HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 129 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-129
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 6, 2022
Page 1 of 2
i
i7 Y
*a SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CITY COUNCIL RULES OF
rrn PROCEDURE
At its business meetings, the City Council considers a variety of matters from those on
the consent agenda, which by definition consists of matters that require little or no
deliberation, to zoning items and other public hearings, which generally are subject to a
greater degree of public interest and input, to the occasional matter that is of particular
interest on which large swaths of the public wishes to be heard.
In order to accomplish the goals of (i) meeting the request of some members of the
public to be heard at the beginning of the meeting, (ii) providing for a maximum number of
members of the public to engage on matters of public interest, and (iii) facilitating the
orderly flow and timely conduct of business meetings, the speaker comment rules for action
items on the City Council Meetings in the City Council Rules of Procedure are proposed to
be amended.
The City Council will be presented with an action item for consideration on the
September 13, 2022 City Council Meeting agenda to adjust the comment portion of the City
Council Meetings, as follows:
• All public comment on the entirety of the consent agenda will be heard before
the consent agenda is voted on, and each person will have a maximum of three
(3) minutes to comment on as many items on the consent agenda as the person
has properly signed up for, in accordance with the speaker sign-up rules,
which will remain unchanged.
• All public comment on the entirety of the non-consent agenda, other than
public hearings and zoning hearings, will be heard before the non-consent
agenda is voted on, and each person will have a maximum of three (3) minutes
to comment on as many items on the non-consent agenda as the person has
properly signed up for, in accordance with speaker sign-up rules.
• Public hearings and zoning hearings will still provide for a speaker to sign up
to speak on each item for three (3) minutes per item.
• The Chair, at her/his discretion or at the request of a City Councilmember or
the City Manager, will allow any item on either the consent agenda or the non-
consent agenda to be separated out and to allow the speaker(s) who has
properly signed up for that item to have three (3) minutes to speak for that
particular item.
The Chair will continue to have the discretion to increase or decrease any speaker
time limit provided for in the City Council Rules of Procedure.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-129
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 6, 2022
Page 2 of 2
i
i7 Y
*a SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CITY COUNCIL RULES OF
rrn PROCEDURE
These content-neutral rules for persons addressing the City Council on its action
items will bring Fort Worth in line with other large cities in Texas. Fort Worth's proposed
rules would be on the generous end. In the chart below, when the term "all items" is used, it
means that the speaker cannot sign up to speak on each item on the agenda for the time
allowed, but rather the speaker may sign up to speak on as many items as he/she wishes but
then has only the allowed amount of time to speak on all of those items.
CITY SPEAKER TIME LIMIT FOR COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS
Austin* 3 minutes per speaker on all items on the consent agenda
Dallas 3 minutes per speaker on all items other than public hearings, 3
minutes per speaker on each public hearing
Fort Worth Proposed: 3 minutes per speaker for all items on consent, 3
minutes per speaker for all items on non-consent, 3 minutes per
speaker for each public hearing and zoning hearing, 3 minutes per
any other item so designated by the Chair
Houston Speakers who have not appeared at any of the 4 previous weekly
council meetings may request 1, 2, or 3 minutes on all items on the
agenda
Speakers who have appeared at any of the 4 previous weekly
council meetings may speak for 1 minute on all items on the
agenda
San Antonio 3 minutes per speaker per item, with a 9 minute maximum for any
one meeting
*Austin's written rules are being updated; this reflects their current practice
The proposed amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure are attached to this
Informal Report. If you have any questions, please contact Leann Guzman, City Attorney at
Leann.Guzmankfortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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,May 2011
Sixteenth Printing September 2012
Seventeenth Printing December 2012
Eighteenth Printing June 2015
Nineteenth Printing September 2016
Twentieth Printing November 2017
Twenty-first Printing August 2019
Twenty-second Printing April 2020
Twenty-third Printing November 2020
Twenty-fourth Printing August 2021
Twenty-fifth Printing November 2021
Twenty-sixth Printing 2022
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES OF PROCEDURE.....................................................................................................................I
1. AUTHORITY .................................................................................................................................I
1.1 Charter ...................................................................................................................................1
2. GENERAL RULES..........................................................................................................................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
3. TYPES OF MEETINGS ..................................................................................................................2
3.1 Definitions .............................................................................................................................2
3.2 Time and Location for Regular Meetings...............................................................................3
3.3 Special Called Meeting ..........................................................................................................3
3.4 City Council Committee Meetings.........................................................................................3
3.5 Attendance at Meetings by Videoconference Call .......................................................3,4,5,6
3.6 Recessed Meetings ................................................................................................................6
4. CHAIR AND DUTIES.....................................................................................................................7
4.1 Chair ...................................................................................................................................7
4.1.1 Election of Mayor Pro Tern....................................................................................................7
4.2 Call to Order...........................................................................................................................7
4.3 Preservation of Ordei•.............................................................................................................7
4.4 Points of Order ......................................................................................................................7
4.5 Questions to be Stated ...........................................................................................................7
4.6 Substitution for Chair ............................................................................................................7
5. ORDER OF BUSINESS ..................................................................................................................7
5.1 Agenda ...................................................................................................................................7
5.1.1 Zoning Hearing.......................................................................................................................7
5.2 Presentations by Members of Council.................................................................................7,8
5.2.1 Council Proposals...................................................................................................................8
5.2.2 Council Requests for Staff Reports .......................................................................................8
5.3 Agenda Deadline....................................................................................................................8
5.4 Public Participation....................................................................................................................9
i.
