7-27-15 Presentation by Mayor Woods-Meeting Proceedures and RulesCommission Meeting Procedures and Rules
City of Atlantic Beach Code of Ordinances Sect 2-19.
Rules of Conduct and Procedures at Meetings
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Opportunity
To Refresh our memories
Learn about our rules
To improve the efficiency of our meetings
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Rule 22
Rule 22. In all cases involving points of parliamentary law, "Robert's Rules of Order" shall be the book of reference, and its rules, so far as they are applicable and not in conflict
with the provisions of the city's Charter, this Code or other city ordinances, shall be the rules of the city commission.
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Rule 1
Rule 1. The mayor-commission shall preside at all meetings of the city commission, …He shall have general control of the chamber and in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct therein,
he may cause the same to be cleared. The mayor shall preserve decorum and order,
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Robert’s Rules on Decorum
43. Decorum in Debate. In debate a member must confine himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. … It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member,
…If at any time the chairman rises to state a point of order, or give information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege, the member speaking must take his seat till the chairman
has been heard first.
If his remarks are decided to be improper, he cannot proceed.
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Rule 1 continued
The mayor shall preserve decorum and order may speak to points of order in preference to other members, and shall decide all questions relating to the priority of business or of order,
without debate, subject to appeal to the city commission by any member as a matter of course, and on the appeal, it shall require a majority vote of the members to sustain the appeal.
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Meeting Efficiency
Rule 4. No member shall speak at any meeting more than twice on the same question, or more than five (5) minutes at any one time.
7. Debate. …Debate must be limited to the merits of
the immediately pending question …Speakers must …be courteous in their language and deportment, and avoid all personalities, never alluding to the officers …nor to the motives of members
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Appointment of Committees
Rule 8. The mayor-commissioner may appoint, from time to time, such special or select committees as in his discretion he deems desirable, or as may be desired by the city commission,
to expedite the handling of the business and affairs of the city.
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Withdrawal of Agenda Items
Rule 17. Any proposed motion, resolution, ordinance or suggested amendment thereto may be withdrawn by the mover or the proposer at any time before amendment or putting it to a vote.
Rule 21. Any rule, except Rules 16 and 17, may be temporarily suspended for special reasons by a vote of the majority of the members of the city commission present.
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Bottom Line
Motion to Defer Failed
The agenda item itself was not voted on, there is no prevailing side except on the first vote at the July 13 meeting.
Rule 17. Any proposed motion, resolution,
ordinance or suggested amendment thereto may be withdrawn by the mover or the proposer at any time before amendment or putting it to a vote.
Rule 8. The mayor-commissioner may appoint,
from time to time, such special or select committees as in his discretion he deems desirable, or as may be desired by the city commission, to expedite the handling of the business and
affairs of the city.
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