HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 7554 AMEND AUGUSTA, GEORGIA CODE SECTION 1-2-3, SECTION 1-2-13 RULES OF PROCEDURE AND SECTION 1-2-30 RELATING TO ADDING ITEMS TO THE COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE AGENDAS ORDINANCE NO. 15 5 LI
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AUGUSTA, GA CODE SECTION 1-2-3, SECTION 1-2-13
(RULES OF PROCEDURE AND SECTION 1-2-30 RELATING TO ADDING ITEMS TO
THE COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE AGENDAS; TO CONSOLIDATE RELATED
PROVISIONS OF THESE SECTIONS; TO REPEAL ALL CODE SECTIONS AND
ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF CODE SECTIONS AND ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, AUGUSTA, GA CODE Sections 1-2-3 and 1-2-13 (Rules of Procedure) both
address adding items to the agendas of the Commission and the Committees; and
WHEREAS, Subpart (b) of AUGUSTA, GA Code section 1-2-3 relates to the process for
hiring the Administrator and is unrelated to the other parts of this section and should be moved to
AUGUSTA,GA CODE section 1-2-30 as a new subsection.
WHEREAS, there is a need to consolidate these provisions and to clarify the Rules as
related to adding agenda items to Commission and committee meetings; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Commission to amend AUGUSTA,GA CODE Sections 1-
2-3 and 1-2-13 (Rules of Procedure) and to add a subsection(e)to Code section 1-2-30.
THE AUGUSTA, GEORGIA COMMISSION hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1. Augusta, GA Code Section 1-2-3 as forth in the Augusta, GA Code, as re-adopted
by the Commission on July 10, 2007, is hereby amended by striking this section in its entirety as
set forth in "Exhibit A" hereto. Augusta, GA Code Section 1-2-13 (Rules of Procedure), as re-
adopted by the Commission on July 10, 2007, is hereby amended by striking the Rules of
Procedure in their entirety as set forth in "Exhibit B" hereto. New Rules of Procedure are hereby
inserted to replace the repealed Code Section and the repealed Rule as set forth in "Exhibit C"
hereto. A new subsection (e) shall be added to Code section 1-2-30 and the process to hire the
Administrator shall be added thereto as set forth in "Exhibit D."
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall become effective upon approval.
SECTION 3. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, policies, and procedures concerning the time
or location of Commission,Committee,or Legal meetings in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Adopted this) day of'D eC c.[Y D&c , 2016.
/i GV'/C1
� `t M 4e.4 4a nt Hardie Da r.
4 4 a�hi,As its Mayor
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A,
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C
a
Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission
Pt Reading: 1DeCexn‘c,e{ l3 20 t kg
2nd Reading: DeC.pii '( 200,20‘,(0
Page 2 of 53
Exhibit A
STRIKE:
Sec. 1 2 3. Meeting Agenda.
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present at such meeting.
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attending the regular meeting.
(d) An item may be removed from the agenda prior to 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday prior to the
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Exhibit B
STRIKE from Sec. 1-2-13. Rules of Procedure-Appendix A,the following:
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
1.01.01 Except for the months of April and July, Regular Commission meetings shall be
. ..� . ..
1.01.01(a) The first meeting in April of each year shall be held on the last week of
the preceding March.
1.01.01(b) The first meeting in July of each year shall be held on the last week of
the preceding June.
1.01.02 Regular Commission meetings for Executive Session matters and matters
requiring urgent approval shall be held on the second and last Tuesday of every month at
:el - • -
1.01.02(a) Executive Session meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the
Georgia Open Meetings Act.
1.01.03 Except for the months of April and July, all regular committee meetings shall be
held on the second and last Tuesday of every month in the Lee N. Beard Commission
Chamber beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the Public Services Committee starting first every
time followed by an alphabetic rotation of the following committees Administrative
Services, Engineering Services, Finance, Public Safety on a two month rotation cycle.
1.01.03(a) The last committee meetings in March of each year shall be cancelled
meeting in March.
June.
