(A) The Presiding Officer of the meeting may utilize Robert’s Rules to govern Council meeting procedures, as deemed necessary in the presiding officer’s discretion.
(B) Every Council member desiring to speak should first address the chair and await recognition to obtain the floor. No persons other than members of the Council and the person having the floor shall enter into any discussion either directly or through a member of Council without the permission of the Presiding Officer.
(C) No motion before the Council shall be debated until it has a second.
(D) Debate of a motion shall be limited to one statement per Council member plus Council member questions for city staff or the public or other Council members intended to clarify understanding of the issue at hand.
(E) Any Council member or the Mayor may call for a vote, thereby ending debate and discussion on the motion or amendment to a motion before the Council.
(F) The Presiding Officer shall cause the motion to be restated for clarity of the issue.
(G) Each Council member’s vote or abstention shall be recorded individually.
(H) Council members should abstain from voting only when they have an actual conflict of interest or do not consider themselves well enough informed on the issue to vote.
(I) A Council member who votes on the prevailing side of a motion may move for reconsideration of the issue. This motion must occur during the meeting or at the next scheduled Council meeting.
(Ord. 10-261, passed 2-22-2010)