HomeMy WebLinkAboutCP 80 OF, U:U)Ijgu MMOUEM
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Aq POLICY PROPOSAL
DATE FILE NUMBER SUBJECT Proposed Charter Amendments PAGE 1 OF 2
2/17/81 CP-80
PROPOSAL PROPOSED BY: Mayor Pro t CITY M ER'S RE W
Richard C. Newkirk, Coun ilmen
On January 27, 1981, the Charter Review and Revision Committee presented their recom-
mendations on needed Charter revisions to the City Council. The recommendations
represented the culmination of almost eight months of weekly meetings during which
Committee members, Council members, citizens, and City staff studied and discussed
needed changes to the City Charter.
Following Council review on January 27, 1981, this Council Committee was appointed
to further review the recommendations and make its own recommendations on the proposed
oo& revisions.
The Committee held four meetings to discuss the Charter recommendations with City
staff and with the Chairman and the Sub-Committee Chairmen of the Charter Review and
Revision Committee. Based on those discussions and our own deliberations we reported
to the Council on February 10, 1981.
The Charter Review and Revision Committee recommendations and our own subsequent
recommendations address "housekeeping" problems and, for the most part, are directed
-k at updating current Charter language, obtaining compliance with State statutes, and
effecting rather routine, but much needed,administrative changes. Although there are
no major revisions proposed, the recommendations do represent a significant step in
modernizing and improving the current City Charter so that it will continue to
successfully provide the framework for an effective and responsive municipal govern-
ment for the citizens of Fort Worth.
We propose that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance that will enable sub-
mission of the proposed Charter amendments to the citizens of Fort Worth on the
April 4 municipal election ballot.
Legality
The attached ordinance has been prepared for your consideration.
Fiscal Note
It is estimated that submitting the proposed Charter amendments to the citizens at
the regular municipal election, April 4, 1981, rather than holding a special election
at a later date will save the City approximately $40,000. Implementation of the
proposed changes, if adopted by the voters, should not cause any significant costs
to the City.
LEGALITY
FISCAL NOTE
CRY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
POLICY PROPOSAL (cont'd) PAGE z OF 2
City Manager's Comments
I concur with the proposal and believe that the proposed Charter amendments will
significantly strengthen and improve the current Charter by eliminating conflicts
between the Charter, State statutes, and City operating procedures.
Richard C. Newkirk, Mayor Pro Tem J A. Bagsby, Cou ilma ,
Opp
Councilman Jeff Davis
CRY OF FORT WORTH
•
V0Iii �� M .
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS A% =!.AWE r
—
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
CITY w►LL
February 12 , 1981 FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
870,7600 / AREA CODE $17
TO: The Honorable Woodie W. Woods , Mayor
and Members of City Council
FROM: Paul C. Isham
City Attorney
RE : ORDINANCE CALLING FOR ELECTION ON PROPOSED
CHARTER AMENDIoIENTS
Attached is a draft of a proposed ordinance calling an election
on April 4, 1981 , regarding proposed amendments to the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth. This ordinance and the amendments
included will be discussed at a public hearing scheduled for
the City Council meeting on February 17th .
I apologize for sending a draft to you, but because of the
length of this document , it was impossible to finalize it prior
to the Thursday agenda deadline .
I trust that you will bear with me on this matter , and I hope
to have a finalized document to you by Tuesday.
au C. Is am
City Attorney
PCI :ks
att.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A SPECIAL HOME-RULE ELECTION IN
THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY,
THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 1981, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMIT-
TING TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF SAID CITY, FOR• ADOPTION
OR REJECTION, PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
COUNCIL TO DESIGNATE THE PLACES AT WHICH SAID ELECTION
IS TO BE HELD; PRESCRIBING PRESIDING OFFICERS THEREOF;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, in the
exercise of the sound discretion reposed in it by the Constitu-
tion and laws of this State, and more particularly Articles 1165
through 1174, inclusive, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, relating
to the amendment of city charters by cities having more than five
thousand (5,000) inhabitants, deems it wise and expedient to sub-
,nit proposed amendments to the existing Charter of said City,
hereinafter set forth, at a special election to be held in said
City on Saturday, the 4th day of April, A. D. 1981; NOW, THERE-
FORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION I.
That a special election be held in the City of Fort Worth,
Texas, on Saturday, the 4th day of April, 1981, for the purpose
of submitting to the qualified voters of said City, for adoption
or rejection, the following proposed amendments to the existing
Charter of the City of Fort Worth:
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
I.
Shall Section 2, Chapter I. Organization, Boundaries, Annex-
ation of Adjacent Territory, of the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter read and be as
follows:
"Section 2. Corporate Boundaries.--The corporate
boundaries of the City of Fort Worth are as set out and
defined in the Charter adopted in 1924 and as modified
by ordinances of the City of Fort Worth enacted sub-
sequent thereto as found in the Office of the City
Secretary."?
II.
Shall Section 3, Chapter I, Organization, Boundaries, Annex-
ation of Adjacent Territory, of the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth be amended so that same shall hereinafter read and be as
follows:
"Section 3. Annexation of Adjacent Territory--
Method and Procedure of Holding Election Therefor.--
Territory adjoining and continguous to the corporate
limits of the City of Fort Worth may be annexed to the
said City in any one of the two several ways herein
specified:
(1) In the event that an election to ascertain
the sentiment of the persons residing in such territory
so seeking annexation be deemed necessary, then the
following procedure shall apply, to-wit: The proclama-
tion for such election shall be made by the Mayor of
the City, and he shall also designate the polling
places and name the election judges and clerks, who
shall be selected from the residents of said terri-
tory. Only persons, residents of said territory, who
are qualified voters under the laws of the State of
Texas, shall be permitted to exercise the right of
suffrage at such election. The polls at such election
shall be open from seven o'clock in the morning until
seven o'clock in the evening, and the expenses of
conducting such election shall be borne by the City of
Fort Worth. The ballot to be used therefor shall
contain the words "For Annexation" and "Against Annexa-
tion", and the voter shall strike out the one or the
other according as he may be for or against the
proposition. Returns of such election shall be made to
the City Council by the offices of the election
depositing the tally sheets and other adjuncts to the
election with the City Secretary, and thereafter as
soon as practicable the Council shall canvass the
returns, and in the event it is found that a majority
of all the votes cast at such election are favorable to
such annexation, then and thereupon the Council may by
ordinance declare such territory annexed to the City of
Fort Worth and an integral part of the same. In the
event of annexation, persons residing in such territory
shall thereafter be entitled to all the rights and
privileges of other citizens of said City and be bound
by the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations govern-
ing other citizens of said City of Fort Worth; and the
Council shall have power to agree and obligate itself
to the citizenship of such territory so seeking admis-
sion to apply to the improvements of streets and public
grounds in said territory a portion or all of the funds
raised by taxation for street improvement for a given
number of years, not to exceed five, insofar as the
same may be collected from the property situated in
said territory, and may also have authority, if in the
judgment of said Council, it should be just and equita-
ble, to further agree and obligate itself to apply to
the improvement of the streets in said territory during
said years additional sums not to exceed fifty percent
in any one year of the amount that may be collected for
such purpose from the property situated in such terri-
tory.
(2) Additions to the territory of the City of
Fort Worth may be made pursuant to any laws that may be
passed by the Texas Legislature relative to the exten-
sion of the corporate limits of cites, and applicable
to the City of Fort Worth."?
III.
Shall Section 7, Chapter II, Powers of the City, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereinafter read and be as follows:
"Section 7. (a) The City of Fort Worth shall
have power to construct or to acquire by purchase or
condemnation and thereafter improve, repair, maintain,
extend and operate as a public utility, one or more
systems of the distribution of natural gas, water,
sewer, electric and steam heat utility companies and
public service companies such as cable television,
taxicabs, transportation and transit companies and all
puolic utilities of every kind, together with all
appurtenances of every nature within or without the
city necessary or convenient to the operation thereof.
