HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3242-08-2005•
A Resolution
NO 3242-08-2005
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDED RULES OF PROCEDURES OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
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WHEREAS, Chapter III, Section 5 of the City Charter provides that the City Council shall determine rules
of procedure for its meetings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted its current rules ofprocedure on January 8, 1960, and have amended
the rules from tune to tune; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desues to further amend the rules as set forth herein in order to conform the
rules to current Crty procedures and amend the current rules concerning citizen presentations,
reconsideration of prior City Council actions, and provide for the establishment of standing City Council
committees, and
WHEREAS, the City Council by separate ordinance intends to repeal Section 10-2(a) of the City Code,
thereby abolnshing the Municipal Courts Advisory Commnttee as a standing committee of the City Council,
and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the rules in the attached Exhibit A were introduced at the City
Council s meeting of August 9 2005
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
1 That the Rules of Procedure, City Council of the City of Fort Worth, (adopted 1 /8/60, as amended) are
hereby amended as follows:
(a) Section 3.5 is amended to provide that the City Council Comnnittee meeting will be held at such
tunes as may be called by the City Manager
(b) Section 5.2.1 is amended to provide that all Council Proposals will be introduced by the
sponsoring Council member at Council meetings and that no Council Proposal, except for
Reconsideration Council Proposals, shall be acted upon in the Council meeting in which it was
introduced,
(c) Section 5 4 4 ns amended to provide for the time for hearing citizen s presentations on the City
Council agenda and the appropriate response thereto
(d) Sections 6.10 is amended to prescribe the procedure for reconsideration ofCity Council actions;
Resolution Number 3242-08-2005
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(e) Section 71 ~s amended to establish certain standing City Council committees and prescribe the
method of appointment and procedures for committee meetings;
(f) Section 7 1 1 ~ added to establish Ad Hoc Council Comrmttees.
All amendments are as shown on the attached copy of the rules marked Exhibit A, and hereby
incorporated mto this Resolution.
2. That the City Attorney and City Secretary are duetted to prepare a new printung of the Rules of
Procedure, as amended, and distribute same to the members of the City Council and to the City
Manager
ADOPTED THIS 16th DAY OF AUGUST 2005
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGALITY
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
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AUG 1 6 2005
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City Secretary of the
City of Fort Worth, 4'exas
Exhibit A
Originally Adopted
January 8,1960
Second Printing, February 1964
Third Printing, March 1968
Fourth Printing July 1976
Fifth Printing January 1978
Sixth Printing, March 1980
Seventh Printing December 1980
Eighth Printing, June 1997
Ninth Printing, May.1991
Tenth Printing, January 2001
Eleventh Printing. August 2005
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES OF PROCEDURE.....
