(a) Seating Arrangement. The Mayor is seated in the center of the Council table and the President Pro Tern sits on the Mayor's right. The seating arrangement of the members of Council are according to the Mayor's discretion. The Fiscal Auditor, if one is appointed, sits at the far left and the Fiscal Officer at the far right. The Engineer and the Solicitor are seated at the table on the right side of Council Chambers and department heads are seated at the table on the left side of Council Chambers.
(b) Addressing the Chair. Members, when about to speak to a question or make a motion, shall address the Chair as "Mayor," "President Pro Tem" or “Chairman,” who shall pronounce the name of the member entitled to the floor. Members addressing Council shall confine themselves to the question under debate and avoid personalities.
(c) Limitation of Debate. No member shall be allowed to speak for a time longer than five minutes nor more than once upon any one subject until every member choosing to speak has spoken, nor more than twice upon the same subject. Any further discussion shall be referred to Committee to discuss and bring back to Council.
(d) Voting. Every member present when a question is put shall vote on the same, unless Council, for special reasons, excuses him from voting. Such excuse shall be granted only if the member states reason for the request before voting begins. A member may abstain from voting.
(e) Division of a Question. On demand of any member, a question under consideration which covers two or more points shall be divided where the question admits of such division.
(f) Demand for Roll Call. Any member may demand a roll call vote upon any question before Council at any time before the decision on such question is announced by the Chair.
(g) Excusal from Attendance. No member shall be excused from attendance at a Council meeting, except upon request to and permission by the Mayor and notification to the Fiscal Officer prior to such meeting or by a vote of a majority of the members present.
(h) Excusal during Meeting. No member shall be excused while Council is in session except upon permission of the Chair.
(Ord. 2005-31. Passed 12-12-05; Ord. 2022-72. Passed 9-12-22.)