[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Middletown 1-4-1954 (Ch. 5, Art. I of the 1971 Code). Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Amended 5-23-1966; 2-28-2011; 3-28-2011; 7-7-2020]
The business of all regular meetings of the Common Council shall
be transacted in the following order:
A.
Pledge of allegiance.
B.
Roll call.
C.
Approval of minutes.
D.
Correspondence, communications and reports.
E.
For the good of the City.
F.
Remarks of Mayor.
G.
Remarks of department heads.
H.
Public hearings and grievances.
I.
Petitions and complaints.
J.
Remarks of Aldermen and reports of committees.
K.
Unfinished business.
L.
New business.
M.
Local laws.
N.
Audit of claims and accounts.
O.
Adjournment.
[Amended 2-28-2011; 12-7-2021]
The regular meeting of the Common council shall
be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall. When a regular meeting
of the Common Council shall fall on a legal holiday, such meeting
shall be held on the first business day thereafter unless otherwise
ordered.
Special meetings may be called as provided by
the Charter of the City of Middletown, New York.
A.
Robert's
Rules of Order shall govern the Common Council in all cases to which
they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with laws
of the State of New York, the City Charter or any ordinance or resolution
of the Common Council.
B.
Whenever
the President is absent for a regular or special meeting of the Common
Council, the Chairperson of the Finance Committee shall serve as
Acting President for that meeting; if both the President and Finance
Chairperson are absent, the Chairperson of the Legislative Committee
shall serve as Acting President for that meeting. If all of the above
officials are absent, the Council shall, by majority vote, select
a member to serve as Acting President for that meeting.
[Added 8-20-2019 by Res.
No. 172-19]
[Amended 10-26-1964]
The following newspaper shall be the official
newspaper henceforth of the City of Middletown, New York, in which
shall be published the ordinances, bylaws and other official notices
as may be required by law: The Times Herald Record.
[Added 3-9-2009]
A.
The Common Council and any committee thereof shall
have the authority to investigate and inquire into all matters of
concern to the City of Middletown or its inhabitants, and to require
and enforce by subpoena the attendance of witnesses at such investigations,
and to require and enforce by subpoena duces tecum the production
of documents and records at such investigations.
B.
A subpoena or subpoena duces tecum may be issued only
upon a majority vote of the Council or the subject committee thereof.
C.
A subpoena or subpoena duces tecum may be served upon
any person or entity within the State of New York.
D.
A subpoena or subpoena duces tecum shall be signed
by the Common Council President if issued by the Council, and shall
be signed by the Chair of the issuing committee.
E.
The Council or any committee thereof shall have the
power to make formal investigations into any aspect of the affairs
of the City, and for such purpose may take testimony and administer
oaths. Oaths shall be taken by the Common Council President in conjunction
with a Council investigation, and shall be taken by the Chair of the
investigating committee.
F.
Any person or entity who or which fails to obey any
subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued by the Council or committee
thereof pursuant to this section shall be punished as provided by
law for contempt. An application to a court of competent jurisdiction
for a contempt citation can only be made by majority vote of the Council.