1. AUTHORITY.....................................................................................
1.1 Charter.......................................................................................
2. GENERAL . RULES..............................................................................
2.1 Meetings to be Public..................................................................
2.2 Quorum.......................................................................................
2.3 Compelling Attendance...............................................................
2.4 Misconduct.................................................................................
2.5 Minutes of Meetings ..........................................
2.6 Questions to Contain One Subject ......................
2.7 Right of Floor ....................................................
2.8 City Manager ......................................................
2.9 City Attorney......................................................
2.10 City Secretary .....................................................
2.11 Officers and Employees ......................................
2.12 Rules ofOrder....................................................
2.13 Suspension of Rules ...........................................
2.14 Amendment to Rules ..........................................
...................... I
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....1
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3. TYPES OF MEETINGS..........................................................................................................................2
3.1
Regular Meetings...........................................................................................................................2
3.2
3.3
Special Meetings............................................................................................................................2
Recessed Meetings.........................................................................................................................2
3.4
Pre -Council Meetings.....................................................................................................................2
3.5
Council Committee Meetings.........................................................................................................2
4. CHAIRMAN AND DUTIES...................................................................................................................3
4.1 Chairman........................................................................................................................................3
4.2
Call to Order..................................................................................................................................3
4.3
Preservation of Order......................................................................................................................3
4.4
Points of Order..............................................................................................................................3
4.5
Questions to be Stated...................................................................................................................3
4.6
Substitution for Chairman..............................................................................................................3
5. ORDER OF BUSINESS..........................................................................................................................3
5.1 Agenda..........................................................................................................................................3
5.2 Presentations by Members of Council.............................................................................................3
5.2.1
Council Proposals..........................................................................................................................4
®
5.2.2
5.3
5.4
5.4.1
5.4.2
5.4.3
5.4.4
5.5
Council Requests for Staff Reports...............................................................................................4
Agenda Deadline............................................................................................r...�....p....p.�...p...�.............4
Presentations by Citizens............................................................................... �"1Pi ��tAd¢ A iiltn
Individual Presentations................................................................................... . s y 42
Group Presentations......................................................................................... �� IEEE T11.14
Application of Time Limits...............................................................................rrpp
Gt:OVO"5Ld7'
Hours of Presentations.........................................................................................................l...... 'I,
Communications to Mayor and Council........................................................................... ....5
5.6
5.7
Oral Presentations by City Manager................................................................................................5
Competitive Bids; Drawing to be Held in Presence of City Council.............................................5,6
6. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS ......
6.1 Printed or Typewritten Form........................................................................
6.2 City Attorney to Approve............................................................................
6.3 Action on Ordinances.................................................................................
6.4 Distribution of Ordinances..........................................................................
6.5 Recording of Votes......................................................................................
6.6 Majority Vote Required.........................:.....................................................
6.7 Tie Vote......................................................................................................
6.8 Voting Required..........................................................................................
6.9 Order of Precedence of Motions..................................................................
6.10 Reconsideration...........................................................................................
6.11 The Previous Question.................................................................................,
6.12 Withdrawal of Motions.................................................................................
e13 Amendments to Motions...............................................................................
6.14 Appropriations of Money..............................................................................
6.15 Transfer of Appropriations...........................................................................
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS........
7.1 Standine Council Committees Couneil Gommittees ..........................
.7.2 Ad Hoc Council Committees Standing Gouneil Gemmitteas .............
7.3 Citizen Boards, Commissions, and Committees ................................
7.4 Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees.....
F
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......................... 6
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8. VOTES REQUIRED...............................................................................................................................9
8.1 Charter and State Statutory Requirements.......................................................................................9
8.1.1 Changing Paving Assessment - 6 Votes..........................................................................................9
8.1.2 Use of Streets - 6 Votes..................................................................................................................9
8.1.3 Changing of Zoning Ordinance - 7 Votes........................................................................................9
8.2 Council Rules Requirement............................................................................................................9
8.2.1 Suspending Rules - 6 Votes............................................................................................................9
8.2.2 Special Meetings - 4 Votes...........................................................................................................10
8.2.3 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate - 6 Votes
..................................................................................10
8.2.4 The Previous Question - 6 Votes...................................................................................................10
HISTORY OF ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS....................................................................................
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RULES OF PROCEDURE
0 1. AUTHORITY
1.1 Charter: Chapter 3, Section 5 of the Charter of the City of Fort Worth provides
that the Council shall determine its own rules of procedure for meetings. The
following set of rules shall be in effect upon their adoption by the Council and
until such time as they are amended or new rules adopted in the manner
provided for by these rules.
2. GENERAL RULES
2.1 Meetines to be Public: All official meetings of the Council and all sessions of a
Committee of the Council shall be public. (Charter - Ch 3, Sec. 5)
2.2 Quorum: Six members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. (Charter - Ch.
3, Sec. 5)
2.3 Comnelline Attendance: The Council may compel the attendance of absent
members. (Charter - Ch. 3, Sec. 5)
2.4 Misconduct: The Council may punish its own members for misconduct. (Charter
- Ch. 3, Sec. 5)
2.5 Minutes of Meetines: An account of all proceedings of the Council shall be kept
by the City Secretary and shall be entered in a book constituting the official
record of the Council.