(b) For the purpose of carrying out the provi-
sions hereof, complete power, authority and discretion
is vested in the City Council of .the City of Fort
Worth. The Council, consistent with the provisions
hereof, may fix all details attendant upon the con-
struction or acquisition and financing of said system
or systems, and to that end may authorize the execution
of such contracts, agreements, mortgages, deeds of
trust, releases, franchises, obligations and other
instruments, as it may consider necessary, and may fix
all details thereof not herein specifically provided
and required. The provisions hereof shall be liberally
construed to effect the purposes of this section. The
powers granted in this section shall be cumulative and
in addition to all other powers now possessed by said
city, and shall not be considered as in substitution of
any other methods of procedure now available to, or
which may hereafter be available to the city. This
section shall in itself be complete and independent
authority for the construction or acquisition of and
payment for the utilities herein authorized to be con-
structed, in carrying out the provisions hereof shall
not be subject to the restrictions and limitations
contained elsewhere in this charter, and particularly
shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapter 22,
Section 19 of Chapter 25, and Section 2 of Chapter 26
of said Charter."
IV.
Shall Section 1, Chapter II, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that the same
shall hereinafter read and be as follows:
"Section 1. The City Council.--The powers of the
City government shall be vested in a body to be known
as the City Council, composed of nine members, one of
whom shall be the mayor. Their terms of office shall
be for a period of two years and until the election and
qualification of their successors."?
V.
Shall Section 1, Chapter III, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended by adding new sub-
sections (a) through (d) so that the same shall hereafter read
and be as follows:
(a) A person who has served as a member of the
City Council other than Place One for three consecutive
two-year terms shall not again be eligible to become a
candidate for, or serve in, any place on the City
Council except Place One until at least one complete
term has elapsed.
(b) A person who has served three consecutive
two-year terms as member of City Council, Place One,
shall not again be eligible to become a candidate for,
or to serve in, any place on the City Council until at
least one complete term has elapsed.
(c) A 'term' as used in subsections (a) and (b)
shall include any period of service during a City
Council term when that period is in excess of one year,
including a term from which the member resigned.
(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this
section, a person is not eligible to become a candidate
for, or serve on the City Council for more than six
consecutive two-year terms."?
VI.
Shall Section 3, Chapter III, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereinafter read and be as follows:
"The Council may determine the compensation of
Council members by ordinance, but no ordinance increas-
ing such compensation shall become effective until the
date of commencement of the terms of Council members
elected at the next regular election, provided that
such election follows the adoption of such ordinance by
at least six (6) months. However, in no event, shall
such compensation exceed $9,600 per year. Council
members shall receive their actual and necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties of
office."?
VII.
Shall Section 4, Chapter III, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereinafter read and be as follows:
"Section 4. Vacancies in the City Council--How
Filled--Vacancies in the City Council shall be filled
by special elections from the districts whose places
have been vacated. Vacancies in the office of Mayor
shall be filled under the provisions applicable to
other Councilmen except that the district of the Mayor
shall be the City as a whole. These special elections
shall be held on the first available election date
specified pursuant to Article 2.01b of the Texas Elec-
tion Code unless the Council shall request, and
receive, permission from the Governor to call an
emergency special election. If vacancies should occur
within thirty (30) days of the special election date,
the Council may set the election for the next date
following the impending special election date or it may
request permission for an emergency special election
from the Governor.
In the event any candidate for a vacancy fails to
receive a majority of all votes cast for all the Candi-
dates for such vacancy at such special election, the
Mayor shall on the first day following the completion
of the official count of the ballots cast at said
special election issue a call for a run-off election
pursuant to Chapter IV, Section 2 to be held on the
second Saturday following the preceding special elec-
tion to determine who shall be elected. Such new
Council members, when duly qualified and elected, shall
serve for the unexpired period of the terms of the
Council members whose offices are being filled. How-
ever, no such elections shall be held where said
vacancy shall occur within a period of less than ninety
(90) days prior to a general election as specified in
Chapter IV, Section 2. When a vacancy shall occur less
than ninety (90) days prior to the general election as
specified in Chapter IV, Section 2, a majority of the
remaining Council members may appoint a qualified
person from the District whose pace has been vacated to
serve the unexpired term.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of Mayor, the
Mayor-Pro-Tem shall serve until a special election
shall be called under the rules pertaining to filling
vacancies among the other councilmen. If members of
the City Council seek the office of Mayor in such a
special election, they shall first resign from the City
Council and special elections, simultaneous to the
Mayoral election, shall be held in their districts
under the terms specified above."?
VIII.
Shall Section 5, Chapter III, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereinafter read and be as follows:
"Section S. Meetings of Council and
Committees to be Public--Quorum--Regulations
of Proceedings--Council to Provide Rules of
Procedure.--At eleven o'clock a.m. on the first
Tuesday after ten (10) days after the general
or special election, the elected members of the
new Council shall meet at City Hall and take
the oath of office. Thereafter, the Council
shall meet at such time and place as may be
prescribed by ordinance or resolution, but
not less than one regular meeting shall be
held each week, unless postponed for valid
reasons to be spread on the minutes. A
quorum shall consist of six members unless
there are vacancies, in which event the
quorum shall be reduced by the number of
vacancies existing. All official meetings
of the Council and all sessions of the Com-
mittees of the Council shall be public ex-
cept as authorized by law. The ayes and nos
shall be taken upon the passage of all ordi-
nances or resolutions and entered upon the
Minutes of the proceedings of the Council,
and every ordinance or resolution shall
require on final passage the affirmative
vote of a majority of all the remaining
members."?
Shall Section 7, Chapter III, The City Council, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereinafter read and be as follows:
"Section 7. City Secretary--The City
shall appoint a City Secretary and prescribe
the duties and compensation of said officer,
and shall provide him with such assistans as
it may deem necessary. He shall hold office
during the pleasure of the City Council. During
his term of office, the City Secretary shall
awi*mmrt be a resident of the City of Fort
Worth."? 46h ie.,
Shall a new Section 8 be added to Chapter III, The City
Council, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth which shall
hereinafter read as follows:
"Section 8. Relating to City Council-
ment accepting Different Office and Providing
for Forfeiture of Offices and Positions of
Aspirants for Compensated Office.--No person
elected to the City Council shall, during the
term for which he was elected, be appointed
d.,.14g-she t r Lti i r h
agpoisood to any office or position in the
service of the City. If a member of the
Council shall become a candidate for nomina-
tion or election to any public office, other
than that of Councilman, he shall immediately
forfeit his place in the Council ; and any
appointive officer or employee of the City
who shall become a candidate for nomination
� . or election to any public office shall im-
mediately forfeit the office or employment
held under the City."
and shall Section 16, Chapter XXIV, Civil Service, be repealed
and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
X.
Shall Section 1, Chapter IV, Method of Nominating and
Electing Members of the City Council, of the Charter of the City
of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereinafter read
and be as follows:
"Section 1. Councilmen--Eligibility
Only qualified and registered voters under
the laws of Texas, who have been residents
of the City for at least six months next
preceding the election shall be eligible
for the office of Councilman."?
"XT
Shall Section 2, Chapter IV, Method of Nominating and
Electing Members of the City Council, of the Charter of the City
of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereinafter read and
be as follows:
"Section 2. No Primary Election to Determine
Nominations--Councilmen to be Selected in General
Election Biennially.--Primary elections to deter-
mine the selection of nominees for members of the
City Council shall not be resorted to. There
shall be but one election, and that a general
election, for the purpose of selecting members of
the City Council, the same to be held biennially,
on the first Saturday in April of odd-numbered
years.
The City Secretary shall make up the official
ballot from the names presented to him. The order
in which the names of such candidates are to
appear on the ballot shall be determined by a
drawing to be held in the office of the City
Secretary. The City Secretary shall post a notice
in his office, at least three days prior to the
date on which the drawing is to be held, of the
time and place of the drawing, and shall also give
personal notice to any candidate who makes written
request for such notice; and each candidate in-
volved in the drawing, or a representative
designated by him, shall have a right to be present
and observe the drawing.
