HomeMy WebLinkAboutRULES OF PROCEDURE FOR ARC
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RULES OF PROCEDURE
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For the
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
COMMISSION-COUNCIL
ADOPTED - July 3, 1996
READOPTED NOVEMBER 18, 2003
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Section 1.01.
Section 1.01.01.
Section 1.01.02.
Section 1.01.03.
Section 1.02.
Section 1.03.
Section 1.04.
Section 1.05.
Section 1.06.
Section 1.06.01.
Section 1.06.02.
Section 1.07.
Section 1.08.
Section 1.08.01.
Section 1.08.02.
Section 1.09.01.
Sect:ion 1.09.02.
Section 1.09.03.
Sec"Cion 1.09.04
Section 1.09.05
Section 1.10.
Section 1.11.
Section 2.00.
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopted - July 3, 1996
CONTENTS
Meetings
Regular and Special Meetings
Adjourned Meetings
Executive Session Meetings
Quorum
Chairman-Mayor
Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
Absence of Chairman-Mayor and Vice Chairman-
Mayor Pro Tempore
Minutes
Content of Minutes
Approval of Minutes
Agenda
Consent Agenda
Voting on Consent Agenda
Nonagenda Items
Voting
Roll Call Vote
Voting "en gross"
Discussion Following Vote
Tie Votes
Public Participation In Commission-Council
Meetings
Appointments by the Commission-Council
Decorum of Debate
Section 2.01.
Section 2.02.
Section 2.03.
Section 2.04.
Section 2.05.
Section 2.06.
Section 2.07.
Section 3.00.
Section 3.01.
Section 3.01.0l.
Section 3.01.02.
Section 3.01.03.
Section 3.01.04.
Section 3.01.05.
Section 3.01.06.
Section 3.02.
Section 3.03.
Section 3.04.
Section 3.04.01.
Section 3.04.02.
Section 3.04.03.
Section 3.04.04.
Section 3.04.05.
Sect:ion 3.04.06.
Sec"Cion 3.04.07.
Section 3.05.
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Rules of Proce===
Augusca-Richmond Councy Comm1ssion-Co~
Adopced - July 3. ::~ '
Adherence to Agenda
Discussion of the Issue
Call =0 Order, Remarks
Discussion Through the Chair
Disruptions
Call to Order, Action
Call of "Out of Order"
Procedure in Meetings
Motions
Motions in General
Divide the Motion
Discuss by paragraphs
Withdrawal of motion
Considered en Gross
"Filling the Blank"
Main Motions
Ranking of Motions
Subsidiary Motions
Postpone Indefinitely
Amend
Refer to a Committee
Postpone to a time Certain
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Vote immediately
Lay on the Table
Privileged Motions
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Rules of Procedure
~ugusca-Richmond County Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3. 1996
Question of Privilege
Recess
]:l..d j ourn
Incidental Motions
Appeal
Parliamentary Inquiry
point of Order
point of Information
supplementary Main Motions
Reconsider
Rescind
Resume Consideration
Actions of the Commission-Council
Ordinances and Resolutions
Signing, Authentication, and Records
publication of Ordinances, Notices, etc.
Parliamentarian
Parliamentary Authority
Amendments
Parliamentary Definitions
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Comm~ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
1.01 MEETINGS
1.01.01 Regular and special meetings of the Augusta-Richmond
County Commission-Council (also referred herein as the Commission-
Councilor the Commissioners) shall be, as determined by Ordinance
adopted by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council. Except
as otherwise provided by law, all meetings of the Commission-
Council shall be public meetings. The Clerk shall be responsible
for posting notices to the public of the time and place of all
meetings of the Commission-Council. No meeting may commence prior
to the posted time for said meeting.
1.01.02 An adjourned meeting is a continuation of the meeting
immediately preceding, whether a regular or special meeting.
l.01.02(a) If a scheduled meeting of the
Commission-Council is not completed due to time constraints or
emergency, the meeting shall be adjourned to the following day or
to a specific day scheduled by the Commission-Council to allow for
the completion of pending business.
1.01.02 (b) In, an adjourned meeting (regular or
special), only business which would have been proper to consider at
the immediately preceding meeting may be considered and acted upon
at the adjourned meeting.
1.01.02 (c) Adjourned meetings resume business
under the same rules, limitations and rights as the immediately
preceding meeting.
1.01.03 Executive session meetings shall be conducted in
accordance with the O.C.G.A. ~ 50-14-3 and ~ 50-14-4, or as these
sections may be amended from time to time.
1.02 QUORUM
1.02.01 Seven (7) members of the Commission-Council shall
constitute a quorum fer any meeting of t~e Augusta-Richmond County
Commission-Council.
1.02.02
I f a quorum
not present thirty
(30) minutes following
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-R1chmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, :996
the scheduled hour for convening the meeting, the Chairman-Mayor or
the Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore, or in their absence, the
Administrator (or his/her designee), may adjourn the meeting until
the next day. By unanimous consent of those Commissioners present,
the meeting may be adjourned to another hour and day.
1.02.03 If during the meeting there ceases to be a quorum, all
business must stop except that the Commission-Council, by majority
vote to be recorded in the minutes (naming those present at the
time of the vote) may:
1.02.03 (a) fix another day at which to reconvene;
1.02.03 (b) adjourn and return at the next regular
meeting;
1.02.03 (c) recess to determine if a quorum will be
present within a short period of time.
1.03 CHAIRMAN-MAYOR
1.03.01 The Chairman-Mayor shall have the rights and privileges of
the other Commissioners with respect to debate, but shall have the
right (but is not obliged) to vote on any matter (excluding
appointment of any Commissioner to a committee and excluding voting
as a member of any Committee as provided in the Consolidation Act)
only to break a tie or to create a tie. Additionally, his/her
duties during meetings shall include:
1.03.01(a)
Commission-Council;
presiding
over
meet:ings
of
the
1.03.01(b)
calling the meeting to order at the
scheduled hour;
1.03.01(c) determining that a quorum is present;
1.03.01 (d) preserving decorum and order at all
meetings,
1.03.01(e) making the Commissioners aware of the
substance of each mo"Cioni
1.03.01(f) calling for each votei
1.03.01(g) announcing the results of each votei
1.03.01(h) calling for a recess at such times as
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Rules of Procedure
~ugusca-Richmond Ccuncy Commission-Counc1l
Adopced - July 3, 1996
deemed advisable.
