LEBANON CITY COUNCIL
RULES OF PROCEDURE
[Ord. 4-1994, 95 § 1, passed 2-28-1994]
The Home Rule Charter of the City provides that Council shall
determine its own rules and orders of business (Article III, Section
9). The following set of rules shall be in effect upon their adoption
by Council, and until such time as they are amended as provided for
herein.
[Ord. 4-1994, 95 § 1, passed 2-28-1994]
(a)
The following officers shall be elected at the annual reorganization
meeting of Council to serve for a term of one year:
(b)
When necessary, the Council members present may elect a Chairman
Pro Tempore to serve as the presiding officer of Council in the absence
of the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
[Ord. 4-1994, 95 § 1, passed 2-28-1994]
(a)
Meetings of Council.
[Amended by Ord. 20-2010, 11 § 1, passed 1-24-2011]
(1)
Organization meeting. In years following municipal elections
or if the presiding Chairperson of Council of the prior year is no
longer in office, the City Clerk shall convene the organizational
meeting and conduct the election of the Chairperson, after which said
elected Chairperson shall preside over the remainder of the meeting.
At all other organizational meetings, the presiding Chairperson of
Council for the prior year shall preside.
(2)
The regular stated meetings of Council shall normally be held
on the fourth Monday of each and every month at 6:30 p.m., prevailing
time, in the Council Chamber in the Lebanon Municipal Building unless
otherwise scheduled by Council.
(3)
Should a meeting fall on an officially designated City holiday,
the meeting shall be held on the first regularly scheduled work day
following the holiday, at the above stated time.
(4)
Work sessions of Council shall normally be held each and every
month on the Thursday immediately preceding the regular monthly meeting
of Council at 4:00 p.m. Council shall reserve the right to change
meeting dates when they conflict with legal City holidays or for such
other reasons as it may determine. Work sessions shall be informal
and flexible. No formal action shall be taken.
(5)
Special meetings of Council may be called by the Chairman at
such times as he shall deem necessary. The Chairman shall call a special
meeting of Council upon the written request of three members of Council.
A special meeting may not take place unless a minimum of 24 hours'
written notice is given to each member of Council. Such written notice
shall state the reason for the special meeting and shall be accompanied
by the necessary written documentation to allow for informed discussion
of the matter(s) to be considered.
(6)
Executive sessions or closed meetings may be held in accordance
with the provisions of the State "Sunshine Law" Act.
(7)
Emergency meetings may be held for the purpose of acting in
an emergency involving a clear and present danger to life, health,
property or public peace. The Chairman of Council or his designee
shall attempt to give prompt notice of the emergency meeting to all
members of Council and to the Mayor. In the event of an emergency
meeting, members of Council shall not be held in violation of the
public notification sections of the Home Rule Charter.
(8)
All official, with the exception of executive sessions, meetings
shall be open to the public.
(9)
All official meetings of Council shall be in accordance with
the provisions of the State "Sunshine Law" Act.
(10)
Public notification of all official meetings of Council shall
be in accordance with the State "Sunshine Law" Act and the Home Rule
Charter.
(11)
A majority of the members of Council shall constitute a quorum
and be necessary for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not
present, those in attendance shall be named and they shall adjourn
to a later time.
(b)
Ordinances and resolutions.
(1)
In addition to the provisions of the Home Rule Charter, Article
III, Sections 14 through 18, the following rules shall apply:
A.
All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented in writing.
B.
All ordinances shall be approved as to form and legality by
the City Solicitor and shall be submitted to the City Solicitor no
later than the close of business, one week prior to the Council work
session at which they are to be considered.
C.
The City Clerk shall prepare copies of all proposed ordinances
and resolutions for distribution to all members of Council and the
Mayor.
D.
Upon being introduced, each proposed ordinance and resolution
shall be read by title only, unless a member of Council requests a
full reading.
(c)
Order of business.
(1)
All reports, communications, ordinances, resolutions, contract
documents or other matters to be considered by Council shall be submitted
to the City Clerk whereupon the City Clerk shall present all items
to the Chairman of Council who shall prepare an agenda for the meeting.
A.
Copies of the agenda, along with all supporting documents, shall
be given to each Council member, the Mayor, and the City Solicitor
at least 24 hours prior to the Pre-Council meeting at which it is
to be considered.
B.
The agenda for the regular monthly meeting of Council shall
be presented to each Council member, the Mayor and the City Solicitor
at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
C.
Items not on the agenda may not be considered unless a majority
of Council members present agree to do so.
(2)
Parliamentary procedures, as contained in Robert's Rules
of Order, most recent edition, shall govern the meetings of the Council
unless they are in conflict with these Rules of Procedure, the Home
Rule Charter or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(d)
Public participation.
[Amended by Ord. 22-2000, 01, passed 11-27-2000]
(1)
In accordance with Act 84 of the 1986 Pennsylvania General Assembly,
as amended, residents and/or taxpayers of the City of Lebanon shall
be entitled to address Council as prescribed below:
A.
Persons wishing to address Council with specific items shall
request in writing to be placed on the agenda no later than seven
days prior to the meeting in question. Such request shall contain
the name and address of the person making the request, the nature
and content and reason for the request, and a copy of any items intended
to be distributed. Such request shall be made to the City Clerk for
subsequent approval and placement on the agenda by the Chairperson
of Council.
B.
Persons not making requests as above, but wishing to address
Council, may request to be recognized no less than 15 minutes prior
to any regularly scheduled meeting of Council. Placement on the agenda
is at the discretion of the Chairperson of Council. This request may
be made to the City Clerk or the Chairperson of the Council.
C.
At his/her discretion, the Chairperson may open a portion of
any regularly scheduled meeting for public comment.
D.
In any event, the Chairperson of Council may determine the length
of time for all public comment and all persons wishing to address
Council shall state their names and addresses before doing so.
(e)
Written communications. Interested parties or their authorized representatives
may address Council by written communication in regard to any matter
concerning the City's business over which Council has control,
at any time by direct mail or by any other form of written communication.
Copies of all such communications shall be given to all Council members
along with the meeting agenda.
(f)
Suspension of the rules. Any rule may be suspended with the unanimous
approval of all Council members present. The vote on any such suspension
shall be by roll call and entered upon the minutes of the meeting.
[Ord. 4-1994, 95 § 1, passed 2-28-1994]
These rules may be amended or new rules adopted, by a majority
vote of all members of Council provided the proposed amendments or
new rules have been presented in writing to all members of Council
prior to the meeting at which they are to be introduced.
