ACCEPTED 03-15-00518-CV 6553046 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 8/18/2015 8:04:37 PM TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT AT AUSTIN JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK
NO. 03-15-00518-CV
RECEIVED IN CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS 3rd COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS Appellant 8/18/2015 8:04:37 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE v. Clerk
SAM BRANNON, COMMUNITIES FOR TEXAS THRIVING WATER FLUORIDE- FREE SAN MARCOS, MORGAN KNECHT AND KATHLEEN O'CONNELL Appellees
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, 274th JUDICIAL DISTRICT, NO. 15-1266, HONORABLE R. BRUCE BOYER, PRESIDING JUDGE
NOTICE TO COURT
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THIS COURT:
COMES NOW, APPELLEES, SAM BRANNON, COMMUNITIES FOR TEXAS
THRIVING WATER-FLUORIDE FREE SAN MARCOS, MORGAN KNECHT AND
KATHLEEN O'CONNELL (defendants in Case No. 15-1266; in the 274th District Court of
Hays County, Texas) and would show the Court as follows:
1. Appellant, City of San Marcos, has filed a Notice of Accelerated Appeal with the trial
court.
2. The substance of this controversy regards placement of a charter amendment on the ballot
for the November, 2015 election.
3. Appellees request this Court take notice of the August 24, 2015 deadline under Section
3.005 of the Texas Election Code for Appellant to perform its ministerial duties to
formally allow the otherwise valid measure to be placed on the November ballot.
Appellant has consistently refused to perform said duties.
4. A copy the trial of trial court's findings are attached as Exhibit “A”. 5. Appellees will suffer irreparable harm if the process is not expedited.
PRAYER
Wherefore, Appelles would request that this Court take notice of the August 24th
deadline and the irreparable harm they stand to suffer should the matter fail to be expedited.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Craig F. Young CRAIG F. YOUNG Attorney for Morgan Knecht 108 E. San Antonio San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-847-7809 512-393-1212 SBN 00786367 cyoung@lawyer.com
/s/ Lynn Peach LYNN PEACH Attorney for Sam Brannon 174 S. Guadalupe, Ste. 101 San Marcos, Texas 78666 SBN 00792747 lynn@lynnpeachlaw.com 512-393-9991 888-428-0468 (fax)
/s/ Brad Rockwell BRAD ROCKWELL Attorney for Kathleen O'Connell and Communities for Thriving Water-Fluoride Free San Marcos 707 Rio Grande, Ste. 200 Austin, Texas 78701 SBN 17129600 brad@LF-lawfirm.com 512-469-6000 512-482-9346 (fax) CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that on this 18th day of August, 2015 a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was served upon the following counsel of record
in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure:
Michael J. Cosentino 630 E. Hopkins San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-393-8151 855-759-2846 (fax) mcosentino@sanmarcostx.gov
/s/ Craig F. Young Craig F. Young Au g . 14. 20 1 5 4:59 PM HAYS COUNTY DIST RICT COURT No. 0814 P. 2
R.. Bruce Boyer · J ,u dge, :2~ Judicia~ ..Dlstric.~ Co uri J-lay.s County Gaverntn"lii!nt Cen"t:er ~ 712. $ ... Stagecoach Trail... S1:e. 3240 ·San rvlar~os, Te:a.c.as 7B666i
.Augus~ 14, 20~5
l'v.lr, l:v.fichael J_ Cosentino Ivfs_ Lynn. Peach 630 E . Hopkins 174 S. Guadalupe St. San l'v1arcos ,. Texas 78666 Su.it"e 101 San IVlarcos,. ·rexas 78666
1\.4r_ Bn1d Rockwell 1\lfr. Craig Young ..... ..~R_,_Q. 'a<>>s..~~8_<1:8.~U ____.__ -·· . . ... ·" ~- ___ ____. -··-·- --· ·-· ..~..... -·· .. .......... ___ __I..Q.&_:§.:....§•n~....~~.!~!!.iR.§.!:_"-"·- .. __ .. -·-···-··-·· -~ --~- ---· . Austin. Texas 78768 S&n lv.t:a.ro.os., Texas 78666
Re.- Cause N"o . .IS-1.266_; CiLy o f Sau ~arcos_, Te_'"'CaS v. Sa.h7 .B-;·annon~ Co~nzz.r.niZ'ies:fo~- Thriving JVate.r- Fluoric/e Free S£.tn .it-'Aarc.os, ,.,/kTo.rgan .Irnech~ a.nd ..K'a~hieen O.,Conne£1
Counsel: Hayi1."l.g revie-wed :the pleadings,. bl.-ie:f's~ au'thorJties and argumenTs submitted by counsel,. 1"he Court has reached the following opinions . In doing so the Court also -rakes note of-the principle that: the citizens:> right to ex:Crcise their l'eserved legislative power should be IiberaJly co~s'trued in favor of that power. 1 .) .Sect.ion 12. 11 ofthe San 1\.1:arcos Cit:Y Charter controls the Charter amending process.
