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Home My WebLink About11/07/2017 05C Council Member Attendance at Council Meetings by Electronic MeansBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT Item No. 5.C. For Meeting of: November 7, 2017 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of written procedure regarding Council member attendance at City Council meetings by electronic means such as speakerphone or other means that provides full audio or audiovisual capability SUBMITTED BY: Helen Harvey, Senior Assistant City Attorney SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The "Standard Motions and Rules of Yakima City Council" (Revised August 2014) provide that a member of the City Council may not vote on any question unless the member is present when the vote is taken and when the result is announced (Section 13.3). Some local government governing bodies in this state have enacted specific meeting rules that allow participation of a Council member when the member is not physically present, such as by speakerphone or some contemporary communication mode. The attendance and participation would require clear two- way communication so that the member on the phone line or video/internet connection can hear and perhaps see what is happening at the meeting and can also be heard and perhaps be seen by those present at the meeting. If authorized by the body, this can be considered attendance at the meeting, and the physically -absent member would count toward the quorum and could vote. Some cities have meeting rules that allow such participation generally and others allow it on a more limited basis. We have been asked to present various options for the Council to review. Some options from the rules of other cities are presented in the attachments for the Council's review and consideration. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FORcl*� SUBMITTAL: 'City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: This is a City Council decision. If the Council desires to permit a Council member to participate and vote at a City Council meeting when the member is not physically present at the meeting, staff recommends that the Rules of Procedure of the Yakima City Council (revised August 2014) be amended to set forth the written procedures that would apply to such attendance. BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description D Attachment No, 1 Examples of Rules of Five Cities Attachment No, 2 Examples of Other City Councils' Rule Content on Telephonic Participation Upload Date Type 1/12/2016 Backup Material 1/12/2016 Backup Material D Attachment No. 3 Memo on Participation at City 1/12/2016 Backup Material Council Meeting I I III l*if_-U WNWID] a IAll 4 Re: Written procedures regarding Council member attendance at City Council meetings by electronic means such as speakerphone or other means that provides full audio or audiovisual capability. Attached are some examples of written procedures of various cities regarding City Council member participation in a Council meeting from a remote location. The examples provide some different approaches and options; or a combination of provisions from different rules could be adopted, depending on the preference of the City Council. A brief summary of the attached rules is below. ExanI A. City of Sequim (Resolution No. R2013-003, "Rule Regarding Remote Attendani at City Council Meetings" (attached). No number limitation provided on times a Council member may attend from a remote location, but -Aftendance from remote locations is intended to be an infrequently -used alternate method for participation Vote of the Council is required to allow participation. Council members — whether in the chamber or at the remote location —"constituting a majority may approve the use of remote communication for the entirety of the meeting or for a specified portion thereof." Executive Sessions, Vote required to allow participation in an executive session from remote location '�only when the Council on a case-by-case basis considers such participation to be necessary and the Council is confident in the security of such remote communications." Example B. City of Bothell ("City Council Protocol Manual" revised July 9, 2013, Resolution No. 1298) (attached). Number limitation to 2 times per year ("Attendance via speakerphone should be the rare exception, not the rule, and AVS [Attendance by Speakerphone] is limited to two times per year per Council Member." PURI 0 Limited to "one agenda Itern, hot the entire Council meetingl Requires advance notification at the Council meeting prior to the meeting the member wishes to attend by speakerphone', or if that is not possible, no later than the business day prior to the meeting Example C. City of Kenmore (Resolution No, 13-215 dated April 22, 2013) (attached). Similar to Bothell/Example B above, except permits speakerphone attendance 3 times in a calendar year rather than 2 times, and allows for more times by majority vote ("Cou nci Imember attendance via speakerphone or video is limited to 3 times in a calendar year, but the City Council, by majority vote, may allow additional attendance by speakerphone or v1deo!') * Requires advance notification at least 24 hours before a meeting. Example Q. City of Liberty Lake, Washington (Resolution No12-156 dated February 21, 2012, Section 1 .5 "Attendance via Speakerphone (AVS))" (attached). Number limitation to 2 times per year per Council member ("AVS should be the rare exception, not the rule� and AVS is limited to two times per year per Council member). 