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CITY GOVERNMENT

City Government Overview

Home Rule City
By virtue of its City Charter, adopted by ordinance dated April 4, 1966, the City of Edna is home rule city, with the full power of local self government as provided by the constitution and laws of the State of Texas.

Council-Manager Form of Government
The municipal government established by the City Charter is the Council-Manager Form of Government. Under this form of government, the City Council hires a City Manager who serves at the Council’s pleasure. The Mayor and Council set municipal policy and the City Manager implements the policy through administrative control of municipal departments, offices and agencies.

City Council

Mayor and City Council
The Mayor and the five (5) members of Edna City Council are elected by the citizens of Edna. The election of the Mayor and Council is non-partisan. The City is divided into five (5) single member districts. The Mayor is elected at-large and the Council Members are, respectively, elected by the citizens within each of the five districts. The Mayor and Council Members each serve for a term of two (2) years. The terms of office of three (3) council positions, representing Districts 3, 4, and 5, are staggered one (1) year from those of the mayor and the other two (2) council positions, representing Districts 1 and 2. The City’s general election is held every year in May on the uniform election date set by the State Legislature.

The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council. Although a member of the City Council, the Mayor is entitled to vote only in the case of tie vote of the Council; and, does not have a veto power. A quorum of the City Council is necessary for the transaction of City business. A quorum consists of three (3) council members and the presiding officer. A majority vote of the Council shall consist of three (3) council members or two (2) council members and the presiding officer.

Duties and Operations of the City Council The duties and operations of the City Council are promulgated, primarily, by the Texas Constitution, the City Charter, and the Local Government Code and the Government Code of the State of Texas.

Meetings of the City Council
Regularly scheduled meetings of the City Council are held on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 pm in City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Special Called Meetings of the City Council may be scheduled by the Mayor or three (3) Council Members for a specific purpose (or purposes).

Public Hearings may be scheduled by the Mayor to allow public presentation and discussion of a specific item (or items) of interest to the City. No action shall be taken by City Council during a public hearing.

Under the provisions of the Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) and Chapter 552 (Public Information) of the Texas Government Code, all meetings and hearings of the City Council, with the exception of Executive Sessions, are open to the general public. The public is encouraged to attend City Council meetings participate in the governing of the City of Edna.

Meet the City Council

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Mayor Joe D. (Joe) Hermes, representing the entire City, has served as Mayor of Edna since he was first elected in 1987. Mayor Hermes previously served as Council Member – 1979 to 1987 – representing District 4. An Edna native, he is a self-employed Certified Public Accountant and extended public leader. He has served as the Region 11 Representative to the Board of Directors of the Texas Municipal League (TML) and is presently is Chairman of TML’s Small Cities Advisory Council. He has held various positions of community responsibility as a Board Member and Committee Member of the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission, as a Board Member of the Jackson County Industrial Foundation, and as a Board Member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.

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Council Member Amelia Zarate, representing District 1 was  elected to City Council in 2007.

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Council Member Lorrian Jones, representing District 2, was first elected to City Council in 1981; serving until 1987. He was reelected to City Council in 1989 and has served continuously since then. Mr. Jones represents the City as a member of the Board of Directors of the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission. A local fencing contractor, Mr. Jones is currently active in the development of Martin Luther King Community Park.

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Council Member Maxine Price,  Information to Come

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Council Member Jean Anne Sorensen, representing District 4, was first elected to City Council in 1994; and, has served continuously since then. Ms. Sorensen, a long term resident of Edna, is a retired school teacher from the Edna Independent School District. An advocate of community beautification, she is an active member of the Jackson County Master Gardeners Association.

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Council Member Mario Mojica representing District 5, was first elected to City Council in 2002 and was reelected in 2004 and 2006. Mr. Mojica is a long time resident of Edna, an active member of the Edna Volunteer Fire Department. He owns and operates A&M Plumbing Company in Edna.  Council Member Mojica also serves as Mayor Pro-Tem.

