111.13 RULES OF DEBATE.
(a) Presiding Officer May Debate and Vote. The presiding officer may debate from the chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all members of Council, and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Council member by reason of his or her acting as the presiding officer.
(b) Securing the Floor; Improper References. Every member desiring to speak shall address the chair and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine himself or herself to the question under debate, avoiding all improper personal references and indecorous language.
(c) Interruptions. A member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to call him or her to order, or as herein otherwise provided. If a member, while speaking, is called to order, he or she shall cease speaking until the question of order is determined and, if in order, he or she shall be permitted to proceed.
(d) Time Limitations of Speakers. No member shall be permitted to speak more than once upon any subject until every member choosing to speak shall have had an opportunity to be heard, nor more than twice upon any subject, nor for a time longer than five minutes, without leave of Council, upon a majority vote.
(e) Privilege of Closing Debate. The Council member sponsoring or moving the adoption of an ordinance or resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate. There shall be no further debate permitted after a roll call has started.
(f) Motions. A motion may be made by any member of Council and it shall require a second to be acted upon.
(g) Motion to Reconsider. A motion to reconsider any action taken by Council may be made only at the same meeting such action was taken. It may be made either immediately during the same session or at a recessed or adjourned session thereof. Such motion must be made by one of the prevailing side and may be made at any time during the meeting. It shall have precedence over all other motions or while a member has the floor and it shall be debatable.
(h) Remarks of Council Members; When Entered in Minutes. A Council member may request, through the presiding officer, the privilege of having an abstract of his or her statement on any subject under consideration by Council entered in the minutes. If Council consents thereto, such statement shall be entered in the minutes. However, such abstract shall be presented by the Council member making such request, in writing.
(i) Synopsis of Debate; When Entered in Minutes. The Clerk of Council may be directed by the presiding officer, with the consent of Council, to enter in the minutes a synopsis of the discussion on any question regularly before Council.
(Ord. 2004-050. Passed 4-20-04.)