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5.4.1 City Council Work Session...................................................................................................9
5.4.2 Addressing the City Council at City Council Meetings and City Council Public Comment
Meetings.................................................................................................................................9
5.4.2.1 City Council Meetings ....................................................................................................9,10
5.4.2.2 City Council Public Comment Meetings.......................................................................10,11
5.4.2.3 General Requirements for Addressing the City Council at Public Meetings................11,12
5.4.3 Rules of Conduct.............................................................................................................13,14
5.5 Communications to Mayor and Council...............................................................................14
5.6 Oral Presentations by City Manager.....................................................................................14
5.7 Competitive Bids;Drawing to be Held in Presence of City Council..............................14,15
6. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES,RESOLUTIONS,AND MOTIONS............................15
6.1 Printed or Typewritten Form................................................................................................15
6.2 City Attorney to Approve.....................................................................................................15
6.3 Action on Ordinances ..........................................................................................................15
6.4 Distribution of Ordinances ..................................................................................................15
6.5 Recording of Votes...............................................................................................................15
6.6 Majority Vote Required........................................................................................................15
6.7 Tie Vote................................................................................................................................15
6.8 Voting Required...................................................................................................................15
6.9 Order of Precedence of Motions...........................................................................................16
6.10 Reconsideration...............................................................................................................16,17
6.11 The Previous Question.........................................................................................................17
6.12 Withdrawal of Motions.........................................................................................................17
6.13 Amendments to Motions......................................................................................................17
6.14 Actions Involving Appropriation or Expending of Money..................................................17
6.15 Transfer of Appropriations...................................................................................................18
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES, BOARDS,AND COMMISSIONS.........................................18
7.1 Standing Council Committees..............................................................................................18
7.2 Ad Hoc Council Committees ...............................................................................................18
7.3 Citizen Boards, Commissions, and Committees ..................................................................18
7.4 Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions,and Committees.................................18,19
8. VOTES REQUIRED......................................................................................................................19
8.1 Charter and State Statutory Requirements............................................................................19
8.1.1 Changing Paving Assessment...............................................................................................19
8.1.2 Use of Streets........................................................................................................................19
8.1.3 Changing of Zoning Ordinance............................................................................................19
8.1.4 Adoption of Tax Rate Greater than No-New-Revenue Rate................................................19
8.2 Council Rules Requirement..................................................................................................19
8.2.1 Suspending Rules.................................................................................................................19
8.2.2 Immediate Action on Presentations by Members of Council...............................................19
8.2.3 Immediate Action on Oral Presentation by City Manager..............................................19,20
8.2.4 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate ........................................................................................20
8.2.5 Reconsidering an Item a Second Time.................................................................................20
8.2.5 The Previous Question.........................................................................................................20
HISTORY OF ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS............................................................21,22,23,24
ii.
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
RULES OF PROCEDURE
1. AUTHORITY
1.1 Charter: Chapter III, 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. III, Sec. 5)
2.2Quorum: two-thirds of the Council shall constitute a quorum. (Charter- Ch. III, Sec.
5)
2.3 Compelling Attendance: The Council may compel the attendance of absent members.
(Charter- Ch. III, Sec. 5)
2.4 Misconduct: The Council may punish its own members for misconduct.
(Charter- Ch. III, 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 Subject: 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, Sec. 7)
2.7 Right of Floor: Any member desiring to speak shall be recognized by the Chair, and
shall confine his or her remarks to the subj ect 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 or she 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, Sec. 2(5))
1
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. VI, Sec. 1)
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 City Council
Meeting.
3. TYPES OF MEETINGS
3.1 Definitions:
a. Regular Meeting: A regular meeting of the City Council shall mean a meeting of
a quorum of the City Council at which the Council Members are briefed, vote on
matters of interest to the city, or receive public comments and shall include City
Council Work Sessions, City Council Meetings, and City Council Public Comment
meetings.
b. Special Called Meeting: A special called meeting of the City Council shall mean
a meeting of a quorum of the City Council called by the Mayor or any three Council
Members at which the Council Members are briefed or vote on matters of interest to
the city.
2
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
3.2 Time and Location for Regular Meetings: Unless otherwise officially changed by the
City Council, the Council shall meet in the City Council Conference Room and
Council Chamber respectively at the City Hall on Tuesday of each week at times set
by the City Council by Resolution in order to be briefed on matters of interest to the
city and conduct other city business.
3.3 Special Called Meetings: Special Called Meetings 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. III, Sec. 5)
3.4 Council Committee Meetings: City Council Committee meetings will be held at such
times as may be called by the City Manager.
i
3.5 Attendance at Meetings by Videoconference Call:
a. Definitions.
i. Remote Meeting Location means the location where a Member or
members of the public are present other than the Physical Meeting
Location and participate remotely in a meeting of the Governmental
Body by means of a videoconference call that meets the requirements
of Texas Government Code §551.127.
ii. Governmental Body means the Fort Worth City Council or a Council
Committee, Council-created Citizen Board, Commission, Committee,
Task Force, or any other advisory group or board.
iii. Member means, for the purposes of Section 3.5, an elected official or a
person serving on a Council-created Board, Commission, Committee,
Task Force, or other advisory group or board.
iv. Physical Meeting Location means the meeting location where a meeting
takes place in a physical space, the member of the Governmental Body
presiding over the meeting is present at the physical space and the
meeting meets the requirements of Texas Government Code §551.127.
b. Notice Requirements.
i. The notice of a meeting to be held by videoconference call must specify
the Physical Meeting Location and specify the intent to have the
member of the Governmental Body presiding over the meeting at the
Physical Meeting Location; and
ii. If members of the public will participate from a Remote Meeting
Location via videoconference call, the notice must specify the
videoconference call information and be posted in compliance with the
Texas Open Meetings Act and other applicable laws.