In the event any candidate for either of said
offices fails to receive a majority of all votes
cast for all the candidates for such office at such
election the Mayor shall, on the first day following
the completion of the official count of the ballots
cast at said first election, issue a call for a
second election to be held on the fourth Saturday
following the preceding City election to determine
which one shall be declared elected. The official
ballot to be used at said second election shall be
prepared by the City Secretary and the name of no
person shall appear unless he was a candidate for
the office designated at said first election. The
candidates receiving the first and second highest
number of votes cast for candidates for such office
at such first election shall be entitled to have
their names appear on said official ballot in the
order of their standing in the computation of the
votes cast for such candidates at said first
election as candidates at said second election for
such office; provided, however, that in the event
any person who was a candidate at said first
election and who shall be entitled to become a
candidate in such second election shall fail to
request that his name shall appear on the official
ballot therefor at such second election as herein
provided, the candidate for such office standing
next highest in the computation of votes shall suc-
ceed to the rights of such candidate who failed to
N ,
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request that his name appear upon the ballot at said
second election: provided further, that two (2) can-
didates for such office at said first election shall
be entitled to become candidates therefor at said
second election, which two (2) candidates shall be
those two (2) among such candidates as shall stand
highest respectively in the computation of all votes
cast for all the candidates for such office at said
first election as shall file written request to be
placed on the official ballot as candidates for such
office at said second election. In the event of a
tie in the vote for the two (2) leading candidates
for any office at said first election, said office
shall be filled at a second election as herein pro-
vided for, at which such candidates so tied in said
first election may again become candidates. In the
event such candidates who tied in said first
election, or either of them shall fail so to do,
the two (2) candidates for such office who are next
highest in the computation of votes therefor and who
desire to become candidates therefor at said second
election shall be entitled so to do in order of the
number of votes they respectively received at said
first election. In the event of a tie between the
two (2) candidates for any office at said second
election, they shall cast lots to determine who
shall be elected to such office."
and shall Sections 4 and 5 of Chapter IV, Method of Nominating
and Electing Members of the City Council, be repealed and deleted
from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
all Section 3, Chapter IV, Method of Nomi!) ing and
Electin bers of the City Council, of the arter of the City
of Fort Worth amended so that same s 1 hereinafter read and
be as follows :
"Section 3. th th exception of Place No. 1
to be held by the Ma s provided for in Section
2 of Chapter III of t Charter, the City Council
shall provide by or nanc or eight (8) single-
member districts that, wi the exception of the
Mayor, one memb of the City ncil shall be
elected from ch of such defined 'stricts by the
voters resi ng therein, and each ca idate there-
from sha be a qualified elector oft City and
shall ve resided in the district from ch he
seek election for a period of at least six onths
ne preceding the election."?
XIII
Shall Section 1, Chapter V, The City Manager, of the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
-8-
read and be as follows:
"Section 1. The Council shall appoint the City
Manager, who shall be the chief administrative and
executive officer of the City. He shall be chosen
solely upon the basis of his executive and administra-
tive training, experience, and ability, and without
regard to political consideration. Qualifications
being equal, preference shall be given in the
selection of a resident citizen of Fort Worth for
this position. No member of the Council shall be
chosen as City Manager. The City Manager shall not
be appointed for a definite fixed time, but shall be
removable at the will and pleasure of the Council,
by a vote of the majority of the entire Council. If
removed after serving six months, he may demand
written charges and the right to be heard thereon at
a public meeting of the Council prior to the date on
which his final removal shall take effect; but
pending such hearing the Council may suspend him
from office. The action of the Council in suspending
or removing the City Manager shall be final. In case
of the absence or disability of the City Manager, the
Council may designate some qualified person to perform
the duties of the office. The City Manager shall
receive such compensation as may be fixed by the
Council prior to the appointment. During his term of
office, the City Manager shall be a resident citizen
within the City of Fort Worth."?
XIV
Shall Subsection (1) , Section 2, Chapter V, The City Manager,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same
shall hereafter read and be as follows:
"(1) In cooperation with the City Attorney, to
see that all laws and ordinances are enforced."?
XV
Shall Subsection (10) , Section 2, Chapter V, The City
Manager, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so
that same shall hereafter read and be as follows:
"(10) Either personally or by one or more Assis-
tant City Managers designated by the City Manager, to
execute all documents, contracts and legal instru-
ments on behalf of the City as provided by this
Charter or by the ordinances or resolutions of the
Council posed in pursuance thereof."?
XVI
Shall Chapter VI, Department of Law, of the Charter of the
City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter read
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and be as follows:
"Section 1. There shall be a Department of Law,
the Director of which shall be the City Attorney,
whose appointment shall be recommended by the City
Manager and approved by the Council and who is a
competent practicing attorney, duly licensed, and
who shall have practiced law for at least five (5)
years immediately preceding his appointment. The
City Attorney shall serve as chief legal advisor to
the Council, the City Manager and all City depart-
ments, offices and agencies, and the City Attorney
shall represent the City in all legal proceedings,
and draft, approve or file his written legal objec-
tions to every ordinance before it is acted upon by
the Council, and prepare or endorse his written
approval or file his written legal objections to
all documents, contracts and legal instruments in
which the City may have an interest, and perform
any other duties prescribed by this Charter or by
ordinance. During his term of office, the City
Attorney shall be a resident citizen within the
City of Fort Worth.
Section 2. The City Attorney shall serve as
the Director of the Department of Law, and shall
have power to appoint such assistants as may be
deemed necessary to assist in performing the
duties of the department, subject to the approval
of the City Manager and the Council; such assis-
tants to serve in that capacity as long as their
services are satisfactory to the City Attorney.
The City Attorney and assistants shall receive
such compensation as may be fixed by
the Council.
Section 3. No extra outside counsel shall be
retained to assist the City Attorney or his
assistants, save and except in cases of extra-
ordinary importance and emergency, approved and
adopted by the Council. In such contingency, the
Council shall fix in advance, as far as practicable,
the compensation to be allowed such extra or outside
counsel by resolution spread upon the minutes.
Section 4. The City Attorney shall not be ap-
pointed for a definite fixed time, but shall be
removable at the will and pleasure of the Council
by a vote of not less than a majority of the entire
Council. If removed after serving six months, he
may demand written charges and the right to be
heard thereon at a public meeting of the Council
prior to the date on which his final removal shall
take effect; but pending such hearing the Council
may suspend him from office. The action of the
Council in suspending or removing the City Attorney
shall be final. In case of the absence or dis-
ability of the City Attorney, the Council may
designate some qualified person to perform the
duties of the office."7
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XVII
Shall ection 2, Chapter VIII, Administrativ De artments
to be Control d and Administered by the CityXanager, of the
Charter of the ty of Fort Worth be amend so that same shall
hereinafter read an be as follows:
"Section 2. uties to Di ctors of Depart-
ments.--A director r each the above depart-
ments shall be appoin d by he City Manager, and
shall serve until remo y the City Manager, or
until his successor is a ointed and has qualified;
provided, that the Cit Ma er shall assume the
directorship of the D partmeof Finance, unless
otherwise ordered b the Counc'1. Each director
shall have power t prescribe r es and regula-
tions, not incon stent with this harter or
ordinance, for a conduct of his artment and
the preservat' n of the records and p perty under
his control. Subject to the control an supervi-
sion of th City Manager in all matters, e
director a department shall manage his
departm t. During his term of office, the
Direct , Chief or Head of such of the above d -
part nts shall and must be a resident citizen
wit in the City of Fort Worth."
XVIII
Shall Section 1 through 7, inclusive, of Chapter XI, Depart-
ment of Police, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended so that said Chapter shall hereafter read and be as
follows:
"CHAPTER XI
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
"The City Council shall provide by ordinance
for the establishment and regulation of a Depart-
ment of Police."?
r�
Shall Section 1 through 9, inclusive, of Chapter XII, Fire
Department, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended
so that said Chapter shall hereafter read and be as follows :
"CHAPTER XII
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The City Council shall provide by ordinance
for the establishment and regulation of a Fire
Department."?
