HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3978-03-2011A Resolution
NO. 3978 -03 -2011
AMENDING THE RULES OF PROCEDURES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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 of Procedure on January 8, 1960, and
have amended the rules from time to time since then; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to further amend its Rules of Procedure as set forth herein
in order to (i) conform the rules to current City practices and procedures; (ii) revise current rules
regarding starting times for Pre - Council meetings, citizen presentations, and the Zoning Hearing's
placement on the agenda; and (iii) make minor clerical changes, all as more specifically set forth in
Exhibit "A ", in which text deletions are indicated by a strikethrough and text additions are indicated by a
single - underline; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments were introduced during the City Council meeting of
March 1, 2011;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT the Rules of Procedure, City Council of the City of Fort Worth
(adopted on January 8, 1960, as amended) are hereby amended to read as set forth in Exhibit "A ".
1. This Resolution shall take effect on May 1, 2011.
2. The City Attorney and City Secretary are directed to prepare a new printing of the Rules of
Procedure, as amended, and distribute same to the members of the City Council, City Manager and other
City staff as deemed appropriate.
ADOPTED THIS THE 22nd DAY OF March, 2011.
Sarah Fullenwider, City Attorney
ORT WOU
'T
Resolution No. 3978 -03 -2011
Page 2 of 2
Attest:
Marty Hendrix, ity Secretary
oRTW_, oar
T
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
MAR 2 2 2011
City Secretary of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas
RULES OF PROCEDURE
CITY COUNCIL
of the
CITY OF FORT WORTH
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 1987
Ninth Printing, May 1991
Tenth Printing, January 2001
Eleventh Printing, September 2005
Twelfth Printing, May 2008
Thirteenth Printing, November 2008
Fourteenth Printing, August 2009
Fifteenth Printing, March 2011
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES OF PROCEDURE .................................................................................................. ............................... 1
1. AUTHORITY ............................................................................................................... ............................... 1
1.1 Charter ................................................................................................................. ............................... 1
GENERALRULES ....................................................................................................... ............................... 1
2.1
Meetings to be Public ........................................................................................... ............................... 1
2.2
Quorum ................................................................................................................ ............................... 1
2.3
Compelling Attendance ........................................................................................ ............................... 1
2.4
Misconduct .......................................................................................................... ............................... 1
2.5
Minutes of Meetings ........................................................................................... ............................... 1
2.6
Questions to Contain One Subject ...................................................................... ............................... 1
2.7
Right of Floor ...................................................................................................... ............................... 1
2.8
City Manager ........................................................................................................ ............................... 1
2.9
City Attorney ........................................................................................................ ............................... 2
2.10
City Secretary ....................................................................................................... ............................... 2
2.11
Officers and Employees ....................................................................................... ............................... 2
2.12
Rules of Order ...................................................................................................... ............................... 2
2.13
Suspension of Rules ............................................................................................. ............................... 2
2.14
Amendment to Rules ............................................................................................ ............................... 2
TYPESOF MEETINGS ................................................................................................ ............................... 2
3.1
Regular Meetings ................................................................................................. ............................... 2
3.2
Special Meetings .................................................................................................. ............................... 2
3.3
Recessed Meetings ............................................................................................... ............................... 2
3.4
Pre - Council Meetings ........................................................................................... ............................... 3
3.5
Council Committee Meetings .............................................................................. ............................... 3
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
ORDEROF BUSINESS ................................................................................................ ............................... 4
5.1 Agenda ................................................................................................................. ..............................4
5.2 Presentations by Members of Council ................................................................. ............................... 4
5.2.1 Council Proposals ............................................................................................... ............................... 4
5.2.2 Council Requests for Staff Reports ................................................................. ............................... 4,5
5.3 Agenda Deadline .................................................................................................. ............................... 5
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5.4 Presentations by Citizens ..................................................................................... ............................... 5
5.4.1 Individual Presentations ....................................................................................... ............................... 5
