(a) Organizational Meeting. On the first Tuesday in January occurring after each regular municipal election, Council shall meet at a meeting place designated by Council for the purpose of organization.
(b) Schedule of Meetings.
(1) Regular meetings. Regular meetings of Council shall be held at the place Council designates in the City on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month The Council-as-a-Whole Committee meeting shall be scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Regular Council meeting shall be convened immediately following the adjournment of the Council-as-a-Whole Committee meeting and shall continue no later than 10:30 p.m. with Council meetings being held in regular session at least twice during each calendar month of the year, with the exception of July and August, when during each of the said months, the Council may, at its discretion, dispense with one of its regular meetings. (Charter V.5) When any such Tuesday is a legal holiday, Council shall meet in regular session on a date determined by Council.
By motion concurred in by a majority of members elected to Council, any regular meeting may be continued to a later date prior to the next regular meeting, such adjourned meeting being considered a regular meeting, but any absentee shall be notified by written notice, served personally or at his regular place of residence, at least twelve hours prior to the date and hour of the meeting.
(2) Committee meetings. Committee meetings shall be scheduled at Council's convenience. When multiple meetings are scheduled on any given day any subsequent Committee meetings shall immediately follow the adjournment of the initial Committee meeting.
(d) Robert's Rules of Order. In the absence of a rule, procedure shall be governed by "Robert's Rules of Order Revised" and any amendments thereto.
(e) Temporary Suspension of Rules. These rules or any one of them may be temporarily suspended at any regular or special meeting of Council by the concurrent vote of a majority of the members present, unless otherwise provided by the Charter.
(f) Council Chamber. For the convenience of the members of Council and the general public, the Council Chamber shall be arranged in such a manner as the Ordinance Committee, from time to time, shall determine.
(g) Sergeant-at-Arms. The President of Council shall maintain order at all times. Council-as-a-Whole shall appoint the sergeant-at-arms. The sergeant-at-arms shall attend all regular, adjourned and special meetings of Council and maintain order as directed by the President of Council.
He shall prepare the Council Chamber for meetings as directed by the Ordinance Committee, and shall provide a register for the public to facilitate the signing in of all those persons wishing to address Council.
The register shall be kept as a business record of the City and shall, in part, provide for the names, address and phone numbers of all those wishing to speak and the subject matter of their discussions.
(h) Administrative Reports. For the purpose of providing permanent records, the Mayor and the Directors of the Departments of Recreation, Safety, Finance, Law and the Chief Building Official, the Chief of the Division of Police and the Chief of the Division of Fire shall file their reports in writing, and copies thereof shall be transmitted to the members of Council by the Clerk of Council.
(i) Council Education Fund. Council shall provide and appropriate funds for each elected and/or appointed member, for enrollment in any course of study intended to improve understanding or operation of municipal government. These funds, the amount to be determined by Council, shall include all costs incurred for registration, tuition and textbooks provided that approval by Council President was given in advance and that a passing grade of "C" or better is achieved, or a certificate of completion is given where grades are not given.
(j) Resignation. The written resignation of a member of Council shall take effect upon the date specified in the resignation.
(Ord. 2010-030. Passed 4-27-10.)