(A) Motions. When a motion is made, it shall be stated by the Chair before debate. Any member may demand that it be reduced to writing. A motion shall not be withdrawn by the mover without the consent of Council. Unless otherwise required by law, a motion shall be deemed passed if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present including the Chair if entitled to vote thereon.
(B) Order of precedence.
(1) When a question is before Council, no motion shall be entertained except the following:
(a) To adjourn;
(b) To table;
(c) The previous question;
(d) To postpone to a certain time;
(e) To refer;
(f) To amend; or
(g) To postpone indefinitely.
(2) Said motions shall have precedence in the foregoing order.
(C) Motion to adjourn.
(1) Motion to adjourn shall be in order at any time, except as follows:
(a) When repeated without intervening business or discussion;
(b) When made while another member is speaking;
(c) When the previous question has been ordered; or
(d) While a vote is being taken.
(2) A motion to adjourn is not debatable except as to time to which the meeting is adjourned.
(D) Motion to table. A motion to table shall preclude all amendments or debate of the subject under consideration. If the motion prevails, the consideration of the subject may be resumed only upon motion of a member voting with the majority and with the consent of the majority of the members present.
(E) Previous question. The previous question shall be stated in these words: “Shall debate now close?” The motion shall pass if two-thirds of the members present shall favor it. If the said motion is ordered, there shall be no further amendment or debate, but the question shall be put immediately.
(F) Motion to postpone. Motions to postpone may be amended as to time, excepting a motion to postpone indefinitely. If a motion to postpone indefinitely is carried, the principal question shall be declared lost.
(G) Motion to amend. A motion to amend shall be susceptible of but one amendment. An amendment once rejected may not be moved again in the same form.
(H) Motion to suspend rules. A motion to suspend the rule which requires three readings on three separate days must receive the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members elected to Council and shall be debatable. Upon the passage of such motion, the main question shall be open to debate. All other rules may be suspended by a majority of members of Council present without debate.
(I) Motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider a proposal that has been acted upon favorably must be made before adjournment of the session of Council at which the vote was taken. A motion to reconsider any other action taken by Council may be made not later than the next regular meeting after the vote of Council thereon. In either case, such motion may be made only by a member who voted with the prevailing side. The concurrence of a majority of the members present shall be sufficient for reconsideration of a vote. If a motion to reconsider is lost, it shall not be entertained again.
(Ord. 1142-00, passed 1-2-2001)