Article 2-4
COUNCIL PROCEDURE

Sections:

2-4-1 Regular Meetings

2-4-2 Special Meetings

2-4-3 Meetings to Be Public

2-4-4 Quorum

2-4-5 Agenda

2-4-6 Consent Agenda

2-4-7 Order of Business; Proceedings of the Council

2-4-8 Committees and Commissions

2-4-9 Voting

2-4-10 Suspension of Rules

2-4-1 Regular Meetings

The Council shall hold regular meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. When deemed appropriate any regular meeting date of the Council may be changed by the Mayor or by a majority of the Council except that at least one regular meeting a month must be held and that such notice of the rescheduled meeting shall be given to the public as is reasonable and practicable under the circumstances. All regular meetings shall be held at the Town Hall or at such place as may be prescribed by the Mayor.

((O)08-18, Amended, 09/03/2008)

2-4-2 Special Meetings

The Mayor or any two (2) Council Members may convene the Council for the purpose of holding a Special Meeting any time after giving at least 24 hours notice of such meeting. All notices pertaining to Special Meetings shall include the date, place, hours, and purpose of such Special Meeting in accordance with State law. In the case of an actual emergency, any Council Member may convene the council upon such notice as is appropriate to the circumstances in accordance with State law.

(01-24, Amended, 10/17/2001; 92-15, Amended, 08/19/1992)

2-4-3 Meetings to Be Public

All proceedings of the council shall be open to the public, except that upon approval by a majority vote of the council, the council may meet in a closed executive session pursuant to the provisions of state law. Notice of meetings shall be given in a manner consistent with state statutes.

2-4-4 Quorum

A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum for transacting business, but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members.

2-4-5 Agenda

Prior to each council meeting, or on or before a time fixed by the council for preparation and distribution of an agenda, whichever is earlier, the clerk shall collect all written reports, communications, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents to be submitted to the council, prepare an agenda according to the order of business and furnish each council member, the mayor and the attorney with a copy of the agenda and any material pertinent thereto.

2-4-6 Consent Agenda

A.  When any item of business requires action by the council, but is of a routine and noncontroversial nature, such item may be presented at a regular meeting of the council as part of a consent agenda.

B.  The consent agenda shall be introduced by a motion "To approve the Consent Agenda," and shall be considered by the council as a single item.

C.  There shall be no debate or discussion by any member of the council regarding any item on the consent agenda, beyond asking questions for simple clarification.

D.  All items on the consent agenda which require public hearings shall be open for hearing simultaneously, and the mayor shall announce, or direct the town clerk to announce, the titles of all such items.

E.  Upon objection by any member of the council to inclusion of any item on the consent agenda, that item shall be removed from the consent agenda forthwith. Such objections may be recorded at any time prior to the taking of a vote on the motion to approve the consent agenda. All such items shall be considered individually, in the order in which they were objected to, immediately following consideration of the consent agenda.

F.  Approval of the motion to approve the consent agenda shall be fully equivalent to approval, adoption or enactment of each motion, resolution, ordinance or other item of business thereon, exactly as if each had been acted upon individually.

2-4-7 Order of Business; Proceedings of the Council

A.  The business of the council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in an order set forth by the council.

B.  The mayor shall preserve order and decorum, decide all questions of order and conduct the proceedings of the meetings in an orderly manner. The mayor may proceed in accordance with the parliamentary rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order.

2-4-8 Committees and Commissions

The council may create such committees and commissions, standing or special, as it deems necessary. They shall consist of as many members and shall perform such duties as the council may require and shall exist at the pleasure of the council.

2-4-9 Voting

A.  The mayor shall vote as a member of the council.

B.  Upon the request of any member, the ayes and nays upon any question shall be taken and entered in the minutes.

2-4-10 Suspension of Rules

Any of the provisions of this article may be temporarily suspended in connection with any matter under consideration by a recorded vote of three-fourths of the members present, except that this section shall not be construed to permit any action that is contrary to state statutes.