(A) The Mayor shall state all questions distinctly in this form: “As many as are of the opinion that (as the question may be) say “Aye” and, after the affirmative voice is expressed, “As many as are of the contrary opinion, say “No”. Then, the Mayor shall decide whether the question is carried by the affirmative or negative vote; but, if he or she doubts, or if a division is called for by any member, the City Council shall decide by a roll call.
(B) If any member transgresses the rules of the Council, or commits any other breach of order or decorum, the Mayor or any other member may call him or her to order.
(C) When two or more members address the chair at once, the Mayor shall decide who shall proceed first.
(D) No member shall speak more than twice on the same question, except by unanimous consent of the Council.
(E) When any motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Mayor before debate.
(F) Every member of the Council, who is present when a question is put, shall give his or her vote, unless the Council for good reason excuses him or her.
(G) After a motion is stated by the Mayor, it shall be deemed to be in possession of the Council, but may be withdrawn by the mover thereof at any time before decision or amendment.
(H) When any question is pending or under debate, no motion shall be in order, but to motions to adjourn, to lay on the table, for the previous question, to commit or to amend; which several motions shall have preference in the order in which they are arranged in this division (H).
(I) The previous question shall be put in this form: “Shall the main question now be put?” It shall only be admitted when demanded by a majority of the members present and until decided, shall preclude all amendments. If decided in the affirmative, the Mayor shall put the question first upon the pending motions in their order, if there be any, and then upon the main question.
(J) The motion to adjourn shall always be in order; except that, when one motion to adjourn has been decided in the negative, it shall not be in order to entertain another motion until some other business has intervened; and all motions to adjourn, to lay on the table and for the previous question shall be decided without debate.
(K) The vote on the final passage of any ordinance or resolution shall be by calling the roll and recording the ayes and nays, and any two members may demand the ayes and nays to be taken on any motion or question and when so demanded the question shall be so put and recorded.
(L) A majority of all Council members elected shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number shall have the power to compel the attendance of absent members and to adjourn to such time as they may designate.
(M) Any member failing to attend any regular meeting of the Council or special meeting of which he or she has had actual notice shall, when requested by a member, explain such absence and, if the explanation is not good and sufficient, may be publicly reprimanded by the Mayor.
(N) All ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced by a member of the Council.
(O) No rule shall be suspended, except upon motion, and affirmative aye and nay vote of two-thirds of all the members of the Council.
(P) The ayes and nays shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances, and on all propositions to create liability against the city or for the expenditure or appropriation of its money; and, in all other cases, at the request proceedings; the votes of a majority of the members elected to the Council shall be necessary for the passage of any ordinance or the carrying of any proposition.
(Q) If the Mayor vetoes any ordinance or any part of an ordinance and returns the same without his or her approval within the time allowed, together with his or her written objections thereto, the vote by which the same was passed shall be reconsidered; and, if, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all members elect of the Council shall vote, by ayes and nays, to pass the same, it shall go into effect, notwithstanding the Mayor may refuse the approval thereof. The vote to pass the same over the Mayor’s veto shall be taken by ayes and nays and entered on the journal.
(R) No vote of the Council shall be reconsidered or rescinded at any special meeting thereof, unless at such special meeting, there shall be present as many members as were present when the vote was taken.
(Prior Code, § 30.05) (Ord. 76-O-928, passed - -1976)