Chapter 2.12
COUNCIL MEETING RULES Revised 7/18
Sections:
2.12.025 Telephonic participation by city council members authorized. Revised 7/18
2.12.085 Motions – Reconsideration.
2.12.100 Emergency ordinances. Revised 7/18
2.12.110 Resolutions. Revised 7/18
2.12.010 Presiding officer.
A. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council. He shall preserve order and decorum among the council members and is responsible for the conduct of all meetings in compliance with these rules. He may speak to points of order in preference to other members, and shall decide all points of order, subject to appeal to the council by motion duly seconded. He may participate in the debate on any matter. The mayor shall only vote in the case of a tie. He may exercise a veto of any council action which may be overridden by a vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the council.
B. In the temporary absence or disability of the mayor or mayor pro tempore any member of the city council may call the council to order at any regular meeting or duly called special meeting to select an acting mayor from among its number, and the acting mayor shall exercise all powers of the mayor during such temporary absence or disability and may vote on questions before the council. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(8); prior code §2.08.010)
2.12.020 Public meetings.
A. All council meetings and workshops shall be open to the public, and all actions of the council shall be taken at public meetings. However, the members of the council sitting as a committee of the whole and any other committee of the council may resolve itself into executive session from which the public shall be excluded, as provided by Section 2.12.030.
B. The policy of encouraging public attendance at council meetings and workshops requires that meetings and workshops be held at times and places which are reasonably convenient for city residents. No council meeting or workshop may be held outside the city without the unanimous consent of the council. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 87-17 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(9); prior code §2.08.040)
2.12.025 Telephonic participation by city council members authorized. Revised 7/18
A. Telephonic participation by city council members is authorized when a council member is physically absent from Utqiaġvik.
B. Any vote during a meeting in which a council member appears telephonically shall be taken by roll call. (Ord. 02-2017 §2(part); Ord. 94-07 §4)
2.12.030 Executive sessions.
A. Executive sessions are discussions of the council at which the public is excluded.
B. The council may resolve itself into executive session by a majority vote of the council after public discussion of whether or not to resolve into executive session if the matters to be discussed are:
1. Matters, the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse impact on the finances of the city;
2. Subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of a person, provided the person may request a public discussion;
3. Matters which by law are required to be confidential.
C. Official action may not be taken in executive session but must wait until the council has resolved back into public meeting. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-14 §3: prior code §2.08.045)
2.12.040 Agenda.
The agenda for each meeting of the city council shall be prepared by the mayor. Such agenda shall be distributed by the city clerk to each member of the council at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(10); prior code §2.08.050)
2.12.050 Quorum.
Four members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Four affirmative votes are required for passage of any ordinance, resolution or motion. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(11); prior code §2.08.060)
2.12.060 Absence of quorum.
In the absence of a quorum, any number less than a quorum may adjourn a meeting to a later date. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): prior code §2.08.070)
2.12.070 Call to order.
The mayor, or acting mayor, shall call the council to order at the hour stated and, if a quorum is present, proceed with the order of business. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(12); prior code §2.08.080)
2.12.080 Order of business.
A. The mayor shall prepare a proposed agenda for each regular meeting, special meeting and workshop of the city council. The proposed agenda shall be deemed approved by the council, and the meeting shall proceed in accordance with the proposed agenda, unless the council acts to alter the proposed agenda or adopt a different agenda.
B. Unless altered by the city council, the order of business for a regular city council meeting shall be:
1. Call to order;
2. Roll call;
3. Invocation;
4. Introduction of guests;
5. Approval of agenda;
6. Approval and/or correction of minutes;
7. Mayor’s reports and correspondence;
8. Special presentations;
9. Public concerns;
10. Introduction and consideration of resolutions;
11. Introduction of ordinances;
12. Public hearing and consideration of ordinances;
13. Old business;
14. New business;
15. Adjournment.
C. Unless altered by the council, the order of business for a special meeting and a workshop shall include at least the following:
1. Call to order;
2. Roll call;
3. Introduction of guests;
4. Approval of agenda;
5. Adjournment. (Ord. 98-11 §2; Ord. 96-02 §3: Ord. 94-11 §4: Ord. 90-19 §3, 1990: Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 83-8 §3(13); prior code §2.08.090)
2.12.085 Motions – Reconsideration.
A. When a vote has been passed, any member who voted on the prevailing side may move a reconsideration thereof at the same meeting immediately after the vote, or at the next succeeding meeting, whenever motions are in order; provided, that the subject matter has not passed out of the control of the council. A motion to reconsider requires a majority. If such motion thus prevails, the subject shall be open to debate and amendment in the same manner as the original question.
B. The “prevailing side” is the side that voted “yes” when the motion passed or voted “no” when the motion failed. (Ord. 88-16 §3, 1989)
2.12.090 Ordinance adoption.
A. The following procedures govern enactment of all ordinances except emergency ordinances:
1. An ordinance may be introduced by a council member or the mayor.
2. After introducing the ordinance, it is set for hearing by a majority vote of the council.
3. A summary of the ordinance is published along with a notice of the date and time of hearing at least five days prior to the hearing.
4. Copies of the ordinance shall be available to all people present at the hearing or it shall be read aloud.
5. All interested people shall be heard at the hearing.
6. Following the hearing the council may adopt the ordinance with or without amendments.
7. Copies of the adopted ordinance shall be made available to the public.
B. Ordinances take effect upon their adoption by the city council unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 84-6 §3(part): prior code §2.08.100)
2.12.100 Emergency ordinances. Revised 7/18
A. To meet a public emergency the council may adopt emergency ordinances that become effective upon the same date as their introduction. Every emergency ordinance must contain a finding by the council that an emergency exists and a statement of the facts upon which that finding is based. The affirmative vote of all members present or the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the total membership, whichever is less, is required for adoption. Copies of the ordinance must be printed and made available to the public.
B. Emergency ordinances are effective for a period of sixty days.
C. Notwithstanding Sections 2.08.054 and 2.12.090(A)(3), reasonable public notice of the council's consideration of an emergency ordinance is whatever notice is practicable under the circumstances. (Ord. 15-2017 §7: Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 84-6 §3(part): prior code §2.08.105)
2.12.110 Resolutions. Revised 7/18
A. Every resolution shall be introduced in writing and shall be orally read before any vote for passage thereof is taken.
B. On any vote for passage of a resolution, all persons interested who appear shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard. After such hearing, the council may pass such resolution with or without amendments. First reading of any resolution shall be final and no further passage shall be required. Every resolution, unless it specifies a later date, shall become effective upon final passage.
C. Oral reading of a resolution may be waived by unanimous consent of the council if copies of the resolutions are available for all members of the public present. (Ord. 15-2017 §8: Ord. 88-7 §3(part): Ord. 84-7 §3; prior code §2.08.110)
2.12.120 Voting.
The council shall keep minutes of all its proceedings. The vote upon all matters considered by the council shall be taken by “yes” or “no” votes which shall be entered upon the record; except, that where the vote is unanimous, it shall be necessary only so to state. (Ord. 88-7 §3(part): prior code §2.08.130)
2.12.130 Rules of order.
In all matters of parliamentary procedure not covered by these rules, Robert’s Rules of Order as revised, or such other rules as the council may designate, shall be applicable and govern. (Ord. 88-7 §3 (part): prior code §2.08.140)