3
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
c. Meetings by Videoconference Call:
i. Videoconference Call by Individual Member(s): A Member may
individually participate remotely in a meeting of the Governmental
Body by means of a videoconference call if:
(1) the video and audio feed of the Member's participation is
broadcast live at the Physical Meeting Location and complies
with the provisions of this section and state law;
(2) the Member, while speaking, is clearly visible and audible to
each Member participating in the meeting at the Physical
Meeting Location; and
(3) the Member,while speaking,is clearly visible and audible to the
members of the public in attendance at the Physical Meeting
Location during the open portion of the meeting.
ii. Designated Remote Meeting Location.: If a Member or members of the
public are present at a Remote Meeting Location, the Member or the
members of the public may participate remotely in a meeting of the
Governmental Body by means of a videoconference call if:
(1) the video and audio feed of the Member or the members of the
public participation is broadcast live at the Physical Meeting
Location and complies with the provisions of this section and
state law;
(2) the Member or the members of the public, while speaking, are
clearly visible and audible to each Member participating in the
meeting at the Physical Meeting Location;
(3) the Member or the members of the public, while speaking, are
clearly visible and audible to the members of the public in
attendance at the Physical Meeting Location during the open
portion of the meeting;
(4) the members of the public at the remote meeting location are
provided the opportunity to participate in the meeting in the
same manner as a member of the public who is physically
present at a meeting of the Governmental Body that is not
conducted by videoconference call; and
(5) the videoconference call information was posted in compliance
with the Texas Open Meetings Act and other applicable laws.
d. Quorum:
i. Videoconference Call by Individual Member.
4
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
a. If a quorum of the Governmental Body is present at the
Physical Meeting Location, and one (1) or more of the
Member(s) attending the meeting via videoconference
call is no longer visible and audible to those in
attendance at the Physical Meeting Location,the meeting
at the Physical Meeting Location may continue in
accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
b. If a quorum of the Governmental Body is not present at
the Physical Meeting Location, and one (1) or more of
the Member(s) attending the meeting via
videoconference call is no longer visible and audible to
those in attendance at the Physical Meeting Location,
and that causes the loss of the quorum,the meeting at the
Physical Meeting Location shall be recessed until the
problem can be resolved. If the problem cannot be
resolved in one(1)hour,the meeting shall be recessed to
the following business day or reposted for a meeting at a
later date in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings
Act. If the quorum is not lost,the meeting may continue.
ii. Remote Meeting Location.
a. If technical issues prevent all members of the public
attending the meeting via videoconference call at a
Remote Meeting Location from being visible and
audible to those in attendance at the Physical Meeting
Location, the meeting at the Physical Meeting Location
shall be recessed until the problem is resolved. If the
problem cannot be resolved in one (1) hour,the meeting
shall be recessed to the following business day or
reposted for a meeting at a later date in compliance with
the Texas Open Meetings Act.
b. If the Member attending the meeting via
videoconference call at a Remote Meeting Location is no
longer visible and audible to those in attendance at the
Physical Meeting Location, and that causes the loss of
the quorum, the meeting at the Physical Meeting
Location shall be recessed until the problem can be
resolved. If the problem cannot be resolved in one (1)
hour, the meeting shall be recessed to the following
business day or reposted for a meeting at a later date in
compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. If the
quorum is not lost,the meeting may continue.
5
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
e. Executive/Closed Session:
i. The Governmental Body may conduct a closed meeting by
videoconference call provided that the closed meeting complies with the
provisions of this section and the Texas Open Meetings Act. A Member
participating in a closed meeting via videoconference call must be in a
closed room and must be alone to protect the confidentiality of the
closed meeting and to preserve attorney client privilege.
f. General Provisions:
i. Members shall notify the City Secretary of their intent to utilize
videoconferencing, which includes members of the public participating
at a Remote Meeting Location, by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday one week
prior to the regularly scheduled meeting. All other requests to utilize
videoconferencing should be submitted by the same deadline or as soon
as practicable.
ii. A Gou*64Member participating in a videoconference call meeting shall
be counted as present at the meeting for all purposes while visible and
audible; if a Member temporarily loses audio or video, that Member
shall be considered absent until both audio and video are restored.
iii. Requests to participate in a meeting via videoconference call will be
taken on a first-come/first-served basis. There must be a sufficient
number of video feeds to meet the requirements of the Texas Open
Meetings Act.
iv. Remote meetings by videoconference call with members of the public
present will not be available for the budget-related hearings or meetings,
unless sufficient notice is given to meet the notice requirements as set
forth in the City Charter, the Texas Local Government Code, and the
Texas Property Tax Code.
V. This Section 3.5 shall apply to meetings of the City Council and any
other Governmental Body.
3.6 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.
