Pursuant to section 34 of the City Charter of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, the city council may enact rules of procedure for all meetings of the city council, which shall be in effect upon their adoption by the city council and until such times as they are amended or new rules adopted. The following rules are enumerated under and by authority of said provision.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The rules of procedure adopted by the city council are applicable not only to the city council but also to all boards, commissions, and committees of the City of Wichita Falls.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
These rules may be amended or new rules adopted, by a majority vote of four members of the city council.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The construction of authority in all matters associated with the meetings and activities of the city council, including the agenda, shall be:
(1) 
The U.S. Constitution and statutes of the United States of America;
(2) 
The Texas Constitution and statutes of the State of Texas;
(3) 
The City Charter;
(4) 
The Code of Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas; and
(5) 
These rules.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The purpose of these rules of parliamentary procedure is to establish orderly conduct of the meetings. The ultimate purpose of these rules of parliamentary procedure is to encourage and facilitate decision-making by the city council. In a democracy, the majority opinion carries the day. These rules enable the majority to express their opinion and fashion a result, while permitting the minority to also express itself (but not dominate) and fully participate in the process.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Except as otherwise allowed by law, all meetings of the city council shall be public, and notices thereof shall be posted as provided under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act. Except in the case of an emergency meeting, notice of all meetings shall be given at least 72 hours before the time set for any meeting.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Meetings of the city council shall be conducted in accordance with the rules adopted by the city council as set forth herein, and as may be amended from time to time.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
The city manager and the city clerk shall prepare an agenda and cause the same to be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Agendas shall be delivered to the city council on or before 6:00 p.m. of the day of the posting, or within such other times as established by the city council from time to time. In the event of an emergency meeting of the city council, this provision shall be suspended when not inconsistent with the provisions of federal or state law, or the City Charter.
(b) 
In order to facilitate the agenda process, the city manager is responsible for placing items on the agenda. A written request from the mayor or any three members of the council shall cause the city manager to place an item on the agenda for council consideration. The council members requesting the item shall be identified in the agenda item commentary for the requested item. Staff assistance, if required, should be requested through the city manager. If a council requested agenda topic does not allow for staff to adequately prepare information for council’s consideration, the item shall be postponed by the city manager until the next regular meeting, or until such time as mutually agreed.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
There is hereby established, as a part of every agenda for regular and/or special called meetings of the city council, a portion of said agenda that shall be labeled “consent agenda.” The consent agenda shall contain routine, non-controversial items that require council action but need little or no council deliberation.
(b) 
All items set out in the consent agenda shall be deemed passed upon passage of an affirmative motion, by a unanimous vote of all of the members of the city council then seated, that the consent agenda be adopted. A motion to approve the consent agenda will not be debated. No further action shall be deemed necessary, and all such items appearing on the consent agenda, upon passage of such motion, shall be deemed adopted as if voted upon separately and as if the caption and/or body of any ordinance therein set out shall have been read in full.
(c) 
Any member of the city council may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. Such request shall be honored as if it had been passed by majority vote. The item will be removed from the consent agenda and placed upon the regular agenda for debate.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
A regular meeting is one during which the city council takes official action. They are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, unless the meeting is rescheduled or cancelled. All regular meetings shall begin at 8:30 a.m. The city council by a majority vote at a regular meeting, may change the days or times of meetings as circumstances necessitate. Meetings shall be held at city hall unless another convenient place within the city is designated by the meeting agenda. (Charter section 34)
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Work session meetings are special meetings called for the purpose of conducting a detailed and thorough exploration of matters that may properly come before the city council. A work session is a meeting to discuss or explore matters of interest to the city, review and discuss agenda items, and/or meet with city boards, commissions, committee members, or city staff. These meetings are informational and no formal action shall be taken unless the posted agenda indicates otherwise.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Special meetings may be called by the mayor and shall be called by the city clerk upon written request of three city councilors or the city manager. The city clerk shall post notice thereof as provided by law. (Charter section 34)
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
In case of an emergency or urgent public necessity, as defined by state law and confirmed by the city attorney, which shall be expressed in the meeting notice, an emergency meeting may be called by the mayor, the city manager, or by three members of the city council. It shall be sufficient if members receive, and public notice is posted at least two hours before the meeting is convened. Notice shall be provided also to the media in accordance with the Texas Government Code, sec. 551.047.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Executive sessions are closed to the public. They are only permitted for the purpose of discussing matters enumerated in chapter 551, Open Meetings Act of the Texas Government Code. Notice of topics to be discussed during executive sessions shall be made known to the public in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act.
