The City of Seagoville’s Citizens Charter Review Commission will meet Thursday evening to continue its examination of the city’s Home Rule Charter and consider whether changes should eventually be recommended to the City Council.
The commission’s regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Training Room at the Seagoville Police Department, located at 1185 E. Simonds Road.
Charter Review Continues
One of the main items scheduled for Thursday’s meeting is a continued review of sections of the Home Rule Charter that have been assigned to individual commission members.
The charter serves as Seagoville’s foundational governing document. It establishes the structure and authority of city government and defines the responsibilities of elected officials and appointed administrators. Seagoville operates under a council manager form of government.
Under the charter, the Citizens Charter Review Commission is responsible for reviewing the document and making recommendations to the City Council regarding any amendments it believes are necessary.
The charter requires the City Council to appoint such a commission at least once every six years.
Recommendations from the commission would not, by themselves, change the charter. The City Council would still have to decide whether proposed amendments should be placed before Seagoville voters.
Texas law requires that any proposed Home Rule Charter amendments be submitted to qualified voters for approval at an election.
Conflict of Interest Discussion Also Scheduled
Commissioners are also expected to discuss potential conflicts of interest and recusals during Thursday’s session.
The commission is additionally scheduled to consider approving minutes from its Aug. 13 meeting and to discuss future meeting dates and topics for upcoming sessions.
The commission members include Tasha Smyth, chair; Shanna S. Epps, vice chair; Barbara S. Sherman; Cheri Childress; Letha K. Reese; Mary Schimmel; Sonya Hill Darby; Charlotte D. Hernandez; Mike Fruin; and Makayla Reynolds.
That means 10 commission members currently serve on the panel. Seagoville’s charter states that the mayor and each City Council member select two members for appointment to the commission.
With a mayor and five council members, that structure provides for 12 appointments. It is not clear whether the two remaining positions are vacant or why only 10 members are currently seated.
Residents Can Speak at Meeting
Residents who wish to address the commission during public comments must register with the board liaison. Speakers are allowed three minutes, and comments are limited to subjects included on the agenda.
The commission cannot discuss or take action in response to comments made during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Commissioners may also enter a closed executive session to receive confidential legal advice from the city attorney regarding an item under discussion.
No specific charter amendments are scheduled for a vote Thursday. Instead, the meeting is expected to focus on continuing the commission’s review process section by section and developing potential recommendations for future consideration.
