Charter Review Committee approves package of charter edits, extends notice-of-claim deadline to 90 days
July 09, 2026 | Ennis, Ellis County, Texas
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On July 9, 2026, the Charter Review Committee voted to approve a set of proposed amendments to the City of Venice Home Rule Charter covering Articles 10, 11 and 12, including a change to section 12.04 that extends the deadline to file a notice of claim from 30 days to 90 days.
The package, presented to committee members as a redlined draft, also included edits to section 10.01 (eminent domain), multiple franchise-related updates in Article 11 (including sections 11.06, 11.08 and 11.09), the removal of an inspection provision in 11.1, and a new process in section 12.08 to allow non-substantive revisions (grammar, numbering, cross-references) without a full charter amendment.
"The city attorney has identified compatible language for 10.01, and as long as the changes are consistent we should adopt them," the chair said during discussion. The committee took voice votes on each item; every motion carried.
Vice Chair Falkenbach moved to approve the minutes and then to approve the proposed edits to section 10.01; both motions were adopted by voice vote. The committee approved changes to franchise provisions in Article 11, including updating 11.09 to remove an explicit reference to telegraph and broaden coverage to other wires, and voted to remove the antiquated inspection provision 11.1.
On section 12.04, which governs the time period for submitting a notice of claim, a committee member characterized the proposed extension as beneficial to residents. Member Paul said, "That's a very citizen-friendly thing to do." The committee approved the change to a 90-day filing period by voice vote.
Members discussed section 12.07 (annexation) and confirmed that state law would continue to control where it conflicts with charter language; the committee left language that allows the charter to conform to evolving state law so the charter would not need repeated amendment should state rules change.
The committee also approved adding a non-substantive revision process to section 12.08, which committee members said would replace an outdated charter provision that attempted to regulate the labor hours of city employees; the removal was described as modernization rather than a policy change.
The city attorney will draft the final ballot-language propositions that would appear before voters. The committee scheduled a final review meeting for July 15 to examine the drafted propositions; the Charter Review Committee is set to present the proposed amendments to the city commission on July 21 for consideration. The chair said the committee and staff plan town-hall style outreach, FAQs and one-page summaries to inform residents if the commission accepts the changes.
The committee concluded its business and adjourned at about 5:27 p.m.
The package, presented to committee members as a redlined draft, also included edits to section 10.01 (eminent domain), multiple franchise-related updates in Article 11 (including sections 11.06, 11.08 and 11.09), the removal of an inspection provision in 11.1, and a new process in section 12.08 to allow non-substantive revisions (grammar, numbering, cross-references) without a full charter amendment.
"The city attorney has identified compatible language for 10.01, and as long as the changes are consistent we should adopt them," the chair said during discussion. The committee took voice votes on each item; every motion carried.
Vice Chair Falkenbach moved to approve the minutes and then to approve the proposed edits to section 10.01; both motions were adopted by voice vote. The committee approved changes to franchise provisions in Article 11, including updating 11.09 to remove an explicit reference to telegraph and broaden coverage to other wires, and voted to remove the antiquated inspection provision 11.1.
On section 12.04, which governs the time period for submitting a notice of claim, a committee member characterized the proposed extension as beneficial to residents. Member Paul said, "That's a very citizen-friendly thing to do." The committee approved the change to a 90-day filing period by voice vote.
Members discussed section 12.07 (annexation) and confirmed that state law would continue to control where it conflicts with charter language; the committee left language that allows the charter to conform to evolving state law so the charter would not need repeated amendment should state rules change.
The committee also approved adding a non-substantive revision process to section 12.08, which committee members said would replace an outdated charter provision that attempted to regulate the labor hours of city employees; the removal was described as modernization rather than a policy change.
The city attorney will draft the final ballot-language propositions that would appear before voters. The committee scheduled a final review meeting for July 15 to examine the drafted propositions; the Charter Review Committee is set to present the proposed amendments to the city commission on July 21 for consideration. The chair said the committee and staff plan town-hall style outreach, FAQs and one-page summaries to inform residents if the commission accepts the changes.
The committee concluded its business and adjourned at about 5:27 p.m.
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