a)
The Mayor
of the City of Richland Hills:
(1)
Shall
preside over the meetings of the City Council and perform such other
duties consistent with the office as may be imposed upon the Mayor
by this Charter and the ordinances and resolutions passed pursuant
thereto.
(2)
May
participate in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council
and shall be entitled to vote on all matters, but shall have no veto
power.
(3)
Shall
sign all contracts and conveyances made or entered into by the City
that require Council approval and all bonds issued under the provisions
of this Charter.
(4)
Shall
be the chief executive officer of the City.
(5)
May,
in time of danger or emergency, in accordance with the Texas Disaster
Act of 1975, V.T.C.A., Government Code Ch. 418, take command of the
police and other departments and govern the City by proclamation and
maintain order and enforce all laws. The Mayor's actions may not be
continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven (7) days except
by or with the consent of the City Council.
(b)
The Mayor
Pro Tem shall be elected from among the members of the six (6) Councilmembers;
shall be elected at the first regular meeting following the general
City election, and shall, in the absence or disability of the Mayor,
perform all the Mayor's duties.
[Ordinance 1473-23 adopted 5/16/2023]
The powers and duties herein conferred upon the City Council
shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
(1)
To appoint
and remove the City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Municipal
Judge and relief Municipal Judges, and other such employees required
by State law to be appointed by the City Council.
(2)
To adopt
the budget of the City.
(4)
To inquire
into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the City
and direct the City Manager to make investigation as to municipal
affairs.
(5)
To appoint
commissions, boards, committees, task forces, and/or appointed groups
to assist the Council in performance of its duties and responsibilities,
such powers subject to the restrictions of the Charter and the laws
of the State of Texas.
(6)
To adopt
plats.
(7)
To adopt
and modify the official map of the City.
(8)
To provide
for the establishment and designations of fire limits and to prescribe
the kind and character of buildings or structures or improvements
to be erected therein, and provide for the condemnation of dangerous
structures or buildings or dilapidated buildings, calculated to increase
the fire hazard, and the manner of their removal or destruction.
(9)
To fix
the salaries and compensation for the appointed City officers.
(10)
To
provide for sanitary sewer and water system.
(11)
All
other powers and authority, including determination of all matters
of policy, which are expressly or by implication conferred on or possessed
by the City, shall be vested in and exercised by the Council; provided,
however, that the Council shall have no authority to exercise those
powers that are expressly conferred upon other City officers by this
Charter.
[Ordinance 1473-23 adopted 5/16/2023]
Neither the Council nor any of its members shall direct or request
the appointment of any person to, or their removal from, office by
the City Manager or by any of their subordinates, or in any manner
take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees
in the administrative service of the City. Except for the purpose
of inquiry, the Council and its members shall deal with the administrative
service solely through the City Manager and neither the Council nor
any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City
Manager, either publicly or privately. Any Councilmember violating
the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor
and fined not in excess of $200.00, and, if so convicted, shall cease
to be a Councilmember.
[Ordinance 1473-23 adopted 5/16/2023]