1.01.04 Other called meetings of the Commission and Committees and the subject, dates
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1.01.05 If there is a necessity to change the time and date of the regular meeting of the
meeting, this shall be done by request of the Mayor or a majority of the members of the
be held on a different day. Notice of the time and date change shall be provided to the
1.01.06 The Commission may hold such additional meetings as shall be deemed
necessary when called by the Mayor or a majority of the members of the Commission,
1.01.07 An adjourned meeting is a continuation of the meeting immediately preceding,
whether a regular or special meeting.
1.01.07(a) If a scheduled meeting of the Commission is not completed due to time
business.
have been proper to consider at the immediately preceding meeting may be
1.01.07(c) Adjourned meetings resume business under the same rules, limitations
and rights as the immediately preceding meeting.
next,or a future,committee meeting) shall be placed on the agenda of the regular meeting,
of the committee. In the event there is no quorum at a committee, all such items on such
agenda shall be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the full Commission.
t02-QUORUM
1.02.01 Seven(7)members of the Commi:fion shall constitute a quorum for any meeting
or in their absence, the Administrator(or his/her designee),may adjourn the meeting until
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1.02.03 If during the meeting there ceases to be a quorum, all business must stop except
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.
1.03.01 The Chairman Mayor shall have the rights and privileges of the other
a tie or to create a tie. Additionally,his/her duties during meetings shall include:
1.03.01(a)presiding over meetings of the Commission;
a a •
1.03.01(c) determining that a quorum is present;
1.03.01(d)preserving decorum and order at all meetings,
1.03.01(f)calling for each vote;
1.03.01(g) announcing the results of each vote;
1.03.01(h) calling for a recess at such times as deemed advisable.
1.03.02 The Chairman Mayor shall exercise such other duties as prescribed in
Consolidation Act or by ordinance.
numbered year as provided in the Consolidation Act. The Vice Chairman Mayor Pro Tempore
Committee of which he is a member. The Vice Chairman Mayor Pro Tempore may succeed
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of the Chairman Mayor and Vice Chairman Mayor Pro Tempore, the Administrator shall
conclusion of the business immediately pending at the time the Chairman Mayor or Vice
Chairman Mayor Pro Tempore arrives.
06 Minute%
1.06.01 All actions of the Commission, except for actions described in O.C.G.A. § 50 11
3 and § 50 11 1, (or as these-sections may be amended from time to time), shall be
1.06.01(a) all main motions, exactly as worded when adopted (including
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1.06.01(c)(2) defeated;
.!:.!
�dat�i
0 0 s�
1.06.01(c)(1)held until a definite time;
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1.06.02 The minutes of meetings of the Commission shall, at a minimum,briefly describe
shall be recorded in full at the request of a mcmbcr of the Commission. A mcmbcr of the
case later than the next regular meeting of the Commission.
in the members of the Commission. The minutes of each meeting shall indicate their
subsequent approval/ correction. The minutes may be corrected whenever an error is
. :- • •• . -- - . -gardless of the time which has elapsed since
,rding o f the utes
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1.06.01 The minutes shall be attested to by the Clerk or his/her designee.
1.07 .01 All agenda items shall include all supporting documentation and such shall be
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Commission no later than 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday prior to the Tuesday of the regular
regular agenda after the 9:00 a.m. Thursday deadline with the unanimous consent of the
commission members in attendance. Unanimous consent of the committee member&
of the Commission attending the regular meeting.
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within one(1) year from the date of the denial of the application by the Commission.
1.07.07 No item pertaining to zoning shall be placed on the agenda for the same zoning
classification within one (1) year from the date of the denial of the application by the
Commission.
.': • ' - - • . . . •• -- - • - . - _ -. and been defeated, or if no
04 Consent Agenda
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1.08.02 A non agenda item shall be defined as that which is deemed by a Commissioner to
1.08.02(a) If a Commissioner requests that a non agenda item be added to the
consent agenda, he/she must provide the specific item, and the reasons immediate
1.08.02(b) The unanimous consent of the Commissioners present at the meeting
1.09-Voting
through unanimous consent (i.c., "If there are no objections ... "), and unless there is a
request for a roll call vote.A single objection will require that a counted vote be taken.An
1.09.02 Any Commissioner shall have the right to request a roll call vote on any issue, in
a tie. As each Commissioner's name is called, such Commissioner shall vote either "yes"
or "no" to the question presented. To verify the vote and to correct possible errors, the
Clerk repeats the vote after ach member responds to his name. At the conclusion of the
Changes of the vote are also permitted before the result is announced.
