The city council shall be the governing body of the city. The city council shall consist of a mayor and five (5) councilmembers, all of whom shall be elected according to the place system outlined in section
1.03.002.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(A); 1993
Code, sec. 1.401)
The city hereby adopts the place system for the election of
the councilmembers. Each office of councilmember shall be assigned
a place number, so that hereafter each such office shall bear its
own separate designation, such as Councilmember, Place No. 1; Councilmember,
Place No. 2; Councilmember, Place No. 3; Councilmember, Place No.
4; and Councilmember, Place No. 5. As terms of incumbent councilmembers
expire, each candidate for the office of councilmember shall file
his or her application for a specific place on the city council. In
such election the ballot shall show each office of councilmember as
a separate office by place number, with the name of each candidate
printed thereon under the specific office for which he or she is a
candidate.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(B); 1993
Code, sec. 1.402)
The terms of office of the mayor and councilmembers of the city
shall be two (2) year staggered terms of office.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(C); 1993
Code, sec. 1.403)
In the event of a vacancy or vacancies from any cause in the
office of mayor or councilmembers, such vacancy or vacancies shall
be filled as follows:
(1) If
no more than one (1) vacancy on the city council exists, a majority
of the remaining members of the city council may fill such vacancy
by appointment and such appointee shall serve the term of the vacated
position until the next regular city election.
(2) In
lieu of filling one (1) vacancy on the city council by appointment,
as provided for above, a special election may be called to fill such
vacancy.
(3) If
two (2) or more vacancies on the city council exist at the same time,
a special election shall be called to fill such vacancies.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(G); 1993
Code, sec. 1.404(f))
The city council shall hold two (2) regular meetings each month
and may hold as many special meetings as may be necessary to conduct
city business. The first regular monthly meeting of the city council
shall normally be held on the second (2nd) Tuesday of each month,
at a time determined by the city council, in the municipal complex
of the city. The second regular monthly meeting of the city council
shall normally be held on the fourth (4th) Tuesday of each month,
at a time determined by the city council, in the municipal complex
of the city. The mayor or the city council shall retain the right
to convene for only one (1) regular meeting in any month should they
so desire or should circumstances so warrant. The mayor or the city
council shall retain the right to change such regular monthly meeting
dates in the event of a conflict with holiday schedules or other appropriate
circumstances. The mayor, of his or her own motion, or on the application
of three (3) councilmembers may call special meetings by notice to
each member of the city council, the city secretary and the city attorney.
Notice of all meetings shall be posted in accordance with the Texas
Open Meeting Law. The procedure at all meetings of the city shall
be in accordance with the provisions of the latest edition of Robert’s
Rules of Order.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(D); Ordinance
adopting 1993 Code; 1993 Code, sec. 1.404(a); Ordinance 570-08 adopted 3/3/08; Ordinance 640-11 adopted 9/19/11; Ordinance 724-15 adopted 12/10/15; Ordinance
793-19 adopted 6/11/19; Ordinance 867-22 adopted 10/11/22)
A person in attendance at a posted city council meeting may
record all or any part of the open meeting by means of a tape recorder,
video camera or other means of oral or visual reproduction. However,
the governmental body may adopt reasonable rules to maintain order
at the meeting, including rules relating to:
(1) The
location of the recording equipment; and
(2) The
manner in which the recording is conducted.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(D); Ordinance
adopting 1993 Code; 1993 Code, sec. 1.404(b); Ordinance 615-10 adopted 4/19/10)
The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the city council.
At the first meeting of each new city council, or as soon thereafter
as practicable, the city council shall elect one (1) councilmember
to serve as mayor pro-tempore for a term of one (1) year and to perform
the duties of the mayor in the event of the mayor’s failure,
inability or refusal to act.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(E); Ordinance
adopting 1993 Code; 1993 Code, sec. 1.404(d))
Any three (3) of the councilmembers shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. The quorum has the power to appoint
any councilmember as a presiding officer at any meeting at which the
mayor and mayor pro-tempore are absent. The quorum shall have power
to enact such resolutions and ordinances not inconsistent with the
laws and constitution of this state as shall be deemed proper for
the government of the city.
(1986 Code, ch. 1, sec. 4(F); Ordinance
adopting 1993 Code; 1993 Code, sec. 1.404(e))
All items to be placed on the council meeting agenda shall require
a sponsor. The mayor and city council members may verbally request
an item be placed on the agenda provided the agenda is posted in accordance
with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The general public may place an
item on the agenda provided that such request be submitted in writing
to the city secretary at least ninety-six (96) hours before the scheduled
time of the meeting to insure that the city complies with said Open
Meetings Act. Such properly requested items shall be placed on the
agenda of the next council meeting.
(Ordinance 316-92 adopted 2/4/92; 1993 Code, sec. 1.404(g))