05/30/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CHAPTER 7 A motion to postpone indefinitely There is an important difference between the motion to postpone indefmitely and the motion to postpone temporarily. The motion to postpone temporarily is more commonly called a motion to "lay on the table" or "to table." The motion to postpone, postpones consideration of the motion until some undetermined future time. The council may consider a tabled motion whenever a majority of the members decide to do so. A motion to postpone indefinitely, however, is the equivalent to a negative vote on the main motion. Thus, the issue can be raised again only by a motion made by someone on the prevailing side of the vote on the motion because, unless someone changes his or her mind, the motion to postpone will once again prevail. A motion to permanently suppress any future consideration of an issue is not binding on a future council. A motion to limit debate A council may limit debate by: placing a time limit on debate, such as a limit of 15 minutes to consider a particular motion; limiting the number of people who may speak for and against a certain motion, such as a limit of three speakers in favor and three speakers opposed. The motion to amend Councilmembers may offer amendments to a main motion at any time. In addition, it is possible to amend an amendment currently under consideration. Beyond this, councilmembers can offer no further amendments. When a member has made a motion to amend, the vote on the amendment must precede the vote on the original motion. After the council has accepted or rejected the amendment, another vote on the original motion is necessary. The motion to substitute This is a motion to replace one motion with another on the same subject. A councilmember may move to substitute a main motion or an amendment to a main motion. One form for making a substitute motion is to say, "I wish to introduce the following substitute motion ... present the substitute motion ..." When a substitute motion is before the council, the council _must decide which of the two.motions,.the original.motion or the substitute motion, it wishes to consider. The council must vote on this question. A "yes" vote favors considering the substitute motion. A "no" vote favors considering the original motion. The council must then discuss and vote upon the selected motion. 159