The Burleson City Council invites and welcomes all citizens to attend any of its meetings. The City Council is interested in ideas and constructive comments contributed by citizens. A means of communication, through appearance before the City Council, is provided to those attending Council meetings.

 

THE CITY OF BURLESON

The City of Burleson operates under the laws of the State of Texas and within the framework of a Home Rule Charter adopted by the citizens in 1969, and amended by several Charter amendment elections. The City Council has prepared this brochure to assist you in understanding how your local government functions, as well as in the conduct of City Council meetings.

BURLESON CITY COUNCIL

The Burleson City Council is a body consisting of the Mayor and six Councilmembers, elected at large by the citizens for two year terms on a staggered basis. The City Council serves as the policymaking legislative body in the Council/Manager form of government.The Mayor and Council appoint the City Manager. As the chief administrative officer, the City Manager carries out policy and administers the day to day operations of the city. The City Secretary, City Attorney, and the Municipal Court Judge are also appointed by and responsible to the City Council. Also, the City Council annually appoints members to the various citizen advisory boards and commissions. The Mayor, recognized as head of the City government for all ceremonial purposes, also has the responsibility of presiding over all meetings of the City Council.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE PUBLIC

The Burleson City Charter makes all City Council meetings open to the public. However, on business requiring discussion of personnel matters, land acquisition, legal matters and/or other items as provided by law, the City Council may meet in Executive Session when properly posted. All votes on matters discussed in Executive Session must be made in an open public meeting. Regular City Council meetings are held at City Hall, 141 W. Renfro, at 7:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The City Council, on occasion, will call a special meeting or a workshop meeting as necessary and reserves the right to change the meeting place and date. Public notice of all City Council meetings is made seventy-two hours in advance by publicly posting the agenda.

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CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

An agenda and supporting materials prepared by the City Manager and staff for each City Council meeting is provided to all Councilmembers at least three days prior to the scheduled meetings.

No formal action can be taken on any item not on the publicly posted agenda.

Copies of the agenda are available to the public three days prior to City Council meetings and can be requested from the Administrative Offices. On Council meeting nights, copies are available at the entrance to the City Council Chambers.

ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL

A citizen who has a request for City services or other items of concern, which cannot be approved or otherwise resolved by the City administrative staff, may choose to address the City Council.

There is time allocated during each City Council meeting for citizens to informally address the Council on matters not on the agenda and requiring no formal action.

To informally address the City Council or to speak concerning a specific agenda item, citizens should complete an "appearance card" and present it to the City Secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

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CITIZEN APPEARANCES

Each citizen presentation will be limited to a maximum of five minutes.

Delegations or groups may be represented by a maximum of three spokespersons with a time limit of five minutes per representative or a total of fifteen minutes.

When addressing the City Council, your presentation should be thorough, concise and complete. No additional information can be given following your presentation unless specific questions are asked by Councilmembers.

Each citizen appearing before the City Council will be recognized by the Mayor at the appropriate time on the agenda.

After recognition, speakers should move to the speaker’s podium and state their full name and address. If the speaker is representing an organization or group, the group should be identified prior to the presentation.

All presentations and discussions should be directed to the City Council and all questions to the Mayor.

Any complaints and/or discussion about individual City Councilmembers, City staff or other persons would be out of order and will not be heard by the City Council at this time. Charges or complaints about specific individuals shall be presented in writing to the Mayor or City Manager, as appropriate. All complaints of this nature must be signed and dated by the individual filing the complaint.

No action can be taken on items that are not on the posted agenda; however, citizen presentations for non-agenda items will be heard.

When an item on the posted agenda is placed before the City Council for consideration, staff presentation will be heard first followed by citizen presentations. The item will then go to the City Council for its deliberation and action. During the City staff presentations and City Council deliberation there will be no citizen participation except to answer specified questions asked by Councilmembers.

These procedures shall remain flexible and in compliance with the City Charter.

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