1.03.02 The Chairman-Mayor shall exercise such other duties as
prescribed in Consolidation Act or by ordinance.
1.04 VICE CHAIRMAN-MAYOR PRO TEMPORE
A Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore shall be elected from among the
district Commissioners at the first meeting in January of each year
as provided in the Consolidation Act. The Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro
Tempore shall serve for a period of one year and shall have all
rights, privileges and duties of the chair in the absence of the
chair (excluding the right to vote to create or break a tie), and
in addition shall have the right to make motions and vote on any
issue, including matters coming before any Committee of which he is
a member. The Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore may succeed
himself/herself, subject to the two consecutive term limitation
contained in the Consolidation Act.
1.05 ABSENCE OF CHAIRMAN-MAYOR AND VICE CHAIRMAN-MAYOR
PRO TEMPORE
In the absence of the Chairman-Mayor and Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro
Tempore, the Administrator shall determine whether a quorum is
present. If a quorum is present, the Administrator shall call for
the election of a temporary chair. The temporary chair shall
preside over that meeting or until the conclusion of the business
immediately pending at the time the Chairman-Mayor or Vice
Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore arrives.
1.06 MINUTES
1.06.01 All actions of the Commission-Council, except for actions
described In O.C.G.A. ~ 50-14-3 and ~ 50-14-4, (or as these
sections may be amended from time to time), shall be accurately
recorded by the Clerk (or his/her designee) in the minutes which
minutes shall include:
1.06.01(a) all main motions, exactly as worded
when adopted (including amendmencs or stipulations);
motions;
1.06.01(b) the name of the maker of all important
1.06.01(c)
disposition of all main motions,
whe"Cher
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Ric~mond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July J, 1996
l.06.01(c) (1)
adopted;
1.06.01(c) (2)
defeated;
1.06.01(c) (3) referred to committee or to
s~aff for further information or recommendations;
l.06.01(c) (4) held until a definite time;
and
1.06.01(c) (5) the vote of each Commissioner;
1.06.01(c) (6)
comments of Commissioners
v.erbatim.
1.06 :02 The responsibility for correcting and approving the
minutes shall be vested only in the members of the Commission-
Council. The minutes of each meeting shall indicate their
subsequent approval/correction. The minutes may be' corrected
whenever an error is noticed upon approval of the Commission-
Council regardless of the time which has elapsed since recording,of
the minutes.
1.06.03 The minutes shall be attested to by the Clerk or his/her
designee.
1.07
AGENDA
1.07.01 The Administrator shall be responsible for obtaining all
documentation related to any item to be placed on the agenda and
shall submit same to the Clerk to include on the agenda for all
meetings of the Commission-Council.
1. 07 ~ 02 Any Commissioner or department head wlsnlng to have an
item placed on an agenda should submit said item to the Administra-
tor no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Tuesday
of the regular Commission-Council meeting or any regular Committee
meeting. No item may be added to an agenda without the consent of
the Chairman-Mayor or the chairman of the committee responsible for
such department; provided, however, any member of the Commission-
Council shall have the right to have an item placed on the agenda
for discussion or action if timely submitted as herein provided.
1.07.03 The Clerk shall be responsible for assembling the agenda
and distributing it to all Commissioners no la"Cer than Friday in
- -. h - -, . '
aC7ance o~ t~e sc.eCllLea mee"Clng.
:.07.04 .~ item may be removed from the agenda after 5:00 p.m. on
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
the Wednesday prior to the Tuesday of the regular Commission-
Council meeting wi"Ch unanimous approval of the members of the
Commission-Council attending the regular meeting.
1.07.05 An item may be removed from the agenda prior to 5:00 p.m.
on the Wednesday prior to the Tuesday of the regular Commission-
Council meeting upon the request of the commissioner, department
head, or other individual party who was responsible for placing the
item on the agenda.
1.08 CONSENT AGENDA
1.08.01 All items contained in the consent agenda may be voted on
en gross. Prior to the vote on the consent agenda, any Commis-
sioner may withdraw an item from the consent agenda so that it
shall, be voted on individually.
1.08.02 A non-agenda item shall be defined as that which is deemed
by a Commissioner to require urgent attention, but which has not
been placed on the published agenda.
1.08.02 (a) If a Commissioner requests that an item
be added to the agenda, he/she must provide the specific item, and
the reasons immediate a"Ctention is required, to the Commission-
Council.
1.08.02 (b) The unanimous consent of the
Commissioners present at the meeting shall be required to add an
item to the agenda.
1.09
VOTING
1.09.01 All votes shall be taken by raised hand, except those
which the chair handles through unanimous consent (i.e., "If there
are no obj ec"Cions . . "), and unless there is a request for a roll-
call vote. A single objection will require that a counted vote be
take:l.. An. affirmative vote of at least six (6) members of the
Commission-Council shall be required to adopt a motion, except
where otherwise indicated.
1.09.02 Any Commissioner shall have the right to request a roll
call vote on any issue, in which event the chair shall direct the
Clerk to call the yell in alphabetical order, except that the
Chairman-Mayor's name shall be called last and only when his vote
will create or break a tie. As each Commissioner's name is called,
such Commissioner shall vote either "yes" or "no" to the question
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Ricnmond Councy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
presented. To verify the vote and to correct possible errors, the
Clerk repeats the vote after~each member responds to his name. At
the conclusion of the roll call, the Chairman-Mayor can ask if
anyone entered the ro6m after his name was called. Changes of the
vote are also permitted before the result is announced.
1.09.03 When an eritire agenda "tab" has been moved to be voted
upon by an en gross vote (see Section 3.01.05 herein), a
Commissioner may, without discussion state that he/she is voting in
the affirmative on all of the agenda items on that "tab" except
certain ones which he/she will name by number. In such cases, the
votes of the Commissioner(s) will be recorded as negative for the
items named, unless the Commissioner abstains as provided in
S~ction 1.09.06.
