A. Meetings and Rules of Procedure. The Council shall:
(1) Rules of Procedure: Quorum. Adopt rules of procedure including the creation of such committees as it deems necessary, within forty-five (45) days following the election of members, which rules may be amended from time to time
127.
(a) The rules of the prior Council term shall apply until such rules are adopted.
(b) A majority of the total membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business128.
(2) Regular Meetings and Committee Meetings. Fix the time and place of its regular and committee meetings and shall post such meetings as required by the General Statutes
129. The Council shall schedule at least one regular meeting and one Committee meeting a month
130.
(3) Special Meetings and Emergency Meetings
131. At the first meeting of the Council following the Town election, the Council shall provide a method for the calling of Special Meetings in accordance with the General Statutes. Emergency Meetings shall be convened as set forth in § 5-4.D of this Charter
132.
B. Public Hearings
133. At least one public hearing shall be held by the Council or any committee thereof before any Ordinance or Statutory Resolution shall be passed. Meeting Notice of such public hearing shall be given, in accordance with the requirements of the General Statutes.
C. Open Meetings and Public Comment Sessions
134. All meetings of the Legislative Council shall be open to the public in accordance with the General Statutes
135. Moreover, there shall be a public comment session prior to the commencement of all regular meetings of the Legislative Council. The time and duration of the public comment sessions shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Standing Rules of Order of the Hamden Legislative Council, adopted in accordance with § 4-3.A(1) of this Charter. With respect to the meetings of the standing and special committees and special meetings of the Legislative Council, the public may address any item on the agenda. With respect to the regular meetings of the Legislative Council, the public may address any item on the agenda and any other matters concerning the Town that are within the purview of the Legislative Council.
126 2011 modification of 1983 Charter §§ 3-3 and 3-7 entitled “Procedure” and “Public Hearing on Ordinances.”
127 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 3-3 (second sentence).
128 1983 Charter § 3-3 (fourth sentence).
129 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 3-3 (first sentence).
130 Charter Revision of 2011.
131 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 3-3 (first sentence).
132 Charter Revision of 2011.
133 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 3-7 (first sentence), including the new definition of “Meeting Notice.”
134 Charter Revision of 2011. See, C.G.S. § 1-225. (Formerly § 1-21) entitled “Meetings of government agencies to be public. Recording of votes. Schedule and agenda of Meetings to be filed and posted on web sites. Notice of special Meetings. Executive sessions.”
135 2011 modification of 1983 Charter § 3-3 (third sentence), in lieu of the following: “All Meetings of the Council shall be open to the public, except as otherwise permitted by the General Statutes.”