2.) Sect:ion 12.11 makes n.o refe.l"'en.Ce incorporat-ing other provisions or req~h:eJn.en:ts found elsewhere i~ r-he Charter. It expressly state-s: that the Charter".~ ~may be formed and submitted .. . in 1:he manner provided by StaTe Law. It does no1: provide 1:hat This is limited by or subject "to oth6r provisions oft:he City Cha1.-ter. ·
3.) Th~ ~tn.endment: process is governed by Sect:io.r;t 9.004 (d) of"the Local Government: Code and Sectio.n-277 of 'the Texas Election Code. ·
4 .) The proposed a1.n.en.dmen:t does not violate Section 9.004 (d) ofrhe Local Government Code. Although it may include subpat-t:s,. the e:f':fect is st.ill one subject banning 'the intl-oduotio:n o f fluorjde and deri-vat:ives.
A ug. 14 . 2015 4 : 5 9 PM HAYS COUNTY DI S TRICT COURT No . 08 14 P. 3
5 . ) The Cou1-t: does not add1·ess the constitutionalitY of Charter Section. 6 . 03 because as round h .erein aboye, the Section i s not applicable t'o the proposed -Charter amendment.
6.) Section 277 . 002 (b) requi1·es the signature (s) :to be in the signers ovvn handwriting. It does not Prescribe n. meth~od of verification,. bu-i would appear "to_ requ.it"e th.a:t the sign a tures not: be. photocOpies or other rep1·oduct:ions . -
7,) Section 9.004 does not expressly require t:hat the ordinance oaJling an election be part ofth<;> proposed Charter a.mendn"l.en1: petition ..
8 . ) Sect.ion 9 . 004 ·(c) requires a. fiscal note be in.cJuded .i n t:ho Election no"tice, but doe<; not require it in the proposed amendment petition.
As a consec}uence;. tl:te C ourt "Will require the City of San .1\.d'arcos,. throt~gh its approp~· iate official, t:o revievv 'the submitted petition 1:0 ascertain i f it con:tains the original signat:ures o f the percent'ago· qf qualifie·d vot:ers requjred by Section. 9.004 (a) ofthe Local Go-verriment Code. The Codes do :net: require o1.· prescribe fl. particular :f"oJ-m Ofverifica'tion or a:ffirmation. only t:hn:t-the signatures not: be copies or 3
reproductions. If the petition qualifies, the. City o£ San l.V1arcos shall be ··equired 1:0 foiJovv .the >n_in.ist:erial duty of calling £or an election on the issues . ------- - ...__ .. --- -- ~-:"he:court.doe..os: -n.Ot:-rule -on. any-other. matter-not addressed- jn .this correspondence. Counsel .f'cu.- .be:fo.ndu.r.tt:s: sh.all draft ~:~nd circulate appcopr-iat'e order.
