HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 5840: LIMITING DEBATE ON NON-CONSENT ISSUES
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MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor, City'Council, and City Manager
From: Mark T. Sokolow, City Attorney ~ ~,o,~~~ .
Date: January 23, 2008
Subject: P. O. No. 5840; Council Meeting January 29, 2008
Attached is P. O. No. 5840 amending Subsection (9) of
Section 2-75 (b) of the Code of Ordinances as it pertains to
limiting debate on non-consent issues brought to the floor for
debate by the City Council. (Requested by Councilmember
Henderson). '
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Attachment
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z.po5840_memo
P. O. No. 5840
1/22/08 is
AN ORDINANCE
SECTION 2-75
IT PERTAINS TO
ISSUES BROUGHT
CITY COUNCIL
HENDERSON)
ORDINANCE N0.
AMENDING SUBSECTION (9) OF
~) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AS
LIMITING DEBATE ON NON-CONSENT
TO THE FLOOR FOR DEBATE BY THE
(REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to.amend Subsection (9) of
Section 2-75 (b) of the Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, Subsection .(9) of Section 2-75 (b) of the Code of
Ordinances presently states the following:
"(9) Opportunity to speak. No vote shall be taken on a
motion-and second. calling for the previous question
until each councilmember wishing to speak on the
question under debate has been granted at least one
opportunity to speak on the question. This
subsection shall not interfere with the council's.
right to consider and vote on a motion and second
to limit the length of debate by each
councilmember."
and
WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to amend Subsection
(9) of Section 2-75 (b). to read as follows:
"(9) Opportunity to speak. No vote shall be taken on a
motion and second calling for the previous question
until each councilmember wishing to speak on the
question under debate has been granted at least one
(1) opportunity to speak on the question. Each
councilmember is to have up to five (5) minutes to
express a pro or con opinion or question the
initiator of any non-consent resolution or
ordinance that, comes before the Council for debate.
The resolution or ordinance shall be voted up or
down, without further discussion. This subsection
shall not interfere with the council's right to
consider and vote on a motion and second to further
limit or extend the length of debate by each
councilmember.".
z.po5840
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble
are true and correct.
Section 2. That Subsection (9) of Section 2-75 (b)
of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and shall read as
follows:
"(9) Opportunity to speak. No vote shall be taken on a
motion and second calling for the. previous question
until each councilmember wishing to speak on the
question under debate has been granted at least one'
(1) opportunity to speak on the question. Each
councilmember is to have up to five (5) minutes to
express a pro or con opinion or question the
initiator of any non-consent resolution or
ordinance that comes before the Council for debate.
The resolution or ordinance shall be voted up or
down, without .further discussion. This subsection
shall .not interfere with the council's right,to
consider and vote on a motion and .:second to .further
limit or extend the length of "debate by each
councilmember."
Section 3. .That a copy of the caption of this Ordinance
be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council.
Section 4. That this being an Ordinance amending an
Ordinance, which does not carry a penalty and does not require
publication, it shall take effect immediately from and after its
passage.
READ, ADOPTED AND~APPROVED on this day of
A.D., 2008, at a Council Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor
City Council
z.po5640
NOES:
- ~
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ACTING CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS CCT0•FORM:
d
CITY ATTORNEY s
APPROVED .FOR ADMINISTRATION:.
CITY MANAGER
z.