Commission proposes charter amendment to permit official subcommittees; city attorney sign-off expected

Commissioner Cole told the Dallas Veterans Affairs Commission that he has drafted a proposed amendment to the commission’s charter to allow the panel to formally appoint subcommittees. He asked commissioners to review the draft and provide edits or suggestions ahead of a planned vote at the commission’s September meeting.

Commissioner Persiat (Preciado) asked how a formal subcommittee would differ from the informal working groups the commission has used in the past. Chair Ayers said the main difference relates to municipal transparency rules: making a subcommittee official would create an entity the city must recognize and would trigger public-notice requirements.

Commissioner Chase said formal subcommittees could improve coverage for official notices but cautioned that legal review was required. “Ultimately, it has to go to the city attorney,” Chase said, noting an amendment or ordinance must be signed off before it goes to the City Council and that the commission might seek placement on a consent agenda later.

Commissioner Cole acknowledged he had not yet taken the draft to the city attorney; he said he consulted his daughter—who formerly worked in the city attorney’s office—about formatting. “I did not. I circumvented the city's attorneys. I went to my daughter who used to work at the city attorney's office and said, is this the way this should be formatted,” Cole said, adding that he expects formal review by the city attorney before submission.

Commissioners agreed to review the draft and return suggested edits. Chair Ayers said the commission will consider a motion to approve the amendment at its September meeting and, if approved, forward it to the city for legal review and scheduling on the City Council agenda.