5.4.2 Group Presentations ............................................................................................. ............................... 5
5.4.3 Application of Time Limits .................................................................................. ............................... 5
5.4.4 Hours of Presentations ......................................................................................... ............................... 5
5.5 Communications to Mayor and Council .............................................................. ............................... 6
5.6 Oral Presentations by City Manager .................................................................... ............................... 6
5.7 Competitive Bids; Drawing to be Held in Presence of City Council ................... ............................... 6
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND MOTIONS ........... ............................... 6
6.1
Printed or Typewritten Form ................................................................................ ............................... 6
6.2
City Attorney to Approve ..................................................................................... ............................... 7
6.3
Action on Ordinances ........................................................................................... ..............................7
6.4
Distribution of Ordinances .................................................................................. ............................... 7
6.5
Recording of Votes .............................................................................................. ............................... 7
6.6
Majority Vote Required ....................................................................................... ............................... 7
6.7
Tie Vote ................................................................................................................ ............................... 7
6.8
Voting Required ................................................................................................... ............................... 7
6.9
Order of Precedence of Motions ....................................................................... ............................... 7,8
6.10
Reconsideration ..................................................................................................... ..............................8
6.11
The Previous Question ......................................................................................... ............................... 9
6.12
Withdrawal of Motions ........................................................................................ ............................... 9
6.13
Amendments to Motions ...................................................................................... ............................... 9
6.14
Appropriations of Money ..................................................................................... ............................... 9
6.15
Transfer of Appropriations ................................................................................... ............................... 9
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS ......................... ............................... 9
7.1 Standing Council Committees ......................................................................... ............................... 9,10
7.2 Ad Hoc Council Committees ............................................................................ ............................... 10
7.3 Citizen Boards, Commissions, and Committees ................................................ ............................... 10
7.4 Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees ................... ............................... 10
7.5 Audit and Finance Advisory Committee ............ ............................... ..........................10,11
VOTESREQUIRED ................................................................................................... ............................... 11
8.1 Charter and State Statutory Requirements ......................................................... ............................... 11
8.1.1 Changing Paving Assessment - 6 Votes ............................................................. ............................... 11
8.1.2 Use of Streets - 6 Votes ...................................................................................... ............................... 11
8.1.3 Changing of Zoning Ordinance - 7 Votes .......................................................... ............................... 11
8.2 Council Rules Requirement ............................................................................... ............................... 11
8.2.1 Suspending Rules - 6 Votes ............................................................................... ............................... 11
8.2.2 Special Meetings - 4 Votes ................................................................................ ............................... 12
8.2.3 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate - 6 Votes ....................................................... ............................... 12
8.2.4 The Previous Question - 6 Votes ....................................................................... ............................... 12
HISTORY OF ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS .............................................. ............................... 13,14,15
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
RULES OF PROCEDURE
1. AUTHORITY
1.1 Charter: Chapter 3III, 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 Meetings to be Public: All official meetings of the Council and all sessions of a
Committee of the Council shall be public. (Charter - Ch. III3, Sec. 5)
2.2 Quorum: Six members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. (Charter - Ch. III3,
Sec. 5)
2.3 Compelling Attendance: The Council may compel the attendance of absent
members. (Charter - Ch. III3, Sec. 5)
2.4 Misconduct: The Council may punish its own members for misconduct. (Charter -
Ch. III3, Sec. 5)
2.5 Minutes of Meetings: 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 Questions 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.XXV-2-5, Sec.
7)
2.7 Right 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 Manager: 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. V -5, Sec. 2(5))
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
2.9 City Attorney: The City Attorney, or Acting City Attorney, shall attend all meetings
of the Council unless excused, and shall upon request give an opinion, either written
or oral, on questions of law. The City Attorney shall act as the Council's
parliamentarian. (Charter - Ch. VI6, Sec. 14)
2.10 City Secretary: 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 Employees: 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 Suspension 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.A.M, except that the first and second
Tuesday meetings of each month shall be scheduled for 7:00 p.m.P-.A4 -, unless
otherwise officially changed by the City Council.