1.09.04 If a motion has been voted on without discussion and a
Commissioner feels that it is necessary to explain his/her vote,
he/she may have no more than one minute to give public reasons for
his/her vote. The chair will not allow the Commissioner to repeat
discussion that has already taken place at the same meeting,
however.
1.09.05 A tie vote shall cause all procedural motions to be
defeated. A tie vote on a main motion shall keep the motion as
pending before the Commission-Council and the motion shall be
rescheduled for another time; Provided, however, the Chairman-Mayor
shall have the right to vote to create or break a tie.
1.10 PUBLIC
MEETINGS
PARTICIPATION
IN
COMMISSION-COUNCIL
1.10.01 Persons wishing to address the Commission-Council shall do
so during the Public Comment portion of the agenda.
1.10.02 Speakers will be allowed to appear before the Commission-
Council at the public comment session prior to the regular agenda
with each speaker allotted a maximum of five (5) minutes for
their presentation.
1.10.03 Each speaker
his/her address, which
Clerk's office no
preceding the next
meeting.
must submit a request in
will state the topic of
later than 5:00 p.m.
regularly scheduled
writing, including
discussion, to the
on the Wednesday
Commission-Council
1.3..0.04 Jl...n ex"Cension of the five (5) mlnu"C.e limit per person may
be gran"C.ed upon the affirma"Cive vote of six (6) members of the
Commission-Council.
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
1.10.05 If deemed advisable by the Chairman-Mayor, a written
response to a speaker maybe provided by the appropriate County
staff within thirty (30) days. The Commission-Council may respond
verbally at the completion of any speaker's presentation.
1.10.06 After each individual speaker's remarks have concluded,
the Chairman-Mayor may, but shall not be required to, briefly
respond, either personally or through another member, of, the
Commission-Council whom the Chairman-Mayor shall designate. In
addition, when a request for special action or a grievance has been
heard the matter will be referred to the Administrator (or his/her
designee) who will prepare a response to the matter. If necessary,
action on the matter for consideration of the Commission-Council
will be placed on the agenda for the second regular meeting
following the date of the comment.
1.10.07 No speaker will be allowed to return on public comment on
the same issue within a period of ninety ( 90 ) days; however a
speaJ:<:er may return on another issue following the policy and
procedure.
1.10.08 All speakers, other than salaried members of the Augusta-
Richmond County staff, shall address the Commission-Council in the.
following manner:
1.l0.08(a) Stating name and address (address is
required only if individual has not previously provided address to
Clerk) .
1.10.08(b) Stating whether he/she is speaking
for himself/herself or for another;
1.10.08(c) Stating if he/she represents an
organization and whether he/she is being compensated by the
organization for whom he/she speaks;;
1.10.08(d) Stating whether he/she or any member
of his/her immediate family has a personal interest in the pending
matter.
1.10.08(e)
Stating his/her comments.
1.10.09 All remarks shall be to the Commission-Council as a body
and addressed through the chair. Remarks shall not be made to a
particular Commissioner.
1.10.10 Questic~s from Commissioners, the Administrator, and/or
the Augusta-Richmond Count:y Attorney may be made for clarification.
However, no person shall be permitted to enter ineo any discussion,
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~ules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
either directly or through a member of the Commission-Council,
without permission of the chair.
1.10.11 All remarks musc be related to the issue on which the
speaker has reques"Ced to be heard. No person shall be allowed to
make impertinent:, derogatory, offensive or slanderous remarks while
addressing the Commission-Council.
1.10.11 (a) A person may be barred from further
speaking before the Commission-Council in that meeting if his/her
conduct is deemed "out of order";
1.10.11 (b) Once barred for improper conduct, a
speaker shall not be permitted to continue or again address the
Commission-Council in that meeting unless a majority vote of the
Commission-Council allows;
1.10.11 (c) In the event a speaker who is barred
fails for improper conduct to obey the ruling, the chair may take
such action as is deemed appropriate, including the removal of such
person from the assembly;
1.10.11(d) The Commission-Council may bar a
person from addressing Commission-Council meetings for up to
sixty (60) days for improper conduct. A person barred by the
Commission-Council for this period may request a hearing by written
request to the chair, which request shall state the reason(s) for
a reversal of the decision. All requests for hearings shall be
placed on the agenda and heard by the Commission-Council. An
affirmative vote of six (6) members of the Commission-Council
shall be required to overturn the previous decision to' bar the
persons.
1.10.11 (e) If not otherwise recognized by the
Chair, upon motion and the affirmative vote of six (6) members of
the Commission-Council, the Commission-Council may allow public
comment on an agenda item, ac the time the item is being considered
by the Commission-Council. These comments must be limited to the
subject that is being debat:ed. Members of the public ~ay speak for
five minutes and may only speak once. These limits can be waived by
the affirmacive vote of six (6) members of the Commission-Council.
1.10.11 (f) The Commission-Council may schedule
public hearings for the purpose of soliciting public comment on any
subject of interest to the Commission-Council. Hearings may be held
immediace~y prior co :Jr :::lllowing a mee"Cing of the Commission-
Cou~cil or at such ocher ~laces and times as the Commission-Council
may det:ermine. No official action shall be caken at any such public
hearing.
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Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
1.11
APPOINTMENTS BY THE COMMISSION-COUNCIL
1.11.01 Appointments shall be made as necessary.. When it is has
been determined, by the Consolidation Act or other rule or manner,
that it is the II right II or II turn II of a particular Commissioner to
nominate a candidate for a position, such nominee must be elected
by "a majority Df the Commission-Council. If any nominee, howev~r
nominated, fails to receive a majority vote, alternate candidate(s)
may be nominated until the position is filled by majority vote.
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,.
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond C=uncy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
2.00 DECORUM OF DEBATE
The following practices shall be followed in debate on motions and
matters presented to the Commission-Council.
2.01
ADHERENCE TO AGENDA
2.01.D1 In discussion, the remarks made by the Commissioners shall
be confined to the motion or matters immediately before the
Commission-Council.