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VM
Shall Section 1, Chapter XX, Recall of Councilmen, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereafter read and be as follows :
"Section 1. Recall of Councilmen--Procedure;--
Election of Successors.--Any Councilman of this City
may be recalled and removed from office by the
electors qualified to vote for a successor of such
incumbent as herein provided. The procedure to
remove Councilmen shall be as follows:
A petition signed by the qualified voters en-
titled to vote for a successor to the Councilman
sought to be removed, equal in number to at least
twenty percentum of the entire number of persons
entitled to vote for a successor to said Councilman
at said time, demanding the recall of said Council-
man shall be filed with the City Secretary,
provided that such petition shall contain a general
statement of the grounds for which the removal is
sought. The signatures to the petition need not
all be appended to one paper, but each signer shall
add to his signature his place of residence, giving
the street and number. One of the signers to each
of such papers shall make oath before an officer
competent to administer oaths that each signature
is that of the person whose name it purports to be.
Within ten days from the filing of such petition,
the City Secretary shall examine the same and from
the list of qualified voters ascertain whether or
not said petition is signed by the requisite number
�- of qualified voters, and, if necessary, the Council
shall allow him extra help for that purpose, and he
shall attach to said petition a certificate showing
the result of such examination. If, by the Secre-
tary's certificate, the petition is shown to be
insufficient, it may be amended within ten days
from the date of said certificate. The Secretary
shall within ten days after such amendment is
filed, if any is so filed with him, make like
examination of the said amended petition, and if
his certificate shall show same to be insufficient,
it shall be returned to the person filing same
without prejudice, however, to the filing of a new
petition based upon new and different grounds, but
not upon the same grounds.
If the petition be found sufficient, the Sec-
retary shall submit the same to the City Council
without delay. If an election is to be held within
the City for any other purpose within sixty days
from the date of said certificate, then the said
recall election shall be held on the same day. If
the Councilman in question resigns, no election
shall be necessary and the vacancy shall be filled
as in other cases of vacancies.
The provisions regulating examination, certi-
fication and amendment of initiative petitions shall
-12-
apply to recall petitions. If the petition is certi-
fied by the City Secretary to be sufficient and the
- Councilman whose removal is sought does not resign
within five days after the certification to the
Council, the Council shall order and hold a recall
election in the affected district. Such election
shall be held on the first available election date
specified pursuant to Article 2.01b of the Texas
Election Code unless the Council shall request, and
receive, permission from the Governor to call an
emergency special election. If a recall petition
should be certified within thirty (30) days of an
election date, the Council may set the election for
the next date following the impending special
election date or it may request permission for an
emergency special election date from the Governor.
Ballots used at recall elections shall conform
to the following requirements.
(1) With respect to each person whose removal
is sought the question shall be submitted "Shall
(name of Councilman) be removed from the office of
City Councilman?"
(2) Immediately below each such question there
shall be printed the two following positions, one
above the other, in the order indicated:
'For the recall of (name of Councilman) . '
'Against the recall of (name of Council-
man) . '
If a majority of the votes cast at a recall
election shall be against removal of the Councilman
named on the ballot, he shall continue in office.
If the majority of the votes cast at such election
be for the removal of the Councilman named on the
ballot, the Council shall immediately declare his
office vacant and such vacancy shall be filled in
accordance with the provisions of this Charter for
the filling of vacancies. A Councilman thus removed
shall not be a candidate to succeed himself in an
election called to fill the vacancy thereby created.
No recall petition shall be filed against a
Councilman within six months after he takes office,
and no Councilman shall be subject to more than
two recall elections during a term of office."?
XX.
Shall Section 6, Chapter XXI, The Initiative, of the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall here-
after read and be as follows :
-13-
"Section 6. Initiative Ballots.--The ballot
used in voting upon an initiated ordinance shall
state the caption of the ordinance and below the
caption shall set forth on separate lines the words,
For the Ordinance' and 'Against the Ordinance. '
Where an initiated ordinance and an alterna-
tive ordinance proposed by th Council are submitted,
the ballot shall state the c tions of each ordinance,
clearly designating them 'OrFinance No. 1' and
Ordinance No. 2, ' respectively, and shall set forth
below the captions on separate lines the words 'For
Ordinance No. 1, ' 'For Ordinance No. 2, ' and 'Against
Both Ordinances. ' Where an initiated ordinance and
an alternative ordinance are submitted, each voter
shall vote 'For' only one ordinance or 'Against Both
Ordinance;' and a vote for one ordinance shall be
counted as a vote against the other ordinance. If a
majority of the votes cast is in favor of a submitted
ordinance, it shall thereupon be effective as an
ordinance of the City."?
XXIY.
Shall Section 7, Chapter XXI, The Initiative, of the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows:
"Section 7. Number of Measures to be Initiated -
Initiated Ordinances Subject to Amendment or Repeal by
Council.--Any number of proposed measures may be voted
upon at the same election in accordance with the pro-
visions of this Charter. Initiated ordinances, adopted
by the electors, shall be published and may be amended
or repealed by the Council as in the case of other
ordinances; but not until two years after such ordi-
nance or ordinances shall become effective." 1
XXII=.
Shall Section 1, Chapter XXII, Referendum, of the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows :
"Section 1. If prior to the date when an
ordinance of a general nature passed by the Council
shall take effect, or within thirty days after the
passage of same, a referendum vote should be demanded
on same, as hereafter provided, such ordinance shall
be submitted to the legal voters of the City of Fort
Worth, and the same shall not be effective and valid
until the said ordinance shall have been approved by
a majority of those voting thereon; provided, that
this section shall not apply to mere matters of
routine, or emergency measures passed on the ground
of urgent public need for the preservation of peace,
health, safety or property, by a vote of not less than
three-fourths of the City Council, nor to the general
appropriation ordinance or bond ordinances." ?
! -14-
7/ 7
Shall Section 5 "Improvement of Highways--Power to Order--
Procedure--Specifications of Material--Bond of Contractor--
Advertisement of Bids--qer to Accept or Reject--No Change of
Bids--," Chapter XXIII, Improvement and Paving of Streets and
Highways, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended
so as to substitute the words "Director of Public Works" for
the words "City Engineer"?
U/V
Shall Section 8, Chapter XXIII, Improvement and Paving of
Streets and Highways, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth
be amended so that same shall hereafter read and be as follows:
"Section 8. Improvement--Lista of Owners
Notice to Owners--Protests--Procedures.--When
The contract or contracts for improvements have
been executed and approved, if any part of the
cost is to be assessed against property, or its
owner or owners, the Director of Public Works
shall at once prepare a statement containing the
names of persons, firms or corporations or estates
owning property abutting on the highway, or sec-
tion thereof, to be improved and the number of
front feet owned by each, with such description
by lot or block number, or otherwise, sufficient
to identify the same, and also containing an
estimate of the total cost of the proposed im-
provement, the cost per front foot of abutting
property. Said statement shall be examined by
the City Council and any errors therein corrected,
but no error or omission shall invalidate any
assessment made thereunder. When said statement
has been approved by the Council, it shall then
determine and declare the necessity of assessing
any part of the cost of proposed improvements
against such owners and their property by resolu-
tion directing notice to be given to such owners
and fixing the time and place of a hearing to be
given them. Such notice shall be signed by the
City Secretary, or other officer designated by
the Council, and shall state the time and place
of hearing, the general nature of improvement
proposed, the highway or section thereof to be
improved and the total amount and amount per foot
proposed to be assessed against owner and his
property.
