111.04 PROCEDURE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.

   Rule 1. ORDER OF BUSINESS. The business of the regular meetings of Council shall be transacted according to the following order of business:

      1.   Call to order.

      2.   Roll call of members.

      3.   Pledge of Allegiance.

      4.   Certificate of compliance with Ohio R.C. 121.22 and Codified Ordinance Chapter 109 (sunshine laws).

      5.   Amendment or modification, and subsequent approval of minutes of previous meeting(s), provided however, that such approval may be postponed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

      6.   Mayor's administrative report and comments.

      7.   Reports and comments by the officers of the Administration.

      8.   Resolutions of commendation.

      9.   Acceptance and reading of petitions.

      10.   Presentation of matters by the public.

      11.   Council committee (chair) reports and committee announcements.

      12.   Legislation: Introduction and/or disposition of

         (a)   Ordinances and resolutions for third reading.

         (b)   Ordinances and resolutions for second reading.

         (c)   Ordinances and resolutions for first reading.

      13.   Report and comments by the President of Council.

      14.   Report and comments by members of Council.

      15.   Correspondence.

      16.   Other business.

      17.   Adjournment.

         (Ord. 2000-43. Passed 9-18-00.)

   Rule 2. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. Any ordinance or resolution may be introduced for Council action by the President of Council, by any member of Council or by the Mayor of the City, and the name of that sponsor, or sponsors, shall appear on the face of such ordinance or resolution in the space provided.

   Rule 3. LETTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS. The Clerk of Council shall provide the President and all members of Council with a list, by source and topic, of all letters and communications addressed to Council. The list shall be prepared and distributed at each regular meeting of Council. The President of Council shall ask the Clerk for a report on letters and communications and announce that each item is available for public inspection in the Clerk's office.

   Rule 4. ALL MATTERS REQUIRING COUNCIL ACTION. Except in circumstances where an emergency exists, all matters requiring Council action shall be presented to the Clerk of Council no later than Tuesday preceding the day of the Council meeting at which that item is to be introduced. Any matter which is not referred to a committee of Council, or is not acted upon by Council at a meeting thereof, shall be placed on the agenda of the next regular Council meeting, unless otherwise directed by Council.

   Rule 5. AGENDA. An agenda of all matters to come before Council shall be prepared by the Clerk of Council not later than Wednesday preceding the day of each regular Council meeting, and a copy of such agenda shall be given to the President of Council, members of Council, the Mayor and to the department directors.
(Ord. 2001-25. Passed 3-5-01.)

   Rule 6. ROLL CALL. For all roll calls in matters of legislation, the Clerk of Council shall call the roll of members in alphabetical order by last name, except that the first name called shall be advanced by one position at each regular and special meeting of Council. The roll shall be called in that order for the duration of that meeting.
(Ord. 88-54. Passed 4-18-88.)

   Rule 7. PERMITTING NON-MEMBERS TO SPEAK. In addition to the opportunity to speak as set forth in Item 10 of Rule 1, the President of Council may recognize any non-member of Council for the purpose of addressing Council on any question then pending. The President of Council, or President Pro Tempore, shall have the right to establish any temporary rule(s) governing conduct of such audience participation to suit circumstances. In the absence of any other rule(s) set by the Chair, the person recognized shall address the chair, state his/her name and residence address and speak to the matter then pending. Such remarks must be confined to the merits of the subject at issue, be substantive, and be couched in courteous language. No person who has had the floor shall again be recognized until all other desiring an opportunity to speak have been heard.
(Ord. 88-54. Passed 4-18-88; Ord. 2000-43. Passed 9-18-00.)

   Rule 8. VOTING. Each ordinance, resolution and motion before Council shall require the concurrence of the required majority of all members elected to Council for passage. The vote on such ordinance, resolution or motion shall be taken by voice or roll call, as "Yea" (yes) or "Nay" (no). If a member of Council, instead, shall abstain from voting "yea" or "nay", the President of Council shall ask that member the reason for his/her abstention. The member's reason for abstention shall then be recorded in the minutes.

   Rule 9. REPORTS. Reports of meetings and actions by all City boards and commissions shall be in writing and shall be made available routinely to the President of Council, members of Council, the Mayor and members of his administrative staff, and to the Clerk of Council on behalf of the public. It is recommended that reports by the Mayor and City department directors of more than routine nature be in writing and be made available to City officials and to the public as above, except for matters of confidentiality.

   Rule 10. CHANGE OF PROCEDURE. The procedure of any meeting as set forth herein may be changed by a majority vote of the members of Council present and voting at such meeting.

(Ord. 88-54. Passed 4-18-88.)