(b) 
The city council may retire into an executive session as stated on a posted agenda during a regular or special meeting, or if a motion is duly made and seconded and affirmed by a majority of the council. However, before said session begins, the mayor shall announce that the executive session is commencing. The order in which an executive session may appear on the agenda is subject to the discretion of the city council. No voting or action shall be taken by the city council during an executive session. No other subject but that posted on the agenda is to be considered. Adjournment of the executive session and any vote needed shall be made during an open public meeting.
(c) 
Items discussed in executive session are to remain private and confidential. Disclosing any information (including disclosure of documents presented in executive session) is contrary to a council member's fiduciary obligation to the city and a violation of the rules of order. Except as provided by law, no council member, staff member or legal counsel may discuss or reveal the proceedings of an executive session to persons not present during the executive session. In the event an elected official is absent from the executive session, the mayor, the city manager or the city attorney may brief the elected official who was absent from the meeting on the discussion.
(d) 
Except for information protected by law from disclosure, the council members may authorize the release of confidential information discussed in executive session by an affirmative vote of four members made during an open public meeting.
(e) 
Additionally, the certified agenda or recording of the executive session is confidential, and no persons may disclose to a member of the public the certified agenda or recording of the executive session, except as provided by law. Section 551.146 of the Texas Government Code makes such an act a class B misdemeanor and opens the person who reveals such information personally liable for any damages resulting from such action.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19; Ordinance 38-2025 adopted 7/15/2025)
No meeting shall be recessed for a longer period of time than until the next regular meeting except when required information has not been received, or, in the case of workshops or special meetings, to a date certain by motion duly passed. If a meeting is recessed to a later time exceeding 24 hours, the recessed meeting shall be posted in accordance with sec. 551.041 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The agenda for all meetings shall be posted by the city clerk on the city’s official bulletin board and on the city’s website. Notice of all meetings shall be given by the city clerk pursuant to the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Law.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
A quorum at any meeting of the city council will be established by the presence of four or more members of the city council (Charter section 34). Council members shall provide adequate advanced notice to the mayor or city manager of possible absence from a meeting.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The city clerk shall keep an account of all proceedings of the city council and they shall be open to and public inspection in accordance with the laws of the state.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19; Ordinance 38-2025 adopted 7/15/2025)
The regular city council meeting will be generally conducted in the following order, unless otherwise specified. An executive session may be held at any time during a meeting pursuant to applicable state law.
(1) 
Agenda format.
The agenda shall provide for the following topics or subjects to be considered by the city council in the following order:
a. 
Call to order.
This section shall note the time and place of the meeting.
b. 
Invocation.
This section shall note the opening prayer.
c. 
Pledge of Allegiance.
This section shall note the observance of our national pledge.
d. 
Presentations.
Proclamations and employee of the month.
e. 
Approval of minutes.
This section is for the city council to approve, amend, or disapprove the minutes from previous meetings.
f. 
Receive minutes from boards and commissions.
This section is for the city council to receive the minutes from board and commission meetings.
g. 
Consent agenda.
This section shall provide for all items on the consent agenda.
h. 
Ordinances.
This section shall provide for all ordinance action items to be considered by the council not provided for elsewhere on the agenda.
i. 
Public hearings.
This section shall provide for council consideration of any public hearings related to such hearings if action is required. Public hearings shall be conducted in the following manner:
1. 
Reading of the caption of the ordinance (if applicable).
2. 
The mayor opens the public hearing.
3. 
Staff presents report.
4. 
City council members may ask staff questions.
5. 
The applicant then has the opportunity to present comments, testimony, and/or oral arguments.
6. 
City council members may ask questions of the applicant.
7. 
The mayor shall inquire if there is anyone present who desires to speak on the matter which is to be heard or to present evidence regarding the matter.
8. 
