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Management Messenger
 Online News of the Texas City Management Association

Reach Out to Your Colleagues
Have you contacted an intransition member? A call, card, or visit to a colleague who finds him or herself in between jobs or just facing a difficult challenge can make a positive difference. Pick up the phone, jot down some encouraging words in a note or extend a lunch invitation. These seemingly small actions can make a big impact. Do not underestimate the value of hearing from someone that cares. Click here for a list of current in transition members.

January 2006
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The Texas City Management Association is pleased to send you this month’s edition of the Management Messenger. It features recent changes in city management positions around the state, current job listings, names of new members, information about upcoming educational events, as well as news about our colleagues.

You play an important role in the ethics process. Acquaint yourself with the Code of Ethics and its Rules of Procedure for Enforcement .

Please remember to browse through YOUR Web site, http://www.tcma.org

Special Point of Interest

TCMA
2006 Annual Conference
June 2 - 4
Corpus Christi
Omni Hotels

Ethics Emphasis: Complaint Procedures

When an alleged violation of the TCMA Code of Ethics has occurred, the following procedure must be used to have the incident investigated and sustained violations sanctioned.

  1. The individual accused of the violation must be a current TCMA member. If the individual was a member at the time of the alleged incident, but has since dropped their TCMA membership, the complaint will be processed only if the former member agrees in writing. In no event shall a person be readmitted to TCMA membership with an outstanding or unresolved complaint for conduct while formerly a member.
  2. To initiate an investigation, the complaint must be in writing and signed by the complainant. The written complaint must include the name of the complainant, which tenet(s) were allegedly violated, facts constituting the alleged violation, name of the member involved, and whether the complainant wants his or her identity to be withheld from the respondent.
  3. Upon receipt of the written complaint, the Ethics Chair will determine if the member is also a member of ICMA. If so, the complaint is forwarded to ICMA and the complainant is notified of this referral.
  4. The Ethics Chair will determine if the alleged conduct is sufficiently clear and complete to initiate an investigation. If so, a copy of the complaint is forwarded to the respondent and a written response to the allegation(s) is requested within thirty (30) days.
  5. When the response is received, the Ethics Chair will forward the complaint and the response to a Fact Finding Committee who will investigate the incident. A Fact Finding Committee will not be required if the respondent admits to the violation, has entered a guilty plea or has been found guilty in a criminal case involving the same conduct, or if the member is discovered to be an ICMA member and the complaint is referred to ICMA. After the investigation, the Fact Finding Committee will compile a written report to the Ethics Chair indicating a finding whether sufficient evidence demonstrates a violation of the Code of Ethics. The Ethics Committee will determine, based on the report of the Fact Finding Committee, if a violation has occurred and if so, what sanctions are appropriate.

The chair of TCMA's Ethics Task Force is James Fisher, Village Administrator, Village of Bee Cave. He can be reached at: 512-263-2151 or jfisher@beecavetexas.com .

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Florida City and County Management Assocation

The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) generously donated $3,000 to TCMA for assistance with Katrina relocations and damages from Rita. A special thank you on behalf of TCMA has been extended to them. FCCMA and TCMA has a history of support and collegiality. In December, 2004, TCMA donated $2,500 for Florida hurricane recovery efforts.

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Special Recognition

Five TCMA and UMANT members were accepted into the inaugural class of Leadership ICMA. Congratulations are extended to Valerie Bradley, Sr. Management Analyst, Mesquite; Mario Canizares, Assistant to the City Manager, Addison; Mark Israelson, Assistant to the City Manager, Plano; David Morgan, Assistant to the City Manager, Richardson; and Pamela Rambo-Estill, Assistant to the City Manager, Denton.

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Sympathies Extended

Our sympathies are extended to the Don Davis family for the passing of his mother on December 12. Don's mother was 99 years old. The family has requested that memorials be sent to the Dr. J. William Davis Scholarship Fund, Texas Tech Foundation, Box 45025, Lubbock, TX   79409; St. John's United Methodist Church, 1501 University Ave., Lubbock, TX 79401; or to a favorite charity.