0 Limited to "one or two specific agenda ot the entire Council meeting." Provides examples of when AVS would be appropriate under Liberty Lake's procedures. Section 1 5 of the Liberty Lake rules states'. # An agenda item is time sensitive, and AVS is needed for a quorum; • An agenda item is of very high importance to the Council member who cannot be physically present; • It is important for all Council members to be involved in a decision, but one Council member is unable to be physically present. AVS should be limited to one or two specific agenda items, and not the entire Council meeting." (Emphasis in original) Provides examples on when AVS would not be appropriate under Liberty Lake's procedures, Section 1.5 of the Liberty Lake rules state& "Examples of situations Where AVS would not be appropriate include, but are not limited to: Other public hearing(s) where maps, display boards, power point presentations, or similar graphic presentations are being utilized; and Non hearing agenda items which depend substantially on visual aids and/or graphic presentations." (Emphasis in original) gXqMglj�� City of Seattle (General Rules and Procedures of the Seattle City Council as of December 17, 2015, as adopted by Resolution 316 39) (attached). For emergency meetingsi attendance is permitted by electronic means (e.g. multi-party telephone or video conferencing)� # 0 1 UNKIN IM&U4 me �MIIWIIAVAIJIM A Resolution Establishm*,g Rules for WHEREAS, fi-o,m time to time or under certain defined conditions it is not possible for a Council ember or City staff person to. attend a City Council meeting; and WHEREAS, the City of Sequim would benefit, by a Council mietuber or 'City staff person's participation in a Council meeting by means of remote communication 10 limited instances where the, Council member or staff person is unable to attend the ineefing; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a. procedure for Council members and City staff to attend meetings remotely via speakerphone, Stype or other electronic or digital data communication device; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City ofSequirn hereby adopts the following rule; MMIMMMM=IEMMMM3MM=IIEM= 4 M Ik a I IN 11INIM"IMIME"Iflurnm A 11111, 1 ImMi 1 11 4Ik:UUVIIS ty UIC 4#41V;; 4JMfj=q Sr 0, considers such participation to be necessary and the Couhcil is confident in the security of such remote communications. Resolution R2013-003 Pagel of 3 I Attendance from remote locations is intended to be an� infrequontly-used alternate: method for participation by members of the Council and staff. D. MdAtenance of Public Record , Audio and video recotdings of proceedings under this section shall 'be maintained for the, public record asrequired by law.. Resolution R20113-003 Page 2 of 3 staff who may participate in such meetings in accordance with this section. Systems, equipment and traiming for the purpose of this section shall from time to time be upgraded at the suggestion of the City Manager and at direction of the Council as technologies advance and City budgets allow. Adopted by the City Council this L'� L' day of2013. Z'V tz., Karen' Kuznek-Re6se, MMt, City Clerk A-'� Ken Hays, Mad f cx� Craig A. Rifchie, City Attorney Resolution R20 13-003 Page 3 of 3 CITY OF BOTHELL CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOL MANUAL City of Bothell Adopted: June 12, 2000 Resolution No. 1099 (2000) Revised: July 22, 2002 Revised: May 4, 2010 Resolution No. 1140 (2002) Resolution No. 1255 (2010) Revised: March 13, 2006 Resolution No. 1184 (2006) Revised: March 20, 2007 Resolution No. 1200 (2007) Revised: April 17, 2007 Resolution No. 1201 (2007) Revised: March 17, 2009 Resolution No. 1230 (2009) Revised: March 19, 2013 Resolution No. 1295 (2013) Revised: April 2, 2013 Resolution No. 1296 (2013) Revised: July 9, 2013 Resolution No. 1298 (2013) 8 i WK, I a I a N A M E F ITIff W Bothell is a nonpartisan local government. Professional staff formulates recommendations in compliance with Council policy for the good of the community, not influenced by political factors. For this reason, it is very important to understand the restrictions of political involvement of staff. ■ working for the City, staff members do not surrender rights to be involved in political activities. Employees may privately express their personal opinions. They may register to vote, sign nominating or recall petitions, and they may vote in any election. 7.13 Council Attendance Policy RCW 35A.13.020 (Council -Manager Plan of Government) directs us to RCW 35A.12.0 (Mayor -Council Plan of Government) - Vacancy for Nonattendance. A council position sh become vacant if the Council Member fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of t council without being excused by the council. At the start of each City Council meeting, the Mayor or City Clerk, or designee, wilt call the roll. Any absent Council Member who has called the Mayor or City Manager's Office prior to 5:00 pm. on the day of the meeting to advise of such absence will be deemed excused. 