2-: 01. 02 All Commissioners must conduct themselves in a profes-
sional and respectful manner. All remarks should be directed to the
Chairman-Mayor and not to individual Commissioners, staff or
citizens in attendance. Personal remarks are inappropriate. A
Commissioner may noc speak at a meeting until he has been
recognized by the Chairman-Mayor. All comments made by a
Commissioner shall address the motion that is being discussed.
2.01.03 During these remarks a Commissioner must observe the same
rules of decorum as those set forth in Section 2.02 below, and may
be called to order by the Chairman-Mayor or another Commissioner if
there is a breach of those rules.
2.01.04 A Commissioner may not interrogate another Commissioner,
staff or citizens. No one shall attempt to enter into discussion
with a Commissioner who has chosen to avail himself/herself of this
opportunity to share his/her opinions with the public.
2.02
DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE.
In discussion, a Commissioner may condemn the nature of likely
consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but must
avoid a discussion of personalities, and under no circumstances may
he/she a"Ctack or auestion the motives of another Commissioner or
staff. The issu~, and not' a person, shall be the item under
discussion. .~~y Commissioner wishing to discuss an issue shall be
allowed to do so; ho~ever, discussion of any particular issue by
any parcicular Commissioner shall be limited to two (2) minutes of
discussion and one (1) minute of rebuttal, unless debate is
extended by the chair or by motion as provided in Section 3.04.05
hereof.
2.03
CALL TO ORDER, REMARKS
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Rules of ?rocedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
The chair shall immediately call as "out of order" any remarks made
outside the issue being addressed. Additionally, another
Commissioner may call this breach of procedure to the attention of
the chair and other Commissioners. In either case, the speaking
Commissioner shall be required to continue with his/her remarks
confined to the issue.
2.04
DISCUSSION THROUGH THE CHAIR
All discussion shall be made through the chair, and one Commis-
sioner may not interrogate another Commissioner or person speaking
from the public except through the chair (or with the permission of
the chair) .
2.05
DISRUPTIONS
During discussion or voting, no Commissioner shall disturb the
other Commissioners in any way that may be considered disruptive to
the proceedings or that may hamper the transaction of business by
the Commission-Council.
2.06
CALL TO ORDER, ACTION
The chair may rule as "out of order" any action deemed inappropri-
ate or dilatory and may interrupt a speaker for reasons deemed
necessary by the chair.
The Chairman-Mayor shall say, "Commis-
sioner / sneaker. those remarks are out of order.
Please cease this line of comment and make
aDDronriate comment to the issue.
2.07
CALL OF "OUT OF ORDERII
2.07.01 If a member of the Commission-Council refuses to comply
with these Rules of Procedure the following procedure shall be
used:
order" by
2.07.01 (a) The Commissioner shall be "called to
the chair, who shall say, "Commissioner
[using name], you are now out of order. If
a repri:::a'r:d \vill be entered into the record."
you persis"C
2.07.01 (b) If a Commissioner defies the ruling of
the chair, ::':le Chai::::-::lan-Mayor shall state, "Commissioner, you are
11
Rules of procedure-
~ugusca-Richmond Councy Commiss1on-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
personally out of order. Let the record indicate a reprimand
against Commissioner Commissioner,
you have a right at this time to appeal the ruling of the chair by
asking that a roll call vote of the Commissioners presenc be taken
and a statemeht by each Commissioner be recorded as to why he/she
is for or against the ruling of , the chair. A majority vote of the
members of the Commission-Council present shall govern. II
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Rules of ?rocedure
Augusca-Richmond County Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
3.00
PROCEDURE IN MEETINGS
3.01 MOTIONS
3.01.01 In order for the Commission-Council to take any official
act:ion on any subj ect, a Commissioner must propose a Main Motion or
there must be an Recommended Main Motion, as provided in Section
3.01.02(a). A proposed Main Motion must be seconded before there
will be discussion on the motion. A second does not -require ,the
Commissioner seconding the motion to support the motion. A
Commissioner may withdraw a Main Motion that he has made as
provided in Section 3.01.04 hereof, at any time before the
Commission-Council has voted on that motion. Prior to taking a
vote, the chair shall state the motion (or resolution) or its
substance, or he/she may call upon the Clerk or secretary to do so.
3.01.02 If the motion presented contains two (2) or more parts
capable of standing as separate motions, a Commissioner may move to
"Divide the Motion." This motion shall require a second and
discussion shall be allowed only on why it should or should not be
divided. A majority vote shall be required to adopt the motion to
"divide the motion."
3.01.03 If a main motion is in the form of a. resolution or
document containing several paragraphs or sections which are not
separate motions but could be discussed more efficiently if
discussed in sections, a motion to Discuss by Paragraphs, Sections;
or Numbered Agenda Items under a II tab, II may be made. A second shall
be required and discussion shall be brief as to the necessity for
the action. A maj ori t:y vote shall be required to "consider by'
paragraphs, sections, or numbered agenda items under a 'tab'."
3.01.04 Once a motion has been moved and seconded, it belongs to
the entire Commission-Council and not to the maker of the motion;
therefore, if a Commissioner wishes to Withdraw a motion that is
officially before the Commission-Council, action of the Commission-
Council must be taken in either of the following ways:
3.01.04(a) The chair may ask the Commission-
Council if there are any o~jections to the motion being withdrawn.
If there are no obj ections, the motion shall be withdrawn by
unanimous cor.sent, wi"Chout the need for the seconder to withdraw
his/her second;
3.01.04(b) If there is an objection to the motion
being withdrawn, then the chair shall take an official vote on the
"motion to withdraw the motion", a second being required, A
13
Rules of Procedure
Augusta-Richmond Ccuncy Comm~ssion-Council
.'Idopced - July 3, 1996
majority vote shall be required to adopt the motion to "withdraw
the motion. 11
3.01.05 If a Commissioner feels that time could be saved by acting
on all of the agenda items under a "tab," he/she may, move that it
be "Considered en Gross." (See Section 1-.08.02.)