Each speaker shall be limited to five minutes (unless otherwise set by the chair) with a cumulative limit of 30 minutes for each side (those for a proposal and those against a proposal). Proponents shall speak first followed by opponents. At the end of the hearing the proponents shall be given an additional five minutes for rebuttal.
9. 
Mayor closes public hearing.
10. 
The city council deliberates and takes action as needed.
11. 
The chair announces the final decision of the city council as applicable.
j. 
Resolutions.
This section shall provide for all resolution action items to be considered by the council not provided for elsewhere on the agenda.
(2) 
Agenda items.
Any person who seeks action from the city council and wishes to address the council on items on the regular agenda shall do so at the time the agenda item is brought up for action. All persons shall state their name and address before addressing the council. No one shall be allowed to speak more than once on any one subject until every person wishing to speak has spoken.
(3) 
Whenever a member of the public is recognized to address the council on an ordinance, resolution, or public hearing item, the individual will be given five minutes to make comments. The mayor may allow a one-minute extension. A majority vote of the city council is required for any subsequent time extensions. In order to expedite matters and to avoid repetitious presentations, whenever a group of people wish to address the city council on the same subject matter, those persons are encouraged to designate a spokesperson to address the city council. The mayor may extend the time allocation for a designated spokesperson if the persons for whom he or she speaks agree to yield their time to the spokesperson.
(4) 
Non-agenda items.
Any person who wishes to address the council on matters not on the agenda may appear under the “comments from the public” part of the agenda. This rule does not apply to anyone appearing at a public hearing in response to an official notice or to persons who wish to address the council on a matter which appears on the regular agenda. All persons shall state their name and address before addressing the council. No one shall be allowed to speak more than once on any one subject until every person wishing to speak has spoken.
a. 
Other council matters.
This section includes any reports by city staff and items of concern from members of the city council.
b. 
Comments from the public.
This section shall provide members of the public an opportunity to address the city council on items of concern that are not on the city council agenda. People wishing to address the council should sign up prior to the meeting commencing. Comments shall be limited to three minutes. As comments from the public are not posted agenda items, the Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits city council members and staff from discussing or responding to these comments during council meetings. It is not required that the city council agenda contain a “comments from the public” section.
c. 
Executive sessions.
Executive (closed) sessions will be held in accordance with the Texas Government Code. (A posted executive session can be held at any time during the regular council meeting.)
d. 
Appointments to boards and commissions.
e. 
Adjournment.
This section provides for the closure of the meeting.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Printed form.
All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented to the council.
(b) 
City attorney to approve.
All ordinances and resolutions shall be approved as to form and legality by the city attorney.
(c) 
Recording of votes.
The ayes and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions and entered upon the official record of the city council.
(d) 
Voting required.
No member, including the mayor, shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of his own official conduct or where his or her financial interests are involved, and in these instances he or she shall abstain. Any member prohibited from voting by financial interest shall announce at the commencement of consideration of the matter that he or she is abstaining from voting on the matter and shall not enter into discussion or debate on any such matter. The member shall step then down from the dais during the discussion and voting on the matter. After a member has stated the reason for his request, the excuse from voting shall be made without debate. Any member who has abstained under this section shall not attend any executive session where the matter from which he or she is abstaining, is discussed. If any member shall refuse to vote, except for those reasons stated above, such refusal shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting. (Charter section 34)
(e) 
Approval of every ordinance, resolution, or motion shall require on final passage the affirmative vote of four city council members present, except that the City Charter and certain state statutes impose other voting requirements on various questions. In addition, these rules set forth certain instances in which the number of votes required is greater than a majority of all members. As a matter of convenience, questions on which the voting requirement is varied by City Charter, state statutes and these rules are listed below:
(1) 
Changing paving assessment plans–Two-thirds vote of all members.
A change that substantially affects the nature or quality of an improvement funded by an assessment requires a two-thirds vote of all members of the city council. (Texas Transportation Code sec. 313.053(b).) “Two-thirds vote of all members” would require an affirmative vote of five council members.
(2) 
Expulsion of members–Two-thirds vote of all members.
Expulsion of a member of the city council requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the city council. “Two-thirds vote of all members” would require an affirmative vote of five council members.
(3) 
Changes in zoning ordinance–Three-fourths vote of all members.