Sincerely,. Aug. 14. 2015 4:59PM HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT No. 0814 P. 2
R. Bruce Boyer · Judge, 22"' JudlclallJWrlct Court Hays County Govermnent Center • 712 s. Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 3240 ·San Marcos, Te~os 78666
August 14, 2015
:Mr. Michael J. Cosentino Ms. Lynn Peach 630 E. Hopkins 174 S. Guadalupe St. San Marcos, Texas 78666 Suite 101 San Marcos, Texas 18666
:Mr. Brad Rockwell Mr. Craig Young _,.~ ....~J?:.Q, 'BPJS."~~f&Sl ____.____ .... , ~- _____________ -··-- ... ·-··· .... ___l,!l.~_.§:..~~~~!~!l.i2.~!:_~-~-- ·-···---'-·"-~-- ..... . Austin, Texas 78768 San Marcos, Texas 78666
Re; Cause No. 15-1266: City ofSan Marcos, Te.v:as v. Sam Bmnnon, Communities jot Thriving Water- Fluoride Free San Marcos, Morgan Knecht and Kathleen O'Connell
Counsel: Having reviewed the pleadings, briefs, authorities and arguments submitted by counsel, the Comt has reached the following opinions.
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ACCEPTED 03-15-00518-CV 6553046 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 8/18/2015 8:04:37 PM TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT AT AUSTIN JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK
NO. 03-15-00518-CV
RECEIVED IN CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS 3rd COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS Appellant 8/18/2015 8:04:37 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE v. Clerk
SAM BRANNON, COMMUNITIES FOR TEXAS THRIVING WATER FLUORIDE- FREE SAN MARCOS, MORGAN KNECHT AND KATHLEEN O'CONNELL Appellees
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, 274th JUDICIAL DISTRICT, NO. 15-1266, HONORABLE R. BRUCE BOYER, PRESIDING JUDGE
NOTICE TO COURT
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THIS COURT:
COMES NOW, APPELLEES, SAM BRANNON, COMMUNITIES FOR TEXAS
THRIVING WATER-FLUORIDE FREE SAN MARCOS, MORGAN KNECHT AND
KATHLEEN O'CONNELL (defendants in Case No. 15-1266; in the 274th District Court of
Hays County, Texas) and would show the Court as follows:
1. Appellant, City of San Marcos, has filed a Notice of Accelerated Appeal with the trial
court.
2. The substance of this controversy regards placement of a charter amendment on the ballot
for the November, 2015 election.
3. Appellees request this Court take notice of the August 24, 2015 deadline under Section
3.005 of the Texas Election Code for Appellant to perform its ministerial duties to
formally allow the otherwise valid measure to be placed on the November ballot.
Appellant has consistently refused to perform said duties.
4. A copy the trial of trial court's findings are attached as Exhibit “A”. 5. Appellees will suffer irreparable harm if the process is not expedited.
PRAYER
Wherefore, Appelles would request that this Court take notice of the August 24th
deadline and the irreparable harm they stand to suffer should the matter fail to be expedited.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Craig F. Young CRAIG F. YOUNG Attorney for Morgan Knecht 108 E. San Antonio San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-847-7809 512-393-1212 SBN 00786367 cyoung@lawyer.com
/s/ Lynn Peach LYNN PEACH Attorney for Sam Brannon 174 S. Guadalupe, Ste. 101 San Marcos, Texas 78666 SBN 00792747 lynn@lynnpeachlaw.com 512-393-9991 888-428-0468 (fax)
