HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2006-070 Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure AmendmentsRESOLUTION NO. R 2006 - 70
A RESOLUTION adopting the recommendations of the Council Meeting Review
Committee regarding amendments to the Yakima City Council Rules
of Procedure and amending the Rules as recommended.
WHEREAS, during its January 7, 2006 Strategic Planning Workshop the City
Council directed the Council Meeting Review Committee to develop language amending the
Council's "Rules of Procedure"; and
WHEREAS, the Council Meeting Review Committee evaluated language
recommended by City staff from a review of local government rules through Washington
State; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has made a number of recommendations for language
regarding 1) audience participation time limits; 2) the procedure for reading
ordinance/resolution titles; 3) procedure for Council discussion and debate; and 4) seating;
and
WHEREAS, the Council considered such recommendations at it April 18, 2006
regular meeting and determined that the recommendations of the Committee should be
adopted and implemented; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The Yakima City Council Rules of Procedure are hereby amended as follows:
1. A new section, D(2), "Seating Policy", is hereby adopted to read as follows:
The Mayor shall sit in Chair #5 at the center of the dais. The Mayor
Pro Tem shall sit in Chair #4 immediately to the right of the Mayor.
With the exception of special circumstances (medical necessity,
etc.), all other seating shall be determined by lottery following each
Council election cycle. Such seating lottery shall be conducted
between the 1st Council regular agenda business meeting of the
year following each Council election cycle and the 2nd such meeting
of the year.
2. A new section, D(3), "Reading of Ordinance/Resolution Title", is hereby adopted to
read as follows:
When an ordinance or resolution is to be considered by the
Council, prior to any discussion or debate, the title of the ordinance
and resolution to be considered will be read aloud by the Clerk of
the Council.
3. A new section, G(7), "Order of Discussion/Debate", is hereby adopted to read as
follows:
After the title of an ordinance or resolution has been read (see
Section D(3) herein), the Mayor will request a staff report(s), if
necessary, be given. Following the staff report(s), the Mayor will
entertain a motion to adopt or deny the ordinance or resolution. If
the motion receives a second, the Mayor will restate the motion,
and then invite discussion by the Council. The maker of the motion
will be given the choice to speak first. Each Council member will
then be allowed to speak once before any other Council member
may speak for a second time. At such time as is reasonable, or
when a "call for the question" motion is made, seconded, and
approved, the Mayor will close discussion/debate and the original
motion will be voted on in accordance with Section H herein.
4. A new section, 1(5), "Audience Participation", is hereby adopted to read as follows:
Community members are invited to address items that are not listed
on the regular business meeting agenda. A guideline of three (3)
minutes per speaker is in place in order to allow as much
opportunity as possible for audience participation. A speaker's time
may be extended at the discretion of the Mayor and/or the
consensus or vote of the Council. Written communication and e-
mail messages are strongly encouraged.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 2nd day of May, 2006.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
avid Edler, Mayor
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. is
For Meeting Of May 2, 2006
ITEM TITLE: A resolution amending the Yakima City Council "Rules of Procedure."
SUBMITTED BY: Dick Zais, City Manager
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Randy Beehler, Community Relations Manager,
575-6092
SUMMARY EXPLANATION: During its April 18th, 2005 regular agenda business meeting,
the City Council accepted the recommendation of the Council Meeting Review Committee to
amend the Council's "Rules of Procedure" by adding language re: four specific items: 1) an
audience participation speaking time limit; 2) a procedure for the reading of ordinance/resolution
titles; 3) a procedure for Council discussion and debate; and, 4) a seating policy.
Attached is a resolution that, if approved by the City Council, will add a new Section
D — 2 — Seating Policy, a new Section D — 3 — Reading of Ordinance/Resolution Title, a new
Section G — 7 — Order of Discussion/Debate, and a new Section I — 5, - Audience Participation,
to the Council's "Rules of Procedure."
The Council Meeting Review Committee will continue its review of the "Rules of Procedure"
and will likely present additional amendments/updates to the Council's "Rules of Procedure" in
the future.
Resolution X Ordinance Other (specify)
Contract Mail to (name & address)
Phone:
Funding Source
APPROVAL FOR SUBMITTAL: xt0 -Cit Manager
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2006-70