A change in zoning district classification or boundary that has been recommended for denial by the city planning commission or that has been protested by the owners of 20 percent or more of either the land in the area of request or land within 200 feet of the boundary of the area of request must have the approval of three-fourths of all members of the city council. (Texas Local Government Code sec. 211.006(d).) “Three-fourths votes of all members” would require an affirmative vote of six council members.
(4) 
Charter amendments.
Ordinances submitting proposed Charter Amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds [vote] of all members of the city council. (Article XI, Section 3, Texas Constitution and sec. 9.004 of the Texas Local Government Code.) “Two-thirds vote of all members” would require an affirmative vote of five council members.
(5) 
Tax rate.
The vote on the ordinance, resolution, or order setting the tax rate must be separate from the vote adopting the budget. For a taxing unit other than a school district, the vote on the ordinance, resolution, or order setting a tax rate that exceeds the effective tax rate must be a record vote, and at least 60 percent of the members of the governing body must vote in favor of the ordinance, resolution, or order. “Sixty percent of the members of the governing body” would require an affirmative vote of five council members.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
General rules of parliamentary procedure as defined in this document and consistent with the City Charter and any applicable city ordinance, statute or other legal requirement, shall govern the proceedings of the city council. To the extent not inconsistent with these rules, the city council shall use Robert’s Rules of Order as a general guideline for additional rules of parliamentary procedure without being a procedural requirement. However, failure to abide by, or adhere to, these rules shall not nullify or negate any action by the city council. These rules of parliamentary procedure are intended solely as a guideline and tool, and are not intended to limit the inherent power and general legal authority of the city council, or of its mayor, to govern the conduct of city council meetings.
(b) 
Chair of meeting.
The mayor shall preside over all meetings of the city council as the chair and enforce these rules and procedures during a meeting. In the absence of the mayor, the mayor pro tem shall assume the chair responsibility at the meeting. In the absence of the pro tem, the city council will choose a chair for the meeting.
(c) 
Authority of the chair.
The chair shall make decisions on questions of procedure, subject to review by the city council as a whole.
(d) 
City council deliberations.
The chair has the responsibility to control the discussion and the order of speakers. Council members will generally be called upon in the order of the request to speak. Generally, a council member may not be recognized to speak subsequently until each council member has had an opportunity to obtain the floor. A council member holding the floor may address a question to another council member and that council member may, should they so choose, respond to the question while the floor is still held by the council member asking the question.
(e) 
Limits to deliberations.
Council members will limit their comments to the subject matter or motion currently being considered. Council members will govern themselves as to the length of their comments, and the mayor shall act as the arbiter in determining how long an individual council member may speak on an item, and shall apply the standard consistently and fairly. The intent of this policy is not to limit debate, but rather to assist council members in their efforts to communicate effectively and concisely.
(f) 
Repetitious comments prohibited.
A speaker or council member shall not present the same or substantially the same items or arguments to the city council repeatedly or be repetitious in presenting oral comments. A speaker or council member shall not present an argument on a matter previously considered by the city council at the same session.
(g) 
Obtaining the floor.
Any member of the city council wishing to speak shall first obtain the floor by making a request for the floor to the chair. The chair shall recognize any council member who appropriately seeks the floor.
(h) 
Motions.
Motions submitted for a vote shall contain only one question. If two or more points are involved, any member may require a division, if the question reasonably allows for a division. Motions may be made and seconded by any member of the city council except the chair. The most common motions are as follows:
(1) 
Amending a motion.
If a council member wants to change a basic motion, he or she would have to make a motion to amend it. A motion to amend might be: "I move that we amend the motion to include the changes we discussed to the ordinance." A motion to amend seeks to retain the basic motion on the floor (a motion made and seconded), but to modify it in some way. It requires the agreement of the person making the original motion, and this agreement shall constitute the second required to amend the basic motion. No motion to amend shall be allowed after a motion has been called for a vote. No motion or proposition of a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment. A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order, but one to amend an amendment to an amendment shall not be in order. Any council member may move to amend a pending motion. No more than two amendments may be made to a pending motion. The last amendment shall be voted on first.
(2) 
Motion to reconsider.