/s/ Brad Rockwell BRAD ROCKWELL Attorney for Kathleen O'Connell and Communities for Thriving Water-Fluoride Free San Marcos 707 Rio Grande, Ste. 200 Austin, Texas 78701 SBN 17129600 brad@LF-lawfirm.com 512-469-6000 512-482-9346 (fax) CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
This is to certify that on this 18th day of August, 2015 a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was served upon the following counsel of record
in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure:
Michael J. Cosentino 630 E. Hopkins San Marcos, Texas 78666 512-393-8151 855-759-2846 (fax) mcosentino@sanmarcostx.gov
/s/ Craig F. Young Craig F. Young Au g . 14. 20 1 5 4:59 PM HAYS COUNTY DIST RICT COURT No. 0814 P. 2
R.. Bruce Boyer · J ,u dge, :2~ Judicia~ ..Dlstric.~ Co uri J-lay.s County Gaverntn"lii!nt Cen"t:er ~ 712. $ ... Stagecoach Trail... S1:e. 3240 ·San rvlar~os, Te:a.c.as 7B666i
.Augus~ 14, 20~5
l'v.lr, l:v.fichael J_ Cosentino Ivfs_ Lynn. Peach 630 E . Hopkins 174 S. Guadalupe St. San l'v1arcos ,. Texas 78666 Su.it"e 101 San IVlarcos,. ·rexas 78666
1\.4r_ Bn1d Rockwell 1\lfr. Craig Young ..... ..~R_,_Q. 'a<>>s..~~8_<1:8.~U ____.__ -·· . . ... ·" ~- ___ ____. -··-·- --· ·-· ..~..... -·· .. .......... ___ __I..Q.&_:§.:....§•n~....~~.!~!!.iR.§.!:_"-"·- .. __ .. -·-···-··-·· -~ --~- ---· . Austin. Texas 78768 S&n lv.t:a.ro.os., Texas 78666
Re.- Cause N"o . .IS-1.266_; CiLy o f Sau ~arcos_, Te_'"'CaS v. Sa.h7 .B-;·annon~ Co~nzz.r.niZ'ies:fo~- Thriving JVate.r- Fluoric/e Free S£.tn .it-'Aarc.os, ,.,/kTo.rgan .Irnech~ a.nd ..K'a~hieen O.,Conne£1
Counsel: Hayi1."l.g revie-wed :the pleadings,. bl.-ie:f's~ au'thorJties and argumenTs submitted by counsel,. 1"he Court has reached the following opinions . In doing so the Court also -rakes note of-the principle that: the citizens:> right to ex:Crcise their l'eserved legislative power should be IiberaJly co~s'trued in favor of that power. 1 .) .Sect.ion 12. 11 ofthe San 1\.1:arcos Cit:Y Charter controls the Charter amending process.
2.) Sect:ion 12.11 makes n.o refe.l"'en.Ce incorporat-ing other provisions or req~h:eJn.en:ts found elsewhere i~ r-he Charter. It expressly state-s: that the Charter".~ ~may be formed and submitted .. . in 1:he manner provided by StaTe Law. It does no1: provide 1:hat This is limited by or subject "to oth6r provisions oft:he City Cha1.-ter. ·
3.) Th~ ~tn.endment: process is governed by Sect:io.r;t 9.004 (d) of"the Local Government: Code and Sectio.n-277 of 'the Texas Election Code. ·
4 .) The proposed a1.n.en.dmen:t does not violate Section 9.004 (d) ofrhe Local Government Code. Although it may include subpat-t:s,. the e:f':fect is st.ill one subject banning 'the intl-oduotio:n o f fluorjde and deri-vat:ives.
A ug. 14 . 2015 4 : 5 9 PM HAYS COUNTY DI S TRICT COURT No . 08 14 P. 3
5 . ) The Cou1-t: does not add1·ess the constitutionalitY of Charter Section. 6 . 03 because as round h .erein aboye, the Section i s not applicable t'o the proposed -Charter amendment.
6.) Section 277 . 002 (b) requi1·es the signature (s) :to be in the signers ovvn handwriting. It does not Prescribe n. meth~od of verification,. bu-i would appear "to_ requ.it"e th.a:t the sign a tures not: be. photocOpies or other rep1·oduct:ions . -
7,) Section 9.004 does not expressly require t:hat the ordinance oaJling an election be part ofth<;> proposed Charter a.mendn"l.en1: petition ..
8 . ) Sect.ion 9 . 004 ·(c) requires a. fiscal note be in.cJuded .i n t:ho Election no"tice, but doe<; not require it in the proposed amendment petition.