3.2 Special 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. III3, 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,
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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.z4� before for all daytime Council meetings, and at 3:00
p.m.2-.-30 P.M. be€e-ve -e- for all night Council meetings on the first Tuesday of °
menth, and at 3.30 P.M. before a Getineil fneefing on the seeend Tuesday of eaeb
month, unless otherwise changed by the City Council or City Manager. (Revised by
Reseltifien No. 3242 08 2005, 8,11645.)
3.5 Council Committee Meetings: City Council Committee meetings will be held at
such times as may be called by the City Manager. (Revised by Resolution No. 3242-
08 -2005, 8/16/05)
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 tem, the remaining Council members
shall elect one member to serve as the presiding officer for the meeting. (Charter -
Ch. III 3, Seec. 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 tem. 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 Questions 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 Chairman: The Chairman may call any other member to take his
place in the chair, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5. 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.
5.1.1.Zoning Hearing: The Zoning Hearing shall be scheduled for the first Tuesdu night
meeting of each month. The Zoning Hearing shall be placed in a prominent location
on the agenda to follow closely both consideration of the Consent Agenda and the
agenda item for Presentations and/or Communications from Boards, Commissions
and /or City Council Committees.
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.
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 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. Upon providing written comments to the C.P., the City
Manager and the City Attorney or their designee shall sign the C.P. before it is
placed on the agenda. The City Manager shall place C.P.s on the Pre - Council
agenda 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. shall be acted upon
at the City Council meeting in which it is introduced, save and except a
Reconsideration Council Proposal as described in Section 6.10, which must be
introduced and acted upon as specified in Section 6.10. (Revised by Resolution No.
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
3242 -08 -2005, 8/16/05)
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 Council member 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.P -. : 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 C46zensPersons Attending Council Meetings:
5.4.lAny person who wishes to address the City Council during a meeting must be
present in the City Council Chamber when called upon by the Chairman to speak.
No person will be permitted to address the City Council unless that person has
completed a speaker's card in the form prescribed by the City Secretary. All
speaker registration cards must be submitted at least fifteen (15 ) minutes prior to the
scheduled starting time of the meeting (i.e. 9:45 a.m. for meetings beginning at
10:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. for meetings beginning at 7:00 p.m.).
5,4,2,Any person wishing to make a presentation that includes video or another form of
electronic media must provide that information in digital format to the City
Secretary's Office no later than one (1) hour prior to the scheduled starting time of
the meeting for review by the staff. City staff shall review the information as to
form and content. The information shall not contain any statements, graphics or
pictures that are offensive or reflect personal attacks on other individuals, the City
Council members or City staff. The digital format must be compatible with the
City's technology equipment. The presentation will be tested prior to the meeting to
ensure that it is compatible with the City's equipment.
5.4.3. Presentations by eitizens, with of without " otifieation,-Individuals shall be
limited to three minutes;_ allewifig-At the discretion of the Chairman, this limit
may be extended .
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5.414. Presentation by a representative of an organized group consisting of a minimum
of ten persons, which is all of whom must be present in the Council Chamber --ate
at the time such representative is called upon by
Chairman, shall be limited to ten minutes. At the discretion of the Chairmanel,
this limit may be extended. A person counted as an individual represented by the
speaker shall not be permitted to speak individually on the same subject.
5.4.335. The foregoing F les and tifne 1;.,-,;t.,tions stall apply to r ,,t-At;,.ifis of Citizens
tkereefPersons wishing to address the City Council about an item that is
specifically posted on the meeting agenda and who have completed a speaker's card
at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting will be
permitted to speak at the time that agenda item is taken up by the Council for
consideration.
