COUNCIL

§ 1-3-20 QUALIFICATIONS OF ALDERMAN.

   No person is eligible for the office of Alderman unless he or she is a resident for at least 60 days preceding the election to office of the ward electing him or her or of an area which has been annexed by the city and placed in the ward.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-201)

§ 1-3-21 POWERS OF COUNCIL.

   The City Council has the power to:

   (A)   Determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for improper conduct;

   (B)   Make and pass all by-laws, ordinances, orders and resolutions not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States or of the state, or of the provisions of state law, necessary for the government or management of the affairs of the municipality, for the execution of the powers vested in the body corporate by the state;

   (C)   Fix compensation for, and prescribe the duties of, all officers and other employees of the municipality, subject to the limitations set forth in the laws of Montana;

   (D)   Require a report in detail from any officer of the municipality at any time regarding the transactions of his or her office, or any matter connected therewith;

   (E)   Make any and all contracts necessary to carry into effect the powers granted by the laws of Montana, and to provide for the manner of executing the same;

   (F)   Make regulations authorizing the police of the municipality to make arrests of persons charged with crime, within the limits of the municipality and within five miles thereof, and along the line of the water supply of the municipality; and

   (G)   Impose fines and penalties for the violation of any municipal ordinance, but no fine or penalty shall exceed $500 and no imprisonment shall exceed six months for any one offense.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-202)

§ 1-3-22 MEETINGS; REGULAR AND SPECIAL; TIME.

   (A)   (1)   The Council shall hold regular meetings for the transaction of municipal business on the first and third Monday of each month, and such other meetings to which the Council, by order, may adjourn, or which may be called.

      (2)   Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, or at the written request of three members of the Council, filed with the City Clerk, on their requisition, giving at least three days’ notice thereof, in writing, to all members of the Council present in the city.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-203)

   (B)   (1)   The Council shall convene at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise ordered.

      (2)   The Mayor shall call the Council to order and the City Clerk shall proceed to call the roll and record in the minutes the names of all members present and note the members absent. The Clerk shall then announce whether or not a quorum is present.

      (3)   All meetings shall be held in the City Hall unless otherwise ordered.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-204)

§ 1-3-23 QUORUM.

   A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser number may meet and adjourn to any time stated, and may compel the attendance of absent members under such rules and penalties as the Council may prescribe.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-205)

§ 1-3-24 PRESIDENT.

   At its first meeting succeeding the annual election, the Council shall elect one of its members as President of the Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the President shall be the presiding officer of the Council and may perform the duties of the Mayor.

(1992 Code, § 2-1-206)