Laserfiche WebLink
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />Date: February 28, 2011 <br />Item No.: 13.1b <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br />Item Description: Discussion of Suspension of Council Rules <br />11 BACKGROUND <br />2 At the January 3, 2011 Council meeting, Councilmembers asked why a 2/3 supermajority vote <br />3 was needed to suspend Council rules. <br />4, The City Council follows Rosenberg's Rules of Order to conduct its business. Following an <br />5 established set of rules, helps to ensure efficiently run meetings in which all sides get an <br />6 opportunity voice their opinions. <br />"7 The City Council also has a set of rules to regulate meeting procedures. These rules set common <br />8 values and expectations, provide structure to a meeting and resolve conflict that promotes the <br />9 best interest of the city. <br />110 There have been occasions in which suspending the rules may be, or seem to be, in the best <br />11 interest of the Council. Suspension of the rules requires a 2/3 majority, to protect against a <br />12 majority of members pushing through an action item without notice or debate. A 2/3 vote makes <br />13 it more difficult to undertake that action. <br />14, FINANCIAL IMPACTS <br />116 STAFF RECOMMENDATION <br />1 "7 Discuss whether it is in the Council's best interest to suspend rules with a simple majority or a <br />11 111J ',':1'11 super maj grit y. <br />119 REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION <br />2o Discuss whether it is in the Council's best interest to suspend rules with a simple majority or a <br />2 1 supermajority. <br />Prepared by: William J. Malinen, City Manager <br />Attachments: A: Feb. 14, 2011 Memo <br />Page 1 of 1 <br />