The following rules shall govern the conduct of meetings of
the city council:
Rule 1.
The mayor, or in his absence, the mayor pro tem, shall preside at
all meetings of the council. In the absence or disability of both,
the council shall designate a member as temporary presiding officer.
Rule 2.
All meetings shall be either regular or special.
Rule 4.
The presiding officer shall preserve order, decide all questions
of order, and perform such other duties as are usually discharged
by the presiding officer of deliberative bodies.
Rule 5.
Every member, prior to his speaking, shall address himself to the
presiding officer, but shall not proceed with his remarks until recognized
by the presiding officer.
Rule 6.
When two (2) or more members speak at once, the presiding officer
shall name the member who is entitled to the floor.
Rule 7.
Every member, when speaking, shall confine his remarks to the questions
under discussion, and shall avoid personal remarks.
Rule 8.
No member shall be interrupted while speaking, except by a call to
order by the presiding officer.
Rule 9.
No member shall speak more than twice on one (1) item without leave
of the presiding officer, nor more than once in any one (1) case until
every member choosing to speak shall have spoken.
Rule 10.
A member called to order by the presiding officer shall immediately
resume his seat unless permitted to explain. If there is no appeal,
the decision of the chair shall be conclusive, but if the member appeals
from the decision of the chair, the council shall decide the case.
Rule 11.
Each member present shall vote unless formally excused by the
council.
Rule 12.
When considering an item, the item will first be read aloud;
a public hearing will be conducted if required; the presiding officer
will call upon staff for an explanation and/or clarification of the
item; the presiding officer will open the item for discussion; the
presiding officer will call for a motion and second; engage in additional
discussion on the item if necessary; and the presiding officer will
call for a vote by the council.
Rule 13.
Unless otherwise set forth herein, ordinances may be adopted
on the first reading. Notwithstanding the above, the following ordinances
shall require two (2) readings at two (2) city council meetings before
adoption:
(1)
An ordinance adopting or amending the city’s operating budget.
(2)
An ordinance authorizing the expenditure of an amount greater than
fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) unless that expenditure has previously
been approved as part of the city’s annual operating budget.
(3)
An ordinance annexing or disannexing property into or out of the
city.
(4)
An ordinance authorizing the sale of certificates of obligation.
(5)
An ordinance increasing the real ad valorem tax rate.
(6)
An ordinance adopting new or modified fees and/or fines.
(7)
When two (2) readings are required by state or other law.
Rule 14.
When a motion and second is made, the names of the council members
moving shall be entered into the minutes. The action taken on an item
shall be entered into the minutes, including the number of ayes, the
number of nays, and the names of the council members voting in favor
and in opposition to an item.
Rule 16.
When an item has been decided by the council, any member who
voted with the majority on the item may move for a reconsideration
of the same.
Rule 17.
An item may be reconsidered at any time during the same meeting,
or during the first meeting held thereafter.
Rule 18.
No item shall be reconsidered more than once, nor shall a vote
to reconsider be reconsidered.
Rule 19.
These rules may be temporarily suspended by the unanimous consent
of all the members present, or by a four-fifths (4/5) vote of all
the members of the council.
Rule 20.
The presiding officer or any council member may consult with
the city attorney on any procedural questions not covered by these
rules.
(Ordinance 2012-002, sec. 2, adopted 1/23/12; Ordinance 2016-003, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/16; 1988
Code, sec. 2-1; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)