*Such notice shall be served by publishing
same for three times the first being at least
21 days before the date of hearingjin the City's
official newspaper and by mailing a copy thereof
by letter deposited in the post office of said
City directed to the address of each owner, if
-15-
known, but if not known, then to the address
of his agent or attorney if known. Said letters
shall be posted at least fourteen days before
the day of said hearing. Said notice and letter
shall contain all the information required by
law. On the day fixed for said hearing or any
time thereafter, before any assessment is made,
any person, firm, corporation or estate owning
or having any interest in any property proposed
to be assessed for any part of the cost of such
improvement or against whom any personal charge
is proposed, shall have the right to appear
before the City Council in person, or by attorney
or agent, and shall be entitled to a hearing as
to all matters affecting said assessment or
personal liability, or the benefits of said
improvement, if any, to property proposed to be
assessed and any objection to such assessment,
or to the making of such improvement or any
invalidity or irregularity in the proceedings
with reference thereto, or any other objection.
All objections shall be filed in writing, and
thereafter the opportunity shall be given to
persons filing objections to subpoena witnesses
and produce testimony. Said hearing may be
adjourned from time to time until completed without
further notice. The City Council shall have power
to inquire into and determine all facts necessary
to the adjudication of objections and the ascer-
tainment of special benefits to such owners by means
of such improvements, and shall render such judge-
ment in each case as shall be just and proper.
Objections to the regularity of any proceedings,
or the validity of any assessment or charge of
personal liability against any person or property,
t shall be waived unless presented at the time and
in the manner herein specified."?
XXV#.
Shall Section 9, Chapter XXIII, Improvement and Paving of
Streets and Highways, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth
be amended so that same shall hereafter read and be as follows :
"Section 9. Improvements--Ordinance
Fixing Lien--Partial Payments--Interest--
Release of Lien--Personal Liability--Joint
Ownership--Sales Under Lien--Ordinance--
Notice of Lien--Errors--Effect of.--When said
hearing has been concluded, the City Council
shall be ordinance, which shall take effect
from its passage, without publication or other
prerequisites, assess against the several owners
of property, and their property abutting on the
highway or section thereof, ordered to be improved,
such part of the cost of improvement as said
Council may have adjudged against them. Said
ordinance shall fix a lien upon said property
and declare the respective owners thereof to be
personally liable for the amounts assessed
against them, and shall state the time and
terms of payment of such amounts. The said ordi-
nance shall prescribe the rate of interest upon
deferred payments, not exceeding eight per cent
per annum, and shall provide that failure to pay
any installment when due shall mature all of said
deferred payments, But any owner shall have the
-16-
right to discharge any installment before
maturity by the payment of same with accrued
interest to date of payment. The lien and
charge of personal liability above Referred to
shallf secure and include all costs of collection,
as4-n reasonable attorney's fee, when incurred.
Upon payment in full of any assessment against any
such property, the City shall, acting by its Mayor,
execute a release which shall discharge the lien
thereof.
More than one parcel or lot of land, the
property of one owner, or owned jointly by two
or more owners, may be assessed together without
invalidating said assessment or the lien thereof, or
any claim of personal liability. The cost of such
improvement assessed against a_n�ipt�1T s
ownertgt, her with interest ec-
tion, asonable attorney's fees, when incurred,
shall constitute a personal claim against such pro-
perty owner, and be secured by lien on such property
superior to all other liens, claims or titles, except
lawful taxes, and such liability and lien may be
enforced in any court having jurisdiction, or by
sale of such property by the officer, and in any
manner, as far as applicable, as sales are authorized
to be made for nonpayment of City taxes, but it shall
not be necessary to sell at the same time as for
delinquent taxes. The recital in any deed made in
pursuance to such sales that all legal prerequisites
to the validity thereof have been complied with, shall
be prima facie evidence thereof, and without further
proof shall be presumed to be true.
The City Council may by resolution make such
rules and regulations as may be deemed proper
to enforce the collection of such assessments. Any
error or omission in any proceeding herein provided
for shall be corrected by the Council, and shall
not invalidate the said proceedings. The passage
of such ordinance making said assessment shall be
notice to all persons of the lien created thereby'.'?
XXV I 0.
Shall Section 10 "Improvements-- Suit by Owner--Ten Day
Limitation--Precedence in Courts--Defendants--Suspension of
Improvements.--", Chapter XXIII, Improvement and Paving of
Streets and Highways of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth
be amended so as to substitute the word "fifteen" for the word
"ten" wherever it appears in Section 10?
XXVII#.
Sall Sections 1 through 19, inclusive, of Chapter XXIV,
Civil Service of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
repealed and a new Chapter substituted in lieu thereto read as
follows :
-17-
"CHAPTER XXIV.
MERIT SERVICE
Consistent with all applicable federal and
state laws, the City Council shall provide by
ordinance for the establishment, regulation and
maintenance of a Merit System, governing personnel
policies, grievances and other procedures and practices
necessary to the effective administration of
employees of the City of Fort Worth."?
IMTX `
Shall Section 2, Chapter XXVII, Franchises and Public
Utilities, of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, which
section reads as follows:
"Section 2. Franchises--Vote--Regulation.
The City Council of the City of Fort Worth shall
not grant to any person or corporation a franchise
beyond the term originally fixed for its termination
by the ordinance granting the same, for the use or
control or distribution of any public utility, such
as gas, water, electric light works, street rail-
ways, conduit system for electric lights, telephone
or telegraph lines, and all other public utilities,
whether similar or otherwise to these mentioned,
(subject to the exceptions set out in section three
of this Chapter) unless the proposed ordinance
granting such franchise, or the extension thereof,
shall first have been submitted to a vote of the
qualified voters of said City of Fort Worth, at
either a general election or a special election
called therefor, and until the same shall have been
approved by a majority of the electors of said City
voting at such election. All franchises shall be
granted upon condition, and the same shall be a
part of the franchise grant, that the City Council
of the City of Fort Worth shall have the right to
fix and regulate the price for the service to be
performed thereunder; and upon the further condi-
tion that the City shall have the right to pur-
chase the property operated thereunder at any
time after ten years subsequent to such grant, at
the actual replacement value of said property, less
depreciation; the replacement value to be determined,
in case of disagreement between the City and the
owner of the property, by arbitration as provided
by the statutes of the State of Texas.
The City Council shall have the power to compel
all persons, firms or corporations operating any
public utility in this City, whether operating under
existing franchises, or franchies that may be here-
under granted, to extend their service, lines,
pipes, etc. , if the person to be benefited by such
extension will pay the costs thereof, or if it can
be shown that the revenue resulting from such exten-
sion will, within a reasonable time after same is
made, pay a reasonable return on the investment,
after making the customary allowance for depreciation.
No franchise for a longer period than twenty-five
years shall ever be granted or given by the City
of Fort Worth.",
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
-18-
Shall Section 3, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall
hereafter read and be as follows:
"Section 3. City Plan Commission.--The
City Council shall b ordinance provide for the
creation of a City Plan Commission, and provide
for not less than seven as the number of members
composing the same, their tenure of office, the
scope of activities of said Commission, and making
provision for the maintenance and upkeep of the
same."?
XXXI.
Shall Section 5, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth, which section reads as follows:
"Section 5. Eight Hour Day to Obtain
in all City Contracts, Except in Case of
Extraordinary Emergency.--Except in the case
of extraordinary emergency, not to exceed eight
hours shall constitute a day's work for any
employe of the City of Fort Worth, coming
within the civil service provisions, and for
any workman engaged in any public work carried
on or aided by the municipality, whether done
by contract or otherwise; provided, that this
section shall not apply to employes of the
Fire Department. Adequate ordinances to carry
into effect this section shall be passed by
the City Council."
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
XXXIO.
Shall Section 7, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth, which read as follows:
"Section 7. Providing for Compensation
Insurance for Employes Engaged in Dangerous
Branches of the City Service.--The City Council
shall provide by ordinance for carrying compensa-
tion insurance on all its employes engaged in
working in and around dangerous machinery and
other hazardous branches of its service. The
City Council may extend the said provisions for
compensation insurance to other grades and
branches of the service whenever in its judg-
ment such policy shall be advisable."
