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Announcements

Announcements. Comm2315.wordpress.com. Public Meetings. Neighborhood meetings City Council Representative meetings PTA School Board meetings El Paso Department of Transportation MPO Court hearings. The Open Meetings Act.

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Announcements

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  1. Announcements Comm2315.wordpress.com

  2. Public Meetings • Neighborhood meetings • City Council • Representative meetings • PTA • School Board meetings • El Paso Department of Transportation • MPO • Court hearings

  3. The Open Meetings Act • In order to have a public meeting you must have a “quorum” or a majority of public officials present. • Depending on the organization this can be anywhere from 3 to 4 officials/officers present. • Purpose of the Open Meetings Act is to make the government more accessible and accountable to the public.

  4. Texas Public Meetings Act • A meeting must be announced at least 72 hours before the official meeting. • The agenda to be discussed must be approved at least 72 hours before the meeting. • No new item agendas can be placed on the agenda once it’s approved. • Revisions to the agenda must be made in advance. (at least a couple of weeks to a month)

  5. Texas Public Meetings Act • Notice of the meeting must be posted. • Notices may be posted at the meeting place or online – certain entities are required to post their agenda and meeting online:

  6. Continued… • The following bodies must post their agendas and meetings online: • 1. A city with a population of 48,000 or more; • 2. A county with a population of 65,000 or more; • 3. A school district or a junior college district that contains all or part of the area within a city with a population of 48,000 or more; • 4. An economic development corporation that was created by or for: a. A city with a population of 48,000 or more, or b. A county or district that contains all or part of the area within a city with a population of 48,000 or more; or • 5. A regional mobility authority.

  7. Agendas • Items on a public meetings agenda can be very detailed or very brief. • However, the more vague and general they are the more suspect they become to being in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. • You need to be transparent. • Make it easy to understand so that the general public knows what is to be discussed and voted on.

  8. Public Comment • It is required that every public meeting host a session for public comment. • Usually done prior to the meeting. • Officials can not answer questions or comment to the individual that is making the commentary. • However, officials may consider posting an item of interest (brought up by public comment) to discuss in a future meeting. • Voting does not take place during public comment.

  9. Agenda items • These are items that the council must take action or make a motion on. • Items are generally up for discussion if a council member or a board member wants to ask questions. • Usually after an item is discussed the council/board MUST make a motion to either vote in favor of the item as it – or vote to make certain changes and then bring it up for approval with the changes next time around.

  10. Executive Sessions • Done at the end of the agenda’s discussion. • Usually lawsuits and other legal things are discussed in these closed sessions. • The discussion is held behind closed doors and the public is not allowed to hear in on what is being said.

  11. What can be discussed in Exec. Session? • 1. Firing or hiring of a person or matters relating to complaints • 2. Lawsuits or attorney consultations (attorney/client privilege). • 3. Discussions about buying or selling property/land. • 4. Security.

  12. Reasons to go into Exec. Session • 5. Audits. • 6. Licensing of individuals. • 7. Economic matters that are not officially set in stone. • 8. Utility discussions. • 9. Information relating to emergencies or disasters

  13. Leaving Exec. Session • Members do not have to take action or vote on some matters if they choose not to. • Members and discuss matters that are important to the general public (hiring/firing of personnel or purchase of property, etc.).

  14. How they Vote • Ay • Nay • Abstain

  15. Some samples of Public Meetings • www.tisd.us • www.elpasotexas.gov • www.episd.org

  16. So why are the important • Major decisions that can affect your taxes, your property values and your children, safety, etc are made by 3 to 9 people. • You need to know where your money is being spent and what decisions are being made and what is NOT being discussed in front of you and why. • Holds officials accountable.

  17. City Council • www.elpasotexas.gov • City council meetings *for El Paso* usually take place in the mornings. • Emergency City council meetings: Usually done when a pressing item needs to be discussed.

  18. School Boards • www.yisd.net (live streams videos) • www.clintweb.net • www.sisd.net • www.episd.org (has videos online) • www.tisd.us (has videos online)

  19. Smaller meetings but still important • Neighborhood • Representatives meetings • PTAs • Texas Department of Transportation. • MPO (super important) • Small town meetings. • Local Police Department Safety meetings for residents.

  20. Small meetings can lead to… • Awesome stories. • Chances are these are small knit communities that feel safe discussing anything and everything. • Residents and members will give their opinion freely. • They are not barred by the restrictions of being “politically correct.”

  21. Where big stories start… • The Montwood Roundabout - Stemmed from a generally approved item (not discussed but simply voted on) by the City Council. • A small neighborhood report generated a small meeting by the East Side Civic Association. • This generated a knocking of doors among other people • Lead to more than 500 people shouting at three city council members in the Eastwood Auditorium. • End Result: No Roundabout.

  22. Other Examples: • Socorro City Council approves driveways for area residents. • Sounds good but... Turns out council members get the new driveways first. • Leads to Sheriff’s Investigation. • Leads to arrest. • Leads to current situation of Socorro and unraveling of documents that reveal how much the city has spent on officials rather than citizens. • Example - $150 on a coffee machine and several hundred on Starbucks coffee and thousand of $$ of reimbursements for “trips” and training.

  23. EPISD executive Item • Caught a glimpse that last item on agenda was discussion of resignation of “superintendent.” • Lead to breaking story in print next morning.

  24. Bar Controversy • Began with Cielo Vista Neighborhood Association meeting. • Followed by bar owners trying to negotiate and talk with neighbors. • Lead to angry neighbors. • Lead to city council  Lead to city’s proposal to purchase development. • Lead to Lawsuits • Lead to answering questions like: What rights do neighbors have? Do business owners have? Developers? And how much is the city paying in these suits?

  25. Homework • Continue working on your stories. (DUE THIS SUNDAY!) • For Tuesday: Bring in Mid Term Ideas. Have ready for discussion. • Also for Tuesday check out a city council or a school board meeting online. • Take notes on what they discuss. See which items peak your interest. And take notes on what they don’t discuss and simply vote on. • Bring notes to class on Tuesday – We will discuss.

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