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A <br />�_e!zj VA 0) 1 'e.5 1� 0 () �< <br />C' 01,J S 6 AJ ✓4 G t W 4._5 <br />• Adj ournment <br />2. Consent agenda <br />I3y resolution or through bylaws, a council may establish a consent agenda <br />containing routine, non -controversial items that need little or no <br />deliberation. The clerk or the person responsible for placing items on the <br />agenda prepares the consent agenda. 13y a majority or higher vote, the <br />council can approve all actions on the consent agenda with one vote. If a <br />councilmember objects to an item being placed on the consent agenda, it <br />should be removed and acted on as a separate agenda item. <br />an <br />3. Tips for shortening meetings <br />addition to the consent agenda, councils may consider the following <br />suggestions to shorten meetings. <br />Council bylaws may set a closing date for placing items on the agenda. For <br />example, the clerk must receive all requests to include items on the agenda <br />five days before the meeting. This is especially important if council <br />members need to review written material before the meeting. The council <br />might make an exception in emergency situations by a unanimous vote, for <br />example. The council should set a del inite time for adjournment and <br />observe this rule. <br />1 At some time during the meeting, often at the beginning, many city <br />councils establish a specific time when citizens can present concerns to the <br />council. In such an open forum, the mayor or presiding officer should allot <br />a limited time for each person who wishes to speak. No action should be <br />1 taken on any of the issues raised. Rather, if appropriate, the issues should <br />be placed on the agenda of a future council meeting. <br />HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES <br />When the council is going to discuss a major public issue, the bylaws or the <br />council, by resolution, may allot a limited, specific amount of time for each <br />side to express its views. The council may also follow this procedure for all <br />items on the agenda. <br />H. Parliamentary procedure <br />Parliamentary procedure is a system of rules that aid in transacting <br />business. The rules are designed to preserve order, expedite business, and <br />protect the rights of those involved in making decisions. The mayor, as <br />presiding officer, is responsible for guarding against abuse of the <br />procedures. The effective use of parliamentary procedures is the joint <br />responsibility of the mayor and of all council members. <br />This chapter last revised 9/28/2005 <br />7-19 <br />