(a) Committee Structure. All Standing Committees shall consist of an odd number of persons, but not less than five (5) members on each Committee. At least one member of each Committee must not be of the majority party, if any. The President of Council shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees, but cannot take part in any vote of any Committee. The standing Committees shall be as follows:
(1) Finance and Appropriations
(2) Public and Industrial Improvements
(3) Public Affairs
(4) Planning and Zoning
(5) Community Development
(b) Rules of Committees. The rules of Council shall be observed by the Committee so far as they may be applicable, except that there shall be no limitation of debate or discussion.
(c) Special Committees. When a Special Committee is needed, the President of Council shall establish a Committee and appoint its members and chairman. The composition of a special Committee shall be as provided for a Standing Committee.
(d) Committee of the Whole. Whenever Council, at the discretion of the President, resolves itself into a Committee of the Whole, the President shall act as Chairman.
(e) Joint Committees. When it is desired that legislation shall be considered by two or more Committees jointly, a reference by the President of Council without objection, or upon motion to refer by any member and adopted by a majority vote of the members of Council to a joint Committee composed of the membership of said standing committees shall operate to constitute such Committees as a single Committee. A quorum of such joint Committees shall consist of a majority thereof. A majority vote, similarly counted, shall be required for action by such joint Committee. The President of Council shall designate one of the Committee Chairmen to officiate.
(f) Excused Membership. Any member may excuse himself from serving on any Committee with consent of the majority of all members of Council.
(g) Permitted Legislation Considered by a Council Committee. Legislation shall be introduced at a Council meeting prior to its being considered by a Council Committee. An ordinance or resolution shall be considered at a meeting of that Committee prior to approval by the Committee.
(h) All Reports of Committees During Council. All reports of Committees shall be in writing or given orally by the Chairman, or Vice Chairman, of the Committee and if in writing shall be signed by such members of the Committee as concur therein, and the report shall be read by the Clerk or by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Committee without motion. After the Committee's majority report has been made by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and a motion to adopt presented, seconded, and the question stated, dissenting members of the Committee may present their views or report. When the minority report is made, it is for information only and it cannot be acted upon to substitute it for the report of the Committee.
(i) Legislation Held in Committee over 70 days. In the event that an ordinance or resolution has been pending in Committee for at least seventy (70) days since its introduction, then any member of Council may move to take it out of Committee.
(j) Legislation expires after six months in Committee. If any ordinance or resolution referred to a Committee has not been reported out, and if an extension of time has not been granted to report on said ordinance, the ordinance will be removed from the calendar and become ineffective after six (6) months from its introduction.
(k) Recording of Committee Proceedings. The Council Clerk shall keep a record of the Committee proceedings
(l) Public Committee Meetings.
All Committee meetings shall be open to the public. All minutes and records of the meetings shall be open to the public for inspection.
(m) Committee Quorum. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority vote of the members present is necessary to take action.
(n) Scheduling of Committee Meetings. Each Committee shall hold its meetings at such time and place as fixed by the Chair. The date for all meetings shall be set and announced at regular or special meetings of Council unless deemed an emergency by the Chair.
(Ord. 132-2023. Passed 12-18-23.)