Charter Commission

City of Haslet AGENDA Charter Commission Meeting Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM Haslet Community Center, 105 Main Street Notice is hereby given of a Regular Meeting of the Haslet Charter Commission to be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at the Haslet Community Center, 105 Main Street. Members of the Public may also join the meeting remotely, by: - Videoconference: https://meet.goto.com/859504061 - Phone: 1-571-317-3116 and entering access code: 859-504-061 Page 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM PRESENT 2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION AND COMMENTS An opportunity for citizens to address the Charter Commission on matters which are on the agenda or are not scheduled for consideration (non-agenda items). The Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits deliberation by the members of the Charter Commission of any subject which is not on the posted agenda, therefore the Charter Commission will not be able to discuss or take action on items not listed on this agenda, other than to make statements of specific factual information or to recite existing policy in response to the inquiry. NOTE: In order to address the Charter Commission during this time, or later in the meeting for any item that is scheduled on the agenda, please complete, and submit a speaker card to the Meeting Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. The presiding officer may ask the speaker to hold comments on agenda items until that agenda item is reached. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless otherwise required by law. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Consent items are deemed to need little Commission deliberation and will be acted upon as one business item. Any member of the Commission may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda and placed before the Commission for full discussion. Approval of the Consent Agenda authorizes the Chair, or his designee, to implement each item in accordance with staff recommendation. 4.A. Approval of April 22, 2026 Charter Commission Meeting Minutes 3-5 Charter Commission - 22 Apr 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 5. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW 5.A. Review all work from Elections Subcommittee 5.B. Review all work from the Form of Government Subcommittee If you have a disability that requires special arrangements and you plan to attend this public meeting, please contact the City Secretary at (817) 439-5931 within 72 hours of the meeting. Reasonable accommodations will be made to meet your needs at the meeting. Charter Commission Agenda May 6, 2026  5.C. Review all work from the Financial Procedures Subcommittee 5.D. Review all work from the Initiative, Referendum, Recall of Officers 6 - 15 Subcommittee SR-26-197 - Pdf 5.E. Review all work from the Community Outreach Subcommittee 16 - 19 SR-26-196 - Pdf 6. ACTION ITEMS 6.A. Discuss, consider and act to adopt content for the Home-Rule Charter document. 6.B. Discuss, consider and act regarding the Home Rule Charter Table of Contents 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. ADJOURN CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the above notice was posted on the bulletin board at the Haslet Community Center Building at 105 Main Street, Haslet, Texas on Thursday, April 30, 2026 before 5:00 pm. Katrina White Deputy City Secretary I certify that the attached notice and agenda of items to be considered by the Haslet City Council was removed by me from the designated bulletin board located at the Haslet Community Center, 105 Main Street, Haslet, Texas on the ______ day of ______________________, 2026. __________________________________________, Title: ___________________________________ Charter Commission Agenda May 6, 2026 Page 2 of 19  Agenda Item #4.4.A. MINUTES Haslet Charter Commission Meeting 7:00 PM - Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Haslet Community Center, 105 Main Street GOVERNING BODY PRESENT: Marilyn Broyles, Joel Bullard, Matthew Clark, Benjamin Drury, Stephanie Grace, Matthew Hays, Joette Keen, Martin McCoy, Patricia Parker, Mike Rhodes, Chuck Tackett, and Ron Tharp GOVERNING BODY ABSENT: Greg Kadesch, Kerry Ricketts, and Stewart Shirey STAFF PRESENT: 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM PRESENT Vice-Chair Marilyn Broyles called the meeting to order and announced a quorum present at 7:03 pm 2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice-Chair Broyles led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. 3. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION AND COMMENTS An opportunity for citizens to address the Charter Commission on matters which are on the agenda or are not scheduled for consideration (non-agenda items). The Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits deliberation by the members of the Charter Commission of any subject which is not on the posted agenda, therefore the Charter Commission will not be able to discuss or take action on items not listed on this agenda, other than to make statements of specific factual information or to recite existing policy in response to the inquiry. NOTE: In order to address the Charter Commission during this time, or later in the meeting for any item that is scheduled on the agenda, please complete, and submit a speaker card to the Meeting Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. The presiding officer may ask the speaker to hold comments on agenda items until that agenda item is reached. