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Council advances anti-‘8-liner’ ordinance, adopts '10 Texas Traits' governance declaration
Summary
Council held a first reading to ban '8-liner' machines (aligning local code with state appellate rulings) and adopted a declaration committing to the '10 Texas Traits of Good Government' as a foundation for future ethics and governance reforms.
Two governance measures were central to the council’s July 13 agenda.
First, council conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would amend Chapter 17 to define and prohibit '8-liner' coin-operated amusement machines, declaring them a public nuisance and imposing penalties. Legal counsel told council Texas appellate courts treat ‘8-liners’ as illegal lotteries; staff said neighboring cities have adopted similar prohibitions.
Second, the council heard a presentation by the Borikas Law Firm describing the '10 Texas Traits of Good Government' — respectful, responsive, effective, transparent, competent, ethical, lawful, innovative, economical and accountable — and voted to adopt the declaration as a guiding ordinance. The presenter said adoption creates a foundation for subsequent ordinances and further ethics tools that could add enforcement measures.
Council members asked about monitoring and enforcement; the presenter said later ordinance revisions would provide the specific enforcement mechanisms and that the declaration is a first step.
Both items advanced through council action: the 8-liner measure on first reading and the 10-traits declaration approved by vote.
