HomeMy WebLinkAbout12. 17-397 AUGUST 8, 2017 17-397 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 6-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE COUNCIL RULES
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the attached
Common Council Rules of Order are hereby adopted and shall be in full force and effect on
and after September 1, 2017.
4& Oshkosh Common Council Rules of Order
Oshkosh Adopted August 8, 2017
Rules of Council Procedure
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.
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.
C. Prohibited Items.
1. Firearms and ammunition of any type
2. Knives, blades, razors, edged or sharp objects and striking devices
3. Mace or pepper spray
4. Illegal drugs or substances
5. Explosives and flammable substances
6. Noisemakers
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.
(NOTE: Exception to the five (5) minutes may be made at the discretion of the
Council.)
1. In order to facilitate public input and the flow of the Council meeting,
members of the public wishing to address Council on agenda items shall
complete a "Speaker Registration Form" at the electronic kiosk outside
the Council Chambers, or may complete the Form through other
electronic methods made available by the City of Oshkosh. This form
will be made available priorto and during the Council meeting. Members
of the public shall be called to speak in the order that requests are
received, unless Council decides otherwise. One form shall be required
for each agenda item. If the speaker has any handout to provide Council,
handouts shall be submitted to a city staff member for distribution to
Council. Accommodations may be permitted by Council due to technical
difficulties with completing the electronic form, or to accommodate
needs of the public wishing to address 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. In order to facilitate the flow of the Council meeting, members of the public
wishing to address Council under Citizen Statements shall complete a
"Speaker Registration Form" at the electronic kiosk outside the Council
Chambers, or may complete the Form through other electronic methods
made available by the City of Oshkosh. This form will be made available
prior to and during the Council meeting. Members of the public shall be
called to speak in the order that requests are received, unless Council
decides otherwise. If the speaker has any handout to provide Council,
handouts shall be submitted to a city staff member for distribution to Council.
Accommodations may be permitted by Council due to technical difficulties
with completing the electronic form, or to accommodate needs of the citizen
wishing to address Council.
4. 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.
5. 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. Council Members must have agenda items submitted no later than 12:00 noon
on the day 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 Wednesday prior to the Council meeting will not be included in the
agenda that is published on the Friday prior to the Council meeting.
B. 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. Using the "Request to Speak" technology available, the Mayor shall generally
recognize Council Members' request to speak in the order that such requests
are received. Council Members shall use proper discretion and decorum in
limiting their questions or comments to the issue at hand and to provide an
opportunity for their colleagues to participate in the discussion at hand. The
Mayor shall determine if the Council member should yield the floor to a
colleague to continue discussion. 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.)
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.
Control of the Agenda
Action
Second
Required
Debatablez
Amendable
Vote
Required3
Withdraw from Agenda'
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
Remove Item from Consent Agenda
No
No
No
None
Consider Items out of the Scheduled
Order, Change the Agenda Order
Yes
No
No
2/3
Suspend Rules
Yes
No
No
2/3
Taking up Items of Business
Action
Second
Required
Debatablez
Amendable
Vote
Required3
Adopt an Ordinance or Resolution,
§64.07(3) Wis. Stats.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority of all
members
(4 members)
Other Original Motions (new business)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Amend an Original Motion
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Divide the Issue
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
Withdraw Motion (by Proposer, with
consent of the Second)
Consent by
Second
No
No
None
Layover (Table) until a time certain
Yes
No
No
Majority
Take an item off the Table
Yes
No
No
2/3
Suspend Rules and Adopt an Ordinance
on First Reading
Yes
No
No
2/3
Limiting 1 Extending or Ending Debate
Action
Second
Required
Debatablez
Amendable
Vote
Required3
Call for the Question (Close Debate) — no
objection raised
No
No
No
None
Call for the Question (Close Debate) —
objection raised
No
No
No
213
Limit or Extend Debate
Yes
No
Yes
2/3
Administration may withdraw an item from the agenda prior to the meeting convening; after the meeting
has convened only the Council may withdraw items from the agenda.
2 By Council Rule, every Motion before the Council is debatable.
3 Unless otherwise indicated majority or super -majority votes are counted as a percentage of the
members present and voting. By statute a majority vote of all members of the Council is required to
adopt any ordinance or resolution. §64.07(3) Wis. Stats.
Changing Previous Actions
Action
Second
Debatable2
Amendable
Vote
Required
Required3
Amend Previously Adopted Motion
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority with
Notice;
2/3 without
prior Notice
Reconsider (member of the prevailing side
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
may request the body to reconsider its
previous action -- must be made during
the same meeting or the next succeeding
regular meeting)
Rescind (repeal/reverse a prior action)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority with
Notice;
2/3
without prior
Notice
Questions / Concerns and Other Issues
Outside Substance of Debate
Action
Second
Debatable2
Amendable
Vote
Required
Required3
Point of Order (if rules are not being
No
No
No
Chair Rules
observed)
Parliamentary Inquiry (help with
No
No
No
Chair
parliamentary procedure, how to do
provides
something)
assistance
Point of Information (to ask a question)
No
No
No
Chair obtains
answer
Question of Privilege (some person or
No
No
No
Chair directs
thing is interfering with the deliberative
corrective
process, ie. too noisy, too hot or cold,
action
belligerent person or member)
Appeal Chair's Decision
Yes
Yes
No
Majority
2 By Council Rule, every Motion before the Council is debatable.
3 Unless otherwise indicated majority or super -majority votes are counted as a percentage of the
members present and voting. By statute a majority vote of all members of the Council is required to
adopt any ordinance or resolution. §64.07(3) Wis. Stats.