5.4.46 Citizen pr-esef4atiefis sehe"Ied in aeeer-danee with Seetieft 5.3 E)f these rules shall
;tt „tt° eitizeas "e have eampleted speaker-'s .ds in the f pfeser-ibed by
the City Se „tafy and whose pfesentations de not r- elate to a eifi i
° agenda item.
Persons wishing to address the City Council about an item that is not otherwise
posted on the meeting agenda and who have completed a speaker's card at least
fifteen (15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the meeting will be permitted to
speak under the agenda item entitled "Citizen Presentations." The Chairman ehak
shall have the discretion to call for all or a portion of the citizen presentations to be
made at-an -under that agenda item earlier or later pai4 of the agenda in the meeting.;
il'owe'b` ;,l° °t' to alle eitizeas who ° °„t to be
1arse l an ., Citom, (`.,tine;1 agenda by 17.00 ., Tl,,,, -slay before the (`etin.;1
fneeting to address the City Getineil at an earlier- time dor-ing the City Getifiefl.
meeting. Responses to a citizen's presentation by the City Council and staff shall be
in accordance with Texas Open Meetings Act requirements. If a citizen or City
Council member raises a subject that has not been included in the public notice for
the meeting, a response may consist only of a statement of specific factual
information or a recitation of existing policy. Any further discussion of the subject
shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a future meeting
for deliberation or decision. (Revised by Resolution No. 3242 -08 -2005, 8/16/05)
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.
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5.6 Oral Presentations by Ci1y 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 identical bids is a
resident of the City of Fort Worth, the City shall select that bidder in accordance
with Section 271.901 of the Texas Local Government Code. Otherwise, in the case
of identical bids, a drawing shall be held to determine which bid will be accepted.
Such bidders shall be notified in writing of the date of the drawing, which shall be
held during the City Council meeting when the award of the subject contract is
being considered. Notification of bidders shall be the responsibility of the
Purchasing Division of the Finance Department, except for construction contracts
for the Water Department and Transportation/Public Works Department, who will
notify bidders for their respective contracts.
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 Typewritten Form: All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented to
the Council only in printed or typewritten form.
6.2 City Attorney to Approve: City Attorney shall approve or file written legal
objections to every ordinance before it is acted upon by Council. (Charter -Ch. VIg,
Sec. 1)
6.3 Action on Ordinances: Ordinances may be acted upon by the City Council during
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
U
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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.
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.
(Charter - Ch. III3, Sec. 5)
6.6 Majority Vote Required: 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. III3, 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 Required: No member shall be excused from voting except on matters
involving the consideration of his own official conduct, or where his financial
interests are involved, or unless excused by the Council for other valid reasons by
majority vote. (Charter - Ch. III3, Sec. 5)
6.9 Order of Precedence of Motions: The following motions shall have priority in the
order indicated:
1. Adjourn (when privileged) 1/ & 2/
2. Take a recess (when privileged) 1/ & 3/
3. Raise a question of privilege
4. Lay on the table
5. Previous question (2/3 vote required)
6. Limit or extend limits of debate (2/3 vote required)
7.
Postpone to a certain time 3/
8.
Commit or refer 3/
9.
Amend 3/ & 4/
10.
Postpone indefinitely
11.
Main motion 3/
�d
00
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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. In order for an action to be reconsidered, a Reconsideration
Council Proposal prepared in accordance with Section 5.2.1 of these rules shall be
submitted to the City Manager's Office no later than 4:00 p.m. on the first Friday
after the City Council meeting in which a vote was taken on the item. A
Reconsideration Council Proposal can only be sponsored by a Council Member
who voted with the prevailing side. A motion on the Reconsideration Council
Proposal 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 City
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 Council.
