(A) The following chart sets out commonly used motions in the order of their precedence as determined by Robert’s Rules of Order.
(B) The main or principal motion is at the bottom in rank.
(C) The other motions may be made while the main motion is pending and must be dealt with before the main motion.
(D) They are arranged according to rank, the highest at the top of the list.
(E) Incidental motions, however, have no rank among themselves, yet take precedence over subsidiary motions.
(F) When any one motion is immediately pending, the motions above it on the list are in order and those below it are out of order.
(1) Privileged motions. The following motions are undebatable:
(a) Fix time to adjourn;
(b) Adjourn;
(c) Take recess; and
(d) Question of privilege.
(2) Incidental motions. The following motions are undebatable, except the motion to appeal:
(a) Appeal;
(b) Division of assembly;
(c) Division of a question;
(d) Filling blanks;
(e) Objection;
(f) Parliamentary inquiry;
(g) Point of information;
(h) Point of order;
(i) Suspend the rules (requires a two-thirds majority vote); and
(j) Withdraw a motion.
(3) Subsidiary motions.
(a) The following motions are undebatable:
1. Lay on the table;
2. The previous question (close debate) (requires a two-thirds majority vote); and
3. Limit or extend debate.
(b) The following motions are debatable:
1. Postpone to a definite time;
2. Refer to a committee;
3. Amend the amendment;
4. Amendment;
5. Postpone indefinitely; and
6. Main or principal motion.
(4) Miscellaneous motions. After action has been taken on a main or principal motion, the following motions may be made:
(a) Take from table (undebatable) (requires two-thirds vote without notice; majority vote with notice);
(b) Rescind (debatable);
(c) Reconsider (debatable); and
(d) Ratify (debatable).
(5) Motion to refer. A motion to refer to a standing committee shall take precedence over a similar motion to refer to a special committee.
(6) Motion to amend.
(a) A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order, but one to amend an amendment to an amendment shall not be entertained.
(b) An amendment modifying the intention of a motion shall be in order, but an amendment relating to a different subject shall not be in order.
(c) On an amendment to “strike out and insert,” the paragraph to be amended shall first be read as it stands, then the words proposed to be stricken out, then those to be inserted and finally the paragraph as it will stand if so amended shall be read.
(d) An amendment to the main question or another pending question may be referred to a committee, and neither the main question nor such other pending question shall be affected thereby.
(7) Filling of blanks. When a blank is to be filled, and different sums or times are proposed, the question shall be taken first on the last sum or the longest time.
(8) Motion to substitute. A substitute for any original proposition under debate or for any pending amendment to the proposition may be entertained, notwithstanding that at such time further amendment is admissible, and if accepted by Council by vote, shall entirely supersede the original proposition or amendment, as the case may be, and cut off all amendments appertaining thereto.
(9) Reconsideration.
(a) A vote or question may be reconsidered at any time during the same meeting, or at the first regular meeting held thereafter. A motion for reconsideration, once having been made and decided in the negative, shall not be renewed, nor shall a motion to reconsider be reconsidered. No motion to reconsider the approval or denial of the recommendation of an advisory body required to hold public hearings shall be entertained, except at the same meeting at which the original action was taken or after the matter has been referred to the advisory body for a further hearing and recommendation.
(b) A motion to reconsider must be made and seconded by members who voted on the prevailing side of the question to be reconsidered, unless otherwise provided by law. However, where a motion has received a majority vote in the affirmative, but is declared lost solely on the ground that a greater number of affirmative votes is required by statute for the passage or adoption of the motion, then in such case a motion to reconsider may be made and seconded only by those who voted in the affirmative on the question to be reconsidered, so long as the issue presented is the same, no new information is forthcoming and the rights of third parties have not intervened.
(2000 Code, § 2.02.220) (Ord. 2324, § 2 (part), passed - -1998)