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
XXXII6
Shall Section 10, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter read
and be as follows:
-19-
"Section 10. Council to Provide Construction
Codes--Supervision and Inspection of Buildings--
Power to Condemn and Remove Builings Dangerous
to the Health, Safety and Welfare of the Public and
Assessment Costs.--The City Council shall pass
ordinances as permitted by law for the employ-
ment of all necessary construction codes, and
providing for the inspection and supervision
for all structures and buildings within the City
and for the inspection and condemnation of
hazardous buildings and structures and for the
removal thereof and the assessment of costs
thereof.
"The City shall have full power to condemn
all dangerous buildings or obstruction of every
kind, and shall provide regulations therefor by
ordinance."
and Section 28, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the Charter
of the City of Fort Worth which section reads as follows:
"Section 28. Power of Council to Remove
Buildings, Fences, Awnings or Other Structures
Liable to Fall Down and Injure Persons or
Property.--Whenever in the opinion of the City
Coulhil any building, fence, shed, awning or
other structure of any kind, or any part thereof,
is liable to fall down and injure persons or
property, the Council may order the owner or
agent of same, or any owner or occupant of the
premises on which said building, shed, awning
or other structure stands, to take down and
remove the same within such time as it may
prescribe, and may by ordinance provide that
failure to comply therewith shall be a misde-
meanor and prescribe the penalty therefor. The
City Council shall have the additional power
to remove the same at the expense of the City
on account of the owner of the property and
assess the expenses thereof, including condemna-
tion proceedings, as a special tax against the
land, and the same may be collected as other
special taxes provided for in this Charter, or
by suit in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The City shalave full p9ber to condemn all
dangerous bui Ings or obstructions of every
kind, and may provide regulations therefor by
ordinance."
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort Worth?
Awn
Shall Section 13, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows:
"Section 13. Franks, Free Tickets and
Passes Prohibited.--No Councilman or other
officer or employee of the City shall accept
any frank, free ticket, pass or service
directly or indirectly, from any person,
firm or corporation operating a public
service utility within the City upon terms
more favorable than are granted to the public
generally. Violation of the provisions of
this section shall be made a misdeameanor
by proper ordinance."?
-20-
�S�St�L
moo'
Shall Section 14, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Chapter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows:
"Section 14. Council to Pass on All
Contracts Involving $3,000.00 or Larger
Amount--Contracts of $3,000.00 or Over Not
to be Signed by City Manager Unless Authorized
and Directed by Council.--All contracts of
Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars or more shall
be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder,
quality considered, after public advertisement
and competition, as may be prescribed by ordi-
nance; but the City Manger, or the City Council,
shall have power to reject all bids and adver-
tise again. All advertisements shall contain
a reservation of the foregoing rights. Con-
tracts for public work shall be signed by the
City Manager, after approval thereof by the
City Council. No contract for the expenditure
of money of Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars
in amount or over shall be signed by the City
Manager, or any other office of the city govern-
ment, until previously authorized by the City
Council. Contracts under said amount may be
executed by the City !tanager without first
referring the same to the City Council for
approval."?
XXXVIr.
Shall Section 15, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that some shall hereafter
read and be as follows:
"Section 15. No Alteration of .Contract
for Public Work Without the Approval of the
City Council.--When it becomes necessary to
make changes in the plans or specifications
after performance of a contract for Public
Works has been commenced, or it becomes neces-
sary to decrease or increase the quantity of
work to be performed, such change, alteration
or modification shall be made only when a
change order therefor is authorized by the
City Council upon the written recommendations
of the City Manager. The total contract price
shall not be increased thereby unless due
provision has been made to provide for the
payment of such added cost by appropriating
available funds for that purpose. No such
change, alteration, or modification shall
be valid unless the price to be paid for the
work, materials, equipment or supplies has been
agreed upon in writing and signed by the con-
tractor and the City Manager upon the authoriza-
tion of the City Council.
Where a change order involves a decrease
or increase in cost of ten percent (10%) of
the original contract price or Three Thousand
Dollars ($3,000.00) whichever is less, such
-21-
change order may be executed by the City Manager or
other officer designated by the City Council without
referring same to City Council for approval.
Provided, however, that the original contract
price may not be increased under the provisions of
this section by more than ten percent (10%) or
Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) whichever is less,
without the approval of the City Council."?
XXXVI.
Shall Section 21, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as fullows:
"Section 21. Public Work and Improvements
Constructed by City Forces.--When authorized by the
City Council, public work and improvements may be
constructed by City forces in accordance with ordi-
nances and policies adopted by the City Council
concerning same. ?
XXXVII.
Shall Section 22, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows :
"Section 22. Emergency Work.--Where it be-
comes necessary to act at once to preserve the
property of the City, to preserve or protect the
public health of the citizens of the City, or to
protect unforeseen damage to public property,
machinery or equipment, the City Manager may cause
emergency work or improvements to be made by con-
tract without first submitting such work and
improvements or the pruchase of necessary materials
and equipment to competitive bids; or the emergency
work may be done by City forces and the purchase of
necessary materials and equipment may be made.
Every such case shall be reported by the City
Manager to the City Council at its next regular
meeting with a statement of facts constituting such
emergency action. Separate accounts shall be kept
of all such work. Nothing in this section shall
preclude the City from doing maintenance and repair
work by City forces."?
XXXVIII.
Shall Section 27, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth, which section reads as
follows:
-22-
"Section 27. City Not Liable for Damages on
Account of Injuries Sustained Arising for Defects
or Obstructions in any Public Street, Sidewalk or
Highway, Unless Prior Notice of Such Defect or
Obstruction Be Given to the City Council, ETC.--
The City of Fort Worth shall never be liable on
account of any damage or injury to person or pro-
perty arising from or occasioned by any defect in
any public street, sidewalk, highway or grounds
or public works of the City, or from any obstruc-
tion therein, unless the specific defect or
obstruction causing the damage or injury shall
have been actually known to the City Engineer by
personal inspection for a period of at least
twenty-four hours prior to the occurrence of the
injury or damage, or unless the attention of the
City Council or the City Engineer shall have
called thereto by notice in writing at least
twenty-four hours prior to the occurrence of the
injury or damage, and prior diligence had not
been used to rectify the defect or obstruction
after actually known or called to the attention
as aforesaid."
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth?
XXXIX.
Shall Section 31, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows:
"Section 31. Contracts.--No contract for
the furnishing of supplies or services for the
City, except as otherwise provided in the Charter,
shall be made for a period of more than one (1)
year, unless authorized for a longer period by the
City Council."?
XXXX.
Shall Section 32, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth, which section reads as follows :
"Section 32. No Commission for Sale of City
Bonds.--No commission or brokerage shall be paid,
either directly or indirectly, for the sale of
any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of
the City."
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth?
-23-
XXXXI.
e Shall Section 36, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth, which section reads as follows:
"Section 36. City Council to Encourage
Location Within the City Industrial and Manufac-
turing Concerns by Making Low, Equal and Uniform
Classification of Their Property for Taxation.--
Believing it to be a wise public policy to
encourage the location of industrial and manufac-
turing enterprises within the territorial limits
of the City of Fort Worth, the City Council is
hereby directed to classify the plants, pro-
perties and businesses of the industrial and
manufacturing concerns now located, or hereafter
to be located, within the corporate limits of the
City, in a separate and distinct class for the
purposes of taxation, and to place the valuation
of the properties owned or held by such concerns,
for the purposes of taxation, upon a low but
equal and uniform basis of valuation.
be repealed and deleted from the Charter of the City of Fort
Worth?
XXXXII.
Shall Section 41, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous, of the
Charter of Fort Worth be amended so that same shall hereafter
read and be as follows :
-z4-
"Section 41. (a) There shall be a retire-
ment system for the employees of the City which
shall be known as the Employees' Retirement Fund
of the City of Fort Worth. The Employees' Re-
tirement Fund may provide a system of retirement
and disability pensions including death and
survivor benefits for all municipal employees
who become disabled as a direct and proximate
result of the performance of their duties, or
as a regard for faithful service over a period
of years. The mayor, members of the Council,
members of boards and commission, and part-time
or temporary employees are not entitled to
participate in the Employees' Retirement Fund.
