(A) Certain resolutions that come before the Council for introduction, discussion and passage shall meet the following protocol:
(1) The resolution thesis shall have a direct primary effect on the citizens of the city.
(2) The resolution thesis shall pertain to:
(a) Activities of a local governmental entity, such as food and beverage tax use, parks and recreation, and local judicial system, which will directly affect the citizens of the city; or
(b) If the resolution is in support of legislation for the Indiana General Assembly or the United States Congress, the resolution thesis shall have sponsorship by a member of the local delegation to the Indiana General Assembly, i.e. nine Senators and Representatives from Fort Wayne/Allen County; and/or two Senators and one Representative to the United States Congress which have a direct effect on the citizens of the city.
(B) This protocol shall assist elected officials and citizens in judging acceptance of, or guidance in writing of, certain resolutions. The Common Council will be able to make a strong and effective stand in their support of certain regional and national legislation that will directly and primarily affect those people the Councilmembers have been elected to serve.
(C) This protocol shall not affect resolution theses that may be written and introduced for discussion and passage for city department specific needs, such as bond issues and other municipal borrowing, zoning issues, economic development issues, police and fire issues, other department policies and responsibilities that may be set forth by state statute.
(D) This protocol does not stand as an impediment to any member of the Common Council to bring forth a letter of support for a bill before the Indiana General Assembly, or United States Congress, that such letter may be circulated amongst the body for signature. An announcement shall be made at the beginning of a committee session that such letter of support shall be circulated, but no formal action shall be taken. Each elected official may sign or not, as he/she chooses.
(E) Certain resolutions that are introduced, discussed and passed by the Common Council are non-binding. They reflect the opinion of the elected official who signs the document.
(F) Other requests for written documents honoring certain persons shall meet the following protocol:
(1) A “certificate of honor” shall be written to organizations, groups or individuals that may request a resolution for recognition.
(2) The organization, group or individual shall provide written material about their subject for language composition at least two weeks before the certificate is needed.
(3) There shall be no public presentation at a City Council meeting; however, if a Councilmember is invited to read such certificate at an event honoring said organization, group or individual, the certificate of honor shall be given to the Councilmember for that purpose.
(4) Visiting dignitaries such as a sister city delegation, or a city employee who has had a longstanding, significant relationship with the City Council, will receive, upon request, this recognition in a public presentation of the certificate of honor at a City Council meeting.
(5) All other certificate of honor documents that are written according to this protocol shall be mailed to the appropriate person(s) or given to a City Councilmember or presentation at an outside event.
(6) A certificate of honor is a document printed on parchment, signed by Councilmembers, dated appropriately, with the city seal and ribbon affixed.
(Ord. G-13-01, passed 7-24-01)