Each ordinance, municipal order or resolution on the proposed agenda shall first be read in summary by the City Clerk. The Mayor, City Commissioner or City Manager who sponsored the ordinance, municipal order or resolution shall speak first on the proposed item; provided, however, discussion may not occur until the Mayor or any of the Commissioners introduce the item by orally making a motion to approve or disapprove of that item under consideration. All such motions shall require a second. If applicable, a City staff person may speak on the item to provide additional information to the Board of Commissioners and to the public. Following those comments, the remaining members of the Board of Commissioners may speak on the proposed item, followed by comments from the public. When debate is concluded, the presiding officer shall call for a roll call vote. The roll call vote shall be called in alphabetical order and shall rotate at each meeting of the Board such that the Commissioner who votes first shall vote last at the next meeting; provided, however, that the Mayor or presiding officer shall vote last on all items under consideration and shall not be included in the alphabetical rotation. The alphabetical rotation shall start at the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners following the commencement of the new term of office following the General Election. A vote of the majority of a quorum is necessary to approve the motion before the Board of Commissioners, unless a larger voting majority is required by State law. Every Commissioner present for the vote on a motion shall vote for the motion, against the motion or abstain on the vote.
A Commissioner shall abstain from voting on any matter that violates the City’s Standards of Conduct set out in the Code of Ethics ordinance. In addition, a Commissioner shall abstain from voting on any matter in which the Commissioner is unable to fairly judge the matter before the Board of Commissioners or if the Commissioner has a financial conflict of interest. Any abstention shall be disclosed to the remaining Commissioners and to the public. If a Commissioner abstains from voting, that Commissioner shall leave the room during any open session discussion and shall not participate in any discussions involving the proposed agenda item. An abstention shall not be counted in the vote on the issue before the Board. If a Commissioner abstains from a discussion during a closed session, the Commissioner shall leave the room.
(Ord. BG2001-12, 3/6/2001; Ord. BG2006-36, 11/8/2006; Ord. BG2007-8, 4/3/2007; BG2009- 14, 6/2/2009; Ord. BG2019-17, 5/7/2019; Ord. BG2020-3, 3/3/2020)