2023/01/25 Council Agenda Packet

REMARKS AND DEBATES -TACOMA RULE 3 -REMARKS AND DEBATES A. Speaking to Motion. No member of the Council shall speak more than twice on the same motion except by consent of the majority of the Council Members present at the time the motion is before the Council. After the motion is put and before the next item is read, a member shall be able to speak briefly to the previous motion. 6 City Council Rules of Procedure B. Interruption. No member of the Council shall interrupt or argue with any other member while such member has the floor. C. Courtesy. Members of the Council, in the discussion, comments, or debate of any matter or issue, shall be courteous in their language and deportment and shall not engage in contemptuous or disorderly behavior, or discuss or comment on personalities, or indulge in derogatory remarks or insinuations in respect to any other member of the Council, or any member of the staff or the public, but shall at all times confine their remarks to those facts which are germane and relevant, as determined by the presiding officer, to the question or matter under discussion. D. Transgression. The Council has power under state law to impose punishment on its members, short of removal of office, for violation of state law or Council rules. If a member of the Council shall transgress these rules, the presiding officer shall call such member to order, in which case such member shall be silent except to explain or continue in order. If the presiding officer shall transgress these rules or fail to call such member to order, any other member of the Council may, under a point of order, call the presiding officer or such other member to order, in which case the presiding officer or such member, as the case may be, shall be silent except to explain or continue in order. Additional consequences may include a verbal admonition, written reprimand, censure, expulsion from the meeting at which the conduct is occurring, removal of the Council Member from the Council committee chair positions or committee memberships, or removal of intergovernmental duties. Expulsion for such behavior in the Council’s presence shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Council, specifying in the order of expulsion the cause thereof. E. Challenge to Ruling. Any member of the Council shall have the right to challenge any action or ruling of the presiding officer, or member, as the case may be, in which case the decision of the majority of the members of the Council present, including the presiding officer, shall govern. F. City Manager. The City Manager shall have the right to enter into a discussion of any matter coming before the City Council. 1/25/2023 20