Laserfiche WebLink
Appendix E: Council Handouts <br />For use with Minnesota Mayors Association Rules of Order for City Councils <br />A. Simple Principles for Making Meetings Work- <br />1. Let the presiding officer manage the meeting. <br />2. Wait to be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking. <br />3. Be courteous and civil. Limit debate to the discussion of ideas. Do not make personal <br />attacks. <br />4. Maintain decorum in the chambers. Do not have side conversations or disrupt the meeting <br />through words or conduct. <br />B. Problem Solving Hints <br />Problem one: Meetings are taking too long. <br />Potential solutions: <br />a. The presiding officer should follow the agenda and limit discussion and debate to the <br />current agenda item. Council members who speak on topics not related to the current <br />agenda can be called to order by the presiding officer. <br />b. The presiding officer should not open discussion and debate on an agenda item until <br />after an actual motion for action has been made. This clarifies the discussion and <br />makes the process more efficient. A line can be added to the council agenda for each <br />item with staff s proposed motion language. <br />c. The presiding officer should utilize the time limits established in Rule 5a. When <br />individual council members notice that the time limits are not being observed, they <br />can make a motion to have the presiding officer call for order. <br />d. When debate appears to be lengthy but unproductive, council members can make a <br />motion to limit the time for debate. Sometimes setting a deadline for making a <br />decision can be helpful. <br />e. When debate has continued for at least 20 minutes or everyone on council has had an <br />opportunity to speak, a council member may make a motion to "call the question." If <br />approved, the main motion must be voted upon instantly. <br />Minnesota <br />Mayors 66 <br />Association <br />