(A) When the Council is called to order, every member and every guest shall take his or her seat and shall, during the session, act with decorum.
(B) The Chairperson shall preserve order. If any member violates the rules of order as recognized by the Council, the Chairperson shall (or other member may) call him or her to order. A member who is called to order shall immediately take his or her seat until the question of order is decided, unless he or she is allowed by the Chair to explain his or her action.
(C) The Chairperson shall decide all questions of order without debate, or with short conversation as he or she may permit; but any member may appeal to the Council to overrule the decision of the Chair which shall require at least 3 votes of the members present and voting.
(D) Receiving public comments.
(1) During periods of public comment, the comments shall be limited to 3 minutes, unless the speaker requests additional time and the majority of Council votes to grant the additional time. The allotted time is not transferable among speakers.
(2) Priority in the order of receiving comments may be given by the Chair to persons wishing to speak who have not addressed Council on the same subject in recent meetings. All speakers who have signed up will be heard.
(3) Council members will refrain from debating issues with those offering comments.
(4) Written comments will be entertained by Council from those who are unable to or who do not wish to speak publicly.
(5) The Chair, with the consent of Council, may consider amendments to an agenda for a meeting which would allow the reception of public comments on an ordinance or resolution immediately before a vote is taken on the matter.
(6) After public comments have been received, and as provided in amended Agenda item (19), each Council member will be given an opportunity to respond to any comments which have been made during the meeting, or to make other comments.
(E) If repeated calls do not produce order, the Chairperson may call by name any member persisting in irregularity. The person may then explain his or her conduct but may be ordered by the Chairperson to withdraw while Council considers punishment or other proceeding to be had.
(F) In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct by any persons present, the Chairperson shall have the power to order the chamber cleared, and any member may move for the order. Any person guilty of flagrant contempt of Council may be ordered into custody.
(Ord. 05-06-01, passed 5-2-2001; Am. Ord. 03-10-07, passed 4-18-2007)