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless otherwise required by law. None 4. CONSENT AGENDA Consent items are deemed to need little Commission deliberation and will be acted upon as one business item. Any member of the Commission may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda and placed before the Commission for full discussion. Approval of the Consent Agenda authorizes the Chair, or his designee, to implement each item in Page 3 of 19  Agenda Item #4.4.A. City of Haslet Charter Commission Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026 Page 2 of 3 accordance with staff recommendation. 4.A. Approval of April 1, 2026 Charter Commission Meeting Minutes CC-26-2026 Moved by Martin McCoy Seconded by Patricia Parker Motion to approve the consent agenda with corrections to Item 5.B. Article VII instead of VIII and correction to Item 5.C. Form of Government Committee Members should include Kyle Clark instead of Marilyn Broyles. Ayes: Marilyn Broyles, Joel Bullard, Matthew Clark, Benjamin Drury, Stephanie Grace, Matthew Hays, Joette Keen, Martin McCoy, Patricia Parker, Mike Rhodes, Chuck Tackett, and Ron Tharp APPROVED 12-0 5. DISCUSSION AND REVIEW 5.A. Review all work from sub-committees;  Elections - Joette Keen - updated Article VII  Form of Government - Kyle Clark provided; General-Law Type A document for review  Financial Procedures - Matthew Hays, Mike Rhodes; provided Article VIII Financial Procedures for discussion and review  Initiative, Referendum, Recall of Officers - Patricia Parker; draft Article VII  Community Outreach - to be continued at the next meeting 6. ACTION ITEMS 6.A. Discuss, consider and act to adopt content for the Home-Rule Charter document. No action taken 6.B. Discuss, consider and act regarding the Home Rule Charter Table of Contents No action taken 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Continue reviewing work from all sub-committees 8. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm. Page 4 of 19  Agenda Item #4.4.A. City of Haslet Charter Commission Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026 Page 3 of 3 _____________ Greg Kadesch, Chairman DATE _____________ Katrina White, Acting City Secretary DATE Page 5 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. AGENDA ITEM REPORT MEETING: SUBJECT: Review all work from the Initiative, Referendum, Recall of Officers Subcommittee ATTACHMENTS: REWRITTEN ARTICLE XVI Recall for cities that do not have a charter (1) Page 6 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. REWRITTEN ARTICLE XVI: RECALL, INITIATIVE, AND REFERENDUM (Comprehensive Draft for the City of Haslet, TX) Section 16.01 Power of Recall The registered voters of the City shall have the power to recall any elected officer of the City. The basis for recall shall include specific acts of malfeasance, incompetence, moral turpitude, or ethical failures as defined by Texas law, or a failure to comply with the provisions of this Charter. Section 16.02 Recall Petition Requirements 1. Signature Threshold: A petition demanding the question of recall must be signed by registered voters equal to twenty percent (20%) of the number of votes cast at the last regular municipal election for the position in question, or two hundred fifty (250) registered voters, whichever is greater. 2. Affidavit of Petitioner: One or more of the signers of each petition paper shall make an oath before an officer competent to administer oaths that the statements therein made are true and that each signature is genuine. 3. Filing Timeline: All signatures must be collected within forty-five (45) days of the date the first signature was affixed. Section 16.03 Presentation and Public Hearing Within twenty-one (21) days of filing, the City Secretary shall certify the petition's sufficiency. If certified, the Council shall notify the officer. The officer has seven (7) days to request a public hearing, which must be held within fifteen (15) days. This transparency ensures the community hears the officer's defense before a ballot is cast. Section 16.04 The Recall Election If the officer does not resign, the Council shall order an election for the next uniform election date. If a majority of those voting on the question vote "Yes" for removal, the office is vacated. If "No," the officer remains. An officer removed by recall shall not be eligible for appointment or election to any City office for a period of two (2) years. Page 7 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. Section 16.05 Initiative and Referendum Powers The voters of Haslet reserve the power of Initiative (to propose legislation) and Referendum (to require reconsideration of enacted legislation). • Excluded Items: Budget, capital programs, tax levies, utility rates, zoning, and personnel matters. • Initiative Threshold: Signed by fifteen percent (15%) of the registered voters of the City. • Referendum Timeline: Must be filed within thirty (30) days of the ordinance's passage. Section 16.06 Legal Sufficiency and Effect 1. Legal Review: Any proposed initiative shall be submitted to the City Attorney upon filing to ensure it does not conflict with the Texas Constitution or State law. 2. Council Action: Upon receipt of a valid initiative, the Council shall either: • Pass the ordinance within thirty (30) days; or • Submit the ordinance to a vote of the people. 