Rusk charter board gives status update
9 proposed changes submitted; council must pick and choose
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Forrest Phifer, chairman of the Charter Review Committee, presented a report to the Rusk City Council Thursday evening.

Mr. Phifer said, "The charter committee has approved nine proposed changes. Of that amount eight were approved unanimously and one by a majority vote."

He discussed each of the proposed changes with the council and recommended that the city ordinances be updated to agree with the charter.

Mr. Phifer said the council members are the deciding factor in what is presented at a city election. "You may put all of the proposals, some or none at all on a city ballot," he said.

Mr. Phifer also reported that Fran Wendeborn, city secretary, had requested that the charter specify who can place items on the agenda for a council meeting.

One of the proposed changes would take the mayor's right to vote away except in the event of a tie vote. The mayor was given a right to vote in the last charter amendment election May 4, 1996. If passed the amendment would allow the mayor to discuss issues, but could not vote.

"We are looking at a person recognized as the head of city government. This person

was elected city-wide and then can't vote. All you will have is a mayor who can cut a ribbon. The citizens voted on this at the last charter amendment election," Councilman Sam Florian said.

"I am with Sam. Taking the vote away is bad," Councilman Kris Morgan said.

City Manager Mike Murray told the council, "You will have seven or eight months to chew on this. Probably you will need to decide something in February or March."

Councilman Don Jones said, "I do not find anything that prevents someone from running for any district regardless of where they live in the city."

Mr. Phifer said, "I will check to see if this is addressed in the charter."

The limit on spending prior to council approval was discussed but a figure was not decided.

An item on the agenda concerning cemetery maintenance in District 2 was not discussed. Lola Mallard, a resident in District 2, will discuss the matter with the council at a later meeting.

Councilman Donald Woodard said, "I went to the cemetery last week and the whole cemetery was mowed. He (Antonio Enriquez) did a good job. It really looked good. My main point has been that it all should be mowed at one time."

In another matter, the council approved a special use permit for Walter and Carole Preble to locate a HUD Code Manufactured Home on property located at the Rusk KOA Campground, at 745 FM 343 E. The property is currently zoned as B-2 for general business.

The council approved the city's tax roll as presented by the Cherokee County Appraisal District and nominated Louis Caveness as a candidate for the board. Mr. Caveness currently represents the city and Rusk ISD on the board.

The council approved a resolution for an amendment to the $250,000 County Development Block Grant for construction of a new water tank on FM 343. The amendment will change the size of the water line from the tank to U.S. Highway 69 S. The line size will be changed from six inches to eight inches.

Early in the meeting the council recessed into executive session to discuss with the city's attorney a possible settlement offer. No action was taken on the matter following the executive session.

At the conclusion of the meeting Councilman Walter Session reminded Mayor Angela Raiborn that the accounts payable had not been approved. The council then approved them and adjourned.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Raiborn; Councilmembers Morgan, Session, Jones, Woodard and Florian.

The next regular council meeting will be Nov. 8 at city hall.