HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2010-03 Supporting the Texas Open Meetings ActCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2010-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE TEXAS OPEN
MEETINGS ACT
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Section 1. That the City of West University Place City Council hereby
adopts this resolution in support of the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). We
support the retention of the possibility of criminal penalties for the most egregious
violations of TOMA. We support the fundamental proposition contained in TOMA that
elected officials should not participate in closed meetings to discuss and resolve
public issues. We believe that TOMA is necessary to assure the citizens of Texas
that the decisions of their elected officials are made in a public meeting, properly
noticed and open to the public.
Section 2. That we believe that the basic tenet of every criminal law is that
the behavior proscribed as criminal must be clearly enumerated and defined. Recent
issues arising under TOMA, as interpreted by various officials, evidence confusion
and important differences of opinion as to whether various actions are prohibited.
Therefore, this Council further RESOLVES: That the prohibitions of TOMA should be
clarified and enumerated. We call upon the State Legislature and the Attorney
General to clarify the statue to enable the effective operation of local governments by
duly elected officials.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 11TH day of January 2010.
ATTEST:
SIGNED:
Bob Kelly
Mayor
a., r_. • i 3 .A
AS TO FORM:
Alan Petrov, City Attorney