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MINUTES
The Intragovernmental Affairs Committee of the City of Garland convened in regular session at 4:00p.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022, in the Work Session Room, 200 North Fifth Street, Garland, Texas, with the following members:
Present:
B. J. Williams, Chair
Deborah Morris, Mayor Pro Tem
Robert John Smith, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Staff Present:
Brian England, City Attorney
Eloyce René Dowl, Recording Secretary
1.
ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
A.
The Intragovernmental Affairs Committee of the City of Garland, Texas will meet to discuss or deliberate a recommended legislative affairs agenda for the 2023 State Legislative Session.
Brian England, City Attorney, began the discussion, presenting an overview of the 2023 State Legislative Agenda for the City of Garland. Preserve Garland's ability to self-govern effectively, support legislation that will protect our local governance and decision-making and oppose legislation that will create erosion in it. Additionally, oppose unfunded mandates or legislation that impact the City's ability to raise revenues to provide services or meet citizen's demands.
The City will oppose legislation that supports revenue caps and support that which encourages economic development; support legislation designed to allow City the use of bonds to provide public services and oppose that which limits our ability to control tax-supported infrastructure and right of ways and the right to regulate our right of ways. We will also support legislation that will support cyber-security confidentiality under the Public Information Act and the ability of the City to lobby or hire representatives with public funds to lobby on its behalf. We would also oppose legislation that erodes the City's tax base.
Fiscal and Financial Strength
Chair Williams allowed Mayor Pro Tem Morris to add her additional comments to this section. She had no additional comments for this section.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Smith requested a change in this section: 1) opening paragraph - "impact revenue" to "further" impact revenue, 2) add certificates of obligation and bonds to the text, 3) support the City's ability to lobby as a city (additional work on the wording for lobbying text).
Chair Williams requested to add text to support legislation to reforming the property tax code, to cap or reform current appraisal increase of 10%, reducing it to 5 to 8%. The committee discussed/referenced the movement of H.B. 335.
Mr. England will add language on the tax cap and amend the language for the last bullet point referencing the City's tax base.
Development
There was discussion to keep a close watch on bills for building materials, and 30-day shot clock, supporting beneficial proposals and opposing those that are not beneficial amendments to Garland. Also included are bills for the Texas Department of Transportation, funding projects that impact Garland;
Mr. England discussed legislation that could be specific to Garland: 1) Alcoholic Beverage Zones, 2) Change Orders not to exceed $50,000, 3) November elections for Bonds, 4) Retail Pet Stores (Mayor Pro Tem Morris and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Smith), 5) Use of websites for legal notices and 6) Attorney General and Public Information Act electronic notices.
There was also discussion on the pros and cons of November Bond elections. The Committee consensus is to have additional review before the presentation to Council.
There was a brief discussion on short-term rental ordinances.
There was additional discussion on the language related to dates for local and November elections. The consensus of the committee is to have Mr. England draft language to narrow the scope on this language.
The Intragovernmental Affairs 2023 Legislative Agenda will be on the Work Session (12/5) and Regular Session (12/13) agendas for review and adoption.
2.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Williams adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m.
Submitted By:
/s/ Council Member B. J. Williams, Chair
/s/ Eloyce René Dowl, Recording Secretary
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