Austin Election: Rules & Future Governance
Election Scheduled:
Austin prepared for a May 7 election to choose a new Mayor, three Councilmembers, and vote on significant proposed City Charter amendments.Commission Structure Debate:
Council approved changes regarding the appointment process for a five-member city commission, suggesting a shift in local governance.Rejected Policy Changes:
Proposals to alter election filing fees and modify term lengths for a specific charter proposition were debated but ultimately rejected.Ballot Organization:
Despite calls to separate it, a potentially contentious "Proposition 8" was kept grouped with other amendments on the upcoming election ballot.
Full Transcript
Y OF AUSTIN FOUNDED 1839 Austin City Council MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING – March 16, 1994 TOWN LAKE CENTER - 1:00 Ρ.Μ. Mayor Todd called to order the meeting of the Council, noting the presence of all Councilmembers. ORDINANCES 1. Approve an Ordinance ordering a municipal election for May 7, 1994 for the purpose of electing the Mayor and three Councilmembers and submission of the City Charter amendments to the voters. Approved second reading on Councilmember Shea's motion, Councilmember Goodman's second, 6-0 vote. Amendment to change five (5) member commission appointed by a simple majority to two (2) members on Councilmember Shea's motion, Mayor Todd's second, 3-3 vote, Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger and Councilmembers Goodman and Reynolds voting "NO". Amendment to be a five (5) member commission appointed by a simple majority and change the word shall to may on Councilmember Goodman's motion, Mayor Todd's second, 6-0 vote. Amendment to strike proposition 5 on Councilmember Garcia's motion, Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger's second, 2-4 vote, Mayor Todd and Councilmembers Goodman, Reynolds and Shea voting "NO". Amendment to set filing fee at $250.00 on Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger's motion, Councilmember Goodman's second, 2-4 vote, Mayor Todd and Councilmembers Garcia, Reynolds and Shea voting "NO". Amendment to set filing fee for members at large at $500.00 and for single member district at $250.00 on Councilmember Reynolds' motion, Councilmember Goodman's second, 2-4 vote, Mayor Todd, Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger and Councilmembers Garcia and Shea voting “NO”. MINUTES 1 MARCH 16, 1998 Amendment to change proposition 2 to two (2) year terms on Councilmember Reynolds' motion, Councilmember Goodman's second, 1-5 vote, Mayor Todd, Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger and Councilmembers Garcia, Goodman and Shea voting "NO". Amendment to exchange propositions 3 and 5, to make proposition 1 number 22 and move all other propositions up one number on the ballot on Councilmember Goodman's motion, Councilmember Garcia's second, 6-0 vote. Amendment to consider proposition 8 separate from other propositions on Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger's motion, Councilmember Goodman's second, after much discussion the Mayor announced that a "YES" vote would be to leave proposition 8 with the others and a "NO" vote would be to separate, 4-2 vote, Mayor Pro Tem Nofziger and Councilmember Goodman voting "NO". Adjourned on Councilmember Garcia's motion, Councilmember Reynolds' second, 6-0 vote. MINUTES 2 MARCH 16, 1998