Rules of Procedure
Orange Village Council
Adopted March 12, 2008


1. Agendas. The typical Agenda for a Regular Meeting of Council is attached as “Example 1.” The typical Agenda for a Work Session of Council is attached as “Example 2.”

2. Regular Meetings. The Regular Meetings of Council will be more formal than the Work Sessions of Council. Members of Council (Members) shall request to be recognized by the Council President, and the Council President shall determine who has the floor. Members shall then direct all discussion to the Council President, without interruption, unless otherwise directed by the Council President. Members may ask for clarification and/or may explain their votes during the discussions at Regular Meetings, but should avoid seeking to debate any matter, which is more appropriate for a Work Session. When an ordinance is on first or second reading and the rule requiring three readings is not suspended, there will be no discussion of the matter at the Regular Meeting unless the Council President expressly allows for such discussion.

3. Work Session Meetings. Work Sessions are designed for and permit less formal discussion of the Village’s business. Before voting on any matter, Council will try to have at least one Work Session where the matter is fully discussed. This rule may not apply to routine matters and matters requiring urgent action. For such measures, full discussion and debate shall be permitted prior to the vote during the Regular Meeting.

4. Audience Participation.

  1. Regular Meetings of Council shall include two “public portions,” where the audience may speak to Council. However, typically these portions of the Regular Meeting will not include dialogue between the audience and the Council Members or Administration. Prior to the legislative docket, members of the public may speak for up to one (1) minute regarding any matter which is on the Regular meeting agenda of Council. After the Reports of the Committees, members of the audience may speak for up to two (2) minutes regarding any matter which advances the good of the Village. For each of these “public portions” of the Meeting, the overall time period will be limited to about 15 minutes to allow for the completion of other Village business.

  2. Work Sessions shall include a “Question and Answer” (Q&A) session, wherein members of the public may engage in a dialogue with the Council and the Administration, or merely make a comment regarding matters, which advance the good of the Village. The time for the Q&A period will be limited to about fifteen (15) minutes, and audience members are asked to keep initial questions to less than one (1) minute in length. Ensuing discussions should be no longer than about three to five (3-5) minutes, in order to allow several audience members to participate in the Q&A period. Dialogue between the audience members and Council and the Administration is permitted and encouraged at this time, but all questions should be directed to the Council President. The Council President will then either respond directly or may choose to recognize another Council member or a member of the Administration to engage in a dialogue with the audience member. The Council President may limit any dialogue in order to ensure the completion of the meeting at a reasonable time, or as necessary to enforce the Council Rules of Procedure.

  3. Audience participation is a privilege, which is intended to allow the Council to learn the positions of members of the public on issues affecting the business of the Village. As such, the Rules of Civility will be enforced, as needed, by the Council President.


5. Reports by Committees; Comments by Council and the Administration.

  1. At Regular Meetings of Council, Committee Chairs will be called upon to report on the Committee’s work, if any. These reports should generally be concise, factual and limited to about two (2) minutes, or less.

  2. At Work Sessions and at Regular Meetings, Council Members and the Mayor, on behalf of the Administration, may make comments regarding the work of Council or any other matter, which advances the best interests of the Village. These comments should generally not exceed three (3) minutes per member of Council, or five (5) minutes for the Mayor.

6. Civility. Discussion by everyone, including members of the public, at any meetings of Council shall focus on the issues before Council and on matters, which advance the good of the Village. Personal attacks do not advance the Village’s business and have no place in a civilized discussion of it. Consequently, personal attacks on any person in the Council Chamber will not be permitted.

7. Variance from Rules. The Council President, at the request of a Council Member or upon the President’s initiative, may allow variations from the rules when the length of the agenda, urgency of business or any other factor dictates a variance from the usual rules, unless a majority of Council Members determines otherwise.. .

EXAMPLE 1

AGENDA
ORANGE VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
MONTH AND DATE, YEAR
TIME
1. Call to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll call

4. Special Recognition, Confirmation of Appointments, Presentation by Invited Guest, etc.

5. Motion to approve minutes of (prior meeting / date).

6. Motion to approve Treasurer’s Report of (Month)

7. Motion to approve Tax Administrator’s Report of (Month)

8. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid in the amount of $_______.

9. Audience comments relating to agenda items only (1 Minute per Speaker.)

10. Old Business: Introduction and consideration of:

  1. ORDINANCE 2008-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)

  2. ORDINANCE 2008-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)

11. New Business: Introduction and consideration of:

  1. ORDINANCE 2008- __
    An Ordinance (etc.)

  2. ORDINANCE 2008-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)

  3. Motion to accept the bid of ________________ and authorize the Mayor and Treasurer to enter into a contract for the provision of __________________.

12. Committee Reports by Council Members

13. Audience Comments Relating to Matters, which Advance the Good of the Village. (2 Minutes per Speaker)

14. Comments Council Members.

15. Comments by the Mayor.

16. Comments by Council President

17. Adjourn

EXAMPLE 2

AGENDA
ORANGE VILLAGE COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MONTH AND DATE, YEAR
TIME

1. Call to Order.

2. Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call.

4. Old Business: Discussion of Pending Legislation.

  1. ORDINANCE 2008-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)

  2. ORDINANCE 2007-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)

5. New Business: Discussion of New Legislation and Motions.

  1. ORDINANCE 2008- __
    An Ordinance (etc.)

  2. ORDINANCE 2008-__
    An Ordinance (etc.)
C. Motion to accept the bid of ________________ and authorize the Mayor and Treasurer to enter into a contract for the provision of __________________.

6. Audience Questions and Answer.

7. Comments by Council Members.

8. Comments by the Mayor.

9. Comments by the Council President

10. Adjourn



ORANGE VILLAGE 4600 Lander Rd. Orange Village, Ohio 44022 440-498-4400