(A) Rule 1 — Ordinances. The title of proposed ordinances shall clearly set forth the nature of the contents.
(1) First reading. A proposed ordinance shall be introduced by its completed title, a brief summary of its purpose or contents, and the recommendation of the committee of record, including that committee’s vote on the ordinance. The ordinance shall be read aloud in its entirety only if requested by a member of the Council or by a member of the public present at the meeting.
(2) Second reading. Proposed ordinances, which have been passed on first reading, shall be read by title only and at this time are subject to amendments. A majority vote of all members is required to amend a proposed ordinance. A majority vote of all members is required for proposed ordinance, in its original or amended context, to proceed to third reading or final passage.
(3) Third reading and final passage. Proposed ordinances, which have been passed on first and second readings, shall be read by title only and may be amended; but should any member desire, it shall be read through as amended. A majority vote of all members is required for third reading and final passage. Failing to receive a majority vote by all members on third reading, the proposed ordinance is defeated.
(B) Rule 2 — Resolutions. A proposed resolution shall be introduced by its completed title, a brief summary of its purpose or contents, and the recommendation of the committee of record, including that committee’s vote on the resolution. The resolution shall be read aloud in its entirety only if requested by a member of the Council or by a member of the public present at the meeting.
(C) Rule 3 — Ordinances and resolutions. An ordinance once passed may be amended or repealed by subsequent ordinance; a resolution once passed may be rescinded by subsequent resolution.
(D) Rule 4 — Motions.
(1) A motion to adjourn cannot be reconsidered, is not debatable and cannot be repeated unless other business has intervened between the motions. A motion to “reconsider” and a motion to “adjourn to a day certain” are privileged questions and are debatable. A motion to “lay upon the table” is not debatable and must be voted upon at that time. Business which by law or necessity must or should be transacted within a certain time is considered a question of privilege. A motion to “suspend the rules” is a privileged question, is not debatable, and cannot be amended except with the consent of the mover.
(2) Matter “laid upon the table” may be taken up any time; except a motion to reconsider once laid on the table may not be taken up again.
(3) No matter or proposition on a subject different from that under discussion shall be admitted under color of an amendment.
(4) A majority vote of all Council members is required for passage of all motions.
(E) Rule 5 — General Council Rules.
(1) The Robert Rules of Parliamentary Law, so far as applicable, are the rules of the Council, unless they conflict with the rules herein.
(2) A majority of all members of the Council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. Less than a quorum may meet and adjourn.
(3) No person not a member of the Council or Administration shall be permitted to address the Council, unless recognized by the presiding officers or with the approval of a majority vote of the Council. Upon recognition, the presiding officer shall instruct the individual of the proper time, place, and order which they shall take on the meeting agenda.
(4) When members desire to address the Council, they shall address the Mayor as “Mr. or Madam Mayor” and on being recognized may address the Council. They shall confine themselves to the subject in debate and avoid personality. The Mayor shall recognize any member unless he or she is not in his or her seat and seeking recognition in the proper way.
(5) When the Mayor or any member is addressing the Council, no member shall engage in private conversation or walk across or leave the room unnecessarily.
(6) No member shall speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the Council; nor more than once until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken. Speeches shall be limited to five minutes unless further time is granted by the Council; answering questions is not considered a part of the speaker’s time.
(7) Every member must vote upon every question unless disqualified by law or excused by the Council. Any member may change his or her vote before the announcement of the result by the Mayor.
(8) If any member violates these rules, the Mayor, or any member, shall call him or her to order. In case of a call to order, the member in control of the floor will yield until the point of order has been decided. Wilful or repeated transgressions constitute an offense against the Council and are punishable by reprimand or removal of office.
(9) Any of these rules may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of all members of the Council. No vote to amend or repeal shall be taken until at least two weeks notice of such intention has been given.
(Ord. 29-1995, passed 12-11-95; Am. Res. 4-2000, passed 3-13-00; Am. Ord. 7-2004, passed 6-14-04)