3. Referendum Effect: A valid referendum petition stays (suspends) the ordinance from taking effect until the Council repeals it or the voters approve it. Section 16.07 Limitations and Mandamus • Frequency: No recall shall be filed within six (6) months of an officer taking office or within six (6) months of a previous recall election for that officer. • Judicial Enforcement: If the City Secretary or Council fails to perform these duties, any citizen may seek a Writ of Mandamus in a court of competent jurisdiction (Tarrant or Denton County) to compel the execution of these Charter provisions. Why this works for Haslet: 1. The 250-voter Floor: In a town of 10,000, "30% of ballots cast" could be a very small number in a low-turnout year (e.g., if only 400 people vote, 30% is 120 Page 8 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. people). A floor of 250 ensures a recall represents a significant community movement, not just a few frustrated neighbors. 2. The 45-Day Window: Liberty Hill uses a slightly longer window than Justin. For a high-growth town like Haslet, where neighbors may not know each other yet, 45 days is a fairer window for grassroots organizing than 30. 3. Two-Year Ineligibility: Adding the "succession" ban (from the Justin draft) but defining it as two years (standard in many Texas cities) prevents a recalled official from immediately running in the special election held to fill their own vacancy. Page 9 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. Recall for cities that do not have a charter (General Law) Haslet is currently a General Law Type A government Texas law does not provide a general, statewide recall process for officials in General Law cities. Limitation of Powers: General Law cities are limited to powers expressly permitted by state statutes, which DO NOT include initiating a recall election, meaning residents often cannot recall officials unless authorized by specific, rare legislative exceptions. Actionable Alternatives: In the absence of a recall, citizens in these cities often must rely on: 1. Voting the official out at the next regularly scheduled election. 2. Filing a petition for removal in district court based on specific grounds such as incompetence, official misconduct, or intoxication. Texas Constitution and Statutes Codes: Sec. 21.022: (1) "District attorney" includes a criminal district attorney. (2) "Incompetency" means: A: gross ignorance of official duties B: gross carelessness in the discharge of official duties; or C: inability or unfitness to promptly and properly discharge official duties because of a serious mental or physical defect that did not exist at the time of the officer's election. Page 10 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. (3) "Officer" means the mayor or another member of the governing body of a municipality. (4) "Official misconduct" means intentional unlawful behavior relating to official duties by an officer entrusted with the administration of justice or the execution of the law. The term includes an intentional or corrupt failure, refusal, or neglect of an officer to perform a duty imposed on the officer by law. Sec. 21.023: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE: The district judge may remove an officer of the municipality from office Sec. 21.024: An officer may not be removed under this subchapter for an act the officer committed before election to office if the act was a matter of public record or otherwise known to the voters. Sec. 21.025: GENERAL GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL: (a) An officer may be removed from office for: (1) incompetency (2) official misconduct (3) intoxication on or off duty caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage. (b) Intoxication is not a ground for removal if it appears at the trial that the intoxication was caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage on the direction and prescription of a licensed physician practicing in this state Page 11 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. Sec. 21.026: PETITION FOR REMOVAL: (a) A proceeding for the removal of an officer is begun by filing a written petition for removal in a district court of the county in which the officer resides. (b) Any resident of the municipality who has lived for at least six months in the municipality and who is NOT currently under indictment in the county in which the municipality is located may file the petition. At least one of the parties who files the petition must swear to