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Minnesota Mayors Association <br />Appendix D: Rules of Order for City <br />Councils <br />Preamble. <br />a. Purpose. The purpose of these rules is to foster debate and discussion in an orderly <br />manner, not to suppress honest discussion with excessive formality. Without rules, <br />confusion and disorderly proceedings would hamper all city action, no matter how well <br />intended. Rules allow city business to be conducted as efficiently as possible, protect <br />minority groups by giving every person a chance to be heard, prevent discussion of <br />multiple topics at once, and allow decisions to be made by majority rule. <br />b. Rights of council members. All council members are equal and have the same rights to <br />make motions; object to motions in a timely manner; participate in debate; have their <br />votes counted; and speak, when recognized, free of interruption. <br />c. Obligations of council members. The rights of individual council members cannot be <br />realized unless all council members also recognize their obligations as members of the <br />political body. Council members are obligated to receive the recognition of the chair <br />before speaking, except as otherwise provided by these rules. No one has the right to <br />speak at whim. Council members are obligated to speak directly on the subject being <br />considered and observe time limits for comment. Finally, council members are obligated <br />to address all remarks to the presiding officer, avoid personal attacks, and refrain from <br />using any insulting or demeaning language or indecent or threatening behavior. <br />Rule 1. Motions. <br />All formal actions of council must be by motion. A council member may make only one motion <br />at a time. <br />Rule 2. Language for making a motion. <br />The appropriate language for making a motion shall be substantially similar to, " I move to <br />Rule 3. Procedure for consideration of a motion. <br />A motion does not need to be seconded. Once a motion has been made, the presiding officer <br />shall restate the motion and (if applicable) open the motion up for debate, provided that the <br />mayor determines that the motion is in order and no objections to the motion have been made <br />pursuant to Rule 4. A motion is in order if it is made at a proper time in the proper format and <br />does not violate any applicable rules of law, ordinance, or city policy, including city policies on <br />Minnesota <br />Mayors 57 <br />Association <br />