Charter Review Committee Minutes - 05/21/2024 MINUTES OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
May 21, 2024
Present:
Councilor Jeff Browning § Chair
Councilor Bobby Whiteley § Committee Members
Councilor Tom Taylor §
Glenn Barham §
Stephen Santellana §
Darrell Coleman §
Tom Bursey §
Darron Leiker §
R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., City Attorney § City Staff
Marie Balthrop, City Clerk §
1. Call to Order
Councilor Browning called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
2. Workshop to discuss any and all possible amendments to the Charter of
Wichita Falls.
Councilor Browning discussed Section 59—City Manager service to the Council
and the City Council's inability to meet in Executive Session without the staff
present. Mr. Hegglund discussed the law and purpose of the Open Meetings Act
and the limited exceptions for Executive Sessions and expressed his concerns
about having an executive session without the City Attorney or other senior
member of management present. He stated that his prior approval of all executive
session topics provides an affirmative defense should someone challenge the
legality of an executive session. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the pros
and cons and having an executive session without staff present. It was noted that
the City of Wichita Falls has a Council-Manager form of government and that the
Council employs four appointees, and the rest are under the City Manager, who
needs to be present during the discussion of items under his purview. GC
§551.074 was reviewed, and it was suggested that Mr. Hegglund provide
suggested wording for Section 59 that included additional exceptions provided in
GC §551 .074.
Charter Committee Minutes of May 21, 2024 1
Mr. Hegglund discussed concerns with the third paragraph of Section 134 —
Political Partisanship, and how it could adversely affect some city employees. He
suggested removing this paragraph.
A brief discussion was held regarding Section 154 — Minimum Wages for Listed
Positions of the Wichita Falls Police Officers. Mr. Barham provided background
information on why this measure was included in the Charter.
Councilor Browning asked for committee members to review the entire Charter and
email any suggested changes to him or Mr. Hegglund.
The next meeting was suggested to be held June 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
3. Possible action related to charter amendments.
No action was taken.
4. Adjourn
Councilor Browning adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.
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Attest:
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Marie Balthrop
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City Clerk
Charter Committee Minutes of May 21, 2024 2