05/30/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES The presiding officer does not have complete freedom in exercising this authority. Any member of the council may appeal the decision of the chair. To do this, a councilmember must say: "I appeal the decision of the chair," immediately after the chair announces the decision. (Recognition from the presiding officer is not necessary when making an appeal.) The appeal must be seconded, is debatable, and cannot be amended. After the debate. the assembly votes on the chair's decision. A majority of "yes" votes upholds the decision of the presiding officer, and a majority of "no" votes overrules the decision. A tie vote sustains the ruling. The presiding officer may vote to uphold his or her own ruling. If no one appeals a ruling as soon as the presiding officer makes it., it becomes the rule of the council. The presiding officer's second power is to recognize speakers. The presiding officer may not, however, refuse to receive a motion after recognizing the maker, nor refuse to call for a vote on any motion that has been properly made and seconded. The power to recognize speakers still gives the presiding officer considerable influence over the course of the discussion and, consequently, over the eventual decision on any matter. When the council invites comments from the audience, the presiding officer continues to recognize speakers. In statutory cities, presiding officers play a dual role. They preside, make and second motions, and vote on all questions before the council. The presiding officer usually steps down from the position as chair in order to make a motion. To do this, the presiding officer turns over the duties of presiding officer to another member of the council. The mayor or other presiding officer may then make a motion, and should not assume the duties as presiding officer until the council has taken a final vote or postponed the motion until another time. Special motions Several motions deserve special consideration. They include the following: The motion to reconsider This motion enables a council to set aside a vote it previously took, and to consider the matter again as though it had not voted on the issue. If the council uses Roberts Rules, only a person who originally voted on the prevailing side may move to reconsider. Otherwise, any member may make • -the motion by saying, "I move to reconsider ... stating the motion to be reconsidered ..." The council may debate this motion. If the council passes the motion to reconsider, it must then reconsider the original motion and take another vote. If the council defeats a motion to reconsider, no further action is necessary. 158