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There may be a Sergeant at Arms of Council to be elected and to serve at the pleasure of Council under the direction of the presiding officer. He or she shall preserve the order of the meeting and compel attendance of absent members.
(Ord. 255-1978. Passed 11-6-78; Ord. 126-2010. Passed 9-20-10.)
(a) Special and/or ad hoc committees may be created by the President of Council or by a majority of the members elected to Council.
(b) Members on all committees shall be appointed by a majority vote of all members elected to Council, with such appointments being made to standing committees no later than the first regular meeting of any new term. If Council fails to make such appointments to the standing committee within the time allotted herein, then the appointment shall be made by the President of Council.
(c) All committee meetings shall be held on Monday or Wednesday with only two meetings to be called on any one night. Committee meetings may be called on any other night only without objection from all members of the committee.
(d) Committee meetings may be called by the chairman, the Mayor, or a majority of the members.
(e) Any legislation in committee for more than ninety days may be placed on the agenda of the next Council meeting by a majority vote of Council.
(f) Legislation not acted upon expires with the term of Council.
(Ord. 255-1978. Passed 11-6-78; Ord. 319-1979. Passed 12-3-79; Ord. 126-2010. Passed 9-20-10.)
Council shall go into the Committee of the Whole at regular meetings pursuant to the order of business for the purpose of encouraging public participation in addressing Council and the administration. Advocacy by members of the public for a political candidate is prohibited, but advocacy by members of the public for or against a political issue is permitted. The public shall speak to legislation on the agenda and to the good of the City, but no person shall speak for more than five minutes on either matter. Persons speaking shall remain polite and courteous, at all times respecting the office being addressed and the decorum of the meeting. Vulgar or foul language and public remarks tending to embarrass or humiliate or which are personal in nature, are at all times out of order. All questions shall be answered immediately after they have been asked, and the person speaking has completed his or her remarks. Time limits established herein may be extended by majority vote of the members of Council after request is made by a person prior to the commencement of an address to the body.
(Ord. 255-1978. Passed 11-6-78; Ord. 126-2010. Passed 9-20-10.)
All minutes of committees, reports and communications of the Administration, and communications of the public, shall be received by one motion unless a member of Council requests separate motions. No minutes, reports or communication shall be received by Council at a regular meeting unless each member has had possession of the same for at least three days. The Administration shall report to Council at the first meeting of every month on permanent improvement projects in the City not yet completed.
(Ord. 215-1985. Passed 12-2-85.)
Council members' comments would directly follow the second Committee of the Whole. No Council member shall speak for more than five minutes during Council members' comments unless the President or a majority of Council agree to waive the rule. The request to waive the time limit should be made before a particular member begins his or her presentation.
Council members' comments should not be used as a forum for routine matters or common complaints which may be handled expeditiously outside of a regular Council meeting. Discussion on legislative matters to be acted on at that meeting should be limited. The place for such comment is directly prior to a vote on the particular piece of legislation.
Calling a meeting of a committee and requests for legislation for future meetings are in order. Introductions of members of the audience may be made at this time.
Questions concerning the administration not regarding legislation and not concerning routine matters or common complaints not previously discussed with administration may be asked.
Petitions, reports or material of interest to Council or the administration may be circulated and discussed by the member bringing the material forward.
General comments on the state of the City may also be added.
Advocacy by Council members for a political candidate is prohibited, but advocacy by Council members for or against a political issue is permitted.
Dignity and decorum in words and action is befitting of a member of Council. The image of the entire Council and the confidence and respect of the community is enhanced by such behavior. All Council members should act in a dignified and respectful manner not only during Council members' comments but at all times. Insinuations about unethical behavior, personal attacks and insults, and loud and obstreperous conduct are out of place and demeaning to the entire Council.
The President will be primarily responsible for the enforcement of these rules as well as the control of meetings in general.
(Ord. 8-1980. Passed 1-7-80; Ord. 126-2010. Passed 9-20-10.)
No Council member, Mayor or member of the Administration shall be permitted to speak for a longer time than five minutes on any legislation, except that permission to extend may be granted by a majority of the members elected to Council prior to the time the speaker begins to address Council.
(Ord. 342-1990. Passed 12-17-90.)
If any member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of Council, the President of Council shall call the offending member to order. The member so called to order shall immediately yield the floor unless permitted by the Presidents to explain. Any member may, by raising to the point of order, call the attention of the President to such transgression. The point of order shall be decided by the President without debate. Every such decision of the President shall be subject to appeal to Council by any two members.
(Ord. 255-1978. Passed 11-6-78; Ord. 17-2020. Passed 2-18-20.)
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