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Boards and Commissions

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Duties and Responsibilities - Established in accordance with Article VIII of the City Charter, the Planning and Zoning Commission (aka the City Planning Commission) has the following responsibilities:

1. Conduct public hearings regarding zoning changes.

2. Make recommendations to City Council for or against zoning changes.

3. Review and approve preliminary and final plats for all subdivisions in accordance with subdivision and other ordinances.

4. In conjunction with subdivision plat approvals, require necessary dedications for future or planned street right-of-ways, alleys, sidewalks, easements, etc.

5. Review and approve site plans submitted.

6. Keep Land Use Plan in mind when making decisions regarding zoning or subdivision plans.

7. Make recommendations to City Council regarding changes on amendments to Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision Ordinances.

Members - The Commission is composed of five, but not more than fifteen members, all of whom shall be residents of Edna. Members are appointed by the City Council for 3-year terms and serve without compensation.

Present Planning and Zoning Commission Members:

Regular Meeting Dates, Time, and Location - The Planning and Zoning Commission meets on an "as needed" basis on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 126 W. Main St, Edna, Texas.

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

Duties and Responsibilities - The Board of Adjustments is established in accordance with provisions of the City's Land Use Ordinance and §211.008 of the Texas Local Government Code. The Board is appointed by the City Council to make final judgment upon whether a building or structure conforms to the City's standards and regulations as promulgated in the City's Land Use Ordinance or other ordinances. Its duties are as follows:

1. Conducts public hearings regarding deviation from Zoning Ordinances.

2. Based on information and justifications presented, decides for or against a zoning deviation. A zoning deviation decision by the Board of Adjustments can only be overruled by the District Court.

3. Rules on the correctness of the Building Official's interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance (when questioned by the City Council or citizens).

Members - The Board of Adjustments is composed of five members, all of whom shall be residents of Edna. Members are appointed by the City Council for 3-year terms and serve without compensation.

Present Commission Members:

At present, the City Council serves as the City's Board of Adjustments.

Regular Meeting Dates, Time, and Location - The Board of Adjustments meets, in conjunction with a City Council meeting, on an "as needed" basis on the first or third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 126 W. Main St, Edna, Texas.

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City Council Meeting Agenda

The Regularly Scheduled Meetings of Edna City Council are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Edna City Hall Council Chambers, City Hall, 126 West Main Street, Edna, Texas. The public is invited to attend. City Council action shall be taken only on matters that listed on the posted agenda.

Special Called Meetings of the City Council, on a date and time to be announced, may be scheduled by the Mayor or three (3) Council Members for a specific purpose (or purposes).

Public Hearings, on a date and time to be announced, may be scheduled by the Mayor to allow public presentation and discussion of a specific item (or items) of interest to the City. No action shall be taken by City Council during a public hearing.

Click on a date below to view the posted agenda for a past or future City Council meeting. Minutes for City Council Meetings are not posted on this website, but are on file at City Hall. Under the provisions of the Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) and Chapter 552 (Public Information), copies of agendas and minutes may be obtained by contacting the City Secretary at 361-781-3122.

Persons desiring to address the City Council shall follow the Edna City Council Public Presentation Guidelines

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Public Notices

PERMANENT OR SEMI-PERMANENT

No notices at this time

TEMPORARY NOTICES

No notices at this time

REQUESTS FOR BID (RFB) OR PROPOSAL (RFP)

RFB
No requests for bid at this time

RFP
11/06/2006 (Playground Equipment - MLK Children's Park)

CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTICES

Abbreviation Definitions: NTA (Notice To Appear) COI (Court Order Issued)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

No Job Postings At This Time

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Edna City Council Public Presentation Guidelines

1. Formal Presentations. Individuals desiring be placed on a City Council Agenda for the purpose of formally addressing the City Council shall file a written request with the City Secretary (at City Hall, 126 W. Main, 361-782-3122) not later than noon on the Friday prior to the City Council Meeting they plan attend. The written request shall include the general nature of the subject they intend to present to City Council. Final approval and scheduling authority for a specific City Council Meeting agenda rests with the Mayor. The Mayor will also determine if an individual request will be scheduled for discussion and action or just discussion. The City Secretary shall notify any individual requestor when he/she will be heard by City Council. Formal presentations may be debates between the City Council and the presenter. The City Council will listen to the individuals’ presentation, may ask questions of the presenter, may make comments; and, if appropriate, may take any immediate action on matters presented.
   