2.6 Ouestions to Contain One Subiect: All questions submitted for a vote shall
contain only one subject. If two or more points are involved, any member may
require a division, if the question reasonably admits of a division. (Charter - Ch.
25, Sec. 7)
2.7 Rieht of Floor: Any member desiring to speak shall be recognized by the
Chairman, and shall confine his or her remarks to the subject under
consideration or to be considered. No member shall be allowed to speak more
than once on any one subject until every member wishing to speak shall have
spoken.
2.8 City Manaaer: The City Manager, or Acting City Manager, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused. He may make recommendations to the
Council and shall have the right to take part in all discussions of the Council, but
shall have no vote. (Charter - Ch. 5, Sec. 2(5))
2.9 City Attornev: The City Attorney, or Acting City Attorney, shall t 1 '
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meetings of the Council unless excused, and shall upon request give o� ti�sak'�
either written or oral, on questions of law. The City Attorney shall 8i�°��f
Council's parliamentarian. (Charter - Ch 6, Sec. 4) ° °
2.10 Citv Secretarv: The City Secretary, or Acting City Secretary, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused, and, shall keep the official minutes and
perform such other duties as may be requested of him/her by the Council.
2.11 Officers and Emnlovees: Any officer or employee of the City, when requested
by the City Manager, shall attend any meeting of the Council. If requested to do
so by the City Manager, they may present information relating to matters before
the City Council.
2.12 Rules of Order: Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern the proceedings of
the Council in all cases, unless they are in conflict with these rules.
2.13 Susoension of Rules: Any provision of these rules not governed by the City
Charter or Code may be temporarily suspended by a two-thirds vote of all
members of the Council. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by ayes
and noes and entered upon the record.
2.14 Amendment to Rules: These rules may be amended, or new rules adopted, by a
majority vote of all members of the Council, provided that the proposed
amendments or new rules shall have been introduced into the record at a prior
Council meeting.
3. TYPES OF MEETINGS
3.1 Regular Meetings: The Council shall meet in the Council Chambers at the City
Hall on Tuesday of each week at 10:00 A.M, except that the first and second
Tuesday meetings of each month shall be scheduled for 7:00 P.M., unless
otherwise officially changed by the City Council.
3.2 Snecial Meetings: The Mayor or any three Council members may call a special
meeting. Such call shall be in writing and shall state the object of the meeting,
and no business shall be transacted other than that specified in the call, in
accordance with state law. (Charter - Ch. 3, Sec.5)
3.3 Recessed Meetings: Any meeting of the Council may be recessed to a later time,
provided that no recess shall be for a longer period than until the next regular
meeting. If a meeting is recessed to a date other than the following calendar day,
notice of the meeting shall be posted in accordance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act.
3.4 Pre -Council Meetings: The Council shall meet in the Pre -Council Chambers at
the City Hall at 8:30 A.M. before a daytime Council meeting, at 2:30 P.M.
before a Council meeting on the first Tuesday of each month, and at 3:30 P.M.
before a Council meeting on the second Tuesday of each month,-end�ese
otherwise efficially changed by the City Councilor City Manager. Gli'�II��b'd6 G C; D
® 3.5 Council Committee Meetings: City Council Committee meetings will be ie�,
such times as may be called by the ky Manager. ,
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4. CHAIRMAN AND DUTIES
4.1 Chairman: The Mayor, if present, shall preside as Chairman at all meetings of
the Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro tern shall preside. In the
absence of both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro tern, the Council shall elect a
chairman. (Charter - Ch. 3, See. 6)
4.2 Call to Order: The meetings of the Council shall be called to order by the Mayor,
or in his absence, by the Mayor Pro tern. In the absence of both the Mayor and
the Mayor Pro tem, the meeting shall be called to order by the City Secretary.