6
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
4. CHAIR AND DUTIES
4.1 Chair: The Mayor, if present, shall preside as Chair at all meetings of the Council.
In the absence of the Mayor,the Mayor Pro Tem 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, Sec. 6)
4.1.1Election of Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council shall elect fiom its members one
person to serve as Mayor Pro Tem on an annual basis during the month of September
to be effective October 1 st.
4.2 Call to Order: The meetings of the Council shall be called to order by the Mayor, or
in his or her 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 Chair shall preserve order and decorum,prevent personal
attacks and the impugning of members' motives, and confine members in debate to
the question under discussion.
4.4 Points of Order: The Chair 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 Chair be sustained?"
i
4.5 Questions to be Stated: The Chair 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 Chair: The Chair may call any other member to take his or her place
in the chair, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
i
5. ORDER OF BUSINESS
5.1 A_ eg nda: 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 Friday
preceding the Tuesday meeting to which it pertains.
5.1.1 Zoning Hearing: The Zoning Hearing shall be scheduled for the first Tuesday night
City Council 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. The Zoning Hearing will be
conducted in accordance with the City Zoning Ordinance.
5.2 Presentations by Members of Council: The Agenda shall provide a time when the
7
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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 City 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 Financial Management
Services, 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 City Council Work Session 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 City Council Work Session and the City Council
Meeting. 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.
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 Work Session 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
Manager's Office of that fact not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding
the City Council Meeting at which he or she wishes the subject to be considered. The
City Manager shall have discretion to edit the title of any presentation to be listed on
the Council agenda.
8
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
5.4 Public Participation:
5.4.1 City Council Work Sessions:No persons shall be allowed to address the City Council
at the City Council Work Session unless they are presenting on an agenda item or
called upon to speak by the Chair or the City Manager.
5.4.2 Addressing the City Council at City Council Meetings and City Council Public
Comment Meetings:
5.4.2.1 City Council Meetings
a a. Posted Agenda Items for Consideration:
Speak— . -;,..: WSubject to all applicable requirements in this Section
5.4.2.1 and the general requirements in Section 5.4.2.3,persons shall be allowed
to address the City Council on items posted on the agenda for consideration at a
City Council Meeting on any posted .,gender item whe and will be recognized to
speak at or before the time the item is called for consideration during the r;t y
Couneil Meetingq further articulated in the-paragraphs below.
Items that are withdrawn from consideration from the posted agenda will not be
called and- therefore will not be subject to comments from the public. No
speaker will be permitted to speak on any agenda item that has been withdrawn
for consideration. An individual who signed up to speak on a withdrawn agenda
item may address the City Council at a subsequent City Council Public
Comment meeting if the individual timely registers to speak at such meeting.
l< Speaking as ., Individual o Posted A nd Ttems-
Eaeh speaker-shall be limited to th+ee(3)minutes. Each speaker-who requires the-
-Assist-A.— ot - ttat.sla4or- to addresses the Chair and Council Members shall be
limited to six (6) ,„ „tom
At the isefetion of the Chair,the Chair may extend the time allotted to a speake
or may ,-eduee the time allotted to eaeh speaker- t two (2) minutes for such
reasons as the time .,ll,,e to f,• the meeting the number- and
agenda items, or the numbef E)f persons wishing to address the City Couneil.
Each speaker who requires the assistanee of a translator to addresses the Ghai
and Gouneil Members shall be given at least twice the amount of tifne given to
a member of the publie that does not require a translatoi�.
E$h—speakeera"'z'usstF6zrrPry=with all applicable Generali- Requirements of
Subsection G 4 7 Z
9
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
Si3eal €eItems that are withdrawn from the consent agenda for individual
consideration may only be removed by the Chair, provided that the Chair shall
remove a matter if requested to do so by another member of the City Council or
the City Manager. If a councilmember of the City Manager wishes to have a
matter removed from the consent agenda, that person should contact the Chair
individually in advance of the City Council Meetingor r may, when the consent
agenda is announced by the City Secretary at the City Council Meeting, seek to
be recognized to request removal of items.
Items that are on the non-consent agenda,other than public hearings and zoning
matters,that are to be designated for additional public comment mad only
designated by the Chair, provided that the Chair shall so designate a matter if
requested to do so by another member of the City Council or the City Manager.
If a councilmember of the City Manager wishes to have a matter so designated
for additional public comment,that person should contact the Chair individually
in advance of the City Council Meetingor r may, before the public comment
period for non-consent agenda items is held, seek to be recognized to request
such designation for the item.
b. Time Limits:
Consent Agenda
For all matters posted on the consent agenda, except for those items removed by
the Chair,each registered person who is speaking as an individual shall be limited
to a total of three(3)minutes,regardless of the number of consent-agenda matters
for which the person has registered.
Non-Consent Agenda
For all items posted on the non-consent agenda other than public hearings,zoning
items, items removed from Consent Agenda, or items designated for additional
public comment, each registered person who is speaking as an individual shall
generally be limited to a total of three (3) minutes, regardless of the number of
items for which the person has registered.
All Other Action Items
Each registered person who is speaking as an individual shall generally be
limited to three(3)minutes per item for any public hearing,zoning matter,item
removed from the consent agenda, or any other matter on the non-consent
agenda that has been designated for additional public comment.
s: Speaker Representing a Group on Posted Agenda, rtems
r,,..,,.nents o „thor presentations by., representative of n organize A registered_
,person who is speaking on behalf of an identified group consisting of a minimum
10
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
of (10) ten persons, shall be limited to six (�inu Tepr-esex afive who
requires the assistance of n translator to addresses the Chair and C'ouneil Meml,o«
shall be limited to twelve(12)minutes. afforded twice the time that is afforded to
a registeredperson who is speaking as an individual.