3.01.06 When several alternatives need to be considered
staff recommendations that propose various options
Commission-Council to consider), unlimited choices
considered by "~illing the Blank" in the motion:
(such as
for the
may be
3.01.06(a) No Commissioner may suggest more than
one proposal for filling the blank without unanimous consent from
the other Commissioners;
3.01.06 (b) Each proposal shall be debatable and
shall be treated as an independent item to be voted on separately
until one has been approved by a majority. As soon as one proposal
has received a majority, no others shall be considered;
3.01.06(c) Alternatives (from staff recommenda-
tions and/or suggestions by Commissioners) are listed in logical
order for voting:
3.01.06(c) (1) Names are listed in the order in
which they were proposed,
3.01.06(c) (2) Other proposals are listed in the
order of their probable acceptability, beginning with the least
popular choice.
3.02
MAIN MOTIONS
3.02 .01 A main motion is, a motion whose introduction brings
business before the Commission-Council.
3.02.01 (a) Recommended Main Motions- -A recommenda-
t ion from st:.aI I, or anot:her item published in the agenda for
action, shall be handled as an Recommended Main Motion by the
chair. That is, the chair shall, upon the conclusion of a report,
state, "The question (or motion) before you is. ,,( stating the
motion in the affirmative). No second will be required in these
instances and the chair, in assuming such motion, is not presumed
to be in favor of the motion and may speak against it if he/she so
w~snes.
14
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopted - July 3. 1996
3.03
RANKING OF MOTIONS
3.03.01 Each subsidiary and privileged motion is assigned a
specific rank. A motion of higher precedence can interrupt motion
of lower precedence. The higher motion must be decided before the
Commiss~on-Council returns to consider the motion' of lower
precedence.
3.03.02 A main motion has the lowest rank and does not take
precedence over any other motion. A motion to adj ourn has the
highest rank and will take precedence over all other subsidiary and
privileged motions. The order of precedence of motions shall be in
accordance with this Section. Motions at the top of the following
list take precedence over motions at the bottom of the list.
HIGHEST RANK:
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS (Undebatable),
1. Adjourn
2. Recess
3. Question of Privilege
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS (Undebatable)
4. Lay on the Table (Postpone Temporarily)
5. Vote Immediately (Previous Question)
6. Limit Debate or Extend
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS (Debatable)
7. Postpone to a Time Certain
(Postpone Definitely)
8. Refer to Committee (Commit)
9 . Amend
10. Postpone Indefinitely
OTHER MOTIONS
LOWEST R.l4..NK:
11. Main Motion
3.04
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS
During the course of debate, Commissioners may introduce motions
that propose that the Commission-Council take a particular action
on a main motion. These motions are called subsidiary motions and
they allco'l the Commission-Council to reach a conclusion on the main
motion. Subsidiary motions require a second before they can be
voted on or debated. Three subsidiary motion, Amend, Limit Debate,
and Vote Immediately, also can apply to other 3ubsidiary motions.
15
Ruies of Procedure
Augusca-Ricnmond Cauncy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3. :996
3.04.01 POSTPONE INDEFINITELY. If a Commissioner believes that the
main mot:ion should noc be considered by the Commission-Council,
that Commissioner may move to postpone the consideration of the
main motion indefinitely. If the motion is successful, consider-
ation of the main mocion stops and the main motion is tabled for
the duration of the meeting. A motion to postpone indefinicely can
be debated, but it can be amended. A majority vote of the
Commission-Council is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.02 AMEND. Tf a Commissioner believes that a main motion that
is on the table should be changed in order to make it more
acceptable, he can move to amend the motion. Amendments must be
closely related to the original motion and must not change the
nature of the motion that they amend. Motions to refer, amend,
postpone to a time certain and the motion to recess can also be
amended. A motion cannot be amended more than two times.
Debate is allowed on a motion to amend only if the original motion
is debatable. Debate is limited to the proposed amendment. A
majority vote is required for the Commission-Council to adopt an
amendment. If the amendment is adopted then the Commission-Council
shall consider the amended version of the motion.
Concerning the amending of particular motions:
3.04.02 (a) If a Commissioner feels that the main
motion might be more acceptable stated other than as presented, the
Commissioner may amend through substitution, insertion of
stipulations, striking out portions, or striking out and inserting
portions. A substitute motion shall be treated., as a motion to
amend. Such proposed amendments shall .be handled in one of the
following ways:
Commissioners; the
chair, may suggest
objections fyom the
unanimous consent.
3.04.02 (a) (1) by unanimous consent of the
chair, or another Commissioner, through the
changes or stipulations, and if there are no
Commissioners, the motion shall be amended by
3.04.02 (a) (2) with a second, discussion and a
majority vote on the proposed amendment.
3.04.02 (b) If a proposed amendment fails to obtain
unanimous consent or a majority-vote, the main motion considered
shall be the one originally presented.
3.04.02 (c) An amendment: ~usc be geymane (relating
to the subscance of the main mor.ion) and may not introduce an
independent question.
16
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
3.04.02(d)
Improper amendments shall be:
3.04.02(d) (1) one(s) which are not germane,
3.04.02(d) (2) one(s) which would make the
adoption of the amended motion equivalent to a rej~ction of the
motion;
3.04.02 (d) (3) one (s) which are, in the opinion
of the Chairman-Mayor, frivolous or absurd.
3.04.03 REFER TO A COMMITTEE (COMMIT) . If a Commissioner believes
that further information is needed before the Commission-Council
can act on a main motion, he may propose that the motion be
referred to a specific committee or department for further study.
If an appropriate committee does not already exist, then a
committee may be formed as a part of the motion. A motion to commit
should specify the date that the committee or department will
report back to the Commission-Council. A motion to refer shall
require a second and ~hall be debatable only as to whether or not
it shall be referred, to whom it shall be referred, or when the
person to whom it is referred shall report back. If the motion
fails, the motion to be considered shall be that motion which was
on the floor prior to the mot'ion to refer. This motion is
amendable. A majority vote is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.04 POSTPONE TO A TIME CERTAIN (POSTPONE DEFINITELY) . A motion
to postpone to a certain time may be proposed if a Commissioner
believes that the main motion should not be considered 'until a'
future time. This motion shall set a particular time for the main
motion to be considered again. It is debatable and can be amended.
