2012/07/25 Council Agenda Packet

Resolution No. A RESOLUTION establishing City Council Rules of Procedure for the conduct of Council and amending Resolution No. 6281 WHEREAS, Section 3.3 of the City Charter provides that "the council shall determine its own rules and order of business, and may establish its own rules and order of business, and may establish rules for the conduct of council meetings and the maintenance of order"; and WHEREAS, by the adoption of this Resolution, the City Council intends to establish some basic rules for the conduct of Council, its meetings and maintenance of order; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES HEREBY RESOLVE NEW SECTION: MISSION: As a matter of open government and transparency, The Everett City Council strives to engage the public in a civil and democratic process. As the policy-setting and oversight body for the City, the design of the City's democracy as outlined in the Charter is that the legislative branch sets the policy and the administrative branch carries it out. SECTION 1: PURPOSE It is the purpose of the City Council of the City of Everett in adopting these rules to provide a method for the conduct of its affairs and to complement the provisions of the City Charter and Council's standing rules. It is not intended that these rules confer upon any person any right to a particular procedure or affect the validity or legality of any Council action. The Council may implicitly or by a majority vote, determine to temporarily waive any of the provisions herein. Any action taken in disregard or non-conformity with these rules shall be construed as an implicit waiver thereof. NEW SECTION: TELEPHONIC PARTICIPATION IN COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS 'Council members may attend Committee meetings or Study Sessions by telephone. Only one Council member per meeting may attend telephonically. Council members may telephonically attend each type of meeting (each committee served upon, plus any study session) once per calendar quarter; provided, that this limitation shall not apply when a Council member is absent for medical reasons. Notice of telephonic attendance must be provided to the office of the City Council not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled start time for the meeting. Council President may waive the 48 hour s due to unforeseen circumstances. The City Council office or designee shall immediately advise the presiding officer of the proposed telephonic participation. If more than one Council member wishes to attend a meeting