4.3 Preservation of Order: The Chairman shall preserve order and decorum, prevent
personal attacks and the impugning of members' motives, and confine members
in debate to the question under discussion. Demonstrations, the carrying of signs
or placards, or other activities which disturb the peace and good order of the
meeting shall not be permitted in the council chambers.
4.4 Points of Order. The Chairman shall determine all points of order, subject to the
right of any member to appeal to the Council. If any appeal is taken, the question
shall be, "Shall the decision of the Chairman be sustained?"
4.5 Ouestions to be Stated: The Chairman shall state all questions submitted for a
vote and announce the result. A roll call vote shall be taken upon the request of
any member.
4.6 Substitution for Chapman: The Chairman may call any other member to take his
place in the chair, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
S. ORDER OF BUSINESS
5.1 Agenda: The order of business of each meeting shall be as contained in the
Agenda prepared by the City Manager. The Agenda shall be a listing by topic of
subjects to be considered by the Council, and delivered to members of the
Council each Thursday preceding the Tuesday meeting to which it pertains.
5.2 Presentations by Members of Council: The Agenda shall provide a time when the
Mayor or any Council Member may bring before the Council any business that
he/she believes should be deliberated upon by the Council. These matters need
not be specifically listed on the Agenda, but formal action on such matters shall
be deferred until a subsequent Council meeting. Immediate action may be taken
upon a vote of two-thirds of all members of the Council, provided that the
requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act have been met.
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5.2.1 Council Proposals: The "Council Proposal" (C.P) form shall be the primary
communication vehicle for those proposals and policy matters initiated by
40 Council members and submitted to a vote of the City Council. The form should be
used for all Council -initiated agenda items with the exception of routine matters
such as changes in membership of boards and commissions, approval of
ceremonial travel, and general announcements. In order to be listed on the City
Council agenda, the Council Proposal form must be signed by two (2) Council
members. The sponsoring Council members shall be responsible for initiating the
C.P. and for providing direction to staff on their intent and wording. The City
Manager's Office and City Attorney's Office are responsible for drafting the text
of the C.P. C.P.s are subject to prior review and comment by the City Manager's
Office, the City Attorney's Office, and Fiscal Services Department, and their
respective comments shall be noted in the C.P,_ L 1Don4ro_vidine written comments
the C.P. before it is o]acednn_the _agenda . The City Manager shall place C.P.s on
the Pre -Council agenda £af-�iseuasien and in the "Presentations by the City
Council" portion of the City Council's meeting agenda for discussion. The
sponsoring Council member shall introduce the C.P,_at the Pre -Council and the
City Council meetings. No C.P. all be acted unon at the Citv Council meeting
in Section 6.10.
5.2.2. Council Requests for Staff Reports: City Council members may request staff
reports and other staff work through the City Manager or City Attorney. If the
request involves a significant use of staff resources (generally defined as
approximately four hours or more of staff time), the City Manager or City
Attorney shall have the discretion to ask the Councilmember to bring the request
forward during the "City Council Requests for Future Agenda Items and/or
Reports" portion of the City Council's Pre -Council meeting agenda and the
request must receive a consensus from the City Council.
5.3 Agenda Deadline: Any person or group desiring to present a subject for the
Council's consideration or to make a `Special Presentation' to the Council shall
advise the City Secretary's Office of that fact not later than 5:00 P.M. on the
Wednesday preceding the meeting at which he wishes the subject to be
considered. The City Secretary shall have discretion to edit the title of any
presentation to be listed on the Council agenda.
5.4 Presentations by Citizens:
5.4.1 Presentations by citizens, with or without prior notification, shall be limited to
three minutes, allowing discretion of the chair to reasonably extend those limits.
5.4.2 Presentation by a representative of an organized group consisting of z rNW Gr( Qip
of ten persons, which is present in the Council Chamber and has se
• spokesperson, shall be limited to ten minutes. At the discretion of the c1
limit may be extended.
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5.4.3 The foregoing rules and time limitations shall apply to presentations of citizens
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appearing at any public hearing being held by the Council pursuant to official
notice thereof.
