Galena Park Charter Amendments

Election Day Saturday, May 9, 2015 7am to 7pm

To the Registered Voters of Galena Park:

The City Charter has not been updated since 1979, more than thirty-five (35) years ago. Many of the articles in the City Charter are outdated and should be brought up to current standards. The City Council appointed a Charter Review Commission of fifteen (15) citizens to study and recommend updates to our Charter. The Charter Review Commission studied the charter along with many other small Texas cities and submitted their suggestions to the City Council. The City Council approved the recommended Charter Amendments to be submitted to the voters of Galena Park for consideration.

Our Special Charter Election will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to submit to the qualified voters of the City of Galena Park, Texas, various propositions for amending the City Charter. Please refer to www.cityofgalenapark-tx.gov for the full Notice of Election.

The Ballot Propositions which have been approved by the City Commission/ Council to be submitted to the qualified voters of the City are as follows:

PROPOSITION NO. 1
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to designate the Mayor and Council Members as the City Council.

PROPOSITION NO. 2
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for a Department of Community Development.

PROPOSITION NO. 3
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS regarding the appointment, qualifications, compensation, term and removal of the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal.

PROPOSITION NO. 4
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to establish a Police Department and the office of Police Chief and to prescribe the qualifications and duties for that office.

PROPOSITION NO. 5
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for resolution of conflicting provisions.

PROPOSITION NO 6.
Amend the Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for three year terms for Mayor and Council Members; provide for staggered terms of office and to provide for term limits.

PROPOSITION NO. 7
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide rules for determining when a position on the governing body becomes vacant or is forfeited, for the removal of members of the governing body for misconduct, and for filling vacancies that occur.

PROPOSITION NO. 8
Amend the CITY Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for emergency and public council meetings at locations other than City Hall.

PROPOSITION NO. 9
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to require Council to provide citizens reasonable opportunity to be heard.

PROPOSITION NO. 10
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for a city manager form of government where the city council appoints a qualified professional to manage the day-to-day operations of the City, to create the office of City Manager, and to prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the City Manager.

PROPOSITION NO. 11
Amending the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for the appointment of the City Attorney and to prescribe the duties and qualifications of the City Attorney.

PROPOSITION NO. 12
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to define the power of the Mayor.

PROPOSITION NO. 13
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to permit all Council Members to participate in administrative oversight of the City and the City Manager.

PROPOSITION NO. 14
Amending the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to require a veto be signed by two Council Members and deleting an obsolete reference.

PROPOSITION NO. 15
Amend the CITY Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide rules against the hiring of employees who are closely related to members of the City Council.

PROPOSITION NO. 16
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide the City’s citizens with the rights of initiative and referendum and recall.

PROPOSITION NO.17
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide the City’s citizens with the right to petition for the amendment of the City Charter.

PROPOSITION NO 18
Amend the City Charter of THE CITY OF GALENA PARK, TEXAS to provide for a Charter Review Commission.

Section 3. Persons entitled to vote. Only voters of the City of Galena Park, Texas who are qualified under state and federal law shall be allowed to vote in the Election, and each voter shall vote at the polling place designed for the election precinct in which such voters resides: The Election Day Polling Location are at the Following.

Precincts and Polling Places:

Precinct 208
Polling Place:
City Hall 2000 Clinton Drive Galena Park, Texas 77547

Precinct 81
Polling Place:
Alvin D. Baggett Community Building
1302 Keene Street
Galena Park, Texas 77547

Ms. Mayra Gonzales
City Secretary
2000 Clinton Drive Galena Park, Texas 77547

For questions or additional information please call the City Secretary’s office at (713) 672-2556.