05/30/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CHAPTER 7 When the council is going to discuss a major public issue, the bylaws or the council, by resolution, may allot a limited, specific amount of time for each side to express its views. The council may also follow this procedure for all items on the agenda. Parliamentary procedure Parliamentary procedure is a system of rules that make it easier to transact business. They are designed to preserve order, expedite business, and protect the rights of those involved in making the decision. The mayor, as presiding officer, is responsible for guarding against abuse of the procedures. But, the effective use of parliamentary procedures is the joint responsibility of the mayor and of all councilmembers. Parliamentary rules can be very simple or very complex. The complexity of rules should vary in direct ratio to the size of the group; i.e., as the number of people in the group increases, the complexity of the rules should increase. Accordingly, the rules for city councils should be simple. Any attempt to introduce a high degree of formality into the proceedings of a city council will probably reduce its ability to operate effectively. The rules of parliamentary procedure apply to council proceedings only if the council formally adopts such rules in its bylaws. Roberts Rules of Order were designed for meetings of large bodies. Rather than adopt these rules as a formal procedure to always be followed, a council can agree to informally follow these rules while conducting meetings. An informal application of these rules, together with the common sense of the councilmembers, may be the only guidelines many councils need in order to conduct their business in an orderly manner. If a very controversial discussion is about to occur, the mayor or some other councilmember could move to adopt more formal rules for that particular discussion. The following discussion introduces a few rules of parliamentary procedure that can simplify the work of the council. These rules are contained in Roberts Rules of Order. The council can adopt them by inserting the following clause in the bylaws: "In all points not covered by these rules, the council shall be governed in its procedure by Roberts Rules of Order (or some other similar code of parliamentary procedure)." Motions The council transacts business through motions made by councilmembers. These motions are seconded, at times, and subsequently passed or rejected by council vote. Each motion has different rules. For example, councils can 155