For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DEBATE; FORMAL DEBATE. Discussion among members of Council on the merits of the pending question. FORMAL DEBATE can be terminated only by action of Council (motions to adjourn, to table, for the previous question, and the like).
INFORMAL DEBATE; CONVERSATION. Discussion among members of the Council not subsequent to a motion. INFORMAL DISCUSSION is a privilege granted by the Chairperson at his or her discretion. Parliamentary rules governing debate do not apply until a motion is made.
MEETINGS OF COUNCIL; EXECUTIVE SESSIONS. Executive sessions can only be held upon a majority vote of the Council after the subject matter has been announced. Meeting of Council attended only by Council members, the County Administrator, and County Attorney, together with employees or other persons invited to attend who may have information to share or testimony to give regarding the subject, or appropriate, being discussed. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS are appropriate only for consideration of matters concerning personalities such as employees or appointments, contract negotiations or bids, and legal matters. No record need be made of executive proceedings, but the decision or result should be reduced to writing and entered in the minutes of Council. When announced in the regular meeting session, the Council must vote to end the session and return to the regular session.
MEETINGS OF COUNCIL; REGULAR SESSIONS. All meetings at which business is transacted shall be public meetings. A record of the proceedings and all actions taken shall be recorded in the permanent public minutes of the Council. The meetings shall be fixed by the Council and can be changed or postponed by a majority vote of all members.
MEETINGS OF COUNCIL; SPECIAL SESSIONS. Three members of the Council may request the Chairperson to call a special meeting to consider emergencies and pertinent information which cannot be delayed until the next regular meeting. At least 24-hours’ advance notice shall be given for the sessions.
MOTION OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. Any member may move to previous question. This motion does not involve action on the main motion itself, but rather anticipates the closing of debate and a vote on the main motion. The question is called upon a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting. Alternatively, the Chair may call the previous question if it appears that no member would like to speak further to the matter. Any members may request that the Chairperson call the question.
MOTION TO AMEND. A motion to strike and/or add to any part of a main motion, or to rephrase a motion. An amendment may be hostile to the intent of the main motion, but it must be germane to the subject of the motion. A motion to amend is appropriate in order to alter the effect of a main motion without drastically changing this structure or approach of the main motion. An amendment is voted on independently before voting on the main motion.
MOTION TO CONTINUE. Postpones consideration of a matter to the next regular session of Council. The motion to continue is most appropriately made before any other motion is introduced to deal with the matter at hand. After a motion is made on a matter, a motion to postpone to a definite time is more appropriate.
MOTION TO DEFER. Postpones consideration of a matter until it is returned to the floor. Any matter deferred shall be placed on the pending list and may be recalled at the appropriate time during any subsequent meeting by a main motion and a second.
MOTION TO LAY ON THE TABLE. Postpones consideration of a matter indefinitely. Any matter tabled may be returned to the floor at any subsequent meeting by being placed on the agenda in the same manner as a matter of new business or by unanimous consent of all members present.
MOTION TO POSTPONE. Postpones consideration of a matter to a certain time specified in the motion (e.g., I move to postpone this matter until March 2.) Any matter postponed shall automatically be placed on the agenda for the date specified or the next meeting if not specified.
MOTION TO RECONSIDER. Opens the floor to a new main motion contrary to a previous action. A motion to reconsider is not itself a main motion to alter the previous action. If the motion is to reverse a previous action, then at least 5 members must vote to reconsider, and the motion must be made by the previous winning side.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES. Appearances before County Council by persons who have been asked by the Council or the Administrator to appear before Council to address an issue, or by persons who have requested time to make an appearance before Council and whose request has been granted before the Agenda is published.
PUBLIC COMMENTS. Comments offered by those members of the public who sign a sign-in sheet immediately before a County Council meeting for recognition to speak on an issue.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION. A motion to strike a primary motion in its entirety and insert a new motion in lieu thereof. A substitute motion should be inconsistent with, and must be germane to the subject of, the primary motion. A substitute motion is appropriate in order to change drastically the structure or approach of the main motion. Simpler changes should be submitted as amendments. Since the substitute motion replaces the primary motion, it becomes itself a main motion and may be amended, tabled, and the like. The substitute motion is properly voted on before the primary motion. Passage of the substitute disposes of the primary motion and of any previous substitute motion.
(Ord. 05-06-01, passed 5-2-2001
; Am. Ord. 03-10-07, passed 4-18-2007
)