1.09.03 When an entire agenda"tab"has been moved to be voted upon by an cn 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
recorded as negative for the items named, unless the Commissioner abstains as provided
in Section 1.09.06.
IS I. .
is necessary to explain his/her vote, he/she may have no more than one minute to give
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to vote to create or break a tie.
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..tion efti.e a nd
1.10.02(a)Persons seeking to complain about the performance or lack thereof of an
employee of Augusta, Georgia shall submit such requests to the Administrator for
;tto
1.10.02(b) Persons or businesses seeking to do business with Augusta, Georgia
requirements of the Procurement Code. Requests to make presentations for products or
Procurement Code.
will state the topic of discussion, to the Clerk's office no later than 9:00 a.m. on the
1.10.01 An extension of the five (5) minute limit per person may be granted upon the
affirmative vote of six(6)members of the Commission.
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1.10.08(c) Stating if he/she represents an organization and whether he/she is being
a personal interest in the pending matter.
1.10.08(e) Stating his/her comments.
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ofthe chair
in that meeting if his/her conduct is deemed "out of order";
. ! e - - .. -• . •• -:- . . , a speaker shall not be permitted to
the Com,....;ssie al ows;
1.10.11(d) The Commission may bar a person from addressing Commission
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. An
the previous decision to bar the persons.
1.10.11(e) If not otherwise recognized by the Chair, upon motion and the
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1.10.11(f) The Commission may schedule public hearings for the purpose of
chall be taken at any such public hearing.
Consolidation Act or other rule or manner, that it is the "right" or "turn" of a particular
majority of the Commission. If any nominee, however nominated, fails to receive a
majority vote, alternate candidate(s) may be nominated until the position is filled by
2.01 dhcrcnee t,.Agenda,
II
•• ••
Commissioners, staff or citizens in attendance. Personal remarks are inappropriate. A
• • • • - • - •• • . -- • - ' . been recognized by the Chairman
discussed.
or another Commissioner if there is a breach of those rules.
2.01.0'1 A Commissioner may not interrogate another Commissioner, staff or citizens. No
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•
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consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but must avoid a discussion of
Commissioner or staff. The issue, and not a person, shall be the item under discussion. Any
Section 3.01.05 hereof.
I
of procedure to the attention of the chair and other Commissioners. In either case, the speaking
cept through the chair(or with the permission of the chair).
1 .• . -
or dilatory and may interrupt a speaker for reasons deemed necessary by the chair. The Chairman
Mayor shall say, "Commissioner/speaker,those remarks are out of order. Please cease this line of
2.07 Call of"Out Of Order".
2.07.01 If a member of the Commission refuses to comply with these Rules of Procedure
2.07.01(a)The Commissioner shall be "called to order"by the chair,who shall say,
"Commissioner [using name], you are now out of order. If you persist a
reprimand will be entered into the record."
2.07.01(b) If a Commissioner defies the ruling of the chair, the Chairman Mayor
_
a reprimand against Commissioner Commissioner
call vote of the Commissioners present be taken and a statement by each
3.00 Procedure in Meetings
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3.01Motion
3.01.01 In order for the Commission to take any official action on any subject, a
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3.01.02 If the motion presented contains two (2) or more parts capable of standing as
■• • ,, .•
- --- • ": .