The names of the ten persons must be provided at the time the representative
registers to speak, and those ten (10) persons must be present in the Council
Chamber when the matter is called. The ten (10) persons shall stand and be
recognized by the Chair before the representative is allowed to address the City
Council. A person counted as one of the ten individuals represented shall not be
permitted to speak on the same sitem or matter.
If the representative fails to list the names of ten (10) persons when he or she
registers to speak or if the ten (10) persons are not present in the Council
Chamber when their names are called by the Chair, the
rep>;-esextativeisrepresentative will be subject to the same time to speak sha
limitedlimit as a person speaking as an individual.
Adjustments to throe «' minutes. Time Limits
At the discretion of the Chair,the Chair may extend the time allotted to n s ea' �r
or-mayor reduce the time allotted to each speaker for such reasons as the time
allocated for the meeting, the number and complexity of agenda items, or the
number of persons wishing to address the City Council. l~aeh speaker- W-he
s then istanee of a translator-t address the Chair and Couneil Members
sh-All be given at least twiee the ametint of time given to a member of the p4he
that does not require a translatoT In making such adjustments to speaker time
limits, the Chair shall act in a reasonable and non-discriminatory manner.
Speaker Reguirinz Assistance of Translator
Each speaker who requires the assistance of a translator to address the City
Council shall be given at least twice the amount of time given to a member of
the public who does not require a translator.
If a person who requires the assistance of a translator is speaking on behalf of
an identified group and meets the requirements outlined above for a group
representative, that person shall be afforded at least twice the amount of time
given to a group representative who does not require a translator.
If the Chair adjust any time limits, a speaker who requires the assistance of a
translator shall be given at least twice the adjusted amount of time given to a
member of the public who does not require a translator.
d. Other Requirements:
11
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
Each speaker must comply with all applicable General Requirements of
Subsection 5.4.2.3.
5.4.2.2 City Council Public Comment Meetings
a Speaking at the City Council Public Comment Meetings:
Persons wishing to address the City Council about any matter related to City
business or affairs that is in the scope of the authority and legislative functions
of the City Council and who have registered as required by this Section will be
permitted to speak at the City Council Public Comment meeting.
Responses by the City Council and staff to comments or a public presentation
shall be in accordance with Texas Open Meetings Act requirements. If a
member of the public or City Council member raises a subject, a response may
consist only of a statement of specific factual information or a recitation of
existing policy. The City Council shall not discuss or take action relative to any
public comments made during a City Council Public Comment meeting.
b. Time Limits:
Registered Person Speaking as an Individual
Comments or other presentations by individualsa registered person who is
speaking as an individual shall eg nerall be limited to a total of three(3)minutes.
At the diser-etion of the Chair-, the Chair may extend the time for a speaker to
addr-ess4heeer City Council or may ed e the time allotted to eaeh speaker-
two (2) minutes for- sue sueh reasons s the time alto.ate a hel`ublic Comment
meeting or the„ m be+
Registered Person Representing a Group
A registered person who is speaking on behalf of per-sons wishing to address the
City Council. aeh speaker- who requires— r-i+a nee vf-crtranslator- to
addresses the Chair and Couneil Members shall be given at least twice the amount
of time given to a , bee-. f the „„blie that does not require ., translator-.
Comments„ other-presentations by., representative of a o --A an identified
group consisting of a minimum of tern-(10) ten persons shall be limitedafforded
twice the time that is afforded to six (6) minutes. a registered person who is
speaking as an individual.
The names of the ten persons shal}must be provided at the time the
representative registers to speak, and those ten (10) persons must be present in
the Council Chamber when the matter is called. The ten(10)persons shall stand
and be recognized by the Chair before the representative is allowed to address
the City Council.A person counted as one of the ten(1-4individuals represented
12
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
shall not be permitted to speak enseparately at the same s City Council
Public Comment meeting.
If the representative fails to list the names of ten (10) persons when he or she
registers to speak or if the ten (10) persons are not present in the Council
Chamber when their names are called by the Chair, the
' representative will be subject to the same time to spew- shal �
hinitedlimit as a person speaking as an individual.
Adjustments to flifee «' .,,mutes Time Limits
At the discretion of the Chair, the Chair may extend or reduce the three (3)
minut time allotted to theeach speaker for such reasons as the time allocated
for the meeting or the number of persons wishing to address the City Council.
Eaeh speaker who requires the assistanee of a translator-to addresses the Chai
and Couneil Members shall be given at least twiee the ametint of time given to
a member of the publie that does not require a translator-. In making such
adjustments to speaker time limits,the Chair shall act in a reasonable and non-
discriminatory manner.
Speaker Repuirinz Assistance of Translator
Each speaker who requires the assistance of a translator to address the CitX
Council shall be given at least twice the amount of time given to a member of
the public who does not require a translator.
If a person who requires the assistance of a translator is speaking on behalf of
an identified group and meets the requirements outlined above fora group
representative, that person shall be afforded at least twice the amount of time
given to a group representative who does not require a translator.
