Article 1 — MEETINGS

The Council of the city shall hold its regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each and every month and shall hold study sessions, if needed, at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each and every month; provided, however, should any of such days fall upon a legal holiday, the Council shall meet at the same hour on the next day thereafter which is not a legal holiday. Nothing in this section shall prevent a closed session from being calendared earlier than the beginning time of 7:00 p.m. Also, nothing herein shall prevent the Council from conducting study sessions, special meetings, or other sessions at a time or on a day different than identified in this section, provided that such study, special or other meeting complies with the requirements of state law.

('66 Code, § 2-1.101) (Ord. 273-C-S, passed 1-9-50; Am. Ord. 184-C-S, passed 9-27-72; Am. Ord. 271-C-S, passed 2-27-1975; Am. Ord. 826-C-S, passed 1-9-92)

All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public promptly at the time set forth in §2-1.101 of this article for the holding of regular meetings. The members of the Council, the City Clerk, the City Attorney, the City Engineer, and the City Manager shall take their regular stations in the Council Chamber. Members of the Council in actual attendance shall be recorded present, regardless of their answer or failure to answer the roll call.

('66 Code, § 2-1.102) (Ord. 273-A, passed 1-9-50)

Business shall be taken up for consideration and disposition by the Council in the manner established by resolution.

('66 Code, § 2-1.103) (Ord. 273-A, passed 1-9-50; Am. Ord. 184-C-S, passed 9-27-72)

(A) Quorum. A quorum shall be three or more Council members, except as provided otherwise by state law, but fewer may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance.

(B) Conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest exists, the Council member shall declare this fact before the item is taken under consideration, and the member shall step down from the dais and either assume a seat in the audience or leave the chamber. Such members shall not attempt to influence the decision of the remainder of the Council.

(C) Tie votes. The vote of a majority of the total membership of the Council shall be necessary to adopt any ordinance, resolution, or motion. Any question on which the vote is tied shall result in the matter being tabled. The Mayor or any member of the Council may request that another vote be taken or that the item be continued to a future meeting.

('66 Code, § 2-1.104) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

(A) When a question is before the Council, no motion shall be entertained except:

(1) To adjourn;

(2) To fix the hour of adjournment;

(3) To table;

(4) For the previous question;

(5) To postpone to a certain day;

(6) To refer;

(7) To amend;

(8) To substitute; or

(9) To postpone indefinitely.

(B) Such motions shall have precedence in the descending order indicated. Any such motion, except a motion to adjourn, amend, or substitute, shall be put to a vote without debate.

('66 Code, § 2-1.105) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

A motion to adjourn shall be in order at any time, except as follows:

(A) When made as an interruption of a member speaking; or

(B) When the previous question has been ordered.

('66 Code, § 2-1.106) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

If a motion to amend gets a second, the Council shall first vote on the motion to amend and then upon the main motion as amended.

('66 Code, § 2-1.107) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

In the absence of an ordinance or state law to govern a point of procedure, “Robert's Rules of Order, Revised” shall be used to decide a point of procedure.

('66 Code, § 2-1.108) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

The rules and procedures set forth in this article shall be applicable to all city boards and commissions, except that the quorum for each such body shall be a majority of the membership of such body.

('66 Code, § 2-1.109) (Ord. 507-C-S, passed 1-7-82)

Cross-reference:

Boards and Commissions policies and procedures, see §§ 2-5.301 et seq.