A motion to reconsider any action of the city council may be made, seconded, and voted on not later than the next succeeding voting agenda meeting of the city council. If reconsideration of the council action has not been posted on the council agenda for the meeting at which the motion to reconsider is made, however, actual reconsideration of the item must be delayed until the next voting agenda meeting after the posting requirements of the Open Meetings Act are met. A motion to reconsider an action of the city council may only be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any member. No question shall be twice reconsidered except by unanimous vote of the city council, except that action relating to any contract may be reconsidered at any time before the final execution thereof.
(3) 
The previous question.
When the previous question is moved and seconded, it shall be put as follows: "Shall the main question be now put?" There shall be no further amendment or debate, but pending amendments shall be put in their order before the main question. If the motion for the previous question is lost, the main question remains before the city council. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the city council members present shall be required to approve the previous question. (To demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "that debate now cease, and the city council immediately proceed to vote on the pending motion." In practice, this is done with the phrase "call for the question," or by simply saying "question.")
(4) 
Motion to table.
This motion, if passed, requires discussion of the agenda item to be halted immediately, and the agenda item to be placed on hold. The motion may contain a specific time to bring the item up again, or it may not specify a time. If no time is specified, the item should be placed on the agenda at the following regularly scheduled council meeting.
(5) 
Motion to allow public comment.
This motion, if passed, requires the chair to allow public comment even though a public hearing may not be required under the law.
(i) 
Withdrawal of motions.
A motion may be withdrawn, or modified, by its mover without asking permission until the motion has been stated by the chair. If the mover modifies the motion, the seconder may withdraw the second. After the question has been stated, the mover shall neither withdraw it nor modify it without the consent of the city council.
(j) 
Appropriations of money.
Before formal approval by the city council of motions providing for appropriation of money, information must be presented to the city council showing the purpose of the appropriation and the account to which it is to be credited. In addition, before finally acting on an appropriation, the city council shall obtain a report from the city manager as to the availability of funds and the city manager’s recommendations as to the desirability of the appropriation.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The basic rule of motions is that they are subject to discussion and debate. Accordingly, the motion is eligible for full discussion by and before the city council. Discussion and debate can continue as long as the members wish to discuss it, or until the chair decides to end discussion and call a vote on the motion.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
The following is the general procedure for making motions:
(1) 
A council member who wishes to make a motion shall first obtain the floor.
(2) 
A council member who wishes to second a motion shall do so through a request to the chair.
(3) 
The item is presented by staff or others, followed by questions and discussion by council members.
(4) 
Before a motion can be discussed, it shall be seconded. If a motion does not receive a second after a reasonable time, a council member may call for a “point of order,” which mandates that the motion receives an immediate second, or it dies.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Any council member’s communication (written, e-mail, verbal, social media) with an applicant or petitioner outside of a public meeting regarding contracts or rezoning that will come to city council for a decision must be disclosed in writing and provided to the city clerk prior to city council discussion or deliberation of the action. Examples include but are not limited to discussion with a property owner regarding his or her rezoning request, or discussion with a vendor prior to bid award. Council members shall disclose the identity of the person with whom they had the communication, the substance of the communication, and the date on which the communication occurred. The communication must be disclosed even if the council member did not respond to the communication. Disclosure shall be made prior to the city council meeting at which the matter will be considered.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Task forces.
The mayor may, as the need arises, authorize the appointment of “ad hoc” task forces. Any committee so created shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created or when abolished by the mayor.
(b) 
Citizen boards, commissions, and committees.
The mayor or council may create other boards, commissions and committees to assist in the conduct of the operation of the city government with such duties as the mayor or council may specify not inconsistent with the City Charter or Code. Memberships and selection of members shall be as provided by the mayor or majority vote of the council if not specified by the City Charter or Code. Any board, commission, or committee so created shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created, or when abolished by the mayor or a majority vote of the council. No committee so appointed shall have powers other than advisory to the council or to the city manager, except as otherwise specified by the Charter, Code, or statute.
(c) 
Council members as liaison to boards and commissions.
