(A) The Chair shall preserve decorum and maintain order at all times, prevent personal reflections during debate and in making assignments, and confine members to the question before Council. The Chair or any other member of Council may call to order any member who violates any of these rules. This decision shall be subject to an appeal to Council at the request of one member, who shall state the reasons for the appeal. There shall be no debate on such an appeal, but the Chair shall have the right to answer the appeal.
(B) When Council members wish to speak they shall address themselves to the Chair and shall not speak until recognized by the Chair. No member shall speak more than once on the same motion until every member who so desires shall have had an opportunity to speak on that motion. The speaker shall not be interrupted except by the Mayor, who only may confine the member to the motion under discussion.
(C) No member shall leave the Council floor while a meeting is in session without the permission of the chair. Any member leaving without permission may be admonished for this by a majority vote of the Council.
(D) The use of profane or vulgar language is forbidden, either by Council member, Mayor, or any others attending a meeting of Council. At the request of any member attending the meeting, one warning will be issued by the Chair and any further violations are grounds for removal.
(E) No unsigned letters shall be read or summarized. The Clerk of Council shall review, prior to Council meeting, all correspondence. No correspondence shall be publicly read that is of an inflammatory nature or that would tend to embarrass, degrade, ridicule or humiliate any person. Correspondence determined by the Clerk to fall within the intent of this rule shall be turned over to the President of the Council for disposition and circulation to all members of Council. All correspondence shall be summarized and none shall be read in full unless requested by Council.
(F) (1) All residents shall be afforded the right to speak at all Council meetings, however, they must limit their choice of topics to one (1) per meeting. For purposes of this section, a resident shall include owners of properties within the Village or persons that operate a business within the Village.
(2) Non-residents that seek to offer comments shall register their topic with the Village Clerk- Treasurer no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the Council meeting they wish to address. No unsigned requests shall be accepted by the Clerk-Treasurer. Permission to speak shall remain subject to the approval of both the Mayor and the Council President. Upon such approval and recognition, the party shall address the Chair, and state his or her name and address. All remarks must be confined to the merits of the registered topic. Speakers will be courteous and avoid the discussion of personalities.
(3) All public comment will be restricted to three (3) minutes and shall be restricted to legislation currently pending before Council or other matters on which Council action is desired.
(Ord. 58-1985. passed 9-18-85; Am. Ord. 24, passed 4-19-06)