5.4.4 if a a....tiine Couneil meeting . still in progress at 11:00 n a r the City
Council following asmFY13rcn a` aelien en the agenda itein then under
eensideratiefi� but p .. to a ..ide..ing the new regular agenda ite... ill hear
6itiZen ffeSent-RtiAuffiq listed on the agendaz if a night Ceuneil meeting is still in
progress ..t v.nn P.M., the City Couneile c Howie. , mpletier. of aotien on the
agenda item then ander eemidendiei% but prior to eamideFing the n&x4 fegular-
endaitem�ill beer eitizen p e.,t..tiAns lWad on the agenda. Ci iz n
presentations scheduled in accordance with Section 5.3 of these rules shall be
listed -and -heard under the "Citizen's Presentations" nortion of the agmda. along
by the City Secretary and whose nresentations do not relate to a snecific agenda
item. The chair shall have t eeAfiss-crdimi_to.sall-fQr-al1_or a_nortion ofthe _citizen
Presentations to be made at an earlier nr later nart of the agenda. Responses to
citizen's presentation by the City Council and staff shall be in accordance with
Texas Onen Meetings Act reauvements. If a citizen or City Council member
raises a subject that has not been included in the Public notice for themeetine A
response may consist only of a statement of snecific factual information or a
recitation of existing_volicv-. Any fin-ther discussion -of the spbiect shall be
limited to a proposal to place the subiect on the agenda for a future meeting for
deliberation or decision.
5.5 Communications to Mayor and Council: The City Manager shall provide the
Council with an analysis of items to be acted upon by the Council at its meetings
in the form of a "Mayor and Council Communication." These communications
shall be delivered to Council Members each Thursday preceding the Tuesday
meetings at which they will be discussed, unless an emergency condition makes
it necessary to deliver the communications on a subsequent day.
5.6 Oral Presentations by City Manager: Matters requiring the Council's attention or
action which may have developed since the deadline for delivery of the written
communication to the Council may, upon approval of the Council, be presented
orally by the City Manager. If formal Council action on a subject is required,
such action shall be delayed until the next succeeding meeting, except the
immediate action may be taken if approved by a two-thirds majority of all
members of the Council and providing that the requirements of the Texas Open
Meetings Act have been met.
5.7 Competitive Bids: Drawing to be Held in Presence of City Council: When it is
determined, after competitive bids have been received for the provision of goods
or services to the City of Fort Worth, that identical low bids have been received
from more than one bidder, and only one of the bidders submitting identico bids
is a resident of the City of Fort Worth, the City shall select that biLef
accordance with Section 271.901 of the Texas Local Government�Otherwise, in the case of identical bids, a drawing shall be held to deC 3'rwhich bid will he accepted. Such bidders shall be notified in writing of t( ,���pppof the drawing, which shall be held during the City Council meeting wV Q EX
award of the subject contract is being considered. Notification of bidders shall
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be the responsibility of the
except for construction
Transportation/Public Works
respective contracts.
Purchasing Division of the Finance Department,
contracts for the Water Department and
Department, who will notify bidders for their
At the time of the drawing, the City Secretary shall provide a receptacle
containing slips of paper equal in number to the number of low bidders. One of
the slips shall be marked with an "X". A representative of each low bidder shall
draw from the receptacle a slip of paper. The bid of the bidder who draws the
slip of paper marked with an "X" shall be accepted.
This section does not prohibit the City Council from rejecting all bids.
6. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS. AND MOTIONS
6.1 Printed on Tvoewritten Form: All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented
to the Council only in printed or typewritten form
6.2 CitvAttomev to ADDrove: City Attorney shall approve or file written legal
objections to every ordinance before it is acted upon by Council. (Charter-Ch. 6,
See.1)
6.3 Action on Ordinances: Ordinances maybe acted upon by the City Council
• during the meeting at which they are introduced, subject to provisions of the
City Charter and state law.
