2016-0157
INTRODUCED BY: PAUL J. HOGAN, PE, COUNCILMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION B
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution calling for the creation of a Home Rule Charter Review Committee that is to review the St. Charles Parish Home Rule Charter and is to provide the Parish Council with recommendations on charter amendments that the Committee finds warranted for consideration by the Parish Council in order to provide for the betterment of the local governance of St. Charles Parish.
Body
WHEREAS, the St. Charles Parish Home Rule Charter has been in place for more than thirty-six years; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of St. Charles Parish to periodically undertake a complete review of the Home Rule Charter to identify any potential amendments to the Home Rule Charter which may be warranted and worthy of presenting to the citizens of the Parish for their consideration and approval thereof; and,
WHEREAS, amendments to the Home Rule Charter require a vote of the people of the Parish; and,
WHEREAS, next year’s fall election will be a major election ends up bringing out the largest numbers of voters to vote; and,
WHEREAS, presenting proposed Home Rule Charter amendments to the voters are best done when a large voter turnout is expected; and,
WHEREAS, sufficient time is needed prior to the fall election for the committee to be formed and to present suggested Home Rule Charter amendments to the Council for it to consider them for placement on the ballot.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL do hereby authorize and approve the creation of a Home Rule Charter Review Committee, (herein referred to as “the Committee”) that is to be composed of non-elected citizens of St. Charles Parish consisting of nine (9) members that are to be confirmed by the St. Charles Parish Council with each Councilmember nominating one (1) individual to be considered for appointment to the Committee by the Council and each Councilmember At Large nominating one (1) individual to be considered for appointment to the Committee by the Council as an alternate member to fill vacancies on the Committee should vacancies arise.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled within five (5) days and that the first vacancy shall be filled by the automatic appointment of the alternate member nominated by the Division A At Large Councilmember and a second vacancy shall be filled by the automatic appointment of the alternate member nominated by the Division B At Large Councilmember.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that no elected official shall serve as a member of the Committee, nor shall any employee of an appointing authority or any person who has had a contractual relationship with any appointing authority during the year immediately preceding creation of the Committee serve as a member of the Committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the recommended charter amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the membership of the Committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee shall conduct a minimum of three (3) public meetings in the Council Chambers which are to be open to the public and open for public comment and input.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee shall report to the St. Charles Parish Council with recommendations of proposed amendments to the Home Rule Charter on or before a date to be determined by the Council and provided to the Committee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee shall elect a chairman from among its membership by majority vote of its total membership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that unless a quorum is present, the Committee shall not take any binding or final action on any item. A quorum shall be defined as a majority of the total membership of the Committee. The approval of a majority of the total membership shall be required for the Committee to take official action on any matter.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee shall conduct its business pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order and may adopt such other procedural rules as it deems necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any proposed charter amendment recommendations shall be presented to the Council for the Council to review and to determine which, if any, shall be placed on the ballot for consideration by the voters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any proposed amendments shall be listed separately on the ballot and shall require a majority of the votes cast for approval for each of the charter amendments.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted this day of , 2018, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
2016-0157 CHARTER COMMISSION (09-23-18) (I_12-10-18).doc
CHAIRMAN:______________________________________________
SECRETARY:_____________________________________________
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:_________________________________
APPROVED:______________ DISAPPROVED:__________________
PARISH PRESIDENT:______________________________________
RETD/SECRETARY:_______________________________________
AT:_______________ RECD BY: _____________________________