Commitee members reach consensus

An apparent intent to rein in the new Charter Review Committee fizzled Tuesday when Brownsville City Commission members reached consensus that the group does not require parameters set by the commissioners.

"We haven't set parameters (for every other committee) and we really shouldn't," Commissioner Edward Camarillo said at Tuesday's city commission meeting.

Agendas of the committee's meetings will be posted, minutes will be recorded and the committee will elect its officers. Public forums also will be held.

"An engaged community is an informed community," committee member Melissa Zamora told the commission.

Some members on the commission gave the impression that the committee was asking the commission for parameters when the agenda reflected that City Planning Director Ben Medina placed the item on the agenda.

Medina didn't address the commission. However, City Attorney Jim Goza did, though he described himself as a "messenger." Goza indicated that the committee could start by reviewing the charter to streamline the it, clean it up and remove obsolete language that state law prohibits in some cases.

Commissioner Leo Garza seemed to have been irked by Zamora's recent public comments that it would be a waste of time to revisit 12 of 14 propositions that voters soundly rejected in November 2005.

"I don't agree with that," Garza said.

Commissioner Charlie Atkinson's comments reflected he was troubled by Zamora's request that the election of officers be placed on the agenda of the committee's meeting.

"Shouldn't it be majority rule?" Atkinson asked.

Committee member Elizabeth Dierlam told the commission that, "we need to go forward, be transparent."

Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. said that commission members could address the committee with their suggestions at the public forums.

Commissioner Anthony Troiani said that it is second nature for staff to provide support and input to committees.

"There is no reason not to do it now," Troiani said.

eperez-trevino@brownsvilleherald.com