(b) Such system shall be governed by a Board of
Directors composed of such members and selected
in such manner as may be provided by ordinance
of the Council, provided that municipal employees
shall have representation on the Board. (c)
Such system shall be financed by a retirement
fund created by contributions of the members
and of the City, in a manner as may be provided
by ordinance of the Council. (d) The City of
Fort Worth shall have and enjoy all of the
powers and authority heretofore granted by the
statutes and Constitution of the State of
Texas and that may hereafter be so granted
affecting pensions for its officers and em-
ployees."?
SECTION 2.
That the polling places for this election, the personnel or
the officers who are to hold the same and the Absentee Ballot
Canvassing Board, except insofar as they may be changed by the
City Council of said City, shall be as follows:
Precinct
No. Polling Places Judge
-25-
SECTION 5.
That voting machines approved by the Commissioners'
Court of Tarrant County, Texas, if available, may be used
at the charter amendment election on the 4th day of April,
A. D. 1981, in strict compliance with the applicable pro-
visions of Article 7.14 of the Election Code of the State
of Texas, as amended, and all other applicable provisions
of such Election Code.
SECTION 6.
That the official ballots to be used shall be in com-
pliance with applicable provisions of Article 6.05 of the
Election Code of the State of Texas, as amended, and shall
have written or printed thereon the following:
CHARTER AMENDME14TS
Place an "X" in the square beside the statement
indicating the way you wish to vote.
I.
Yes Shall Section 2, Chapter I, Organization,
Boundaries, Annexation of Adjacent Terri-
toro I of the Charter o the City o art
No h be amended so that the corporate
boundaires are defined by the charter
adopted in 1924 and as modified by ordi-
nances enacted subsequent thereto?
SECTION 5.
ffi.• That voting machines approved by the Commissioners' Court
of Tarrant County, Texas, if available, may be used at the
charter amendment election on the 4th day of April, A. D. 1981 ,
in strict compliance with the applicable provisions of Article
7. 14 of the election Code of the State of Texas , as amended, and
all other applicable provisions of such Election Code.
SECTION 6.
That the official ballots to be used shall be in compliance
With applicable provisions of Article 6.05 of the Election Code
of the State of Texas , as amended, and shall have written or
' printed thereon the following:
CHARTER. AMENDMENTS
Place an "S" in the square beside the statement in-
dicating the wav you wish to vote.
I .
YES Shall Section 2, Chapter I, Organization,
hnundaries , Annexation of Adjacent Territory
nl' the Charter oT tiTe City of Fort Worth be
j NO amended so that the corporate boundaries are
defined by the charter adopted in 1924 and as
modified by ordinances enacted subsequent
thereLo?
II .
Yi'S Shall SecLion 3, Chapter I , Organization,
Boundaries , Annexation of Adjacent 1'erritorv,
of��e (;hrirter o� f [fie City of Fort WortnTe
1 i�0 amended so that it conforms with the require-
ments of Lhe Municipal Annexation Act of 1964?
III .
l I YES Shall Section 7, Chapter II , Powers of the
Cid, of the Charter of the City of_Fbrt Q_orth
Be amended so that the City would have the
( ijO authoriLv to operate any type of public
utility system and to do all things necessary
if constructing, acquiring or operating a
puolic utility system?
IV.
I j N'E5 Shall SeL'Vioh 1, Chapter III , The City Council ,
of the CharLer of the CiLv of Tort Worth tie
amended to provide for two (2) year Lerms for
I NO City Council members?
V.
YES Shall Section 1, Chapter III, The City Council ,
of the Charter of the City of ort Worth be
amended to limit the ntunber of terms of City
E] NO Council members?
VI.
�] YES Shall Section 3, Chapter III, The City Council ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended to provide by ordinance for compensa-
F] NO tion of City Council members?
VII .
YES Shall Section 4, Chapter III, The City Council ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort worth be
amended to provide filling vacancies in the
I ] NO City Council by special elections?
VIII .
all I_ � YL•"S Shall Section 5, Chapter III , The City Council ,
of the Charter of the City oforF t Worth be
amended to reduce the quorum of the Council by
J NO the number of vacancies?
IX.
rJ YES Shall Section 7, Chapter III, ThheeChit _Council ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended to require that the City Secretary be
140 a resident of the city?
X.
f ,I YES Shall the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended so that Section 16 , Chapter XXIV, Civil
_ Service, is deleted and such section becomes a
L NO new Section 8 of Chapter III, The City Council ,
of the Charter?
XI.
+� [J YES Shall Section 1 , Chapter IV, Method of Nominating
and Electing Members of the City Council , be
amen3-e- to reEuceiiie age of e lgi i ity to
NO serve on the City Council from age twenty-one
(21) to age eighteen (18) and require that only
qualified and registered voters of Texas who
have been residents of the City for at least six
months shall be eligible for the office of
Councilman?
XII.
7 YES Shall Section 2 , Chapter IV, Method of Nominating
and Electing Members of the Ci1t�-C—ouncI , 01` the
Chanter ootlhe City of Fort Worms Ue amended to
NO provide for a biennial election on the first
Saturday in April of odd-numbered years , drawings
for places on the ballot, run-off elections , and
run-offs in case of a tie vote at first election,
and shall Section 4 and 5 of Chapter IV, Method_
of Nominating and Electing Members of the Cit
Counci7Te repe�e3-ande ete ?
XIII.
�] YES Shall Section 1 , Chapter V, The City Manager,
of the Charter of the City oT Fort Worth be
amended to require that the City Manager be a
L—] ijo resident of the city?
XIV.
YES Shall Subsection (1) , Section 2, Chapter V, Tile_
City Manager, of the Charter of the City of
FortTlorth ue amended to require that the City
(—_f NO Hanager cooperate with the City Attorney to see
that all laws and ordinances are enforced?
XV.
YLS Shall Subsection (10) , Section 2, Chapter V,
The City Manager, of the Charter of the City of
I ort Wirth be amended to permit certain Assis-
NO tant City Hanagers designated by the topCity
itanager to execute contracts and legal instru-
ments on behalf of the City?
XVI .
J YL•'S Shall Chapter VI , Department of Law, of the
Gnarter of the City of F'ort'- ort F5e amended to
require the City Attorney to have practiced law
L J NO for at least five (5) years, to redefine the
duties of the City Attorney, to require the Cite
Attornev to he a resident of the city, to pro-
Aft vide for assistants , to designate such situa-
tions wnen outside counsel may be used, and to
designate that the City Attorney will not he
appointed for a definite fixed time?
XVII .
j YtS Snall Sections 1 through 7, inclusive, of
Chapter Xl , DeLartment of Police, of the
Charter of the City of Fort Worth be amended so
J ido that said Chapter shall require the Citv
Council to provide by ordinance for the estab-
lishment and regulation of a Police Department ?
XVIII .
YsS Shall Section 1 through 9 , inclusive, of
Cnapter rill , Fire Department, of tr
he Chater
of the Citv oI Fort Worth be amended So that
J NO said Chapter shall require the Citv Council to
provide by ordinance for the establishment and
regulation of a Fire Department?
XIX.
[] YES Shall Section 1 , Chapter XX, Recall of Council-
men_, of the Charter of the City o Fort Worth
5e amended to permit the recall of a Councilman
�] NO elected from a single member district, to elim-
inate other names of candidates on the recall
ballots, to set special election dates for the
recall , to declare a vacancy if a Councilman is
recalled, and to prohibit a recall within six
(6) months after a Councilman takes office?
XX.
YES Shall Section 6, Chapter XXI , The Initiative,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended to allow voters to vote for the
[ j A0 initiated ordinance or the ordinance on the
same subject adopted by the Council?
XXI .
