HomeMy WebLinkAbout05022002 BSC Agenda Item 11 . .
City of West University Place'Texas
Memo
To: Michael Ross
Assistant City Manager/ Director of Public Works
From: Dennis Mack,Chief Building Official
Date: April 25,2002
Re: City Attorney's Involvement With Boards & Commissions
I have taken note of the debate relating to the City Attorney's involvement with the various
boards and commissions and I would be remiss not to offer my opinion on this matter.
First let me state that I consider Jim Dougherty to be a exceptionally competent attorney and I
highly value not only his legal advice on ordinance amendments but his advice on how to
address the various issues in ordinance enforcement as well.
I also concur Jim's attendance during Zoning&Planning Commission meetings can help the
ordinance amendment process progress smoother.
The primary problem I have had in the past is not with Jim's attendance at the various
meetings,but with commission members contacting Jim directly on ordinance amendments
and not including staff in the discussion.Then during regular Zoning&Planning Commission
meetings staff would be presented with copies of a draft ordinance with out prior notice and
prepared with out staff having had an opportunity for review and input.
In my opinion the answer to the problem is comparatively simple:
1. City Attorney may attend all Zoning&Planning regular meetings as legal counsel and
should attend other Boards and Commission meetings as legal counsel when requested to
do so by staff.
2. Staff must be the point of contact for all Board and Commission members.
3. Messages to staff from a board or commission member will be a priority.
Correspondence to staff preferably should be submitted in writing(email or other means).
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4. On a situational basis if staff determines an issue should be brought to the City Attorney's
attention,Staff may arrange a joint meeting or release the Board or Commission member
to work directly with the City Attorney. If a Board or Commission member is released to
talk directly with the City Attorney a copy of all correspondence and a brief description of
the conversation shall be forwarded to Staff via e-mail by the City Attorney.
5. Draft amendments developed by the City Attorney working directly with a Board or
Commission member must be received by staff at least three full working days prior to
being placed on a regular meetings agenda. In the event staff has not received a copy of
the draft amendment within three working days, staff may withhold the proposed
amendment until the next regular board or commission meeting.
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