Chapter 2.06
RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS

Sections:

2.06.010    Rules shall govern.

2.06.020    Meeting to be held as provided by ordinance.

2.06.030    Special meetings.

2.06.040    Majority constitutes quorum.

2.06.050    Councilmember – Tie vote.

2.06.060    Council President – Deputy Council President.

2.06.070    Secretarial function.

2.06.080    Consent and regular agenda.

2.06.090    Certain officials to attend on request.

2.06.100    Order of business.

2.06.110    Voting.

2.06.120    Public meeting – Executive session.

2.06.130    Discussion on Council business.

2.06.140    Committee reports.

2.06.150    Council rules alteration, amendment or suspension.

2.06.160    Robert’s Rules of Order.

2.06.010 Rules shall govern.

The rules and procedures established in this chapter shall govern the conduct of Council meetings, maintenance of order, and order of business at City Council meetings. These rules are for the benefit of the Council to have more orderly meetings. These rules confer no rights to any third party. (Ord. 2488 § 2, 2007; Res. 84-2 § 1, 1984).

2.06.020 Meeting to be held as provided by ordinance.

Regular meetings of the Council shall be held as provided by ordinance. (Res. 84-2 § 2, 1984).

2.06.030 Special meetings.

Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or any 3 members of the Council by written notice delivered to each member of the Council at least 24 hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting. Such written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the City Clerk a written waiver of notice. Such waiver may be provided electronically. Such written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. The notices provided in this section may be dispensed with in the event a special meeting is called to deal with an emergency involving injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such injury or damage, when time requirements of such notice would make notice impractical and increase the likelihood of such injury or damage. (Ord. 2488 § 3, 2007; Res. 84-2 § 3, 1984).

2.06.040 Majority constitutes quorum.

At all meetings of the Council, a majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (Res. 84-2 § 4, 1984).

2.06.050 Councilmember – Tie vote.

All meetings of the Council shall be presided over by the Mayor, or, in his/her absence, by the Council President. In the absence of the Mayor and Council President, the Deputy Council President shall preside. A Councilmember’s temporary chairship shall not affect his/her right to vote on issues before the Council. The Mayor shall have a vote only in the case of a tie in the votes of the Councilmembers with respect to matters other than the passage of any ordinance, grant, or revocation of franchise or license, or any resolution for the payment of money. (Ord. 2488 § 4, 2007; Res. 84-2 § 5, 1984).

2.06.060 Council President – Deputy Council President.

The Council shall, on the first regular meeting of each calendar year, elect a Council President (who shall also be the Mayor pro tempore), and a Deputy Council President, to serve in such capacities until successors are elected. (Res. 89-1 § 1, 1989; Res. 84-2 § 6, 1984).

2.06.070 Secretarial function.

The Administration shall accomplish the secretarial function of the Council including, but not limited to, the following responsibilities:

A. Provide Councilmembers with an agenda and all pertinent material at least 48 hours prior to a regular meeting;

B. Provide a reasonable level of secretarial and research assistance to individual Councilmembers in their pursuit of City business;

C. Keep an accurate record of all Council proceedings. (Res. 84-2 § 7, 1984).

2.06.080 Consent and regular agenda.

The Mayor and/or the City Council President shall approve all items placed on the Consent Agenda and Regular Agenda prior to the final preparation of the Agenda. (Res. 84-2 § 8, 1984).

2.06.090 Certain officials to attend on request.

The City Administrator, City Attorney, and such other officers or employees of the City as designated by the Mayor shall, when requested, attend all meetings of the Council. (Res. 84-2 § 9, 1984).

2.06.100 Order of business.

The order of business shall be as follows:

A. Call to order:

1. Pledge of Allegiance;

B. Special business (when appropriate);

C. Audience comments;

D. Committee reports;

E. Mayor’s report;

F. Consent calendar;

G. Public hearings;

H. Regular business;

I. Executive session.

Mayor may move agenda items up in the order of business, if necessary, to accommodate staff or other persons who will be making presentations to the Council. (Ord. 2488 § 5, 2007; Res. 2000-11 § 1, 2000; Res. 94-05 §§ 1, 2, 1994; Res. 84-2 § 10, 1984).

2.06.110 Voting.

Each member present has a duty and obligation to vote on all questions put to the Council, unless an obvious conflict of interest or appearance of fairness question is present; however, if a member does not vote, such member shall be determined to have voted “yes” at the time the vote is taken.

If an obvious conflict of interest or appearance of fairness question is not apparent to all Councilmembers present, a member shall be excused from voting on an issue only by a majority vote of the Councilmembers present.

If it is determined by a majority vote of the Councilmembers present that a Councilmember has a conflict of interest or would violate the appearance of fairness doctrine, then such Councilmember shall be denied a vote on such issue. (Res. 84-2 § 11, 1984).

2.06.120 Public meeting – Executive session.

All regular meetings of the Council shall be public upon the date fixed by ordinance. Executive sessions may be held during a regular or special meeting for the following purposes:

A. Matters affecting national security;

B. The selection of a site or the purchase of real estate when publicity regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price;

C. The appointment, employment, or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against such officers or employee by another public officer, person, or employee unless such charged officer or employee requests a public hearing;

D. Litigation, anticipated or actual.

The City Council may exclude from any such public meeting or executive session, during the examination of a witness on any such matter, any or all other witnesses in the matter being investigated by the governing body. (Res. 84-2 § 12, 1984).

2.06.130 Discussion on Council business.

A. Council Participation. In keeping with Robert’s Rules of Order, discussion by Councilmembers should be concise, to the point, and relevant to the business pending before the Council.

B. Staff Participation. The Mayor or any Councilmember may cause any City employee, qualified to give expert testimony and/or a presentation on a matter, to address the Council.

C. Public Participation. The Rules of Procedure for Public Participation are identified in Exhibit “A,” attached to the Resolution codified in this chapter and incorporated in this chapter by reference. (Res. 84-2 § 13, 1984).

2.06.140 Committee reports.

Committee reports should be very brief, giving subject matter and date(s) during which subject was discussed. Reminders of upcoming Committee meeting dates may be given, but are not considered “reports” and will not be included in the Council minutes. (Res. 84-2 § 14, 1984).

2.06.150 Council rules alteration, amendment or suspension.

The rules of the Council may be altered, amended, or temporarily suspended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. (Res. 84-2 § 15, 1984).

2.06.160 Robert’s Rules of Order.

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the deliberations of the Council except when in conflict with any of the rules set out in this chapter. (Res. 84-2 § 16, 1984).