   

2. Informal Presentations. Individuals desiring informally address the City Council may do so during the “Hear Visitors” part of a City Council Meeting agenda. Informal presentations will not be debates between the City Council and the presenter. The City Council will listen to the individuals’ presentation and may ask questions of the presenter; but, cannot and will not comment or take any immediate action on matters presented. If appropriate, the Council will contact presenters to follow up on points raised during informal presentations.
   
   

3. Time Limits. To manage the public forum most effectively, speakers will be limited to a maximum of ten (10) Minutes. If desired, speakers may also leave written backup materials with the City Secretary who will ensure that the materials are distributed to the Mayor and Council.
   
   

4. Group Presentations. Group presentations are permitted, but the group leader must identify all presenters and state the topic area they will cover. Each presenter will be limited to five (5) minutes and redundant presentations must be avoided.
   
   

5. Legal Considerations. Legal considerations dictate that public presentations may be used to discuss individuals, whether they be City employees, elected officials or other members of the public. Other avenues already exist for dealing with such individual complaints.

Open Government

The Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer’s agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought.

Rights of Requestors
You have the right to:

• Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;

• Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;

• Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials, and other information;

• Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges will exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;

• Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;

• A waiver or reduction of charges if the governmental body determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;

• Receive a copy of the communication from the governmental body asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;

• Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the Office of the Attorney General . Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with the county or district attorney of the county where the governmental body, other than a state agency, is located. If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.

Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:

• Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures;

• Treat all requestors uniformly and shall give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;

• Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;

• Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirm that the requestor accepts the charges, has amended the request, or has sent a complaint of overcharges to the Office of the Attorney General, in writing before finalizing the request;

• Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;

• Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the governmental body wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor;

• Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that public information promptly;

• Make a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;

• Respond in writing to all written communications from the Office of the Attorney General regarding charges for the information. Respond to the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.

• Submit a request by mail, fax, email or in person according to a governmental body's reasonable procedures.

• Include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the governmental body to accurately identify and locate the information requested.

• Cooperate with the governmental body's reasonable efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.

• You may review it promptly, and if it cannot be produced within 10 working days the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.

• Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies. Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to inspect the information at the time requested. Cost of Records

• You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days of the date the governmental body sent it or the request is considered automatically withdrawn.

• If estimated costs exceed $100.00 (or $50.00 if a governmental body has fewer than 16 full time employees) the governmental body may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.

• You may ask the governmental body to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.

• Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. A governmental body can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.

• By the 10th business day after a governmental body receives your written request, a governmental body must:

  1. request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;

  2. notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and

  3. notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.

• Failure to request an Attorney General opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.

• Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release, and may review arguments made by the governmental body. If the arguments disclose the requested information, the requestor may obtain a redacted copy.

• The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the attorney general received the request for a decision. The attorney general may request an additional 10 working day extension.

• Governmental bodies may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.

To request information from this governmental body, please contact:

By mail to: The City Secretary, City of Edna, 126 W. Main St, Edna, TX 77957 (361-782-3122)
By e-mail to: bmiska@cityofedna.com (City Secretary, City of Edna, 126 W. Main St, Edna, TX 77957)
By fax to: 361-782-3590 (City Secretary, City of Edna, 126 W. Main St, Edna, TX 77957)
In person at: City Hall. Attn: City Secretary, City of Edna, 126 W. Main St, Edna

For complaints regarding failure to release public information please contact your local County or District Attorney at:

• You may also contact the Office of the Attorney General, Open Government Hotline, at 478-6736 or toll-free at 1-877-673-6839.

• For complaints regarding overcharges, please contact the Office of the Attorney General's Cost Rules Administrator at 512-475-2497.

If you need special accommodation pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our ADA coordinator, Becky Miska, City Secretary at 361-782-3122.

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