All legislative powers of the Town shall be
vested in a council (hereinafter referred to as the "Council") consisting
of six Council members (hereinafter referred to as "Council members")
and the Mayor. Council members shall be elected as hereinafter provided
and shall hold office for a term of four years or until the succeeding
Council members take office. The regular term of Council members shall
expire on the second Monday following the election of their successors.
Council members shall have resided in the Town
for at least one year immediately preceding their election and shall
be registered voters of the Town. Council members shall maintain a
permanent residence in the Town during their term of office.
Each Council member shall receive compensation
which shall be determined by an ordinance passed by the Council. The
compensation specified at the time any Council member takes office
shall not be changed as to that Council member during the term of
office for which he was elected.
[Amended 8-9-2004 by Res. No. 2004-3; 6-11-2007 by Res. No. 2007-01]
The newly elected Council shall meet at 7:00
p.m. on the second Monday following its election for the purpose of
organization, after which the Council shall meet regularly at such
times as may be prescribed by its rules but not less frequently than
once each month. Special meetings shall be called by the Town Manager
upon the request of a majority of the Council or as determined by
the Town Manager. Whenever a special meeting has been called, the
Town Manager shall notify all Council members and the Mayor. All meetings
of the Council shall be open to the public unless specifically falling
within the exceptions permitting closed sessions or adjournment of
an open session to a closed session pursuant to and as provided by
the State Government Article §§ 10-501 through 10-510
of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as may be amended from time to
time. The rules of the Council with respect to open meetings shall
provide that residents of the Town shall have a reasonable opportunity
to be heard.
[Amended 6-11-2007 by Res. No. 2007-01]
The Town Manager (or any assistant election secretaries as may be appointed by the Mayor and the Council) shall be the judge of the qualifications, contained in §
C-4, of the members of the Council.
[Amended 6-11-2007 by Res. No. 2007-01]
The Mayor shall serve as a member of the Council,
preside at its meetings and shall vote on all questions coming before
the Council. The Mayor shall serve as Chair of the Council. The Council
shall elect a Council President from among the Council members who
shall act as Chair of the Council in the absence of the Mayor.
A majority of the Council shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, but no ordinance shall be
approved without the favorable votes of a majority of the Council.
The Council shall determine its own rules and
order of business. It shall keep a record of its proceedings and enter
therein the results of any final action on any question, resolution,
or ordinance, or at any other time if required by any one member of
the Council. The record shall be open to public inspection.
[Amended 6-11-2007 by Res. No. 2007-01]
Ordinances and resolutions shall be permanently
filed by the Town Manager (or such other staff member as may be designated
by the Town Manager) and shall be kept available for public inspection.