(A) Presiding officer may debate and vote. The Mayor Pro Tem of the Council or such other member of the Council as may be presiding may move, second, and debate from the chair subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all members. He shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Councilmember by reason of his acting as the presiding officer. The Mayor may enter the debate on any question before the Council.
(B) Getting the floor; improper references to be avoided. Every Councilmember desiring to speak shall address the Chair and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine himself to the question under debate and shall avoid all personalities and indecorous language. Every Councilmember desiring to question the administrative staff shall address his question to the City Manager, who shall be entitled either to answer the inquiries himself or to designate some member of his staff for that purpose.
(C) Interruptions. A Councilmember once recognized shall not be interrupted when speaking, unless called to order by the presiding officer, unless a point of order is raised by another member or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions by another member. If a Councilmember while speaking shall be called to order, he shall cease speaking until the question of order shall be determined and, if in order, he shall be permitted to proceed.
(D) Privilege of closing debate. The Councilmember moving the adoption of an ordinance or resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate.
(E) Remarks of Councilmember; entry in minutes. A Councilmember may request, through the presiding officer, the privilege of having a written abstract of his statement on any subject under consideration by the Council entered in the minutes. If the Council consents thereto, such statement shall be entered in the minutes.
('63 Code, § 2-2.12) (Ord. 2834, passed 4-19-60; Am. Ord. 370-C.S., passed 8-3-82)