2.04.070 Motions, debate, public comment on action items, and voting.
(1) Motions. All motions shall be distinctly worded. Council members are encouraged to exercise their ability to make motions and to do so prior to debate in order to focus discussion on an issue and speed the council’s proceedings.
(a) The presiding officer will state the name of the council member who made the motion and the name of the council member who made the second.
(b) The following rules shall apply to motions:
(i) If a motion does not receive a second, it dies. Certain motions can proceed without a second, including nominations, withdrawal of motion, call the question and agenda order.
(ii) The council will discuss a motion only after the motion has been moved and seconded.
(iii) A motion to amend can be made to a motion that is on the floor and has been seconded.
(iv) No motion shall be received when a question is under debate except for the following:
(A) To lay the matter on the table;
(B) To call for the previous question;
(C) To postpone;
(D) To refer; or
(E) To amend.
(v) A motion may be withdrawn by the mover at any time without consent of the council.
(vi) Amendments are voted on first, then the main motion if voted on as amended.
(vii) A member of the council may have a motion which contains several elements divided, but the mover shall have the right to designate which element will be voted on first.
(viii) A motion to suspend a rule is not debatable.
(ix) A call for the question is intended to close the debate on the main motion; it does not require a second and is not debatable.
(A) A call for the question fails without a majority vote.
(B) Debate on the main subject resumes if the motion fails.
(x) A motion that receives a tie vote fails.
(xi) A motion to adjourn cannot be amended.
(xii) A motion to adjourn will be in order at any time except as follows:
(A) When made as an interruption of a member while speaking.
(B) When the previous question has been ordered.
(C) While a vote is being taken.
(c) The presiding officer shall repeat a motion prior to a vote.
(d) A motion to reconsider may only be made by a member of the prevailing side. Any member may second the motion. The motion shall be made before the final adjournment of the meeting when the item goes out of possession of the council.
(2) Debate. The following rules shall govern the debate of any item being discussed by the council:
(a) Every member desiring to speak shall address the presiding officer, and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine themselves to the question under debate.
(b) The member of the council making the motion shall have the privilege of speaking first and also of closing the debate.
(c) A member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to be called to order.
(d) Each member has the right to speak twice but should not have the floor the second time until all who wish would have spoken once. Generally, each member of the council is limited to three minutes of commenting each time they have been recognized, unless a majority of the council agrees to increase the allotted time for comment.
(3) Public Comment. The public is entitled to address the council on a matter of public concern. The council recognizes that public input into the governmental process is an invaluable aid to informed decision making. Therefore, it is the policy of the council that all citizens shall have the right to speak before the council on matters of public concern, but each citizen shall be responsible for abuse of such right.
(a) Public comment at council meetings shall be limited to 30 minutes unless extended by the presiding officer.
(b) Each member of the public is entitled to comment before the council for three minutes.
(c) If any group of three or more persons sharing a common viewpoint on any subject wishes to address the council during the time for public comment for items not on the agenda, the group is encouraged to select a spokesperson, who is encouraged to present the views of the group to the council.
(d) Each person desiring to give public comment shall provide the council with their name and address prior to giving comment. This information shall be used to ensure the minutes of the meeting properly reflect those persons who provided public comment.
(e) Members of the public are not permitted to bring flags, signs, posters, and placards to a city council meeting. Armbands, emblems, badges, and other articles worn on personal clothing, so long as such items do not extend from the body in such a way to cause injury to another, are permitted.
(f) Members of the public are expected to follow the same rules of professionalism and decorum as required by the council itself, more fully described in NBCC 2.04.120.
(g) If a citizen brings a legislative complaint or suggestion to the council, and if the council finds such complaint or suggestion one that requires further attention, the council may refer the matter to the city attorney, city administrator, a board/commission/lay committee, or committee of the whole for study and recommendation.
(h) If a citizen brings an administrative complaint or suggestion to the council, the presiding officer shall refer the complaint or suggestion directly to the city administrator for their review. The council may direct the city administrator to report to the council when their review had been made.
(4) Voting. The following rules shall apply to voting on matters before the council:
(a) The vote is taken in one of two ways:
(i) Voice vote. This is the standard method when no more than a majority vote is required. The ayes are called for first and then the nays.
(ii) Roll call vote. This can be used as an alternative to a voice vote, in verifying an inconclusive vote or when a two-thirds vote is required.
(b) The presiding officer will announce the result of all votes.
(c) It is considered inappropriate for members to explain their action during any type of voting.
(d) Any member of the council will have the right to express dissent from or to protest any action of the council by submitting a one-page written dissent to the city administrator within four business days of the council action. The written dissent will be attached to the official minutes of the council meeting and included as part of the permanent record of the council meeting. Written dissents shall not be read into the record at any council meeting or work session. Written dissents will be attached to the unofficial minutes and uploaded on the city website.
(e) Every member present when a question is called shall vote either aye or nay, unless the council, by unanimous consent, excuses a member for a special reason or unless a member has a conflict of interest under applicable law, in which case no consent is required. There shall be no debate on such a request. If any member declines to vote, and the result of such action would be to create a tie, that member’s vote shall be counted as an aye; in all other situations, that member’s vote shall be counted with the majority. (Ord. 2065 § 2, 2023; Ord. 2052 § 1, 2021)