A motion to hold to a time certain shall require a second and
discussion shall be limited to the reason for holding the motion or
the time to which it is to be held. If the motion fails, the motion
to be considered shall be that motion which was on the floor prior
to the motion to hold to a time certain. If this motion is passed,
the Chairman-Mayor will bring the original motion back to the
Commission-Council for considerat.ion at the specified time which
may be at t~e same meeting, at a subsequent meeting, or upon the
occurrence of a specified event. A majority vote of the Commission-
Council is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.05 LIMIT OR EXTEND LIMITS OF DEBATE. A motion to limit
debat.e, places a time constraint on the length of debate. The
det.ails of suc~ a mo"Cion are co be decided by the Commissioner who
makes the mot-ion. This motion can also be used to extend the limits
of debate if a limit. on debate already exists. Debate is not
allowed on chis mo"Cion. A majority vote of the Commission-Council
17
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July], 1996
is required for the motion to pass.
3.04 .06 'VOTE IMMEDIATELY (CALL THE QUESTION). A Commissioner may
move to "call the questionll (i. e. I move to end discussion) when it
is clear that further discussion is unnecessary or that discussion
is becoming repetitive. This motion shall not require a second and
no discussion on the motion shall be allowed. If there is no
objection, then it will be presumed there is unanimous consent.
Should there be an objection, an affirmative vote of a majority of
the Commission-Council shall be required.
3.04.07 LAY ON THE TABLE (POSTPONE TEMPORARILY). A motion to lay
on the table proposes that the consideration of a main motion be
Rostponed until a later time in the same meeting. The main motion
can be brought back for consideration only if a motion to Resume
Consideration is accepted by the Commission-Council during the same
meeting. The motion will die if it is not taken up during the
meeting. Debate is not allowed on this motion and the motion is not
amendable. A majority vote of the Commission-Council is required
for the motion to pass.
3.05
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
Privileged motions facilitate the running of the meeting. They do
not address or relate to a main motion and can be introduced
whether or not there is a main motion under consideration.
Privileged motions take precedence over all subsidiary motions.
Debate is not allowed on these motions.
3.05.01 QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. A formal question addressed to the
chai~ concerning the rights of a Commissioner or of the Commission-
Council as a whole is referred to a quest:ion of privilege. It does
not require a second and cannot be debated or amended. The chair is
required to make a ruling on the question, and no vote is required
unless a motion arises out of the privilege.
3.05.01(a) If any matters occur which impede the
Commission's completion of its business (e.g., noise, mechanical
difficulties with equipment, matters that affect the safety,
orderliness. or comfort: of the Commissioners, or affecting the
honor of an individual Commissioner) any Commissioner may state to
the Chairman-Mayor that: he/she has a question of privilege and the
matter must- be addressed before the pending business, of the
Commission-Council con"Cinues.
3.05.02 RECESS. A mo"Cion to recess proposes that t:he meeting be
suspended for a part:icular amoun"C of t:ime when business is still
pending. It is a temporary intermission of the proceedings. A
18
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
, Adopced - July 3, :996
recess may be taken as it appears on the agenda or as it is
declared by the chair when he/she deems it advisable or by a motion
from a Commissioner. The motion must specify the length of the
recess. The motion must also be seconded. Debate is not allowed on
this motion, but the motion can be amended. A majority vote is
required for the motion to pass. '
3.05.03 ADJOURN. The highest ranking motion shall be the motion
to adjourn, requiring a second and a majority vote with no
discussion allowed, except that the motion shall contain a time to
hear any non-completed items on the agenda, if such exi~t. If all
business on the agenda has been completed, the chair may assume the
motion and, without a second, obtain unanimous consent to adjourn.
3.06
INCIDENTAL MOTIONS
Incidental motions allow Commissioners to exert their rights as a
member of the Commission-Council. Incidental motions can be
introduced at any time during a meeting.
3.06.01 APPEAL. Whenever a Commissioner believes that the chair
is mistaken in a ruling, a Commissioner may Appeal the Chair's
Decision. An appeal shall require a second and shall be debatable
with the chair speaking first to explain his/her ruling. The chair
may also close out the debate with a statement defending the
ruling. An appeal may be made only on a ruling and may not be made:
3.06.01(a) in response to a parliamentary inquiry
or point of information; or
3.06.01(b) in areas that challenge verifiable
rulings of a factual nature.
3.06.01(c) The chair shall state the motion as'
Shall the Chair's decision be sustained? A tie vote shall sustain
the chair, because a majority vote of the Commission-Council shall
be required to overturn the chair's ruling.
An Appeal is high in precedence and can only be interrupted bya
privileged motion or by a motion to lay on the table.
3.06.02 PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. A Parliamentary Inquiry is a
question directed to the chair to obtain information on a matter of
'parliamentary law or the rules of the Commission-Council. This
question should take t~e form of a parliamentary inquiry and should
relate to the current business of the Commission-Council. The chair
will answer such ques"Cions or may ask the Augusta-Richmond County
lo.t torney or parliamentarian for an opinion. The chair's reply,
whether or not he/she has requested advice from the Augusta-
19
Rules of Procedure
~ugusca-Richmond Councy Comm1ssion-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
Richmond County Attorney or parliamentarian, is an opinion, not a
ruling. If a Commissioner does not agree with the chair's opinions
he/she may act in a way contrary to this opinion and if ruled out
of order may then appeal the, chair's ruling. The chair is not
obligated to respond to hypot:hetical questions.
3.06.03 POINT OF ORDER (Question of Order). If a Commissioner
believes that a violation of the rules of parliamentary procedure
has occurred, he can raise a point of, order. A second is not
required. The chair can make a ruling on the question or can allow
the Commission-Council to debate and then rule on the question by
maj ority vote. A point of order can only be interrupted by a
privileged motion or by a motion to lay on the table.
3.06.04 POINT OF INFORMATION (Request for Information). If a
Commissioner has a question about the 'facts of a particular issue
that ,is being considered, he may ask a point of information. A
Point of Information isa request, directed to or through the
chair, for information relevant to the business at hand, but not
related to parliamentary procedure. This motion is addressed first
t.o the to the appropriate person. A second is not required, and the
moti6n is not debatable or amendable.
