2012/07/18 Council Agenda Packet

1 Besides serving other purposes, G (Council Briefing Agenda)and H (Proposed Action Agenda)are intended to serve as the time for the Council to be acting in the capacity of a committee as a whole. The use of telephonic participation would not apply to this committee until such accommodations have been made to comply with Section • - - -•- - . ' andlar-1 Except for emergency ordinances,Council shouldshall not undertake any action on any Comment P2]:Helpful to maintain this language matter not on the published agenda. to avoid possible conflicts with other City ordinances NEW SECTION: REMARKS AND DEBATES. Comment[)3]:"shoo"seems overly restrictive A. Speaking to a Motion. 1No 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 Council. 'After the motion is put and before the next item is read, a /' Comment[]4]:Seems it could be problematic member shall be able to speak briefly to the previous motion. for Council discussions B. Questioning. Any member of the Council shall have the right to question any individual, including members of the staff, on matters germane to the issue properly before the Council. C. Interruption. No member of the Council shall interrupt or arguc with{anyanother member / comment[3s]:"argue"is vague and could be while such member has the floor. interpreted as limiting someone' D. Courtesy. INlembers 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,toany 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 andrelevant,as determined"by the presiding officer,to the question or the discussion. Comment p6]:It would be difficult for the PresiE. Transgression. The Council has power under state law to impose punishment on its andr levantng icMayber to ethelanguagee what"s"germane and relevant'Maybe the language""as determined members,(short of removal of offlGe!,for violation of state law or Council rules. If a member by the presiding officer"should be struck of the Council shall transgress these rules, the presiding officer shall call such member to ~ Comment[.37]:State ethics provisions provide for removal from office.As proposed,this would order, in which case such member shall be silent except to explain or continue in order. If limit Council's authority under State law. the presiding officer shall transgress these rules or fail to call such member to order, any other member of Council may, under 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. F. Challenge to Ruling. Any member of the Council shall have the right to challenge any action or ruling of the presiding officer. The decision of the majority of the members of the Council present,including the presiding officer, shall govern. G. Mayor. The Mayor shall have the right to enter into a discussion of any matter before the City Council. 3 11