I recently attended a Texas Municipal League (TML) Board of Directors meeting in Austin. I represent the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (AHMO) on the TML Board. What follows are the notes I took at the meeting: Texas Municipal League (TML) Board of Directors Meeting March 28, 2014 Austin, Texas Tab: I. Self-Introductions II. Consider minutes of previous meetings. III. Appointment of the 2014 TML Budget and Audit Committee (passed unanimously): Chair: Nelda Martinez, Mayor, Corpus Christi Members: Cindy Hallett, Purchasing Manager, Cedar Park; Marcus Knight, Mayor, Lancaster; Michael Ross, City Manager, West University Place; Michael Tugman, Commissioner, Burkburnett IV. TML Regional Boundary Change Request (passed unanimously): TML received resolutions from the four member cities in Nacogdoches County - Appleby, Chireno, Garrison and Nacogdoches - requesting transfer from TML Region 16 to TML Region 15. The reason for the requested transfer is ease of travel to regional events and better alignment with the geographic features of Region 15. V. Newspaper Notice Lobbying Proposal (passed unanimously): Last legislative session - TML targeted procurement notices only. Now, lobbyists Ken Whalen and Dean McWilliams approached TML about forming the Fair and Affordable Notice Coalition (FAN). Staff recommends spending $25,000 to hire them, the amount would cover TMLs participation through the 2015 legislative session. The TML Budget would need to be amended. Terry Henley - supportive - Past President, TML - Mayor Pro Tem, Meadows Place. Survey concerning access to the internet discussed. It was stated that 99% of people have access to the internet. (I need to confirm this) VI. Legal Update: A. Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Texas Department of Transportations Voluntary Turnback Program (passed unanimously): Viewed by TML as an unfunded mandate. Originally for cities for over 50,000 population - now cities in an MPO only. TML worked with Governors Office, TxDOT and TEMPO. Final product produced - Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Texas Department of Transportations Voluntary Turnback Program. Scott Houston, TML General Counsel, highlighted a few sections: Page 2: Item 1 a. and b.: a. The Turnback Program is a cooperative program between cities and TxDOT. b. City participation in the program is voluntary. Item 2 d.: d. TxDOT will not use a citys refusal to accept a turned back highway as justification to reduce spending in the city or TxDOT district in which the city is located. Page 4: Item 5 b.: b. The parties will meet to re-evaluate the terms of this MOU on or about January 1 of each even-numbered year for the duration of this MOUs term. B. Flood Insurance Reform Bill - U.S. Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act Retains grandfathering for certain homes, primary residences only. C. Plastic bag bans - AG opinion requested. This deals with packaging of products. Texas Retailers Association is the group asking for the AG opinion. 2-3 cities have these bans. Texas Retailers Association, last legislative session, introduced Plastic Bag Freedom Act (failed). VII. Legislative Update: Primaries were surprising. Pollsters, not accurate anymore - shift from land lines to cell phones. Before, 1/3 Dems, 1/3 Tea Party, 1/3 Mod Republicans. Republican primary for Lt. Governer Patrick (17% lead) vs. Dewhurst. Revenue Cap will probably pass the Senate if Patrick is elected. Appraisal caps also to be in play. Debt - Senate and House Bill 14 - failed last session. Debt issue will also be back this issue. City debt is growing slower than state debt - see attached letter from Bennett Sandlin. New state strategy - get local municipalities to build state infrastructure i.e., water, transportation. Economic incentives are under the gun as well. Texas Public Policy Foundation (self described libertarian organization with strong Tea Party leanings) wants all incentives to go away. Oil & Gas, housing, road issues. Homeland security, fertilizer plant explosions. Population growth impacts - ETJ, housing, zoning, etc..- front for the Assn of Builders. Transportation - monitor Turn-back program re: impact on local cities. Senator Corona from Dallas lost. Connie Burton from Ft. Worth will probably win. Perfect storm on property taxes and capping them as well as appraisal caps. Values are back up. VIII. Conference Site Selection Report 2018 - Ft. Worth 2019 - San Antonio IX. Merger of TMPRTA and TRAPS Update: Almost done. X. Membership Services Report 3 new members: Midway, Madison County, TML Region 14, population 228 Domino, Cass County, TML Region 15, population 200 Rio Bravo, Webb County, TML Region 12, population 5,755 XI. Next Board Meeting - June 26 - 27, 2014, Fort Worth
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:24:16 +0000
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