3.07
SUPPLEMENTARY MAIN MOTIONS
Three motions allow the Commission-Council to act on a main motion
that has either been passed or tabled by the Commission-Council.
These motions are considered to be main motions but differ from
usual main motions in the ways specified.
3.07.01 RECONSIDER. The motion to reconsider allows the
Commission-Council to debate whether or not to overturn a decision
made at the meeting that is in progress. It allows the Commission-
Council to consider new information that may affect the decision
that has already been made. Any Commissioner can make a motion to
rec~psider and any Commissioner may second the motion. The motion
'is debatable, but it can not be amended. A majority vote of the
Commission-Council is required for the motion to pass. If a motion
to reconsider is passed, the original decision will be voided, and
the Commission-Council will return to debate and revote the
original motion.
3.07.02 RESCIND. A motion to rescind proposes that the
Commission-Council overturn a motion passed at a previous meeting.
A motion to rescind can be made by any Commissioner. It is in order
as long as ~hi original motion has not been implemen"Ced, but the
motion to rescind s~all ~ot be i2 order if:
3.07.02(a)
the motion to resci~j is made, at the
20
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commiss1on-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
same meeting in which the action was taken;
3.07.02(b)
a motion to reconsider was taken and
lost;
3.07.02(c) the matter i~ routine and only part of
the action needs to be changed, in which case the motion to "amend
a previously adopted action" shall be used;
3.07.02(d) something has been done as a result of
the vote to implement the earlier action adopted.
An announcement of the intention to rescind a motion may be made at
the meeting where the decision was made, or the Commissioner
seeking to rescind may place the matter on the agenda for the next
meeting. The motion to rescind will then be placed on the agenda
for the next meeting. At the next meeting, the motion to rescind
will formally be made. If it is seconded, then the Commission-
Council shall debate and vote on recision. A majority vote of the
Commission-Council is required for the motion to pass. If 'a motion
to rescind ~s passed, the original decision~will be voided.
3.07.03 RESUME CONSIDERATION. The mot:on to resume consideration
allows the Commission-Council to consi~er a motion that has been
temporarily postponed. This motion requires a second and is not
debatable or amendable. It is a main motion but ranks higher than
any debatable motion. A majority vote is required for the motion to
pass.
21
Rules of Procedure
rtucusta-Richmcnd County Commission-Council
- Adopced - July 3, 1996
4.00
ACTIONS OF THE COMMISSION-COUNCIL
4.01 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
4.01.01 Every ordinance or resolution proposed for adoption by the
Commission-Council shall be introduced in writing. No ordinance or
resolution shall pass which refers to more than one subject matter
or contains matter different from that expressed in the title
thereof, except ordinances or resolutions adopting the annual
operating and capital budgets and general codification and
revisions of ordinances and resolutions of the Commission-Council.
4.01.02 Except for emergency ordinances under subsection 4.01.03
of this section or ordinances amending the Zoning Map for Augusta'-
Richmond County, or upon. a unanimous vote of the Commission-
Council, no ordinance shall be adopted until it has been read or
presented in written form at two meetings held not less than one
week apart. A resolution may be adopted at the same meeting at
which it is introduced. The affirmative vote of at least six (6)
members of the Commission-Council shall be required for the
adoption of any ordinance or resolution; Provided, however, a vote
of two-thirds of the Commission-Council, excluding the Chairman-
Mayor, shall be required to change any provision of the Consolida-
tion Act which conflict with existing or future state or federal
laws, as required by said Consolidation Act. The passage of all
ordinances or resolutions shall require the recording of "ayes" and
"nays" and the names of the members of the Commission-Council
voting for and against each proposed ordinance or resolution or
amendment thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the
proceedings of the Commission-Council.
4.01.03 To meet a public emergency threatening life, health,
property, or public peace, the Commission-Council may adopt
emergency ordinances or resolutions, but such ordinances or
resolutions may not be enacted to le~J taxes, or to grant, renew or
extend a franchise, or to regulate the rate charged for any public
utility or service, or to authorize the borrowing of money. An
emergency ordinance or resolution shall be in the form prescribed
for ordinances or resolutions generally, except that it shall be
plainly designated as an emergency ordinance or resolution and
shall contain a declaration stating what emergency exists. An
emergency ordinance or resolution may be adopted with or without
amendment or may ce rej ected o.L.. the meeting at which it is
introduced, cu~ the affirmative vote of at least six (6) members of
~he CommissiGn-Counci::" shall be required for its adoption. It
shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as it
22
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-~ichmond C~uncy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
may specify.
4.01.04 The caption of each ora~nance shall be read once 'previous
to the adoption of the o~dinance. All readings of every ordinance
shall be by reading the caption of such ordinance only, unless some
member of the Commission-Council shall then and there demand that
the entire ordinance be read. Upon such demand being made, the
clerk shall read the entire ordinance.
4.02
SIGNING, AUTHENTICATION,' AND RECORDING
4.02.01 Every ordinance or resolution adopted by the Commission-
Council shall be submitted to the Chairman-Mayor for his/her
signature as promptly as practicable following its adoption. The
Clerk of the Commission-Council shall authenticate by theClerk~s
signature and cause to be recorded in full all ordinances and
resolutions adopted by the Commission-Council and signed by the
Chairman-Mayor or otherwise becoming law in a properly indexed book
kept for such purpose which shall be a public record and open to
public inspection. The Commission-Council shall further provide
for the periodic updating, revision, codification, and printing of
all ordinances or resolutions of a general and permanent nature,
together with such codes of technical regulations and other rules
and regulations as the Commission-Council may require:
4.03
PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCES, NOTICES, ETC.
It shall be the duty of the Chairman-Mayor to have published in the
official gazette or newspaper of Augusta-Richmond County the
ordinances of the Commission-Council, the proclamations of the
Chairman-Mayor and all other official notices of either the
Commission-Councilor the Chairman-Mayor ordered to be published by
them, respectively; also, such other matters as the Chairman-Mayor
may deem advisable to publish. The ordinances of the Commission-
Council shall be published one time; all other matters shall be
published such number of times as the Commission-Councilor the
Chairman-Mayor may direct. The Chairman-Mayor shall have published
in such official gazette or newspaper only the captions of the
ordinances of the Commission-Council and shall not have the bodies
of such ordinances published."