YES Shall Section 7 , Chapter XXI, The Initiative ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort WortliT-�e
amended to change the time period from six (6)
110 n►lnt;l:c to two (')) vcars before an adopted
initiated ordinance could be amended or re-
pealed by the Council?
XXII .
YES Shall Section 1, Charter XXII, Referendum, of
the Charter of the City of Fort odor i -5-e_
amended to change the requirement that a
U 140 referendum petition must be submitted within
thirty (30) days after passage of an ordinance
/► rather than within thirty (3) days after pub-
lication of an ordinance, and to change from
two-thirds to three-fourths the number of
Council votes necessary to pass an ordinance
as an emergency?
XXIII .
YI:S Shall Section 5, Charter XXIII, Improvement and
Pavin�nf Streets and ilignways, of die T1_iart er
of the City of Fort Werth be amended to substi-
( NO Lute the w�)rds "Director of Public Works" for
Lhe words "City Engineer"?
XXIV.
[] YES Shall Section 8, Chapter XXIII , Ln rovement and
Pavia of Streets and Highways , of the Chnrter
of—the Ci tv o Furl Worth Tie amended to suhsti-
I ] NO tute the Director of Public Works for the City
Engineer, and Lo change the notice requirements
to property owners to comply with state law?
XXV.
J YES Shall Section 9, Chapter XXIII , Improvement and
Paving_ of Streets and Hi h_waas, o the Charter
o the City o Fort Wort be amended to permit
[ ] NO recovery, by the City, of interest as set by
the Council , and costs of collection, including
reasonable attorney's fees if incurred, as part
of the assessed costs of paving?
XXVI .
YES Shall Section 10, Chapter XXVI,n jL Improvement_
and Paviof Streets and H_ighwwxs ,_ao t he
C arter oftTie Gity o Fort Worth be amended
NO to change from ten (10) days to fifteen (15)
days the time period from the date of hearing
of the paving assessment that an interested
person may institute suit regarding the assess-
ment?
XXVII.
f YES Small Sections 1 through 19 , inclusive , of
S Chnpter XXIV, Civil Service , of the Charter of
L I I e crit of Fort Worth he repealed and a new
NO Chapter XXIV entitled Merit Service be substi-
tuted in lieu thereof which sTalt require the
City CounciI to provide by ordinance for a
merit system governing personnel- poiicies and
procedures?
XXVIII.
Y L S Shall Section 2, Chapter XXVII, Franchise and
Public utilities, of the Charter of tiT e City
Pori Wottli authorizing vote on franchise
M) be repcnlcd because it conflicts with state
law?
XXIX.
] YES Shall Section 3, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth,_be
amended so that the City Planning Commission
j NO shall have not less than seven (7) members?
XXX.
YES Shall Section 5, Chapter XXVIII , Miscelianeous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth,
limiting, an employee's work day and any work-
NO man engaged in public work to eight (8) hours
be repeated?
XXXI .
YLS Shall Section 7, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth re-
quiring, tlic Cil} to provide compensation insur-
140 ance on all employees working around dangerous
machinery be repealed because all Citv emplovees
Me now protected by the SLate Worker's Com-
pcnsal ion ,pct?
XXXII.
[] YES Shall Section 10, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Wort e
amended to provide for ordinance concerning
[] t4
0 construction codes and the inspection and con-
demnation of hazardous buildings, and shall
Section 28 of Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous,
which provides for the removal of buildings ,
fences, awnings, or other structures which are
about to fall down be repealed?
XXXIII.
( ] YL•S Shall Section 13, Chapter XXVIII, i9iscellaneous,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Wort be
amended to include firemen and policemen in the
[ ) NO prohibition of receiving franks, free tickets
and passes from public service utilities?
XXXIV.
YES Shall Section 14, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous_,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worti he
amended so that contracts of Three Thousand
NO 03,000.00) Dollars or larger, rather than five
Hundred Dollars or larger must be
approved by Lile City Council?
XXXV.
YES Shall Section 15, Chapter XXVIII, Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worts he
amended so Lhat the City Council may provide by
1 140 ordinances for the cunsLruction by City forces
a� of public works and iwprovemenLs?
XXXVlI.
( iL•'S Shall Sect ion 22 , Chapter XXViil , P_1is_ceilane_o_u_s_,
of the Ch:irtcr of the CiLv of ForL hrrLii ire
amended to reword the language providing for Lhe
140 City Manager to cause emergency work to be made
by contract Without Lhe necessity of competicivt
bids and then report such situation to the City
/. Council at the ne\L meeLing?
XXXvii1 .
YES Shall Section 27, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
of the CharLer of the City of Fort Worth pro-
viding Lhai the Ci Ly is not liable for damages
140 sustained aid arising ouL of defects in sLreeLs ,
sidewalks , or public Prounds be repealed because
the Texas Supreme CourL has held such provisions
unconstiLutional?
XXXIX.
'i LS Shall SeCLion 31 , Chapter XXVIII , Nis cellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort IJorth be
amended to allow this City Council Lo authuri::e
NO contracts for supplies and services for a lon;;cr
period of time than one (l) year?
XXXX.
1 YES Shall Section 32, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
' of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth, pro-
hibiting a commission for sale of City bonds be
( ] NO repealed?
XXXi;I.
YES Shall Section 36, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth
authorizing the City Council to place industrial
FJ NO and manufacturing concerns locating in the City
in a separate and distinct class for purposes of
taxation be repealed?
XXXi;II .
YES Shall Section 41, Chapter XXVIII , Miscellaneous ,
of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth be
amended to require the City Council to provide
NO by ordinance for the contributions by members
and the City into the Employees ' Retirement Fund?
SECTION 7.
Thnt the City SecreLary is hereby ordered and directed tL1
prepare and issue halloLs for absentee voting and for the
sp-cial election :and to stamp same "Official B:allot ," on which
ballots snail be printed the proposed charter amendments here-
inahove set forth.
SECTION 8.
That the 6itY Secretary shall furnish election official-,
hallotS, tot',ether with wiv other firms , blanks or insLruc-
tions in accordance with the Charter of the Citv of i'orL Worth.
Texas . and the laws of the State of Texas insofar as same arc
applicahle, anti the provisions of this ordinance unless a court
of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise .
SECTION 9.
That the way and manner of holding LhiS election, the
11"LiCe Lo be }riven Lherefor, the polling places , the personnel
of Lhe officers , precinct judges and substitute-, therefor who
are Lo hold Lhe same, and all details connected wiLh the holdiu.L•,
of the election Shall be determined and arranged by the City
Connci1 :and administered under the dircCLion of and by the Citi
Secret Ir,,.
SECTION 10.
That this ordinance shall constitute the election order
for such special election, a substantial copy of which shall
serve as the notice of election under Article 1170 of the Re-
vised Civil Statues of the State of Texas.
SECTION 11.
That the City Secretary is hereby authorized and directed
to cause notice of said election to be given by posting a sub-
stanLial copy of this election order in each of the election
precincts of said City and also at the City Hall ; and that this
uoticc of said election shall also be published on the same day
in crack of Lwn (2) successive weeks in a newspaper of general
circulation published within said Gity, the date of the first
hubliraLion to be TIOL less than fourteen (14) days prior to the
dale set for said election, and the City Secretary shall see
Lhat proper publication is made and proper notice of this
election is given, in full conformity with the applicable
statutes of the State of Texas.
SECTIO:+ 12.
Tical the proposed amendments as hereinabove set forth , if
approved i)y a majority of the qualified voters voting upon said
amendments , shall become a part of the Charter of the City of
ell
Fort Worth as soon as an official order has been entered on the
Council Minutes of said Citv by the City Council Lhereof,
declaring the same adopted.
SECTION 13.
'1h;a this ordinance, election order and notice shall take
cffecL and be in full force and effect from and after the date
of its passage, and it is so ordained.
\'1 fI;
APPKOVED AS TO FORM A14D LEGALITY:
OA
Ci[y Attorney o the City o
Port Worth, Texas