(A) The Mayor or three or more City Council members may call special meetings upon at least two hours notice in the event of an emergency or exigent circumstance, but in such cases where there is no emergency or exigent circumstances, at least 24 hours notice of the special meeting shall be provided. The notice of a special meeting shall specify the specific agenda for the special meeting as required by law as well as the date, time, and designated location of the special meeting. Only such business as was included in the special meeting notice may be considered at the special meeting.
(B) Notice of a special meeting given at any regular or special meeting of the City Council shall constitute due notice to the City Council members. The Clerk-Treasurer, or designee, shall be responsible for giving a timely notice to absent members, as well as giving public notice, containing the information specified in division (A) of this section.
(C) Notice of a special meeting of the City Council called by the Mayor at other than a meeting of the City Council shall be accomplished by the Mayor notifying the Clerk-Treasurer, in writing, who shall then be responsible for notifying each City Council member individually, in writing or verbally, and give due public notice, containing information specified in division (A) of this section. In the absence of the Clerk-Treasurer, the Mayor or designee shall prepare written notice, containing information specified in division (A) of this section and the Mayor, or designee, shall be responsible for notifying the Clerk- Treasurer and each City Council member individually, either in writing or verbally, and give due public notice containing the information specified in division (A) of this section.
(D) Notice of a special meeting of the City Council called by three or more City Council members shall be accomplished by one City Council member of the group notifying the Mayor verbally or in writing. In addition to the information specified in division (A), the notice shall also include the name of each City Council member making up the group calling the meeting. The Mayor shall notify the Clerk- Treasurer verbally or in writing of the request for a special meeting. The Clerk-Treasurer, or designee, shall be responsible for notifying each Council member not in the majority calling the special meeting, in writing or verbally, and giving due public notice.
(E) In order to provide city officials and the general public with the best opportunity to make arrangements to be present, if desired, it is the intent of this section that notice of a call for a special meeting shall be given as far in advance as possible consistent with the nature and immediacy of the purpose of the special meeting. The minimum of two hours notice shall be used only under extreme and unusual circumstances. Whenever possible, notice of any special meeting shall be provided on the city social media sites and the city website.
(F) All special meetings of the City Council or any of its committees shall be in conformance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and all other state laws.
(Ord. 2020-09, passed 3-23-2020; Ord. 2022-03, passed 1-24-2022; Ord. 2024-02, passed 2-27-2024)