EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of five blog posts that will examine the City of College Station’s nine proposed charter amendments that appear on the November election ballot. The charter is the city’s governing document.
Two of the amendments concern the Franchises and Public Utilities sections of the charter. A municipal franchise is a contract between the city and a utility company, cable provider or other general public service to use the public right-of-way. Click on the proposition name to see the actual changes that would be made to the charter language if voters approve the propositions.
Proposition No. 6
FOR/AGAINST: Shall Article X (Franchises & Public Utilities), Section 104 (Procedure) of the College Station City Charter be amended to require two (2) readings of the franchise ordinance to be read for passage?
Because of a typographical error, the ballot language incorrectly cites Article X as the subject of this proposition. It should be Article XI.
What does it mean?
- The current charter requires that an ordinance that grants a city franchise be read at three separate city council meetings before it is approved.
- Amendment No. 6 would reduce the number of required readings to two.
Proposition No. 7
FOR/AGAINST: Shall the College Station City Charter be amended to provide for the update and modernization of Article XI (Franchises & Public Utilities)?
What does it mean?
- Amendment No. 7 would update and modernize the charter regarding how roads, parks and other city-owned property are franchised.
- This amendment would make the charter consistent with state law.
On Wednesday, we looked at Amendments 
No. 2 and No. 5, which would affect language and processes in the charter. We’ll take a closer look at the remaining propositions over the next couple of days.
Scroll to the bottom of the ballot!
When you vote Nov. 6, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the ballot to vote in your local elections. A straight party vote will not select local choices that directly affect your community.
For more information on these or the other proposed charter amendments, go to cstx.gov/elections or brazosvotes.org, where you’ll also find information about polling places, early voting and absentee ballots.
Related Links:
- City Blog: Two amendments address charter language, processes (City Blog, Oct. 24, 2012)
- City Blog: Two proposed charter amendments would affect recall (City Blog, Oct. 23, 2012)
- City Blog: A closer look at the proposed city charter amendments (City Blog, Oct. 22, 2012)
- Conflict of interest policy among 9 charter amendments on ballot (The Eagle, Oct. 22, 2012)
- Proposed CS Charter Change Defining Council Conflict of Interest (WTAW, July 30, 2012)
- What CS Voters Will Consider to Change Charter Gets Council Approval (July 27, 2012)
- Changes to College Station Charter (YouTube, July 24, 2012)
- College Station City Charter
- Charter Review Advisory Committee