6.4 Distribution of Ordinances: The City Manager shall prepare copies of all
proposed ordinances for distribution to all members of the Council at the meeting
at which the ordinance is introduced, or at such earlier time as is expedient.
6.5 Recording of Votes: The ayes and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all
ordinances and resolutions and entered upon the official record of the Council.
(CharteiCh.3,Seo.5)
6.6 Maiority Vote Reuuired: Approval of every ordinance, resolution, or motion
shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Council,
except as specified in Section 8 of these Rules. (Charter-Ch.3, Sec.5)
6.7 Tie Vote: In the event of a tie in votes on any motion, the motion shall be
considered lost.
6.8 Voting Reauired: No member shall be excused from voting except on matters
involving the consideration of his own official conduct, or where hi- F�ial
interests are involved, or unless excused by the Council for other val� C�
by majority vote. (Charter - Ch. 3, Sec. 5)
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6.9 Order of Precedence of Motions: The following motions shall have priority in the
order indicated:
1.
Adjourn (when privileged) i/ & 2/
d
2.
Take a recess (when privileged) 1/ & 3/
ro
3.
Raise a question of privilege
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4.
Lay on the table
5.
Previous question (2/3 vote required)
6.
Limit or extend limits of debate (2/3 vote required)
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7.
Postpone to a certain time 3/
p
-20
8.
Commit or refer 3/
w
9.
Amend 3/ & 4/
p
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10.
Postpone indefinitely
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11.
Main motion 3/
1/ The first two motions are not always privileged. To adjourn shall lose its
privileged character and be a main motion if in any way qualified. To take a
recess shall be privileged only when other business is pending.
•2/ A motion to adjourn is not in order:
1) When repeated without intervening business or discussion
2) When made as an interruption of a member while speaking
3) While a vote is being taken
3/ Can be amended - others cannot be amended
4/ A motion to amend shall be undebatable when the question to be amended is
undebatable.
6.10 Reconsideration: A motion to Feeemider- any aetien of the Council can be faade
net kdeT- than tw neM eeeeding o ffleial fneeting a ftt n ''. I_n order for
an action to be ter&nsidered_ a Reconsideration Council Pronosal nrenared in
accordance with Section 5.2-1 of these_ rules shall be submitted to the City,
Manager's Office no later than 4_00 n m on the first Friday after the City
Council meetine in which a vote was taken on the item A Reconsideratioq
Council Pmnosal can_only he sno ored by -a Council Member who voted with
the vrevailine side. A motion on the Reconsideration Council Pr000sal to
reconsider any action of the Council can be made not later than the next
succeeding official meeting of the Council following its submission to the Citv
Manager's Office. Such motion can only be made by a member who voted with
the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any member. No question shall be
twice reconsidered, except by unanimous consent of the Councilt- that
examien-themo
i ��r S ,�
the_final ex ' 1' � rt aj{Qp_-theim£ In .older for an contract to be reco '
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Reconsideration Council Pronosal nrenared in accordance with Section .5-2.1 of
these rules shall be submitted to the Citv Manager's Office jn sufficient time to
allow for nostine as required by law. A Reconsideration C2unsil Pronosal
relating to a contract shall be placed on the first City Council agenda follow
72 hours after submission to the Citv Manager's Office. A_m_otion on the
RewnsiderationCouncil Pronosal relating to a contract can only be made by a
member who voted with the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any member.
No ouestion shall be twice reconsidered. excent by una rimous consent of the
--
6.11 The Previous Ouestion: When the previous question is moved and seconded, it
shall be put as follows:
"Shall the main question be now put?" There shall then be no further
amendment or debate; but pending amendments shall be put in their order before
the main question. If the motion for the previous question is lost, the main
question remains before the Council. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
Council shall be required to move the previous question.
6.12 Withdrawal of Motions: A motion may be withdrawn, or modified, by its mover
without asking permission until the motion has been stated by the Chairman. If
the mover modifies his motion, the seconder may withdraw his second. After the
question has been stated, the mover shall neither withdraw it nor modify it
without the consent of the Council.