The mayor shall assign one or more council members to serve as liaisons to boards, commissions, and other entities. No more than three council members, including the mayor, may attend a meeting of any board or commission unless the meeting is a joint city council meeting that complies with the Texas Open Meetings laws. The liaison or liaisons to a board or commission have priority over any other council members who wish to attend. Other than liaisons who have priority; attendance by a council member at any board or commission meeting is on a first come, first served basis. If a council member who is a liaison to a board or commission knows he or she will not be in attendance at a meeting, he or she should notify the mayor as soon as possible so that other council members will have an opportunity to attend.
(d) 
If a council member who is a liaison to a board or commission knows he or she will not be in attendance at a meeting, he or she should notify the mayor as soon as possible so that other council members will have an opportunity to attend.
(e) 
Vote to modify action.
The council, by a vote of four members, may modify any action taken by the mayor under this section.
(f) 
Attendance at public functions.
If the mayor is unable to attend a public function, the mayor pro tem may attend. If both the mayor and the mayor pro tem are unable to attend, the mayor pro tem shall request another member of the council to attend.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Suspension of rules.
Any provision of these rules not governed by the City Charter or Code may be temporarily suspended by a majority vote of the council. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by yeas and noes and entered upon the records.
(b) 
Amendment of rules.
These rules may be amended, or new rules adopted, by a majority vote of all members of the council.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in this resolution or application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance, and the city council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, hereby declares it would have enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
During city council meetings, council members shall preserve order and decorum, shall not interrupt or delay proceedings, and shall obey the rules of the city council. Council members shall demonstrate respect and courtesy to one another, to city staff and to members of the public appearing before the council. Council members shall seek to phrase and communicate all writings, publications and speeches in a professional and constructive manner.
(b) 
Members of the city council will not condone any unethical or illegal activity from any council member or members of the staff. All members of the council shall uphold the intent of this policy and govern their actions accordingly.
(1) 
Mayoral responsibilities.
a. 
Chair.
The mayor shall serve as the chair of all meetings. The mayor pro tem shall preside in the absence of the mayor.
b. 
Preserve order and decorum.
The chair is responsible for preserving order and decorum and shall keep the meetings orderly by recognizing each member for discussion, encouraging civil debate among members, and keeping discussion limited to the agenda item being considered.
c. 
Encourage participation.
The chair will encourage all council members to participate in council discussion and give each member an opportunity to speak before any member can speak again on the same subject.
d. 
Official spokesperson.
The mayor is the official spokesperson for the council on all matters unless absent, at which time the mayor pro tem or appropriate designee will assume the role. The views presented by the mayor, or the mayor pro tem in his/her absence, should provide equitable representation of all council members.
(2) 
Council responsibilities.
a. 
Be prepared.
Each council member is responsible for being prepared to discuss the agenda.
b. 
Council orientation.
Each council member who has been newly elected to a non-contiguous term is required to attend a council member orientation session presented by the city manager, complete mandatory Open Meetings and Public Information Act training, and is encouraged to attend at least one Texas Municipal League-sponsored conference each year to stay informed on issues facing municipalities, as funding allows.
c. 
Attendance.
Attendance at work sessions and meetings is essential to the effective execution of a council member’s duties. It is the responsibility of council members to be informed about action taken by the city council in their absence. In the case of an absence from a work session, the council member is responsible for obtaining this information by viewing the recording of the work session prior to the city council meeting during which the items are to be voted upon.
d. 
Decorum.
When addressing an agenda item, the council member shall first be recognized by the chair, shall confine comments to the question under debate, shall avoid reference to personalities, shall refrain from impugning the integrity or motives of any other council member or staff member during debate or vote, and shall refrain from publicly implying or insinuating wrong-doing by another council member or staff member without clear evidence of such behavior.
e. 
Appeal.
Any council member may appeal a procedural ruling by the chair to the council as a whole. If the appeal is seconded, the person making the appeal may make a brief statement and the chair may respond. An appeal may generally be debated by the members, but each member may speak only once. The affirmative vote of a majority of the council members present and voting shall be necessary to approve the motion to appeal.
f. 
Enforcement of policy.
Any council member may ask the chair to enforce the policy established by the council. Should the chair fail to do so, a majority vote of the council members present shall require the chair to enforce the policy.
g. 
Wait to be recognized.
