(A) Getting the floor. Improper references are to be avoided. Every Council Member desiring to speak shall address the Presiding Officer, and upon recognition by the Presiding Officer shall confine himself or herself to the question under debate, avoiding all personalities and indecorous language. All Council Members have the right to be recognized, to make motions, and to speak.
(B) Interruptions. A Council Member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to call to order, or as herein otherwise provided. If a Council Member, while speaking, be called to order, he or she shall cease speaking until the question of order is determined, and, if in order, he or she shall be permitted to proceed.
(C) Amending a motion. A Council Member, upon being recognized to speak, may request that a motion on the floor for discussion be amended. Upon such a request, the Mayor shall ask the Council Members that made and seconded the original motion if they are willing to accept the amendment to the original motion. If both Members agree to accept the amendment, then the original maker of the motion will restate the original motion to include the amendment; the motion will be considered to be amended; and debate will continue on the amended motion. If either Member does not accept the amendment, then debate continues on the original motion.
(D) Previous question. Any Council Member, upon being recognized to speak, may move to call the question on the motion on the floor. A motion to call the question requires a second. If there is a motion and a second on the motion to call the question, then debate ends and there is a vote to consider ending debate on the original motion. A majority vote of Members present is required to end debate on a motion. Either the maker or the sponsor will be recognized by the Mayor to make a closing comment for correction or clarification which will be two minutes or less if needed.
(E) Motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider any action taken by the Council may be made only on the day the action was taken. It may be made either immediately during the same session or at a recessed or adjourned session thereof. The motion must be made by one of the prevailing side, but may be seconded by any Council Member, and may be made at any time and have precedence over all other motions or while a Council Member has the floor; it shall be debatable. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any Council Member from making or remaking the same or any other motion at a subsequent meeting of the Council.
(F) Remarks of Council Member when entered in minutes. A Council Member may request, through the Presiding Officer, the privilege of having a statement on any subject under consideration by the Council entered in the minutes.
(G) Format of meeting minutes. The City Secretary shall enter in the minutes a description of the agenda item; the names and addresses of any citizens speaking for or against the item; and any motions or votes taken by the Council, on any question coming before the Council.
(Ord. 080624-A, passed 6-24-2008; Ord. 090721, passed 7-21-2009; Ord. 100706, passed 7-6-2010; Ord. 110705, passed 7-5-2011; Ord. 120710-B, passed 7-10-2012)