Ending a Meeting
Action
Second
Debatable2
Amendable
Vote
Required
Required3
Adjourn (ends/closes the meeting)
Yes
No
No
Majority
Recess (short break that does not end
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
meeting)
Adjourn Sine Die (adjourn without future
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
date — used to end/close the session of
Council prior to seating of new Council
upon election)
Selection of Officers or Temporary
Chair, if required
Action
Second
Debatable2
Amendable
Vote
Required
Required3
Nominations
No
No
No
None
Close Nominations (by Declaration of
Yes
No
Yes
2/3
Chair or by Motion)
(if by motion)
Election of Nominees
No
Yes
No
Majority
Reopen Nominations
Yes
No
Yes
Majority
Temporary Selection of Chair in absence
or disability of Chair and Vice may be
done by selection of the Chair and
Consent of Board
2 By Council Rule, every Motion before the Council is debatable.
3 Unless otherwise indicated majority or super -majority votes are counted as a percentage of the
members present and voting. By statute a majority vote of all members of the Council is required to
adopt any ordinance or resolution. §64.07(3) Wis. Stats.
Motions. No motion requiring a second shall be discussed or acted upon unless
and until it has received a second. Motions may be withdrawn by the person
making the same, if the motion has received a second, then the person seconding
the motion must also consent to the withdrawal of the motion. Motions may only
be amended by another motion and second (There shall be no "friendly
amendments" to motions) or by withdrawal of the motion and a new motion made.
Actions/Motions in Order during Debate. When a question is under debate, no
other action or motion shall be in order, except:
1) Questions/Concerns and Other Issues Outside the Substance of Debate as
identified within the table above;
2) To recess;
3) To adjourn;
4) To lay the matter over to a specific date or to be returned to the Council
upon the occurrence of a specific event;
5) To Call the Question;
6) To refer to a Board or Commission for additional review or action;
7) To Divide the Issue;
8) To Amend; or
9) To withdraw the motion.
The items listed above shall have precedence in the order in which they are listed.
Vote Change. A member shall only be permitted to change his/her vote upon a
matter at the time their name is called by the Clerk and no member shall be
permitted to change his/her vote on a matter once a succeeding member has cast
his/her vote.
Motions to Lay Over shall include Date or Time Frame for Action. Motions to lay
over shall include a specific date to be returned to the Council or shall require
return to the Council upon a specific occurrence within a specified time frame.
Except for matters which may be approved by operation of law if not acted upon
by Council, if the occurrence shall not happen within the specified time frame, the
City Clerk shall notify the Council at the end of the time frame that the matter shall
not be brought forward and make appropriate notation to the minutes of the
meeting during which the matter was laid over. Upon notice of non -action by the
City Clerk, any Council member may request that the matter be placed upon the
next Council agenda for report or official action.
Reconsideration. Except as action may have already been taken in reliance upon
the council's approval/disapproval of an item, any member who voted with the
prevailing side on any question may move for reconsideration of a vote at the same
meeting or at the next succeeding regular meeting of the Council by notifying the
City Clerk of the member's request to have the reconsideration included on the
Agenda for the next succeeding regular meeting. A motion to reconsider having
been put and lost shall not be renewed by the same or any other member.
Termination of Debate / Calling the Question. Any member wishing to terminate
debate may move the previous question (call the question). The Mayor or other
presiding officer shall ask whether there is any objection to calling the question. If
no objection is voiced, then the Clerk shall record unanimous consent to terminate
the debate. If an objection is voiced, a roll call vote shall be taken and 2/3 of
members present shall be required to terminate the debate. If debate is
terminated, the question, including any pending amendments, before the Council
shall be taken without further debate.
Use of Unanimous Consent. Unanimous Consent shall only be used for
termination of debate, motions to adjourn, motions to recess and for elections for
Deputy Mayor or Temporary Chair when there shall be only one member put
forward for election.
Amendment of these Rules. These Rules may be amended or new rules adopted
upon proper notice by a majority of all members at any meeting of the Council.
Suspension of the Rules. A vote of two-thirds of the members present will suspend
any Rule of the Council.
VI. Rules pertaining to Duties of the Deputy Mayor
The Deputy Mayor shall be responsible for ensuring that the annual evaluation of
the City Manager is accomplished and the goals for the City Manager are
developed and approved annually.
JUNE 14, 2011 11-270 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 7-0
LOST LAID OVER
WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: EXPRESSING COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE OSHKSOH
CIVILITY PROJECT AND ENDORSING THE OSHKOSH CIVILITY
PLEDGE
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, the Oshkosh Civility Project has been created by a group of community
leaders as follows: the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation; the University of
Wisconsin -Oshkosh; the Oshkosh Northwestern; Oshkosh Area United Way; Oshkosh
Public Library; Oshkosh Area School District; and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce;
and
WHEREAS, the leaders of the Oshkosh Civility Project have asked other community
leaders to ceremonially endorse the Oshkosh Civility Pledge; and
WHEREAS, individual members of the Oshkosh Common Council and city
management have participated in discussions to improve our community through a
dedication to the principles of civility; and
WHEREAS, the Oshkosh Civility Project seeks the formal endorsement of the City of
Oshkosh in the Oshkosh Civility Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh:
1. That the Oshkosh Common Council endorses the Oshkosh Civility Pledge, which
states as follows: We built a stronger and more diverse community by actively
sharing our ideas and opinions with others in thoughtful and considerate ways.
By practicing this basic commitment to civility, we learn and grow from one
another — even in disagreement.
2. That the Council will endorse and put into practice the identified skills by the
Oshkosh Civility Project that are designed to promote civility.
3. That the Council will, through its actions, endorse these principles and skills by
following these basic rules of decorum at Council Meetings and encourage the
public to practice these principles in matters coming before the Oshkosh
Common Council.