• 6.13 Amendments to Motions: No motion or proposition of a subject different from
that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment. A motion
to amend an amendment shall be in order, but one to amend an amendment to an
amendment shall not be in order.
6.14 Appropriations of Monev: Before formal approval by the Council of motions
providing for appropriation of money, information must be presented to the
Council showing the purpose of the appropriation and the account to which it is
to be credited. In addition, before finally acting on such an appropriation, the
Council shall obtain a report from the City Manager as to the availability of
funds and his recommendations as to the desirability of the appropriation.
6.15 Transfer of Appropriations: Upon the written recommendation of the City
Manager, the Council may by ordinance transfer an unencumbered balance of an
appropriation made for the use of one department, division, or section to any
other department, division, or section; but no transfer shall be made of revenues
or earnings of any non -tax supported public utility to any other purpose. (Charter
- Ch. 10, Sec. 3)
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES. BOARDS. AND COMMISSIONS
• 7.1
cgwittees -_
PUR
R
The
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and chairs of the standing committees shall be appointed by the Mavor. All
matters discussed by the Committees shall either (a)be referred to the
apmonriate committee by the Mayor of er presentation to the Citv Council at_a
pre -council or council meeting, if a more in-deuth review and discussion by a
smaller groan would be beneficial. or (b) be placed on a_eonlmittee agenda by
the City Manager Drior to taking the matter to the full Council. The agenda for
each committee- meeting shall be Drenared by the City Manager and his staff. It
shall be the responsibility of the Committee to provide thorough review of thg
either a consensus or a _formal committee recommendation. All council
committee meetings. shall be oven _meetings posted in accordance with the _Tex_ as
ffen Meetings Act requirements: All final noliev_decisions shall be made by
the City Council in open meetings nosted in accordance with the Texas Oren
Meetings Act requirements
7.2 Ad Hoc Council Committees: The Council may, as the need arises, authorize the
appointment of "Ad Hod' Council committees. Except where otherwise
specifically provided by the Charter, the Mayor shall appoint the members of the
Ad Hoc Council committees, subject to the approval of the Council. Any Ad -Hoc
committee so created shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the special
purpose for which it was created or when abolished by a majority vote of the
Council.
7.3 Citizen Boards. Commissions. and Committees: The Council may create other
Committees, Boards, and Commissions to assist in the conduct of the operation
of the City government with such duties as the Council may specify not
inconsistent with the City Charter or Code. Memberships and selection of
members shall be as provided by the Council if not specified by the City Charter
or Code. Any Commttees, Boards, or Commissions so created shall cease to
exist upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created,
or when abolished by a majority vote of the Council. No committee so appointed
shall have powers other than advisory to the Council or to the City Manager,
except as otherwise specified by the Charter or Code.
7.4 Council Annointments to Boards. Commissions, and Committees: Council
members desiring to make appointments shall use best efforts to distribute
candidate information to other Council members at least one week in advance of
the Council meeting at which the motion to appoint the candidate is to be made.