7.14 Attendance via Speakerphone (AVS) From time to time, a Council Member will not be able to be physically present at a Council meeting, but will want to be involved in the discussion and/or decision on a particular agenda item. The procedure and guidelines for permitting a Council Member to attend a Council meeting via speakerphone are as follows: A. The Rare Occasion Attendance via speakerphone should be the rare exception, not the rule, and AVS is limited to two times per year per Council Member, Examples of situations where AVS would be appropriate include, but are not limited to: An agenda item is time sensitive, and AVS is needed for a quorum; An agenda item is of very high importance to the Council Member that cannot be physically present; it is important for all Council Members to be involved in a decision, but one Council Member is unable to be physically present. • AVS should be limited to one agenda item, not the entire Council meeting. Page 41 of 122 IN 1. The Council Member attending via speakerphone, a. must be able to hear the discussion on the agenda item taking place in the Council chambers, and b. must be able to be heard by all present in Council Chambers. 2. When the particular agenda item is ready to be discussed, the Mayor (or presiding officer, if the Mayor is not physically present) should state for the record: a. Let the record reflect that Council Member is attending via speakerphone for Agenda Item No. relating to b. Council Member , can you hear me? [There must then be a clearly audible response in the affirmative.] c. Let the record reflect that Council Member who is attending via speakerphone, can be heard by all present in Council chambers. 3. Upon conclusion of the particular agenda item, the Mayor (or presiding officer, if the Mayor is not physically present) should state: a. Council Member discussion on Agenda Item No. - has concluded. Thank you for your attendance via speakerphone. The telephone connection will now be terminated, [Connection should be terminated at this time.] b. Let the record reflect Council Member 's attendance via speakerphone has been terminated. Next on the agenda is .. C. Notification If a Council Member wishes to attend a Council meeting via speakerphone for an agenda item, the Council Member should notify Council of his or her intent at the Council meeting prior to the meeting for which they wish to attend via speakerphone. This notification should be made during the Council's review of the projected agenda. If that is not possible, the Council Member should notify the City Manager of his or her wish to attend a Council meeting via speakerphone for an agenda item not later than the business day prior to the Council meeting for which he or she wishes to attend via speakerphone. With less notice, it may not be possible to make the necessary arrangements to allow attendance via speakerphone. assamm W EXAMPLE C — Kenmore CITY OF KENMORE WASHINGTON RESOLUTION NO. 13-215 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENMORE, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING COUNCIL RULES AND PROCEDURES AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NOS. 06-117,06- 123, 06-129, 06-130, AND 09-167. WHEREAS, at City Council retreats, the City Councilmembers have agreed to certain working protocols and procedures; and WHEREAS, these working protocols and procedures will form the basis of the City Council relationships with citizens, with each other, and with staff; and WHEREAS, RCW 35A.13.170 and 35A.12.120 require the City Council to establish rules of procedure for the order of business and conduct of City Council meetings; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt revised rules and procedures for the order of business and conduct of City Council meetings and hearings; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENMORE, WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE as follows: Section 1. The City Council adopts the "City of Kenmore Council Rules and Procedures" attached to this Resolution. Section 2. Resolution Nos. 06-117, 06-123, 06-129, 06-130 and 09-167 are repealed. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENMORE, WASHINGTON, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF THIS 22nDAY OF Abril. 2013. � / ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: .AL- g* �, - Patty Safr ity C k APPROVED AS TO FARM: All Ro asseeguma, Ci �, t3' Attorney 12 EXAMPLE C – Kenmore expulsion from the meeting at which the conduct occurs, removal from committee membershand/or removal of intergovernmental duties, 1 The Presiding Officer may give a verbal admonition, 4. Other punishments not mentioned in Section 4.E.-2. require the affirmative Vote of 5 members of the City Council, 5. A censure is a statement by 5 members of the City Council that a prohibited action has occurred. 6. A censure will be in the same form as any other Council motion or resolution, The motion must state the prohibited conduct or action, UL= Occasionally, a Councilmember will not be able to be physically present at a meeting, but will want to be involved in the discussion and/or decision on a particular agenda item, The procedure and guidelines for permitting a Councilmember to attend a meeting via speakerphone or video is contained in this section. Councilmember attendance via speakerphone or video is limited to 3 times in a calendar year, but the City Council, by majority vote, may allow additional attendance by speakerphone or video. 1 - At least 24 hours before the starting time of a meeting, the Councilmember must advise the City Clerk of the desire to attend via speakerphone or video to allow time for preparation of the speakerphone or video components and of the agenda items to be attended via speakerphone or video. 