A member of the council who wishes to be recognized shall request to speak, and shall not proceed with remarks until recognized and named by the chair of the meeting. Remarks shall be confined to the question before the council.
h. 
No private discussions.
While any other person who has been recognized by the chair is speaking, other members shall not hold private discourse or in any manner interrupt the speaker. In all discussions, disrespectful language and behavior shall be avoided.
i. 
Duty to vote.
All council members must vote either in the affirmative or in the negative. A present member who does not vote will be officially recorded as a negative vote. When a council member recuses oneself due to an actual or perceived conflict of interest and files the required affidavit, that council member is not counted as present for quorum purposes and is not deemed to be “voting” for purposes of determining whether there has been a “majority vote of those voting and present.”
j. 
Third party representation.
A council member may not represent any third party before any city board or commission.
k. 
Personal communication devices.
All personal communication devices should be placed in a silent mode during any city council meetings. Personal communication devices shall not be used for communicating city-related business between councilors during a city council meeting. If an individual is using his or her personal communication device during a meeting and a member finds it disruptive, he or she should inform the mayor.
l. 
Dress code.
It is the policy of city council to create a dignified and professional environment for city council meetings. Therefore, all council members shall dress in a professional manner while attending a city council meeting or work session, or while representing the city in an official capacity as a member of the city council. Clothing that is distracting or contains profanity shall not be allowed to be worn by a member of council at a city council meeting.
(3) 
Citizens’ participation.
The following rules shall be in force for all persons in attendance at all meetings of council:
a. 
Rules of decorum.
Persons attending city council meetings should observe the same rules of propriety, decorum and good conduct as they would show in a courtroom, a place of worship, or at any other serious or solemn occasion during which matters of importance are being considered. Visitors will refrain from engaging in chatter, private conversations, and from making other distracting noises while the city council is in session. Phones and other electronic devices should be set to off or silent mode. Visitors should not applaud, boo, clap, or otherwise audibly express approval or disapproval of the speech of another person in a manner likely to disturb the meeting.
b. 
Address chair.
Persons may not engage in discussions with the city council or staff during council deliberations unless specifically asked a question by a council member. Persons who have been asked a question by a council member must be recognized by the chair before being allowed to speak. The chair may end any question and answer session between council members and a member of the public in order to facilitate the order of business.
c. 
Printed materials.
Persons may present printed material to the city clerk to distribute to the city council during a meeting.
d. 
No disruptions.
Persons attending city council meetings shall remain seated or may stand in the back of the room and come and go so long as it does not disrupt the meeting. Persons in attendance shall not carry signs or placards. No person attending any city council meeting shall delay the proceedings or refuse to obey the orders of the chair.
e. 
Removal.
Disturbances, transgressions of the rules or disorderly conduct in the city council chamber or other city council meeting room may cause the transgressor to be removed from the meeting. The chair of the meeting shall exercise control over persons who disrupt the meeting in the following order of action:
1. 
Call the person to order, advising that person of the infraction;
2. 
Advise the person that the infraction must cease immediately or the person will be ordered to leave the meeting;
3. 
Order the person to leave the meeting. A police officer may remove an individual or individuals for disrupting a meeting as authorized by Texas Penal Code sec. 42.05.
f. 
Room limitations.
Persons are encouraged to attend council meetings; however, the number admitted shall be limited to the fire safety capacity of the council chamber as determined by the fire marshal or designee.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Presentations.
Staff presentations will be concise and will provide factual background information on the item as well as a recommendation for the city council. Written presentations shall, to the extent possible, be provided to the city council before the meeting.
(b) 
Ask questions in advance.
To ensure proper presentation of agenda items by staff, questions arising from council members after receiving their information packet should be, whenever possible, presented to the city manager for staff consideration prior to the city council meeting. This allows staff the time to address council members’ concerns and provide all council members with additional information as necessary.
(c) 
Presentation requirements.
The city manager shall designate the appropriate staff member to address each agenda item and shall see that each presentation is prepared and presented to inform and educate the city council on the issues that require city council action. The presentation should be professional, timely, and allow for discussion of options for resolving the issue. As a summary, the staff member making the presentation shall make it clear if no city council action is required, or shall present the staff recommendation as a part of the presentation, and/or present the specific options for city council consideration. Other than asking clarification questions, city council members should allow the staff member to complete his or her presentation before discussing or debating the topic.
