The municipal Council shall organize on the first Monday of
January following each municipal election at which any Councilman
was elected. If the first Monday is a legal holiday, the meeting and
organization shall take place on the first day following. The Council
shall elect a Vice President of Council to serve in the absence of
the Mayor. The Council may transact any further business it deems
necessary or appropriate at the reorganization meeting.
Council shall meet regularly at least once a month. Special
meetings may be called by the Mayor or by two members of Council with
four days' notice. All meetings shall be publicized and open
to the public, and the people shall be afforded the opportunity to
be heard.
A majority of the members of Council shall constitute a quorum.
[Amended 11-21-2016 by Ord. No. 1882[1]]
No action of Council shall be official unless approved by four
or more members.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The provisions of this ordinance passed
at referendum 11-8-2016.
Official actions of the municipal Council may be taken by ordinance,
resolution or motion. All ordinances and resolutions shall be in written
form. All actions of a legislative character shall be taken by ordinance.
All other actions of Council shall be by resolution or motion, unless
otherwise required in this Charter or in the rules of Councilmanic
procedure. However, no such administrative action shall be void or
otherwise adversely affected if it shall have been taken by ordinance.
All final action in adopting ordinances or resolutions shall be by
roll-call vote, and the vote of each member of Council shall be entered
in the minutes of the meeting. Any Council member may request a roll-call
vote on any action.
Meetings of the municipal Council shall be open to the public
and shall be conducted according to the rules of procedure that shall
be adopted from time to time by Council. Such rules shall be designed
to assure full and equal participation in the deliberations of Council
by all of its members.
Council shall make and preserve its records and the minutes
of its proceedings. These records shall be open for public inspection
in the municipal offices during regular business hours.
Council shall provide reasonable opportunity at all its meetings
for citizens to address the Council on matters of general or special
concern.
Council may make investigations into the affairs of the municipality
and the conduct of any municipal department, office or agency, and
for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony,
and require the production of evidence. Any person who neglects or
refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers
may be cited for contempt and punished as for contempt of court, and
for this purpose the Council may institute appropriate proceedings
in any court having jurisdiction over the person or the party so neglecting
or refusing.