2i The Councilmember attending via speakerphone must be able to hear all speakers in the meeting room, and all persons in the meeting room must be able to hear the Councilmember. The video and audio components of videoconferencing should be visible and audible to all persons in the meeting room, 4. When the particular agenda item is ready to be discussed, the Presiding Officer should state and ask for the record: a. "Councilmember is attending via speakerphone/ video for Agenda Item No. —, relating to .11 Im 13 EXAMPLE C — Kenmore b, 'Tet the record reflect Councilmember — 's attendance via speakerphone/vIdeo has been terminated." A. Executive Session Topics and Confidentiality 1 . Executive session topics include but are not limited to the following: a. Acquisition of real estate when public knowledge regarding t acquisition would cause a likelihood of increased price. bConsideration of the minimum price for sale or lease of C, property when public knowledge regarding such considerati would cause a likelihood of decreased price, c� Review of negotiations on the performance of publicly b, contracts when public knowledge regarding such review woul cause a likelihood of increased costs. M 14 IIII&W011k, I-a"JI114 WEEREAS, the Liberty Lake City Council has reviewed the attached Rules of Procedure and finds them to be acceptable and appropriate. NUMM I The City Council adopts the attached Rules of Procedure under the * Mayor/Council form of government. For decision on points of order, the City shall be governed by the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order, a copy of which is r.naintained in the office of the Liberty Lake City Clerk. These Rules of Procedure are designed to assist in the orderly conduct of City Council business. Failure of the City Council to adhere to these rules shall not result in any liability to the City, its officers, its agents and employees nor shall the same result in any invalidation of City Council action. I I sl�- Adopted this gn I — day of F—e b Aql Z'm L�e�gk!6. Ann Swenson, City Clerk IN ill I III LIBERTY LAKE CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE Adopted by: Resolution 01-007 Amended by. Resolution 01 -007A Amended by. Resolution 04-007B Amended by. Resolution 06-007B-1 Amended by.- Resolution 12-156 15 M maw Upon passage of such motion by a majority of members present, the absent 1.5 Attendance via S12eakerphone LAVS).* From time to time a Council memb-w- will not be able to physically attend a Council meeting, but will want to involved in the discussion and/or deon on a particular agenda item. T procedure and guidelines for permitting a Council member to attend a ono meeting via speakerphone are as follows - A. The Rare Occasion — AVS should be the rare exception, not the rule, and AVS is limited to two (2) times per year per Council member. Examples of situations where AVS would be appropriate include, but are not limited to: • An agenda item is time sensitive, and AVS is needed for a quorum; • An agenda item is of very high importance to the Council member who cannot be physically present; • It is important for all Council members to be involved in a decision, but one Council member is unable to be physically present. • "S should be limited to one or two specific agenda items, and not the entire Council meeting. Examples of situations where AVS would not be appropriate 'include, but are not limited to: • Quasi-judicial hearings; • Other public hearing(s) where maps, display boards, power point presentations, or similar graphic presentations are being utilized; and • Non hearing agenda items which depend substantially on visual aids and/or graphic presentations. B. Attendance — Procedure I . For a Council member to attend via speakerphone the Council member: a, must be able to bear the discussion on the agenda iteni before the Council, and b. must be able to be he by all present in the Council chambers. 2. When the particular agenda item is ready to be discussed, the Mayor (or presiding officer, if the Mayor is not physically present) should state for the record: a. Let the record reflect that Council member is attending via speakerphone. b. Council member ran you hear me? [There must then be a clearly audible response in the affirmative.] c. Let the record reflect that Council member who is attending via speakerphone, can be heard by all present in Council chambers. 2 Sm IVA 3. -Upon conclusion of the particular agenda item(s), or meeting, the Mayor (or presiding officer if the Mayor is not physically present) should state - Let the record reflect that Council member attendance via speakerphone has been terminated. C. Notification If a Council member wishes to attend a Council meeting via speakerphone 11 an agenda item or meeting, the Council member should notify Columucil, his/her intent at the preceding Council meeting. This notification should made during the Introduction of Upcoming Agenda Items. If that is not possible, the Council member should notify the Mayor or Mayor's designee of his/her wish to attend a Council meeting via speakerphone for an agenda item or meeting, not later than one (1) busmess day prior to the Council meeting for which he/she wishes to attend via speakerphone. With less notice, it may not be possible to make the necessary arrangements to allow AVS. 