HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 013-17 -CouncilAdoptRobertsRulesOf Order.2017Mtgs
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Section 5.06 of the City of Rochester Home Rule Charter allows the Common
Council of the City of Rochester to determine the rules of its proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to adopt Robert's Rules of Order as its parliamentary rules
for its proceedings; and,
WHEREAS, the Council desires to establish rules for the Open Comment and Public
Hearings portions of its proceedings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Rochester
that Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings of the Common Council, except that a
motion to lay on the table shall be considered a debatable motion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following rules shall govern the Open Comment
portion of all Common Council meetings:
1. This section of the agenda may not be used as a forum to continue
discussion on an agenda item which has already been held as a public
hearing.
2. This agenda section is limited to 15 minutes and each speaker is limited
to 4 minutes.
3. A timer will be used to manage speaker times. Once started, the timer will
display a green light and 4 minutes. The timer will begin counting down
once the speaker begins his or her comments. The timer will change to
yellow when one minute remains. The timer will change to red when time
has expired.
4. Any speaker not having the opportunity to be heard will be first to present
at the next Council meeting.
5. The name of the speaker must be provided.
6. Citizens may only use this forum to address the Council a maximum of
one time per month.
7. Matters currently under negotiation, litigation or related to personnel will
not be discussed in this forum.
8. Questions posed by a speaker will generally be responded to in writing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following rules shall govern the Public Hearings
portion of all Common Council meetings:
1. The applicant will be allowed to present for 10 minutes to start the hearing
and provided 5 minutes for rebuttal at the end of the hearing.
2. All other speakers will be limited to 5 minutes each.
3. Speaker may only speak once during a given public hearing.
4. Councilmembers may ask questions of a person who has already spoken.
5. Groups who have a similar view on the matter being heard are encouraged to
designate a spokesperson.
6. When appropriate, priority will be given to those speakers who may be
immediately impacted by the Council’s decision, e.g. neighborhood
residents.
7. A timer will be used to manage speaker times. Once started, the timer will
display a green light and appropriate time limit. The timer will begin
counting down once the speaker begins his or her comments. The timer
will change to yellow when one minute remains. The timer will change to
red when time has expired.
8. Time sensitive hearing and items will be placed first on the agenda.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2017.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2017.
________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)
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