As a consec}uence;. tl:te C ourt "Will require the City of San .1\.d'arcos,. throt~gh its approp~· iate official, t:o revievv 'the submitted petition 1:0 ascertain i f it con:tains the original signat:ures o f the percent'ago· qf qualifie·d vot:ers requjred by Section. 9.004 (a) ofthe Local Go-verriment Code. The Codes do :net: require o1.· prescribe fl. particular :f"oJ-m Ofverifica'tion or a:ffirmation. only t:hn:t-the signatures not: be copies or 3
reproductions. If the petition qualifies, the. City o£ San l.V1arcos shall be ··equired 1:0 foiJovv .the >n_in.ist:erial duty of calling £or an election on the issues . ------- - ...__ .. --- -- ~-:"he:court.doe..os: -n.Ot:-rule -on. any-other. matter-not addressed- jn .this correspondence. Counsel .f'cu.- .be:fo.ndu.r.tt:s: sh.all draft ~:~nd circulate appcopr-iat'e order.
Sincerely,. Aug. 14. 2015 4:59PM HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT No. 0814 P. 2
R. Bruce Boyer · Judge, 22"' JudlclallJWrlct Court Hays County Govermnent Center • 712 s. Stagecoach Trail, Ste. 3240 ·San Marcos, Te~os 78666
August 14, 2015
:Mr. Michael J. Cosentino Ms. Lynn Peach 630 E. Hopkins 174 S. Guadalupe St. San Marcos, Texas 78666 Suite 101 San Marcos, Texas 18666
:Mr. Brad Rockwell Mr. Craig Young _,.~ ....~J?:.Q, 'BPJS."~~f&Sl ____.____ .... , ~- _____________ -··-- ... ·-··· .... ___l,!l.~_.§:..~~~~!~!l.i2.~!:_~-~-- ·-···---'-·"-~-- ..... . Austin, Texas 78768 San Marcos, Texas 78666
Re; Cause No. 15-1266: City ofSan Marcos, Te.v:as v. Sam Bmnnon, Communities jot Thriving Water- Fluoride Free San Marcos, Morgan Knecht and Kathleen O'Connell
Counsel: Having reviewed the pleadings, briefs, authorities and arguments submitted by counsel, the Comt has reached the following opinions. In doing so the Coutt also takes note of the principle that the citizens' right to exercise their reserved legislative power should be liberally construed in favor of that power. 1.) Section 12.11 of the San Marcos City Charter controls the Charter amending process.
2.) Section 12.11 makes no reference incorporating other provisions or requirements found elsewhere hi. the Chatter. It expressly states: that the Charter " ... may be formed and submitted ... in the manner provided by State Law. It does not provide that this is limited by or subject to other provisions of the City Charter, .. 3.) The amendment process is governed by Section 9.004 (d) ofthe Local Government Code and Section-277 of the Texas Election Code.
4.) The proposed amendment does not violate Section 9.004 (d) of the Local Govemment Code. Although it may include subpatts, the effect is still one subject banning the introduction of fluoride and derivatives. Aug. 14. 2015 4:59PM HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT No. 0814 P. 3
5.) The Court does not address the constitutionalitY of Charter Section 6.03 because as found herein abo~e, the Section is not applicable to the proposed Charter amendment.
6.) Section 277.002 (b) requires the signature (s) :to be in the signers own handwriting. It does not prescribe a method of verification, but would appear to require that the signatures not be photocopies or other reproductions. ·
1,) Section 9.004 does not expressly require that the ordinance calling an election be part of the proposed Charter amendment petition.
8.) Section 9.004 ·(c) requires a fiscal note be included in the Election notice, but does not require it in the proposed amendment petition.
As a consequence, the Court will require the City of San Marcos, through its appropriate official, to review tl)e submitted petition to ascertain if it contains the original signatures of the percentage·qf qualifie·d voters required by Section 9.004 (a) of the Local Government Code. The Codes do not require or prescribe !J. particular form of verification or affirmation, only that-the signatures not be copies or reproductions. If the petition qualifies, the City of San Marcos shall be required to follow .the 1n_inisterial duty of calling for an election on the issues . ........ "- .. -· .. The.'Court.does.not.ru!e.on any-other. matter-not addressed. in this correspondence. Counsel for befendants shall draft and circulate appropriate order.
Sincerely,
. B uce Boyer 22"d District Judge