1.6 Attendance of CLty Staff: The City Administrator, City Attorney, and Ci Clerk shall attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused by the May 'C The City Administrator may report and make recommendations to the Ci Council and when requested shall participate in Council discussions. The Ci Attorney, upon request from the Mayor or Council, shall give an opinion on leg 9 questions. The City Clerk shall keep the minutes of the Council,, record Council votes and actions and perform such other duties as necessary for orderly conduct of the meeting. I I 1.7 Attendance of Media at Council Meetings: All meetings of the Council its committees shall be open to the media, freely subject to recording by rad"# d television and photographic equipment at any time, provided that if su recording interferes with the orderly conduct of the meetings the Mayor innic make such orders as necessary. 1.8 Journal of Proceedin A journal of all proceedings (minutes) of the Coun shall be kept by the City Clerk and shall be enteredbook constituting tj official record of the Council. 2.1 Regular Council Meeting§: The Council shall meet regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month beginning at 7:00p.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. with a one (1) hour extension to 11:00 p.m. unless vetoed by a Council member. When a Council meeting falls on a holiday, the Council may determine an alternate day for the meeting. `fhe location of the meetings shall be the City of Liberty Lake City Hall unless specified otherwise by a majority vote of the Council. 18 i 1 IR 5. Preliminary agendas of upcoming regular Full Council meetings will list items on which action is expected to be taken and will be made available to the public. All reas*nable effitkwill be ma4--. t* 1,,rovi4.e the Freliminarf agen,41-a 6nline and in haril co at least two business days prior to the meeting. B. Special Meetings. A special meeting is a meeting held at a time, date, or location that differs from a regular meeting. Ito r-r-inum I I iml I I L" I gnu I I 2. Notices of special meetings shall be in accordance with RCW 42.30.080. a. The only items of business for which final action may be taken at a speci meeting are those items listed on the written notice. I specific alternate location is established by the party calling the meeting, be that the Mayor, the President, or three CMs, and notice as required under RCW 1 42.30.080 is given. C. Emergency Meetings. LNUTHIMMISM H&VAIIIHIRIVIGN Kam, atem a JR-KNIZ NMI • called for emergency matters as permitted by RCW 42.30.070, RCW 42.30.080, and RCW 42.14.075. 3. Emergency meetings are open to the public unless exempt under RCW 42.30. 4. If a natural disaster, fire, flood, eartliguake, enem% en U=11LIMIUMD) M 20 ATTACHMENT City of Mountlake Terrace — Section 2.10.010E Meetings and Council attendance — Telephonic Participation in Meetings. E. Telephonic Attendance. A Council member may attend a Council meeting via telephone once per calendar year. Telephonic attendance of a Council member shall not constitute a quorum of the Council. In order to attend a Council meeting via telephone, a Council member shall inform the City Clerk no later than three Working days before the meeting in order for a telephone • to be arranged, whereby the voice • the Council member can be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... .... ON City of Spokane - Rule 6.8 Participation by Telephonic Communication. 6.8 Participation By Telephonic Communication A Councilperson may participate telephonically in all or part of a Council Meeting if: g�� 22 2. With such confirmation, members of the coether they are in the chamber or at remote location(s) — constituting a majority may approve the use of remote communication for the entirety of the meeting or for a specified portion thereof. 1 If the council by a majority approves use of remote communication for only a specified portior of any meeting, the presiding officer shall announce same and, at the end of the specified 23 C. No Councilmember may participate in absentia more than two (2) times in any calendar year, D. The recording secretary shall note in the meeting minutes the participation of an absent Councilmember. 24 A# -w uryoftwmA ATTACHMENT Memo on Participation LEGAL at City Council Meeting DD3AR7A4DVT 200 South Third Street, Yakima, Washington 98901-2830 (509) 573 030 Fax: (S09) 575-6160 TA 0 111 A UIF I TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Jeff Cutter, Interim City Manager FROM- Helen A. Harvey, Senior Assistant City Attorney 01 E�� Issue- Can a City Council member participate and vote at a City Council meeting when the member is not physically present at the meeting? The current "Standard Motions and Rules of Procedure of Yakima City Council" dated "Revised March 2007" states under "B. Rights and Duties of Members"- 11MIG MVMMMMFU. No member of the Council shall be permitted to vote on any question unle, he shall be present when the vote is taken and when the result announced, No member shall give his proxy to any person whomsoever a no pairing of the vote of an absent member against the vote of a prese member shall be permitted." Attached is a copy of pages 7-8 of the current City Council "Standard Motions and Rules of Procedure". The City Council may make changes to the rules of procedure, assuming changes are in compliance with state law requirements and the City