•
•
! .! - - - - •• a resolution or document containing several
efficiently if discussed in scctions, a motion to Discuss by Paragraphs, Sections,-er
Numbered Agenda Items under a "tab," may be made. A second shall be required and
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second;
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to
riei�n4
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 cn Gross." (See Section
1.08.02.)
considered by "Filling the Blank" in the motion:
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3.01.06(a) No Commissioner may suggest more than one proposal for filling the
A A-
3.01.06(c)Alternatives (from staff rccommendations and/or suggestions by
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3.02.01 A main motion is a motion whose introduction brings business before the
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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).
motion, is not presumed to be in favor of the motion and may speak against it if
he/she-se-wishes,
3.03.02 A main motion has the lowest rank and does not take precedence over any other
subsidiary and privileged motions. The order of precedence of motions shall be in
HIGHEST RANK:
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS (Undebatable)
2. Recess
3. Question of Privilege
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SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS(Undebatable)
'1. Lay on the Table(Postpone
Temperefily)
5. Vote Immediately(Previous
Question)
6. Limit Debate or Extend
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS (Debatable)
7. Postpone to a Time Certain
8. Refer to Committee(Commit)
9. Amend
OTHER MOTIONS
LOWEST RANK
11. Main Motion
i " •- • - •
motions
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be changed in order to make it more acceptable, he can move to amend the motion.
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limited to the proposed amendment. A majority vote is required for the Commission to
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A substitute motion shall be treated as a motion to amend. Such proposed
3.04.02(a)(1) by unanimous consent of the Commissioners; the chair, or
another Commissioner, through the chair, may suggest changes or
stipulations, and if there arc no objcctions from the Commissioners, the
!, !
amendment
II A
I. ! .. - .
3.04.02(d)(1) one(s)which are not germane,
3.01.02(d)(2) one(s) which would make the adoption of the amended
3.01.02(d)(3) one(s) which are, in the opinion of the Chairman Mayor,
3.01.03 Refer to A Committee (Commit). If a Commissioner believes that further
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a subsequent meeting, or upon the occurrence of a specified event. A majority vote of the
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on the length of debate.The details of such a motion are to be decided by the Commissioner
who makes the motion. This motion can also be used to extend the limits of debate if a
3.01.06 Vote Immediately (Call The Question). A Commissionor may move to "call the
question" (i.e., 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
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3.05 Privileged Motions. Privileged motions facilitate the running of the meeting. They do not
under consideration. Privileged motions take precedence over all subsidiary motions. Debate is
t allowed e thorn tion
3.05.01 Question of Privilege. A formal question addressed to the chair concerning the
privilege. It does not require a second and cannot be debated or amended. The chair is
out of the privilege.
3.05.01(a) If any matters occur which impede the Commission's completion of its
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must specify the length of the recess. The motion must also be seconded. Debate is not
.
motion to pass.
3.05.03 Adjourn. The highest ranking motion shall be the motion to adjourn, requiring a
a time to hear any non completed items on the agenda, if such exist. If all business on the
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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
on a ruling and may not be made:
.!:.! . - -- -
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 shall
be required to overturn the chair's ruling. An Appeal is high in precedence and can
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.
Augusta Richmond County Attorney or parliamentarian for an opinion. The chair's reply,
questions,
3.06.03 Point of Order(Question of Order). If a Commissioner believes that a violation of
to debate and then rule on the question by majority vote. A point of order can only be
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•
• _. . , _ _. . - _ .• ,
•
•
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3.07.01 Reconsider. The motion to reconsider allows the Commission to debate whether
or not to overturn a decision made at the meeting that is in progress. It allows the
! . • . _ , • - - • -•- - - . . •.
shall not be in order if:
was taken;
3.07.02(b) a motion to reconsider was taken and lost;
I I
. _ .
at the meeting where the decision was made, or the Commissioner seeking to
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• ! 1 . . . .. r. -
4,! •! - - - ., - - - . . : ... . . .... . : - :--.--•.