23
, Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Cauncy Commiss1on-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
5.00
PARLIAMENTARIAN
5.01 The Augusta-Richmond County Attorney or his/her designee
shall serve as parliamentarian and shall advise and assist the
chair and the Commission-Council ih matters of parliamentary law.
A professional parliamentarian may be consulted as deemed
necessary.
6.00
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
6.01 The latest edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED
shall govern meetings of the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-
Council in all areas in which it is applicable and in which it is
not inconsist:ent with these rules adopted by the Commissioners, or
with higher law.
7.00
AMENDMENTS
7.01 These Rules may be amended by a majority of the entire
Commission-Council at a regular meeting or special meeting of the
Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council, provided notice has
been given of the amendment(s) at the meeting prior to the vote on
the amendment(s).
24
rtules oi Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
APPENDIX
Parliamentary Definitions
The following parliamentary definitions apply to the
RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE Augusta-Richmond County Commission-
Council
adjourn - to officially terminate a meeting
adjourned meeting - .a meeting that is a continuation at a later
time of .a regular or special meeting
adopt - to approve or pass by whatever vote is required for the
motion
affirmative vote - a vote in favor of the motion as stated
agenda - the official list of items of business planned for
consideration during the meeting
approval of minutes - formal acceptance of the record at a
meeting, thus making this record the official minutes of the
Commission-Council
chair - the Chairman-Mayor or Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
Code of Conduct' - The Richmond County Code of Conduct
Commission-Council - the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-
Council
Commissioner - any of the ten members serving on the Commission-
Council elected from the ten (10) districts established by the
Consolidation Act
Commission-Council parliamentary rules - the body of rules and
25
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
principles that is applied by the courts in deciding litigation
involving the procedure of any organization does not include
statutory law or particular rules adopted by any organization or
Commission-Council
Consolidation Act - the Act consolidating the City Council of
Augusta and Richmond County found in 1995 Ga. Laws p. 3648'
convene - to open a meeting
debate - formal discussion of a motion under the rules of
parliamentary law and more often herein referred to as discussion
defer or hold - to delay action by referring the motion to staff
(or an agency, committee, etc.) for more information, or by
postponing a vote to a certain time
demand - an assertion of a parliamentary right by a Commissioner
dilatory motions or tactics - misuse of procedures or motions
that are out of order or would delay or prevent progress in a
meeting
floor - when a person receives formal recognition from the chair,
he/she "has the floor" . and is the only person entitled to speak
germane amendment - an amendment relating directly to the motion
~o which it is applied
germane discussion - discussion relating directly to the matter
involved
hearing - a meeting for the purpose of listening to the views of
an individual or of a particular group on a particular subject
in order - permissible and right from a parliamentary standpoint
26
(-
Rules of Procedure
Augusta-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
majority vote - an affirmation vote of at least six (6) Commis-
sioners or the vote of five (5) Commissioners and the vote of the
chairman-Mayor in the event of a tie
minutes - the legal record of the action of the Commission-
Council after the record has been approved by vote of the body
motion - a proposal submitted to the Commission-Council for its
consideration and decision; it is introduced by the words, "I
move that. "
objection - the formal expression of opposition to a proposed
action
,order of business - the adopted order in which the business is
presented to the meeting of the Commission-Council
out of order - not correct, from a parliamentary standpoint, at
the particular time
parliamentary authority - the code of procedure adopted by the
Commission-council as its parliamentary guide, governing in all
parliamentary situations not otherwise provided for in the
Consolidation Act, the Code of Richmond County, the Code of the
City of Augusta, or other governing bodies
pending motion - sometimes referred to as pending question; a
motion that has been proposed and stated by the chair for the
Commission-Council's consideration and that is awaiting decision
by vote
precedence - "Che order or priority governing the motion
precedent - a course of action that may serve as a guide or' rule
27
Rules of Procedure
Augusca-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
for future similar situation
procedural motion - motion to assist the Commission-Council ~n
treating or disposing of a main motion; or, motion relating to
the pending business otherwise at hand
proposal or p~oposition - a statement of a motion of any kind for
consideration and action
O.C.G.A. - Official Code of Georgia Annotated
-
quorum _ the number of persons that must be present at a meeting
of the Commission-Council to enable it to act legally on
business; seven (7) members of the Commission-Council shall
constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Richmond of the
Augusta-Richmond County Commission-Council
recognitions - acknowledgement by the chair, giving a person sole
right to speak
reconsider - to review aga~n a matter previously disposed of and
to vote on it again; must be made on the same day of business
request - a statement to the chair asking a question or some
"right"
rescind - to nullify or cancel out a previous action; cannot be
made if ac"Cion has already been taken to implemenc the motion i"C
wishes to rescind
resolution - a formal motion, usua~_y in writing, and introduced
by the word "resolved" 'c.hac is presented to the Commission-
Co~ncil fer a decision
ruling _ t~e c~air's decision as it relates co the procedure of
28
Rules of Procedure
AugusCa-Richmond Councy Commission-Council
Adopced - July 3, 1996
the Commission-Council
second - a Commissioner's statement that he/she is willing to
have the motion considered
seriatim - consideration by sections or paragraphs
statute - a law passed by the Georgia legislature
technical inquiry - request for information relevant to the
business at hand
tie vote - a vote in which the affirmative and negative votes are
equal on a motion
unanimous consent - deciding on a motion without voting on it but
where no Commissioner voices objection, ,with a single objection a
vote must be taken
unfinished business - any business that is postponed definitely
to a time certain
C;\WPDOCS\CONSOLID\PROCEDUR.ARC
CERTIFICATION:
I Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the this
is a true and correct copy of the Rules and Procedures for the Augusta
Richmond County Commission-Council adopted by ARCCC July 3, 1996 and
readopted ,by the Commission on November 18, 2003.
dJ~f}'~
C erk of 0 l.ssion 311t I O~
29