Candidate Orientation

February 15, 2012

Goals for Tonight’s session

• Informational in nature regarding the election process/introduction to the City of Melissa.

• Not a session designed to get into specific issues.• City will do its best to address any questions at the

end and will follow up if necessary.• Session is planned to last no more than one hour.

City of Melissa Vision

• Vision

Leveraging our community spirit, our passion for service and our beauty to grow a unique community that welcomes your future with us.

 

City of Melissa Mission

• Mission

Invite, encourage and grow collaborative participation in the development of Melissa by:• promoting community involvement,

• expanding infrastructure,

• attracting quality commercial and residential development, and

• delivering open space options with a focus on beautification

while keeping Melissa safe for all.

Strategic Priorities Focus Areas

• Beautification • Citizen Participation• Communication• Marketing Melissa • Strengthen Relationship with Melissa ISD Board

of Trustees

Rewards/Challenges

Rewards• Council’s essential role is developing policies and

services that reflect the needs and values of the community.

• Working collaboratively toward a better community.• Shape future of community.

Challenges• Required to regularly attend meetings/time away from

family (typically in evenings).• Varying viewpoints from residents on what is best for City.• Infinite needs with finite resources.

Municipal Government

• Form –Home Rule City, Council-Manager Form.• Charter approved by voters – 76%• Additional member added in May 2012 (Six plus

Mayor)• City Council elected “at large”.• Mayor will vote after May election.• City Council focus on policy direction while

appointed City Manager implement Council policy.

Roles and Duties of City Council

• City’s legislators’ primary duty is policy making.• Council members’ goals should be to clearly identify

community needs, formulate program to meet those needs, and then continuously measure effectiveness of programs.

• The City Council is the governing body for the City of Melissa and must bear responsibility for the integrity of governance.

• The Council shall govern the City with a commitment to preserving the values and integrity of representative local government and democracy.

• The Council must strive for continual improvement of each member’s personal knowledge and ability to serve in an atmosphere conducive to the responsible exchange of ideas.

Council Meetings

• 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month with special meetings called as needed.

• Work shops or work sessions are designed to facilitate policy discussion or direction as needed by Staff.

• Agendas are posted online at www.cityofmelissa.com

Texas Open Meetings Act

• Requires that written notice of the date, hour, and location of every council meeting, together with an agenda specifically describing all of the items to be considered, be posted 72 hours in advance of such meeting.

• Exceptions to the 72-hour posting requirement are only for matters deemed a case of "emergency or urgent public necessity.”

• Executive Sessions are the only exception to Open Meetings Act and is defined under the OMA.

Public Information Act

• Chapter 552 of the Government Code requires that most city records, including those in the possession of Council Members, be open to public inspection.

• City has ten days to release requested information if it exists or request Attorney General’s Office make a ruling on exception to the request as allowed under the PIA.

• Council Members have to take online course through State of Texas Attorney General for both PIA and OMA

Role of staff in election process

• Staff is politically neutral and will not be a party to election matters, with the exception of administering the election process.

• Charter specifically prohibits employees from participating in the political process (with the exception of voting).

• Staff is unbiased and works for the Council whom the community elects.

• Employees/Organization are to provide only factual data that is requested through the Public Information Act.

Election Calendar - Summary

• FEBRUARY 4, 2012* FIRST DAY for candidate to file application with City Secretary for a place on the ballot. *City Hall offices are closed on Saturday, February 4; therefore the first day to file will fall on Monday, February 6, 2012.

• MARCH 5, 2012 LAST DAY to file application with City Secretary for a place on the ballot. (5:00 p.m.).

• MARCH 6, 2012 CONDUCT DRAWING for order of names on ballot. •• MARCH 8, 2012 LAST DAY for candidate to withdraw (5:00 p.m.) from the

election and have name removed from ballot.

• APRIL 12, 2012 LAST DAY for submitting voter registration application in time to vote at the May 12, 2012 election; or for requesting transfer of registration in time to vote in new precinct not in the same county and territory.

• MAY 12, 2012 ELECTION DAY

• MAY 22, 2012 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING• MAY 22, 2012 CANVASS ELECTION (REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING). (Tentative) CANVASS MUST OCCUR BETWEEN THREE AND ELEVEN DAYS

AFTER THE ELECT ION.

If you decide to file, candidate packet will include information listed below. Packet Materials are available on line at www.cityofmelissa.com, City Secretary page

• Political Advertising “What You Need to Know”• Fair Campaign Practices Act• Code of Fair Campaign Practices• Title 15 of the Texas Election Code• 2011 Filing Schedule• Texas Ethics Commission Campaign Finance Guide for

Candidates and Officeholders Who File with Local Filing Authorities

• Candidate/Officeholder Campaign Finance Report and Instruction Guide

• Websites included for forms and other needed information

Political Signage

• City is not the political sign police—complaints should be directed to the State Ethics commission.

• However, general guidelines are as follows (more information in the candidate packet)– Political signs may not be placed in the public rights of way.– Political signs may only be placed on private property with the

consent of the property owner. – Any political sign placed within City right-of-way will be removed

and kept at City Hall until released to owner or disposed of in accordance with the Sign Ordinance (City will need contact information to let candidate know sign has been picked up and where it is being stored).

– Political signs shall not: (i) exceed 8’ from the ground to the highest point of the sign; (ii) exceed 30 square feet in area; (iii) contain any moving parts; or (iv) be dilapidated or cause a hazard.

Ballot Draw

• In the event of multiple candidates running for a specific seat, a ballot draw will be conducted to determine the order of the names on the ballot.

• The drawing is posted according to law and held in a public place with notices given to all candidates of the dates and times – candidate not required to attend but notice will be given to all candidates via email.

• Ballot Order is then submitted to Collin County Elections for ballot design and printing.

Night of election

• At 7:00 p.m. on election night, the polls close and votes are tabulated by Collin County Elections.

• City receives notice at same time as Collin County posts results on their website (http://www.co.collin.tx.us/elections/index.jsp).

• Melissa Charter changed the voting system to a majority required to be elected—thus if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a run-off between the highest two candidates will be scheduled.

Swearing in

• The official swearing in cannot occur until the County releases the official results and the City canvasses said results (3-11 days after election).

• Between election night and swearing in, Staff and Council will work diligently to bring new members up to speed as quickly as possible.

Elected Officials Training

• Internal orientation with Mayor/Council and Staff• Texas Municipal League’s (TML) Newly Elected

Officials Orientation in Hurst– July 20-21. • Texas Municipal League Conference – October • Miscellaneous Trainings to be determined

Questions