If the Chair adjust any time limits, a speaker who requires the assistance of a
translator shall be given at least twice the adjusted amount of time given to a
member of the public who does not require a translator.
C. Other Requirements Each speaker must comply with all applicable General
Requirements of Subsection 5.4.2.3.
5.4.2.3 General Requirements for Addressingthe he City Council at Public Meetings
a. Deadline to Register to Speak
The deadline for registering to address the City Council at a City Council
Meeting or a City Council Public Comment meeting shall be two hours prior to
the posted start time for the meeting in question. Persons may register by calling
the City Secretary's Office, registering in person at the City Secretary's Office
or by registering on the City's website. The process to register will be
13
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
prescribed by the City Secretary and shall be prominently displayed on the
City's website and in the City Secretary's Office.
No person shall be permitted to speak unless they previously registered to speak
and are recognized by the Chair.Aperson registered to speak must be present
in order to give his or her time to another registered speaker. No time may
be given to a person that is not registered to speak.
I
14
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
b. Submission of Written Comments
Persons or representatives may submit written comments in lieu of presenting
oral testimony,provided such written testimony is submitted by the registration
deadline outlined in this Section.
c. beaker's Use of Electronic Media
Any person wishing to make comments or a presentation that includes video or
another form of electronic media must provide that information in digital format
to the City Secretary's Office by five o'clock(5:00 p.m.)the day before the date
of the meeting. 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 electronic media will be tested prior to the meeting
to ensure that it is compatible with the City's equipment.
d. Being;Recognized to Speak, Scope of Remarks
The Chair shall recognize each individual who has registered to speak by calling
the person's name.
Upon being recognized, the person shall advance to the center podium (or the
back podium, if needed) and shall state his or her name and city of residence in
an audible tone for the record.
In speaking on a posted agenda item at a City Council Meeting,the speaker shall
limit his or her remarks to the subject of the posted agenda item that is under
consideration.
At a City Council Public Comment meeting, each speaker shall limit his or her
remarks to the subject(s) the speaker identified in registering to speak.
The purpose of public comment is to allow residents and other interested parties
to address the City Council.All speakers shall address the Chair and the Council
Members,not the audience or the City staff.
Addressing anyone other than the City Council, including members of the
audience is disruptive and detracts from the intended purpose of public
comment and is grounds for removal from a meeting.
I
No persons other than a Council Member or the person having the floor shall be
permitted to enter into the discussion directly with a member of the City Council
without the permission of the Chair.
All questions to the Council shall be directed to the Chair.
15
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
All members of the public attending and/or speaking at a meeting are required
to abide by the Council Rules of Procedure.
5.4.3 Rules of Conduct: City Council Meetings and City Council Public Comment
meetings are conducted for the official business of the City Council. Members of the
public attending City Council Meetings and City Council Public Comment meetings
shall observe the same rules of civility, decorum and respectful conduct applicable to
members of the City Council. To ensure meetings are conducted in a professional
and courteous manner which enables the order conduct of business, all persons in
attendance or who participate in such meetings shall conduct themselves in a manner
that does not interfere with the ability of others to observe and, when allowed, to
participate without disruption or fear of intimidation,threats or hostility.
Members of the public desiring to address the City Council shall be recognized by the
Chair and shall state his or her name and city of residence in an audible tone for the
record and shall limit his or her remarks to the topic under discussion.
The public has the right to criticize policies, procedure, programs or services of the
City or of the actions or omission of the City Council or City staff. A member of the
public addressing the City Council shall not engage in any disorderly conduct which
disrupts the orderly conduct of any City Council Meeting or City Council Public
Comment meeting. The Chair may rule a public speaker out of order and in violation
of the Council Rules if: (a) the speaker is speaking beyond the allocated time limit
and refuses to yield the floor; (b)the speaker's remarks are not relevant to the agenda
item under consideration at a City Council Meeting or City business or affairs at a
City Council Public Comment meeting; (c) the speaker repeatedly interrupts a
Council Member; (d) the speaker's remarks are disruptive so as to disturb the peace
and good order of the meeting, through use of, without limitation, loud, threatening,
hostile, abusive, vulgar or obscene language or any other actions that disturb or are
calculated to disturb the meeting; (e) the speaker engages in any conduct with the
intent to break up the meeting of the City Council or urges other to commit acts or
engage in conduct to break up the meeting, including unreasonably loud and
prolonged yelling, screaming, clapping or noise-creating acts which render it
impossible or difficult for the City Council to conduct or continue with the meeting;
or (f) the speaker willfully refuses or fails to comply with any Council Rule of
Procedure or with any reasonable order of the Chair.
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.
The Chair shall have the authority to preserve order at all City Council Meetings and
City Council Public Comment meetings and enforce the Council Rules of Procedure,
including the authority to revoke the permission granted to any individual to speak if
16
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
such individual is disruptive or does not adhere to Council Rule of Procedure, to
remove or cause the removal of any person from any meeting of the City Council for
disorderly conduct, and to exclude a person from returning to that same meeting from
which the individual was removed.
If the Chair determines that the Council Rules of Procedure are not being followed,
one warning will be given to the individual(s). If the Council Rules of Procedure
continue to be violated after one warning, the Chair may revoke the individual's
speaking privileges and may remove, or cause to be removed by security personnel,
the individual from the Council Chamber. Any individual ordered to be removed
from a meeting shall be excluded from returning to that meeting from which the
individual was removed and shall be barred from further audience before the City
Council during that session of the City Council.
