This section is a brief discussion of the parliamentary rules which shall guide the conduct of business before the Commissioners. These rules, and the provisions of Robert's Rules of Order Revised, shall control the deliberations of the Commissioners, provided they are not inconsistent with federal or state law or the Charter of the City of Burkburnett. This section is simply a guide of those rules which may be the most useful in the orderly consideration of city business before the Commissioners.
(A) Preservation of Order. The Mayor shall preserve order and decorum, prevent the impugning of member's motives and confine members to debate of the questions under discussion.
(B) Motion to Adjourn. A motion to adjourn may be made at any time upon being recognized by the Mayor so long as no one has been previously recognized and is speaking; such a motion requires a second and it requires a majority vote to pass.
(C) Point of Order.
(1) A member of the Commissioners may raise a point of order at any time whether or not another member of the City Commissioners is speaking. A point of order is a statement to the Mayor that a particular motion before the City Commissioners or other matter is out of order or to make an inquiry of the Mayor as to parliamentary procedure or for information. As soon as a point of order has been disposed of, the person interrupted may continue speaking.
(2) In the event that a member asserting a point of order is overruled by the Mayor, he or she may appeal to the members of City Commissioners for a final decision. The Mayor shall then briefly state the reasons for his decision and the decision of the Mayor may be overruled by a majority vote of the members of the City Commissioners.
(D) Suspension of the Rules. A member of the City Commissioners may move to suspend the rules that interfere with a particular matter that is of apparent importance to the Commissioners and should be considered by the Commissioners immediately or out of order. In order for this to be accomplished, it is necessary that a majority vote be obtained. However, a motion to suspend the rules cannot interrupt an individual speaking.
(E) Motion to Withdraw a Motion. A person making the motion may move to withdraw his or her motion, and it is withdrawn unless an objection is raised. If a member of the City Commissioners objects to the withdrawal of the motion, then the Mayor, upon motion from a member of the City Commissioners, may put the matter to an immediate vote and if the majority of the members of the City Commissioners vote to allow removal of the motion, it is withdrawn.
(F) Motion to Object to the Consideration of a Motion. A member of the City Commissioners may object to the consideration of a motion, and such objection may be made at any time, even when a member of the City Commissioners is speaking. In order to stop the consideration of a motion, a majority vote of the members of the City Commissioners present is required, which in no event shall be less than four members of the City Commissioners.
(G) Tabling. In order to table a motion, a motion must be made and can only be made at such time when another member of the City Commissioners is not speaking; the matter must then be put to a vote by the Mayor and upon a vote of a majority of the members of the City Commissioners, it may be tabled.
(H) Motion to Close Debate. A motion to close debate on a particular matter before the Commissioners can only be made at such time as the person making the motion is recognized by the Mayor and no one else is speaking. In order to close debate, a majority is necessary.
(I) Motion to Postpone Consideration. A motion may be made to postpone consideration of a pending motion. This must be made at a time when the Mayor has recognized the mover and no one else is speaking. A vote of the majority of the members of the City Commissioners will carry this motion.
(J) Amending a Motion. A motion may be amended by a member of the City Commissioners stating that he wishes to amend. This motion is debatable and can be passed by a majority vote of the members of the City Commissioners.
(K) Questions to Contain One Subject. All questions submitted for vote shall contain only one subject. If two or more subjects are involved, any member of the City Commissioners may require division.
(L) Order of Precedence of Motions. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall prevail as to the order of precedence of motions and types of motions.
(M) Right to Floor. Any member of the City Commissioners desiring to speak shall be recognized by the Mayor and shall confine his remarks to the subject under consideration. No member shall speak more than once to a question until every member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
(N) Point of Order. The Mayor shall determine all points of order, subject to the right of any member to appeal to the Commissioners or request a parliamentary opinion of the City Attorney.
(O) Reconsideration by motion of an action of the commissioners can be made no later than the next succeeding regular meeting. Such motion can only be made by a member who voted with the majority. It can be seconded by any member. No question shall be twice reconsidered, except by a majority vote of the members of the City Commissioners, except that action relating to any contract may be reconsidered at any time, before final execution thereof.
(Ord. 552, passed 6-16-97)