8. VOTES REOUIRED
Approval of every ordinance, resolution, or motion shall require on final passage the
affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the Council, except that the Charter,
and certain State statutes impose other voting requirements on various questions. In
addition, these rules set forth certain instances in which the number of votes required
is greater than a majority of all members. As a matter of convenience, qu atkwi
which the voting requirement is varied by the Charter, State statutes, and to
are listed below. � f `'�� Gam• ,.,..�
CRY
8.1 Charter and State Statutory Reauirements: 9,WHO I
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8.1.1 Changing Paving Assessment - 6 Votes: Change in plans for paving assessment
requires a two-thirds vote of the Council. (Art. 1105b, Sec. 10, Revised Civil
Statutes)
8.1.2 Use of Streets - 6 Votes: Ordinances granting privileged use of streets,
which use does not involve the digging up of same, must be approved by two-
thirds of the members of the Council. (Charter - Ch. 26, Sec. 4)
8.1.3 Changing of Zoning Ordinance - 7 Votes: Changes in zoning classifications,
when a hearing is held by the Council and such change is protested by owners of
twenty percent or more of the area within 200 feet of the affected property must
have the approval of three -fourths of all members of the Council. (Texas Local
Government Code, Sec. 211.006(d))
8.2 Council Rules Requirement:
8.2.1 Susnending Rules - 6 Votes: Council rules may be suspended by an affirmative
vote of six (6) members of the Council. (Council Rules, 2.13)
8.2.2 Snecial Meetings - 4 Votes: Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or
any three (3) members. Such call shall be in writing and shall state the object of
the meeting, and no business shall be transacted at such meeting other than that
specified in the call. (Charter - Ch. 3, Sec. 5)
8.2.3 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate - 6 Votes: An affirmative vote of two-thirds
of all members of the Council is required to limit or extend the limits of debate
in Council meetings. (Council Rules, 6.9)
8.2.4 The Previous Ouestion - 6 Votes: An affirmative vote of two-thirds of all
members of the Council is required to move the previous question. (Council
Rules, 6.11)
orrNCM N,ii L ".,'b
CHAT SMEAI
to
History of Adoption and Amendments:
• Approved by the City Council the 8th day of January, 1960, and amended as follows:
meeting day changed (M&C G-180) January 12, 1962; agenda calendar changed (M&C
G-285) August 13, 1962; meeting time changed (ordinance No. 4770) November 26,
1962; agenda deadline changed (Pre -Council conference) July 7, 1967; citizen
presentations amended January 22, 1968; citizen presentations amended March 22, 1976;
meeting time, agenda calendar, and agenda deadline amended October 20, 1977; order of
business and vote requirements changed November 20, 1979; City Council meeting time,
Pre -Council meeting time, Council committee meetings, agenda deadline/special
presentations, and times for citizen presentations changed November 18, 1980; meeting
time changed (ordinance No. 9574), Pre -Council meeting time changed, and citizen
presentations amended February 25, 1986; special meetings, citizens presentations, and
time limit exception amended, competitive bid drawing added, Charter reference
changed, re -named section to Action on ordinances, distribution of ordinances changed,
transfer of appropriations amended, corrected Charter reference for use of Streets, and
deleted sections regarding Charter Amendment, levying taxes, removal of Mayor,
expulsion of members, matters not on the agenda, oral presentations by City Manager,,
and immediate action on ordinances March 4, 1987; corrected authorization reference on
Section 2.6, deleted Section 3.3 Conference Sessions, renumbered Sections 3.4, 3.5, and
3.6, amended Preservation of order, corrected authorization reference on Section 8.1.3,
and deleted Section 8.1.4 Remission of Fines May 7, 1991; Preservation of order and
citizen presentations amended December 3, 1991; amended Section 4.3, Preservation of
Order and Section 5.4.2, Presentations by Citizens (C.P. 168, 11/19/91); amended Section
3.1, Regular Meetings, and Section 3.4, Pre -Council Meetings, to change the time for
those meetings on the second Tuesday of the month (C.P. 197, 10/22/96); Sections 3.3,
5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 amended to conform to state law, Sections 3.4, 3.5, and 5.3 amended to
conform to current procedures, and new rules 5.2.1 (Council. Proposals) and 5.2.2
(Council Requests for Staff Reports) and 7.3 (Council Appointments to Boards,
Commissions and Committees) added (Resolution No.2696, 01/09/O1); Section 5.4.4
amended concerning the time for hearing citizen's presentations and the appropriate
responses thereto at city council meetings, Section 6.10 amended to require Council
Proposal for reconsideration of a prior city council action, , and Section 7.1.1 added to
establish certain standing city council committees and procedures relating thereto
(Resolution No. , )8/??/05).
Marty Hendrix, City Secretary
R, WOGS, TE
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