Charter. U-00mm. I P M 0 Municipal Research and Service Center ("MRSC") has addressed the question of meeting participation by phone, MRSC's opinion by MRSC Legal Consultant Jim Doherty posted on the MRSC website states: 25 December 21, 2015 Page 2 ♦EM, on Posted on MRSC on June 12, 2012 by Jim Doherty i. and perhaps be seen by those present at the meeting. If authorized by the body, this can be considered to be attendance at the meeting, and the physical ly-absent member would count towards the quorum. Some local government governing bodies in this state — and in other states — have enacted specific meeting rules that allow such participation in meetings; @Qn-ons- ?V#vt*tii 2.niLs#,Au-dovo�,t#n 2 is within the discretion of the body� As such, we recommend that a governing body clarify in its rules of procedure whether and under what circumstances a It le-, or commissioner is needed for a quorum at a meeting on an important matter, but the person is out of town because of a sick relative, a vacation, a child graduating from college, etc� That's not the best time to deal with the issue, We encourage governing bodies to talk this out ahead of time, so that you have time to consider the issue and establish proper procedures. What about having two absent members of a legislative body participate in a meeting in this manner? Should that be allowed? What about the entire body? A few years ago, the City of Snoqualmie, as an experiment, decided to push the limits with existing technology. The city council held an electronic public meeting, None of the city councilmembers were physically present — the were in different locations and used chatroom software to hold a '16 , 011 o Ve icu ties wan geffing governing May mernoers-wge- on short notice. 99 communication medium will be allowed." 27 MSHMEMMMM 28 •.y 111�111un Pi =T% M 4 -r%=Tfg� IM, proposal shall vote thereon unless excused. A member desiring to be excused 11W WW -�� WIN, W 2. Explaining Vote. Any member of the Council desiring to explami his vote when his -name is called shall be allowed a like opportunity, 3. Not to Vote unless present. No member of the Council shall be permitted to vote on any question unless he shall be present when the vote is taken and when the result is announced. No member shall give his proxy to any person whomsoever and no pairing of the vote of an absent member against the vote of a present member shall be pennitted. Members of the Council will notify the Mayor or City Clerk prior to being late or absent from a regular or special Council session. C. MEETINGS. 0 IM Regular meetings of the Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, unless otherwise changed. Meetings shall convene at 6,00 pm. 2. Study Sessions Study sessions of the City Council shall be scheduled to convene at the hour of 8:00 am. Unless notice is given pursuant to Rule C.3.b. of these Rules, all regular business meetings of the Council shall be held in the City Council meeting room on the first floor of the City Hall and all study session meetings shall be held either in the City Council meeting room, or the adjoining conference room, on the first floor of the Yakima City Hall. However, a VA RPA meeting having been convened at said place may be adjourned by ti" Council to any Other place within the City of Yakima for the purpose conducting a particular matter of business which may be more convenient conducted at such other place. b. Changed Meetip�Place. Any meeting of the Council may be held at a place other than that required by Rule C.3.a. hereof on notice of a changed meeting place, which notice shall be given by an announcement at the immediately preceding meeting of such changed meeting place or by written notification by the Clerk of the Council to each Council member Qly-m no less than three d��prlor to the meeting to be held at the changed meeting place. 4. Special Meetings -- Call Special meetings may be called in the manner provided by law and by the City Charter. 5. Meetings -- Items Considered. (a) At regular business meetings of the City Council, no action shall be taken on any item(s) not appearing on the posted agenda of such meeting except and unless, by majority vote of the City Council members present, it is determined that an emergency exists and that immediate action must be taken by the City Council to address the emergency. (b) Any City Council member(s) may, under "Other Business", propose that an item(s) or issue(s) be referred to City staff for research and review, be assigned to a specific committee of the Council for research and review, and/or be added to the agenda of the next available City Council regular business meeting so that such item(s) or issue(s) can be considered by the full Council, provided that such a proposal receives a positive majority vote by the City Council members present. (c) At special meetings of the City Council, no item(s) not included on the posted agenda of such meeting may be considered or acted upon Only with the unanimous consent of all members of the City Council. 6. Notice to City Manager. The Clerk of the Council shall serve upon the City Manager a copy of all notices required by these rules to be served. rour MoMi Rpm U It 1%, %% "L �Vl ut� 'A -.- of business. Except as otherwise specified by law, a majority vote of the Council members present at a meeting shall be required and shall be sufficient to transact any business before the Council. M