Requests to include an item on a given agenda must be submitted to
the Council President no later than the close of business on the Thursday
preceding the meeting at which it is proposed for discussion.
Prior to their discussion by the Council, all agenda items must satisfy
the public notice requirements established by law, the Charter, or
ordinance that may be relevant to the item.
Each agenda is to be distributed to Council members and the general
public not later than 4:30 p.m. on the Friday preceding the meeting
for which it is relevant. After distribution, the Council President
may amend an agenda. In the event of amendment, the Council President
must prepare and distribute a replacement agenda.
After the agenda is issued on Friday afternoon, additional items
may need to be added by the Council President. The revised agenda
shall list additional items or the deletion of items as may be required.
Any revised agendas shall be available to the public with any changes
noted as proposed additions or deletions. At the beginning of the
Council legislative session or work session, any changes to the agenda
shall be presented for approval.
The Council, by majority vote, will schedule public meetings with
citizens on an as-needed basis. The date and time of the meeting will
be included in the agenda of the work session or legislative session.
Each agenda shall list the date and time of the next legislative
meeting and the availability of the minutes and audio recording of
the meeting on the County website.
Before the start of each meeting the Council Manager will provide
a packet to each Council member, which includes all bills, ordinances,
resolutions, reports, and motions that are to be discussed.
A bill must embrace only a single subject, which shall be described
in its title. A bill must bear the name or names of the members who
are responsible for its introduction.
A bill introduced on behalf of the County Executive must be designated
as being introduced by the President of the County Council at the
request of the County Executive.
The annual Budget and Appropriations Ordinance shall take effect the first day of the fiscal year to which it applies; and all other laws shall take effect 60 days from the date of enactment, except in the event the law provides for a later effective date or is referred to the voters under Section 308 - Referendum, of the Charter.
Legislation introduced by one or more Council members shall be drafted
by Council staff in coordination with the Council Attorney (or the
County Attorney if the Council does not have designated counsel).
Bills drafted for the Council to be introduced by one or more Council
members shall be forwarded to the County Executive prior to the Bill's
introduction.