THE MYTHS OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
ECICOG April 1, 2015
Iowa Code 372.13 (5)
“The Council shall determine its own rules and maintain records of its procedures.”
Why Council Rules of Procedure
To effectively achieve purposes of council meetings:
Conduct city business – make decisions Inform the public – discuss, debate Maintain records - minutes
Council Rules of Procedure
Regulate and maintain order and decorum at meetings.
Allow for participation in a democratic manner but –
Provide structure so meetings don’t get “out of hand”.
Robert’s Rules?
Who uses? Which edition? Copy available?
Robert’s Rules – Issues:
Not designed or intended for law-making bodies such as City Councils
Robert’s Rules are not “law” and not required by law to be followed. Iowa Sup Ct – failure by council to
conform to a procedural rule or parl. procedure will not invalidate a vote that otherwise conforms to Iowa statutes.
Robert’s Rules – Issues:
State Code requirements: Quorums Votes/readings required: Ordinances,
Resolutions, Motions, Special Assessments, Remonstrances, etc.
Suspension of readings Public Hearing requirements Mayoral authority/vetoes
Robert’s Rules – other considerations
Open Meetings Law requirements “Old Business” “New Business”
Motions to reconsider Citizen presentations Consent/non-controversial calendars
Recommendation
Cities should adopt own rules of procedure – not just adopt Robert’s Rules without careful review:
Recommendation
Reserve Robert’s Rules for arcane parliamentary issues, e.g.:Motion/seconds/withdrawals of motionsAmendmentsPoints of order
Council Rules of Procedure –
Regular meeting time and location Regular meeting agendas: Who prepares? How can items get on agenda? Deadlines?
Council Rules of Procedure – Regular Meetings
Ordinances/Resolutions/Motions – who determines?
Adding/deleting items Order of business/ altering order Dept reports Citizen presentations Public hearings – when?
Presiding Officer
Duties and responsibilities Control of discussion Mayor pro-tem Mayor pro-tem/pro-tem
Civility/Decorum
Personal attacks Foul language Applause/hooting
COUNCIL & AUDIENCE
Council Committees
Who appoints? Duties and responsibilities Reports Open Meetings
Task Forces
Who appoints? Duties and responsibilities Authority Reports Duration Open Meetings
Council Rules of Procedure –
Consent calendar Removing items Rules regarding discussion Who determines what is on consent
calendar
Special meetings – who calls Closed/executive sessions
Role of City Attorney
Council Rules of Procedure –
Work sessions – time/location Who calls? Who determines agenda? Who can participate?
Voting Procedures
Council discussion – before or after motion/second?
Closing discussion Calling for vote Order of voting – roll call Voting ends debate Motions to reconsider, etc.
Voting Procedures
Requirements to vote – except: Abstentions – conflicts of interest
Declaration of conflict Recusal from discussion
Voting Procedures
Rules of order – parliamentary procedure – Robert’s Rules? Motions to table Amendments Suspension of rules Points of order
Citizen presentations/discussion
At public hearings Time limitations? Frequency? At regular meetings
Agenda items Non-agenda items
At special meetings At work sessions
Other potential issues
Code of Ethics Enforcement of rules
With council, with public Parliamentarian
Suspension of rules; amendment Amendment of rules Seating arrangement – who
determines?
More effective meetings
Start meetings on time and end at a reasonable hour
Stick to the agenda All members participate – nobody
dominates discussion Set up procures to handle routine
items No side conversations during meeting
More effective meetings
Do not try to engineer “how-to” details at the meeting
Use staff effectively Everybody does their homework Establish and follow rules of
procedure
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