it at or before the filing. (c) The petition must be addressed to the district judge of the court in which it is filed. The petition must specify the grounds alleged for the removal of the officer in plain and intelligible language and must cite the time and place of the occurrence of each act alleged as a ground for removal with as much certainty as the nature of the case permits. Sec. 21.027: CITATION OF OFFICER: (a) After a petition for removal is filed, the person filing the petition shall apply to the district judge in writing for an order requiring a citation and a certified copy of the petition to be served on the officer. (b) If the application for the order is made during the term of the court, action may not be taken on the petition until the order is granted and entered in the minutes of the court. If the application is made to the judge during the vacation of the court, the judge shall indicate on the petition the action taken and shall have the action entered in the minutes of the court at the next term. (c) If the judge refuses to issue the order for citation, the petition shall be dismissed at the cost of the person filing the petition. The person may not take an appeal from the judge's decision or apply for a writ of mandamus. If the judge grants the order for citation, the clerk shall issue the citation with a certified copy of the petition. The judge shall require the person filing the petition to post security for costs in the manner provided for other cases. Page 12 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. (d) The citation shall order the officer to appear and answer the petition on a date, fixed by the judge, after the fifth day after the date the citation is served. The time is computed as it is in other suits. Disposition of this action by the district court shall take precedence over other civil matters on the court's docket. Sec. 21.028: BOND: (a) The judge shall require the person filing the petition to execute a bond, with at least two good and sufficient sureties, in an amount fixed by the judge and conditioned as required by the judge. The bond shall be used to pay damages and costs to the officer if the grounds for removal are found at trial to be insufficient or untrue. The officer must serve written notice on the person who filed the petition and that person's bondsman not later than the 90th day after the date the bond is executed, stating that the officer intends to hold them liable on the bond and stating the grounds for that liability. (b) If the final judgment establishes the officer's right to the office, the person filing the petition shall pay the officer an amount determined by the judge as appropriate to compensate the officer for the damages suffered as a result of the removal action. Sec. 21.029: TRIAL: (a) An officer shall have the right to trial by jury. (b) The trial for the removal of an officer and the proceedings connected with the trial shall be conducted as much as possible in accordance with the rules and practice of the court in other civil cases, in the name of the State of Texas, and on the relation of the person filing the petition. (c) In a removal case, the judge may not submit special issues to the jury. Under a proper charge applicable to the facts of the case, the judge shall instruct Page 13 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. the jury to find from the evidence whether the grounds for removal alleged in the petition are true. If the petition alleges more than one ground for removal, the jury shall indicate in the verdict which grounds are sustained by the evidence and which are not sustained. (d) The district attorney shall represent the state in a proceeding for the removal of an officer. Sec. 21.030: APPEAL: (a) Either party to a removal action may appeal the final judgment to the court of appeals in the manner provided for other civil cases. The officer is not required to post an appeal bond but may be required to post a bond for costs. (b) An appeal of a removal action takes precedence over the ordinary business of the court of appeals and shall be decided with all convenient dispatch. If the trial court judgment is not set aside or suspended, the court of appeals shall issue its mandate in the case not later than the fifth day after the date the court renders its judgment. Sec. 21.031: REMOVAL BY CRIMINAL CONVICTION: (a) The conviction of an officer for any felony or for a misdemeanor involving official misconduct operates as an immediate removal from office. (b) The court rendering judgment in the case shall include in the judgment an order removing the officer. (c) If the removed officer appeals the judgment, other than for an offense to which Section 180.010 applies, the appeal supersedes the order of removal unless the court that renders the judgment finds that it is in the public interest to suspend the removed officer pending the appeal. If the court finds that the public interest requires suspension, the court shall suspend the removed officer as provided by this subchapter. Page 14 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.D. Sec. 21.032: REELECTION PROHIBITED FOR CERTAIN