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Angleton council removes handbook language that barred staff from directly contacting council
Summary
Council voted to remove subsection 6.01(c)(1) of the employee handbook after lengthy debate about the city charter’s chain-of-command language and the need for council oversight.
The Angleton City Council voted May 13 to remove a provision of the employee handbook that, as written, prohibited employees from communicating directly with council on matters of city policy, operations or organization.
The change followed a broad discussion about the difference between the city charter, which limits council-to-staff direction to the city manager, and the handbook, which the participants said had been drafted more broadly. City Attorney Grady explained the charter language: "except for the purpose of inquiry, the city council and its members shall deal with the administrative service only through the city manager," meaning council should not direct employees to take action. Several council members said the handbook language had effectively discouraged routine contact and made performance review and oversight more difficult.
Councilmember speakers emphasized the need for staff to be able to report operational concerns to council while preserving the charter’s chain of command. Councilman Sarton and others said council must have access to information to conduct informed manager reviews. After discussion, Councilman Townsend moved to remove paragraph o under subsection c of 6.01 of the handbook and to return with replacement language aligned to the charter; Councilman Sarton seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Council asked staff to return with revised handbook language consistent with the charter and requested that future handbook changes be reviewed by council. Colleen (staff) said she would remove the subsection immediately and bring a proposed replacement to council in the coming months. Council also directed that complaints regarding the city manager be forwarded to all council members rather than only to the mayor; the council asked staff to revise handbook language accordingly.
The council did not adopt new handbook text at the May 13 meeting; it removed the specified subsection and directed staff to prepare language that will be reviewed and approved by council.