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 City Council Meetings
in the form of a"Mayor and Council Communication." These communications shall
be delivered to Council members each Friday preceding the Tuesday City Council
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 City Council 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.
17
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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 electronic or physically 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. VI, Sec. 1)
6.3 Action on Ordinances: Ordinances may be acted upon by the City Council during the
City Council 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 physical or electronic
copies of all proposed ordinances for distribution to all members of the Council at
the City Council 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. III, 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. III, 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 or her own official conduct, or where his or her
financial interests are involved, or unless excused by the Council for other valid
reasons by majority vote. (Charter- Ch. III, Sec. 5)
18
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
6.9 Order of Precedence of Motions: The following motions shall have priority in the
order indicated:
1. Adjourn(when privileged) 1/&2/
a� 2. Take a recess(when privileged) 1/&3/ b
3. Raise a question of privilege c
U 4. Lay on the table a¢
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/ �
-02 8. Commit or refer 3/ cr
9. Amend 3/&4/
Q 10. Postpone indefinitely
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. 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 City Council
Meeting 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
19
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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 Meeting 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.
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 Chair. If the mover
modifies his or her motion, the seconder may withdraw his or her 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 Actions Involving Appropriation or Expending of Money: As required by the City
Charter, an action seeking to appropriate or expend funds must be preceded or
accompanied by a certification of the Director of Finance that money for the action is
in the Treasury and not appropriated for any other purposes. In the case of a Mayor
and Council Communication, the Fiscal Certification portion of the document may
serve as the Director's certification. (Charter- Ch. X, Sec. 8)
I
20
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
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. X, Sec. 3)
7. CREATION OF COMMITTEES. BOARDS. AND COMMISSIONS
7.1. Standing Council Committees: There shall be standing City Council Committees,the
number, duties, membership, and chairs of which shall be determined 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 City Council Work
Session or City Council Meeting, if a more in-depth review and discussion by a
smaller group would be beneficial, or (b) be placed on a committee agenda in
accordance with this provision prior to taking the matter to the full Council. The
agenda for each committee meeting shall be prepared by an appointed official and his
or her staff, as designated by the City Council. 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, or the full City Council,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 City Council
Meetings posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act requirements.
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, subje t t the approval of the r,,,,nei _ 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
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
21
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
information to other Council members at least one week in advance of the City
Council Meeting at which the motion to appoint the candidate is to be made.
8. 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 — Change in plans for paving assessment requires a
two-thirds vote of the Council. (Texas Transportation Code 313.053(b))
8.1.2 Use of Streets — 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. XXVI, Sec. 4)
8.1.3 Changing of Zoning Ordinance—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))
8.1.4 Adoption of Tax Rate Greater than No-New-Revenue Rate—A vote on the ordinance,
resolution, or order setting a tax rate that exceeds the no-new-revenue tax rate must
be a record vote, and at least 60 percent of the members of the City Council must vote
in favor of the ordinance,resolution, or order. (Texas Tax Code Sec. 26.05(b))
8.2 Council Rules Requirement:
8.2.1 Suspending Rules—: Council rules may be suspended by an affirmative vote of
three-fourths of all members of the Council. (Council Rules, 2.13)
8.2.2 Immediate Action on Presentations by Members of Council—: Immediate action may
be taken on presentations by Members of Council 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. (Council Rules, 5.2)
8.2.3 Immediate Action on Oral Presentation by the City Manager—: Immediate Council
action may be taken on an Oral Presentation by the City Manager if approved by a
two-thirds majority of all members of the Council and providing that the requirements
22
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
of the Texas Open Meetings Act have been met. (Council Rules 5.6)
8.2.4 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate—: 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)
8.2.5Reconsidering an Item a Second Time— : No question shall be twice reconsidered,
except by unanimous consent of the Council. (Council Rules 6.10)
8.2.6 The Previous Question — An affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the
Council is required to move the previous question. (Council Rules, 6.11)
23
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
History of Adoption and Amendments:
Approved by the City Council the Bch day of January, 1960 and amended as follows:
Revised calendar for processing M&Cs and Council January 12, 1961
agenda(M & C G-180)
Changed distribution of M&Cs to Council from August 13, 1962
Thursday to Wednesday; changed M&C calendar.
(M&C G-285)
Meeting time changed. (Ordinance No. 4770) November 26, 1962
Agenda deadline changed (Pre-Council conference) July 7, 1967
Public Presentations transferred from end of agenda to January 22, 1968
Special Items; limit discussion to five minutes unless
citizen contacts Council or City staff.
Amended Rules 5.4 and 8.2 by deleting Section 8.2.4. March 22, 1976
(City Council meeting of March 22, 1976)
Meeting time was amended. (Ord. No. 7647 & repeals October 20, 1977
Ord.No. 4770)
Amended Rules 5.2, 5.4, 5.6, 6.10 and Sections 8.2.3; November 29, 1979
and 8.2.4. (M&C 4379)
Amended Rules 3.1, 3.5, 3.6. and 5.3; and Section 5.4.4. November 18, 1980
(Res. No. 745) (Effective November 25, 1980)
Amended Rules 3.1;3.5;and Section 5.4.4. (M&C 6576 February 25, 1986
Revised& Ord.No. 9574)
Revised Rules 3.2; 5.4; and Section 5.4.3; added Rule March 4, 1987
5.7; revised Rules 6.2; 6.3; 6.4; 6.15; Sections 8.1.1;
8.1.2; 8.1.4; 8.1.5; 8.1.6; 8.2.2; 8.2.3; 8.2.4 and 8.2.5.