PERIOD: An officer removed under this subchapter is not eligible for re-election to the same office before the second anniversary of the date of the removal. Page 15 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.E. Charter Commission AGENDA ITEM REPORT MEETING: Charter Commission - 06 May 2026 SUBJECT: Review all work from the Community Outreach Subcommittee ATTACHMENTS: Charter Commission Community Outreach 22 April 26 CHARLIE Page 16 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.E. 22 April, 2026 Charter Commission Community Outreach – Sub Commitee Suggested venue: When the Charter Commission is fully prepared, the ini�al “Workshop” venue will be scheduled and conducted at the City of Haslet, Community Center: Each “Workshop” will be announced well in advance, with the presenta�on and discussion broadcast via internet and also recorded. Note: Suggest ninety (90) minutes per Workshop. The “Workshop” agenda and presenta�on will be composed and reviewed in advance, with the segmenta�on and outlined presenta�on (and illustra�ons), for receiving input from the ci�zens of the City of Haslet, Texas. 1. Ini�al over-view: a. Purpose of the Charter Commission for Haslet: A home rule charter commission is a group of appointed individuals responsible for producing a home rule charter, which defines the structure and powers of local government. This commission allows local governments to have more control over their governance compared to state-imposed rules. b. When and Why the Charter Commission was formed: The Home Rule Charter Commission for the City of Haslet, Texas was officially formed on 2 February, 2026, as a fi�een (15) member en�ty. This Commission was created to study, dra� and propose a home rule charter. Allowing for a municipality to govern itself with greater autonomy and flexibility in local maters, as long as the municipality complies with state laws. c. What has been accomplished thus far: • Review of legal framework • Created by-laws • Formed sub-commitees o Form of Government o Elec�ons o Financial and Taxa�on o Community Outreach Page 17 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.E. 2. Topics for seeking input and hearing the voice of City of Haslet residents/ci�zens, at this �me, includes: a. Form of Government i. Mayor – Council 1. Strong Mayor – Council 2. Mayor – Strong Council ii. Council – Manager iii. Hybrid Council – Mayor, Council and City Administrator (Repor�ng to both Mayor and Council) Note: Mayor-Council Form of City Government. A mayor-council city government in Texas consists of a mayor and a number of council members or aldermen. The mayor is elected at large, and the council members/ aldermen may be elected at large, but generally are chosen from wards or districts. The mayor presides at council mee�ngs and is the chief execu�ve officer of the city. He/ She is properly the head of the police force and the budgetary officer of the city. The council is the legisla�ve agent; the proposals and appointments of the mayor are or may be subject to its approval. This form of city government has assumed two types in Texas. Both the weak mayor-council and the strong mayor- council are characterized by a mayor elected at large and a council elected either by wards, at large, or by a combina�on of the two. In the weak mayor-council type, the mayor is not a chief execu�ve in the true sense. His/ Her powers are limited in appointments and removals, as well as veto, and there are a large number of elected officials and boards. Many legal powers of the council prevent him/ her from effec�vely supervising city administra�on. In the strong mayor-council form, the mayor has the power to appoint and remove most department heads, and only a few officials are elected. In addi�on, he/ she prepares the budget for the council's considera�on and has an effec�ve veto power. Source: Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). (Note: Corresponding “Presentation Content” for this topic via sub-committee and commission.) Page 18 of 19  Agenda Item #5.5.E. b. City Council i. Qualifica�ons of candidates ii. Composi�on 1. District 2. At-large 3. Combina�on of District and smaller number of At-large members 4. Term(s) of Office a. Number of years per Term b. Number of Terms i. Consecu�ve terms ii. Total terms (Note: Corresponding “Presentation Content” for this topic via sub-committee and commission.) c. Mayor i. Qualifica�ons of candidates 1. Term(s) of Office a. Number of years per Term b. Number of Terms i. Consecu�ve terms ii. Total terms (Note: Corresponding “Presentation Content” for this topic via sub-committee and commission.) d. Financial and Taxa�on i. Input from sub-commitee ii. Input from sub-commitee (Note: Corresponding “Presentation Content” for this topic via sub-committee and commission.) Addi�onal Note: Topics “a. Form of Government” and “b. City Council” could become Workshop #1. Followed by Workshop #2, for seeking input on topics “c. Mayor” and “d. Financial and Taxa�on.” Due to keeping within reasonable guidelines of �me alloca�on and for maintaining focus and proac�ve listening. 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