Sympathies are also extended to Rickey Childers for the loss of his mother, Ruby Mae Beals Childers. She passed on December 15 in Abilene. A memorial was sent to Rickey's Longview church home at the East Cotton Street Church of Christ.

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Financial Planning

TCMA, in conjunction with Total Compensation Group Advisors (TCG), offers a series of financial planning and employment agreement services to TCMA members. Recognizing the uniqueness of the City Managers' position, these services are designed to address stability and security of the profession. The services include: financial planning, investment advice, employment agreement structure and negotiation, and legal advice. Educational programs are available to TCMA regions. A brochure is available at tcma.org or contact, Mike Cochran at tcma@tcginvestments.com or 512-306-9939.

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Management Transitions

Bruno Rumbelow, is the new City Manager for the city of Grapevine.

Juan Zuniga became the new City Manager for the city of Rio Grande City on December 19. Juan also holds a position on the Sharyland School Board in Mission.

Larry Morgan has been hired as the first City Manager of the city of Bullard.

Mike Morrison, Assistant City Manager of the City of Abilene accepted the position of City Manager for the city of New Braunfels. He begins his new position February 1.

Mo Raissi, current Public Works Director for the city of Jacksonville, will begin his new position as City Manager of Jacksonville on January 1.

Randy Whitemen, former City Manager of the city of Coleman, is the new City Manager of the city of Springtown, to begin February 1.

Lesia Thornhill is the new City Manager for the city of Princeton.

Brad Stafford is the new City Manager for the city of Navasota. His position begins January 3.

Georgia Vines is the new City Manager for the City of Glenn Heights.

Don Norrell begins January 1 as the new President and CEO of the Woodlands Community Association.

Cliff Bowden accepted the appointment of City Manager of the City of Canton on November 22.

Drew Traeger is no longer the City Administrator for the city of Hollywood Park.

Andy Helms, former City Manager of the city of Dayton, is now the General Manager for the Walden Community Improvement Association.

Richard Walton is the new City Manager of the city of Post.

Brenda Eivens, is the new City Manager of the city of Cedar Park.

Click here to see if you qualify for TCMA Intransition Services.

For a list of current city management job openings in Texas, please click here .

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Dues Statements Coming Soon

The 2006 TCMA dues renewal statements are scheduled for distribution the week of January 23.

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Non-TCMA Member and Former City Manager Indicted on Theft Charges

A former South Texas City Manager/City Secretary was recently indicted on three charges of theft by a public servant. This former City Manager is not a TCMA member and was not a TCMA member during the time of the alleged thefts.

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Clinics

  • William “King” Cole Series—Session II—Advanced
    March 23 –24, 2006 in Addison at the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre.
  • Two City Manager’s Problem Solving Clinics:
    • February 16-17, 2006 at the Stagecoach Inn, Salado, and
    • March 2- 3, 2006 in Fredericksburg at the Hangar Hotel.

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Regional Training Fund

TCMA Regions 1 and 2 will be utilizing the TCMA Regional Training Fund. Mr. Carl Neu will be conducting training for city managers and councilmembers in the Panhandle and West Texas areas. The tentative topics will include: “The Habits of Highly-Effective Governing Bodies” and “Leadership: Awakening the Best in People.” The dates for the training are April 6 & 7, 2006 in Plainview. For more information, please contact Rick Osburn at rosburn@door.net.

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Memos on Meetings

  1. The University Relations Task Force will be meeting at the TML offices on January 6.
  2. The TCMA Board meeting and Strategic Planning Retreat is scheduled for January 12 - 13 in Corpus Christi.
  3. The Annual Conference Committee will meet on January 27, at Dallas Love Field in the conference room.

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TML Tidbits

Make a note of TML’s upcoming “Public Funds Investment Law Workshop.” It will be held on February 9-10, 2006, in Corpus Christi. Details and online registration are available at http://www.tml.org/ed_pubfunds.html .

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We also encourage you to visit the entire TML Web site at http://www.tml.org .

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If you have some interesting news that you would like to see included in the Management Messenger, please e-mail messenger@tml.org .

To report technical difficulties or update your contact information, please send an e-mail to database@tml.org.

To place an online classified ad, click here.

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  ©2006 Texas City Management Association   Austin, Texas   (512) 231-7400