HomeMy WebLinkAbout20. Council Rules 2020 AV
Oshkosh Common Council
Oshkosh Rules of Order
Adopted: May 12, 2020
Rules of Council Procedure
I. Rules of Decorum
A. Adoption of Civility Pledge.
All participants in Council meetings shall conduct themselves according to the
Civility Pledge adopted by the Council on June 14, 2011 by Resolution 11-270, as
noted below:
• Pay Attention - Be Aware of Others & Sensitive to the Immediate Context of
Actions
• Listen Closely - Understand Other Points of View
• Be Inclusive - Welcome All; Don't Exclude Anyone
• Don't Gossip - Remind Others of the Importance of this Practice
• Show Respect - Honor Others (Especially in Disagreement)
• Be Agreeable - Find Opportunities to Agree
• Apologize Sincerely - Repair Damaged Relationships
• Give Constructive Comments, Suggestions & Feedback-No Personal Attacks
(Focus on Issues)
• Accept Responsibility - Don't Shift Blame; Share Disagreements Publicly
B. General Rule of Decorum.
No person shall personally attack a council member, city official, city employee
or any other person. For purposes of this section personal attacks shall include
comments directed at a particular person or persons which pertain to any matter
that is unrelated to the performance of official duties or the conduct of city
business, are threatening, slanderous, defamatory or obscene or are of such a
nature that the comments disrupt the meeting or cause a disturbance. No
person shall make irrelevant, unduly repetitious, offensive, threatening,
slanderous, defamatory, or obscene remarks or act in such a manner as to
disrupt or disturb the orderly conduct of any meeting, including handclapping,
stomping of feet, whistling, shouting or other demonstrations. Any person
violating this provision shall be called to order by the Mayor. If the conduct
continues, the Mayor may order the person removed and the Council may make
a fact finding whether such behavior was outside the scope and content of the
council rules and, if applicable, whether the behavior was of a character to cause
a breach of the peace.
II. Rules pertaining to Individuals addressing the Council
A. Individuals speaking to the Council regarding agenda items are limited to one
appearance per person of no more than five (5) minutes per agenda item.
Whenever the Council proposes an amendment to a resolution or ordinance, the
Council will permit additional public comment specific only to the amendment
and its effect. (NOTE: Exception to the five (5) minutes may be made at the
discretion of the Council.)
B. Citizen Statements.
1. Individuals speaking to the Council under the heading "Citizen Statements
to Council" are limited to five (5) minutes. (NOTE: Exception to the five (5)
minutes may be made at the discretion of the Council.)
2. Individuals may address the Council only and must address items that are
not listed on the Council meeting agenda, except for those items listed under
City Manager or Council Member Statements.
3. Statements are limited to issues that have an impact on the City of Oshkosh
and that the Common Council may address at a future meeting.
4. Statements must not include endorsements of any candidates or other
electioneering.
III. Rules pertaining to Timing of Submissions for Inclusion on Council Agendas
and Attendance/Excusal from Meetings
A. Action Items: Council Members must have agenda items submitted no later
than 4:00 PM on the Tuesday one week prior to the Council meeting. Council
members should keep in mind that additional time may be needed to work with
staff to put items into resolution or ordinance form or if clarifications are
necessary; and that items submitted after the deadline may not be included in
the agenda that is published on the Friday prior to the Council meeting.
B. Informational Items: Council members shall inform the City Clerk no later
than 12:00 noon on the day prior to the Council meeting of any Council Member
Statements that they intend to make at the Council Meeting.
C. To be considered an excused absence from a Council Meeting a Council
Member must give notice to the Mayor and City Clerk prior to the meeting's
start time.
IV. Rules pertaining to Council Members speaking to items on the Agenda
A. When two or more members simultaneously seek recognition, the Mayor or
other presiding officer shall name the order of the members who are to speak.
B. Council members speaking under the heading "Council Member
Announcements, Statements & Discussion" are limited to five (5) minutes and
must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering.
(NOTE: Exception to the five (5) minutes may be made at the discretion of the
Council.)
C. Council Members will be given the opportunity to report on activities of their
assigned Boards and Commissions to which they are a liaison. The Mayor will
ask each Council Member to provide a report if applicable. Such report shall be
limited to one (1) minute per assigned Board/Commission. If greater discussion
is required, the item may be scheduled for a future agenda.
V. Rules pertaining to Conduct of the Council Meeting/Motions
The following chart is adopted to govern the most common motions and actions to
be taken at Council Meetings. The Council chooses not to be strictly governed by
Robert's Rules of Order, but where the actions listed below or other provisions of
these Rules do not govern a particular issue, the most recent version of Roberts
Rules of Order may be used for guidance.
Council Liaisons - Maintain voting rights