(M&C G-6978)
Amended Rule 2.6; deleted Rule 3.3 and renumbered May 7, 1991
Rules 3.4 through 3.6; amended Rule 4.3; Section 8.1.3;
and deleted Section 8.1.4 (OCS-277)
Amended Rule 4.3 and Section 5.4.2. November 19, 1991
24
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
(Council Proposal 168 presented for consideration.)
Amended Rule 4.3 and Section 5.4.2. (Council Proposal December 3, 1991
168 adopted.)
Amended Rules 3.1 and 3.4. October 22, 1996
(Council Proposal 197 presented for consideration)
Amended Rules 3.1 and 3.4 Effective January 1997
(Council Proposal 197 (revised) adopted.)
Amended Rules 3.3, 5.2, 5.6, and 5.7 to conform to state January 9, 2001
law, Rules 3.4, 3.5, and 5.3 to conform to current
procedures, and added new Sections 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and
Rule 7.3 (Resolution No. 2696)
Amended Rule 3.5, Sections 5.2.1, Section 5.4.4, Rules August 16,2005
6.10,7.1,and added Rule 7.2.
(Resolution No. 3242-08-2005)
Amended Rule 7.1 (Resolution No. 3619-05-2008) May 27,2008
Amended Rule 7.1 (Resolution No. 3674-11-2008) November 11,2008
Amended Rule 7.5 (Resolution No. 3775-08-2009) August 11, 2009
(Repealed by Resolution No. 4157-12-2012)
Corrected all City Charter Chapter and Sections March 22,2011
numbering references;Revised Rules 3.4; 4.1 and added (Effective May 1,2011)
new Section 5.1.1; Revised Rule 5.4; and added new
Sections 5.4.1 and 5.4.2; Revised Sections 5.4.3; 5.4.4;
5.4.5; 5.4.6; Revised Rule 7.1; Deleted Section 8.2.2;
and Renumbered Sections 8.2.3 and 8.2.4
(Resolution No. 3978-03-2011)
Added new Section 4.1.1 (Resolution 4129-09-2012) September 18, 2012
25
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
Revised Section 7.1 adding the Audit Committee to the December 11,2012
Standing Council Committees; repealed Section 7.5
(Resolution 4156-12-2012)
Amended Section 3.1 to reflect that the Council will May 19,2015
meet in the Council Chamber each Tuesday at 7:00 pm
unless otherwise changed; added section 3.1.1 to
establish the procedures for the attendance of City
Council member at City Council Meetings by
videoconference call (Resolution 4457-05-2015)
Revised Section 7.1 deleting the Housing and Economic June 6,2015
Development Committee and adding the Housing and
Neighborhood Services committee as a new standing
committee (Resolution 4463-06-2015)
Revised rules to reflect changes made as a result of the September 27, 2016
May 7, 2016, Charter Amendment election, to conform
the rules to current City procedures, to clarify the
definition of a regular meeting (Sections 3.1-3.5) and to
consistently reference City Council Meeting and City
Council Work Session. (Resolution 4684-09-2016)
Revised Sections 4.3, 5.4.1, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.6; added September 19,2017
Section 5.4.7; deleted Section 5.4.5 to add rules of
conduct for citizen presentation and to limit public
comments during Public Presentations to three (3)
minutes. (Resolution 4845-09-2017)
Revised rules to combine and reformat sections 5.4.1, August 27,2019
5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4 and 5.4.6; to clarify that citizens may
speak at city council meetings on agenda items before
the city council for consideration and during Public
Presentations; to add language requiring additional time
for speakers who require the assistance of a translator;
and to delete the reference to section 5.4.5 repealed in
2017 by resolution 4845-09-2017. (Resolution 5120-08-
2019)
Revised rules to change all references to "Citizen April 7,2020
Presentations" to "Public Presentations" (Resolution
5206-04-2020)
26
City of Fort Worth,Texas
City Council
Rules of Procedures
Amended Section 3.2 pertaining to City Council Work November 10, 2020
Sessions and City Council Meetings; Deleted Section
3.3 in its entirety and renumbered remaining sections
(Resolution 5297-11-2020)
Amended Sections 3.5 and 5.4.2 (Resolution 5463-08- August 24,2021
2021) (eff. September 1, 2021)
Amended Sections 3, 5.4.2, 7, and 8. Revised rules to October 19,2021
change all references from"he" and"his"to "he or she" (eff. November 1, 2021)
and "his or her", to reflect written materials may be in
physical or electronic form,and to make non-substantive
revisions for consistency throughout. (Resolution 5493-
10-2021)
Amended Sections 5.4.2 to clarify duration and timing September 13,2022
for addressing Council on public hearings,zoningitems,ems, (eff. September 20, 2022
Matters of Particular Interest, Consent Agenda, and
Non-Consent Agenda. Amended 7.2 to eliminate
requirement for ad hoc committee appointments to be
approved by Council in order to make consistent with
process for appointments to other Council Committees.
Revised Section 3.5(f) to update a reference to
Councilmember. (Resolution -09-2022)
Ronald P. Gonzales,
Jannette S. Goodall,
City Secretary
i
27