Backup - Item 1 - 20231214 Draft Minutes — original pdf

Backup

2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING December 14, 2023 The 2023 Charter Review Commission convened in a regular meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street, Room 1029, Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Garcia called the Commission Meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Chair Palvino was absent, Commissioner Lasch attended virtually. Commissioner Cowles Commissioner Lasch (virtual) Commissioner Van Maanen Commissioner Ortega Commissioner Greenberg Commission Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Garcia Commissioner Botkin Commissioner Dwyer Commissioner McGivern Commission Altamirano Staff in Attendance: Myrna Rios, City Clerk’s Office Caroline Webster, Law Department (virtual) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chris Harris APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the 2024 Charter Review Commission regular meeting of November 16, 2023. The motion to approve the minutes from the November 16, 2023 meeting were approved on Commissioner Van Maanen’s motion, Commissioner Botkin’s second on a 10-0 vote. Chair Palvino was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding a Charter amendment concerning an Independent Ethics Commissioner (Commissioner Greenberg) Discussion was had regarding the current Ethics Review Commission appointment process. There is currently no real opportunity for violations. It was proposed to review the 2018 Charter Review Commission recommendations. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1 3.Discussion and possible action on the Petition Process Working Groups initial recommendation report on revisions to the petition process. (Commissioners Cowles, Dwyer, and McGiverin) Commissioner Van Maanen presented recommendations on recall petitions. No action was taken, further discussion to occur at the January 18, 2024 meeting. 4. Discussion and possible action on the Initiative/Charter/Referendum Mechanics Work Groups initial recommendation on proposition lettering. (Commissioners Altamirano, Botkin, and Ortega) Commissioner Altamirano distributed draft recommendations regarding election turnout; general election dates; conflicting initiatives; initiative November election; labelling alphabet rotation, days elapsed, and petition elections options to be presented at the January 18, 2024 meeting. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding community engagement of the Charter Review process from the Outreach Work Group. The work group shared that SpeakUp (survey) is live. Discussion was had regarding a timeline for public hearings to begin in February. It was asked that any media coverage conducted regarding the Charter Review Commission be forwarded to the commission. 6. Discussion and possible action on the identification and creation of additional Work Groups. The motion to approve the creation of an Independent Ethics Commission was made on Commissioner Greenberg’s motion, Commissioner McGiverin’s second. The motion failed for lack of sponsorship. 7. Discussion and possible action of future meetings and meeting location. Withdrawn FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. The Commission may discuss and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentations. Presentation on Independent Ethics Commission Recall Petition Work Group to be posted as a standalone item. Provide an update on the Petition Process ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned without objection at 7:59 pm. 2