Notwithstanding the provisions above, a Reconsideration Council Proposal relating
to any contract may be submitted to the City Manager's Office before the final
execution thereof. In order for a contract to be reconsidered, a Reconsideration
Council Proposal prepared in accordance with Section 5.2.1 of these rules shall be
submitted to the City Manager's Office in sufficient time to allow for posting as
required by law. A Reconsideration Council Proposal relating to a contract shall be
placed on the first City Council agenda following-72 hours after submission to the
City Manager's Office. A motion on the Reconsideration Council Proposal 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 question shall be twice reconsidered, except
by unanimous consent of the Council. (Revised by Resolution No. 3242 -08 -2005,
8/16/05)
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
6.11 The Previous Question: 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 Money: 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. X4-8, Sec. 3)
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES. BOARDS. AND COMMISSIONS
7.1. Standing Council Committees: There shall be €eothree standing City Council
Committees —_ Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs;.- Housing and Economic
Development;; and Infrastructure and Transportation, Efivifenment,
and Community Sen,iees. The membership and chairs of the standing committees
shall be appointed by the Mayor. All matters discussed by the Committees shall
either (a) be referred to the appropriate committee by the Mayor after presentation to
the City Council at a pre - council or council meeting, if a more in -depth review and
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Rules of Procedures
discussion by a smaller group would be beneficial, or (b) be placed on a committee
agenda by the City Manager prior to taking the matter to the full Council. The
agenda for each committee meeting shall be prepared by the City Manager and his
staff. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to provide thorough review of
the matters brought before it and to provide feedback to the City Manager through
either a consensus or a formal committee recommendation. All council committee
meetings shall be open meetings posted in accordance with the Texas Open
Meetings Act requirements. All final policy decisions shall be made by the City
Council in open meetings posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act
requirements. (Revised by Resolution No. 3242 -08 -2005, 8/16/05; Revised by
Resolution No. 3619 -05 -2008, 05/27/08; Revised by Resolution No. 3674 -11 -2008,
11/11/08)
7.2 Ad Hoc Council Committees: The Council may, as the need arises, authorize the
appointment of "Ad Hoc" 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. (Revised by
Resolution No. 3242 -08 -2005, 8/16/05)
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
Committees, 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 Appointments 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.
7.5 Audit and Finance Advisory Committee: There shall be an Audit and Finance
Advisory Committee, which shall consist of six (6) members, no more than four (4)
of whom may be members of the City Council and at least one (1) of whom shall be a
financial professional (such as, without limitation, a certified public accountant,
financial advisor, or actuary) who is not a member of the City Council. The
City of Fort Worth, Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
membership of the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee, as well as the chair and
vice chair, shall be appointed by the Mayor. The specific duties and responsibilities
of the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee shall be set forth in a charter adopted
by the City Council resolution. Until such resolution is adopted, the charter for the
Audit and Finance Advisory Committee previously approved by the City Council
pursuant to M &C G -15473 shall continue in effect to the extent that it does not
conflict with this Section 7.5. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum of the
Audit and Finance Advisory Committee. The act of a majority of the members
appointed to serve on the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee, and not just those
present and voting at a given meeting, shall constitute the act of the Committee. The
agenda for each meeting of the Audit and Finance Advisory Committee shall be
prepared by the City Manager and his staff. (Revised by Resolution No. 3775 -08-
2009)
VOTES REQUIRED. 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, questions
on which the voting requirement is varied by the Charter, state statutes, and these rules
are listed below.
8.1 Charter and State Statutory Requirements:
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. XXVI26, 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 Suspending Rules - 6 Votes: Council rules may be suspended by an affirmative
vote of six (6) members of the Council. (Council Rules, 2.13)
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
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Rules of Procedures
8.2.2
thFee (3) mei:3bef:s. Su613 etall shi4l oe- z=fcdiici,"•rr�ana �nulrlr state the -objet t E)f the
mid ne business - s'�a'�tr- afacted �_t sueh mmeeting ether than that
speeified-in the eall ter- Gh. IH3, Seems)
.24 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)
8.2.43. The Previous Question - 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)
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