Published: November 03, 2009 12:11 am      

Charter committee talks about council

GREENVILLE — The Citizens Charter Review Committee began talking about the Greenville City Council Monday.

The Committee discussed whether there should be changes in the Charter dealing with the compensation for Council members and what should happen to a Council member who willingly violates a provision within the Charter, which is the document which contains the rules and regulations governing how the Council, the city administration and related agencies do business.

Under new business during its third meeting, the Committee reviewed Articles III, IV and IX of the Charter.

Article III deals primarily with the powers and duties of the Council. Article III, Section 16 notes that the Council shall serve without compensation, but members can be reimbursed for necessary expenses. Each Council member is provided a laptop computer for use during their terms and the city pays for the Internet connection.

City Manager Steve Alexander noted that one of the Council members turned his laptop back in, deciding instead to use his personal cellular telephone to transact business.

While the Council member hasn’t asked for reimbursement, Alexander wondered if the Charter should have wording addressing such a situation.

“If you just pay them an allowance, it becomes compensation,” Alexander said. Reimbursing the individual per transaction would require someone to monitor the Council member’s phone records, which would also all become public record. “We couldn’t figure out how to compensate this person easily.”

Committee chairman Gerry Morris said it appeared to be a situation the Council would have to address on its own, rather than be submitted as a recommended change to the Charter.

Alexander also brought up a potential issue under Article III, Section 21, which mandates that no Council member can interfere in the appointment or removal of a city official which is under the direction of the city manager.

Alexander said it had never developed since he has been with the City of Greenville, but had occurred in some of his previous posts.

“That whole thing can become a very sticky situation,” Alexander said, noting the Charter contained no language explaining what could happen to a Council member who does interfere.

City Attorney Brent Money explained how the City of Garland’s charter details the individual in question, should they be found to have willingly engaged in the interference, would be subject to expulsion from the Council.

Morris said a recommendation might be needed for a similar provision in the City of Greenville charter.