(d) 
Use of staff time.
The city manager is directly responsible for providing information to the city council concerning any inquiry by a specific council member that is significant in nature and would be beneficial to all council members. If the city manager or the staff’s time is being dominated or misdirected by a council member, it is the city manager’s responsibility to inform the mayor.
(e) 
Ethical behavior required.
The city manager will exhibit the highest professional and ethical behavior. The city manager is responsible for the professional and ethical behavior and discipline of his/her staff. The city manager is also responsible for ensuring that the staff receives the training and information necessary to address the issues facing municipal government.
(f) 
Respect and courtesy.
All staff members shall show one another, each council member, and the public respect and courtesy at all times. They are also responsible for making objective, professional presentations to ensure public understanding and confidence in the process.
(g) 
Conflicts.
Any conflicts arising between the city staff and the city council will not be allowed to affect the normal course of business, but will be addressed by the mayor and the city manager outside of a public meeting.
(h) 
Council orientation.
The city manager, after an election, will ensure that the staff has prepared information needed for the orientation of new council members and will also inform them of the Texas Municipal League’s new council member orientation training opportunities.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
When the City of Wichita Falls is involved in litigation or a legal dispute, council members shall refrain from commenting on settlements, appeals, or other issues related to the subject until the matter is resolved.
(b) 
The city manager, city attorney or designated public information officer, shall be authorized to provide any public responses or comments as needed on matters involving potential claims against the city or anticipated or on-going litigation.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
City council members seeking information or documents, or other data, from staff shall make those requests through the city manager, city attorney, or city clerk.
(b) 
Information, documentation or data requested by a council member from staff shall be provided to all members of the city council.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
City staff will make all meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and supporting documentation available to the city council and to the public via the city’s official website. If supporting documentation is not available to the city council in advance of a workshop meeting, at city council’s discretion the council will be given two workshop sessions to discuss the item before it moves to a business meeting for action.
(b) 
City council meetings will be live streamed and archived in their entirety and made available to the public via the city’s official website.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
(a) 
Since government is only successful when the citizens are kept informed and educated about the issues facing their municipality, it is necessary that the media play a role in the governmental process. It is through an informed public that progress is ensured and good government remains sensitive to its constituents. These guidelines are designed to help ensure fair relationships with all media reporters. The city council and the city manager recognize that the media provides an important link between the city council and the public. It is desired to establish a professional working relationship to help maintain a well-informed and educated citizenry.
(b) 
Media shall be welcome to attend all public meetings of the city council.
(c) 
Media may be asked to occupy a designated area in some circumstances but may generally locate in places open to the public.
(d) 
Media may not disturb the decorum or professionalism of city council meetings or work sessions.
(e) 
Media may contact the mayor and city council members directly.
(f) 
The mayor is the primary spokesperson for the city on matters regarding policy decisions or any city council information pertaining to issues on the agenda. To ensure fair treatment of an issue, any clarifications requested by the media on the issue should be addressed after the meeting. When opposing positions have been debated, regardless of the outcome, the public is better informed when all sides have adequate coverage by the media. This lets the public know the item was seriously debated and options discussed before a vote was taken, and helps build confidence in their government. In respect to each city council member and the citizens of the city, the views presented by each city council member should be given equitable representation. Although council members may express differing ideas, equitable representation helps promote unity of purpose by allowing the public to be informed of each council member’s position during his/her term of office and not solely during an election campaign.
(g) 
City council members may not speak to media or the public on behalf of the body; they may speak only as an individual member.
(h) 
To preserve the decorum and professionalism of city council meetings, the media are requested to refrain from talking with other people in the audience and to conduct any interview with the public outside the meeting room while the city council is in session. Media interviews will not take place in city council chambers during a meeting.
(i) 
Media wishing to speak to city staff are asked to comply with the media policy developed by the city manager.
(Ordinance 17-2019, sec. 1, adopted 5/21/19)
Editor’s note – Ord. No. 79-2020, sec. 1, adopted December 15, 2020, repealed sec. 2-85, which pertained to consequences for council members who violate the Charter, and derived from Ord. No. 17-2019, adopted May 21, 2019.