§ 2-32. Rules for the conduct of business.

(a)

Robert's Rules of Order. Except as otherwise provided in this section, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of council meetings.

(b)

Call to order. All meetings of the council shall be open to the public. The mayor, or in his absence, the mayor pro tempore, shall take the chair at the hour appointed for any regular, temporarily adjourned, special, or called meeting and shall immediately call the council to order.

(c)

Order of business. The business of the council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the following order:

(1)

Call to order by presiding officer.

(2)

Adoption of agenda.

(3)

Approval of minutes of previous meeting.

(4)

Old business.

(5)

New business.

(6)

Petitions and communications.

(7)

Reports of standing committees.

(8)

Mayor/city manager's report.

(9)

Adjournment.

(d)

Reading of minutes. Unless a reading of the minutes of a council meeting is requested by a councilmember, such minutes may be approved without a reading if the city clerk has previously furnished each member with a copy thereof.

(e)

Reports by committees. Any business coming before the city council concerning the subject matter of which any standing or special committee has jurisdiction, may be referred to the proper committee for investigation and report. It shall be the duty of each standing or special committee, whenever required by the mayor or by the city council, or any member of the city council, to examine any matter referred to such committee, and make a report thereof at the next regular meeting of the city council, or show good cause why no report is made. Such reports shall not be in writing unless so directed by the presiding officer.

(f)

Unfinished business. The unfinished business of any meeting shall go over to be acted on at the next regular meeting.

(g)

Manner of addressing council. No member, while the city council in session shall speak on any subject unless recognized by the presiding officer. Every speaker shall address the chair, and no member shall interrupt anyone who is speaking, except to call him to order or for explanation.

(h)

Limitations on addressing council. Any person not a member of the city council who desires to address the council must submit their name and the topic of their comments to the city clerk at least three business days before the council meeting. At the meeting, the person wishing to address the board shall first secure the permission of the presiding officer so to do, and then shall step up in front of the rail, give his name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record, and direct his remarks to the council as a body rather than to any particular member. Unless otherwise provided by law or by the presiding officer at the meeting, any individuals will be allotted five minutes to make their comments and their comments must be limited to their chosen topic.

(i)

Introduction and adoption of ordinances and resolutions. Ordinances, resolutions, and other matters or subject requiring action by the council must be introduced and sponsored by a member of the council, except that the mayor or city attorney may present ordinances, resolutions, and other matters or subjects to the council, and any councilmember may assume sponsorship there of by moving that such ordinances, resolutions, matters, or subjects be adopted. The following rules shall apply:

(1)

No ordinance shall be put on its final passage on the same day on which it is introduced.

(2)

All ordinances shall have two separate readings but the second reading shall never be had on the same day.

(3)

No ordinance shall relate to more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title and ordinance, or section thereof, shall be amended or repealed unless the new ordinance contains the title of the ordinance or section amended or repealed; and when practicable, all ordinances shall be introduced amendments to this Code.

(4)

An ordinance, resolution, or contract shall be deemed adopted or approved when it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole council.

(5)

Ordinances shall take effect immediately upon passage, except that an ordinance passed by a majority plus one of the whole membership of the council, designated therein as a public emergency ordinance necessary for the protection of public health, public safety, public property, or the public peace, may be made effective upon adoption.

(j)

Motions to reconsider. In the case of all votes upon resolutions or ordinances having for their object the increase of the indebtedness of the city, or the expenditures of its revenue, except the payment of its salaried officers, any two councilmen may give notice to reconsider, which notice, in either case, shall delay the question until said reconsideration can be acted on at the next regular meeting. In all other cases a motion to reconsider any of the proceedings of the general council shall not be entertained, unless made by a member who previously voted in the affirmative.

(k)

Questions of order. The presiding officer shall decide all questions of order, but any councilmember who is dissatisfied with the decision may appeal to the city council in the manner provided by Robert's Rules of Order for appealing from decisions of presiding officers.

(l)

Elections. All elections by the city council shall be by ballot, and a majority vote of the whole council shall be necessary to an election.

(m)

Executive session. The city council may, at any time, upon call therefor by the presiding officer or upon motion duly carried by a councilmember, meet in executive session. Attendance at such sessions shall be limited to the mayor and members of council and such invitees as shall be invited with the unanimous consent of the mayor and council.

(n)

Alteration and suspension of rules. Additional rules may be made by the general council, but no rule shall be altered or suspended without a majority vote of the members present.

(Code 1979, § 3-204)

State law reference

Voting when personally interested, O.C.G.A. § 36-30-6; binding succeeding councils prohibited, O.C.G.A. § 36-30-3.