one subject matter or contains matter different from that expressed in the title thereof,
.e .! - ---- _cncy ordinances under subsection '1.01.03 of this section or
ordinances amending the Zoning Map for Augusta Richmond County, or upon a
least six (6) members of the Commission shall be required for the adoption of any
ordinance or resolution; Provided, however, a vote of two thirds of the Commission,
.• • • -- .• -. .. •. t. The passage of all ordinances or
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
e, _ -• - •- _. _ .. -- . .. . - • - • -
-- -
ordinance. All readings of every ordinance shall be by reading the caption of such
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•- - • - - .• •. - .- . - •• • - - . • . • - :sing made,the clerk shall road the entire
rd;
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•
•
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as parliamentarian and shall advise and assist the chair and the Commission in matters of
! ! ' : •• •• • • • • . . . . . -c latest edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY
• - . . • • • • . • - •• . - • • • • -et inconsistent with these rules adopted by the
APPENDIX
The following parliamentary definitions apply to the RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE
meeting
Page 22 of 53
chair the Chairman Mayor or Vicc Chairman Mayor Pro Tcmpore
Code of Conduct The Richmond County Code of Conduct
Commission the Augusta Richmond County Commission
Consolidation Act the Act consolidating the City Council of Augusta and Richmond
County found in 1995 Ga. Laws p. 3618
convene to open a meeting
defer or hold to delay action by referring the motion to staff(or an agency, committee,
progress in a meeting
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parliamentary standp nt _
introduced by the words, "I move that ... "
order of business the adopted order in which the business is presented to the meeting of
out of order not correct, from a parliamentary standpoint, at the particular time
parliamentary authority the code of procedure adopted by the Commission as its
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
decision 1.. vete
precedence the order or priority governing the motion
O.C.G.A. Official Code of Georgia Annotated
quorum the number of persons that must be present at a meeting of the Commission to
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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 action has already
- • • --
is presented to the
Commission for a decision ruling the chair's decision as it relates to the procedure of the
Com ien
statute a law passed by the Georgia legislature
tie vote a vote in which the affirmative and negative votes are equal on a motion
.. ..
Secs. 1 2 11 1 2 25. Reserved.
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Exhibit C
REPLACE WITH the following in Sec. 1-2-13. Rules of Procedure-Appendix A:
RULES OF PROCEDURE
for the
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
COMMISSION
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CONTENTS
Section 1.01 Meeting-Time and place; Committees
Section 1.01.01 Re. lar. Meetings, Special Meetings, Committee Meetings
Section 1.01.02 Adjourned Meetings
Section 1.01.03 Executive Session Meetings
Section 1.02 Quorum
Section 1.03 Chairman-Mayor
Section 1.04 Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
Section 1.05 Absence of Chairman-Mayor and Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
Section 1.06 Minutes
Section 1.06.01 Content of Minutes
Section 1.06.02 Approval of Minutes
Section 1.07 Regular Agenda
Section 1.08 Consent Agenda
Section 1.08.01 Voting on Consent A!enda
Section 1.08.02 Non-agenda Items
Section 1.09.01 Voting
Section 1.09.02 Roll Call Vote
Section 1.09.03 Voting"en gross"
Section 1.09.04 Discussion Following Vote
Section 1.09.05 Tie Votes
Section 1.10 Public Partici•ation in Commission Meetin's
Section 1.11 Appointments by the Commission
Page 27 of 53
Section 2.00 Decorum of Debate
Section 2.01 Adherence to Agenda
Section 2.02 Discussion of the Issue
Section 2.03 Call to Order, Remarks
Section 2.04 Discussion Through the Chair
Section 2.05 Disruptions
Section 2.06 Call to Order,Action
Section 2.07 Call "Out of Order"
Section 3.00 Procedure in Meetings
Section 3.01 Motions
Section 3.01.01 Motions in General
Section 3.01.02 Divide the Motion
Section 3.01.03 Discuss by Paragraphs
Section 3.01.04 Withdrawal of Motion
Section 3.01.05 Considered en Gross
Section 3.01.06 "Filling in the Blank"
Section 3.02 Main Motions
Section 3.03 Ranking of Motions
Section 3.04 Subsidiary Motions
Section 3.01.01 Postpone Indefinitely
Section 3.04.02 Amend
Section 3.04.03 Refer to a Committee
Section 3.04.04 Postpone to a time Certain
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Section 3.04.05 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Section 3.04.06 Vote Immediately
Section 3.04.07 Lay on the Table
Section 3.05 Privileged Motions
Section 3.05.01 Question of Privilege
Section 3.05.02 Recess
Section 3.05.03 Adjourn
Section 3.06 Incidental Motions
Section 3.06.01 Appeal
Section 3.06.02 Parliamentary Inquiry
Section 3.06.03 Point of Order
Section 3.06.04 Point of Information
Section 3.07 Supplementary Main Motions
Section 3.07.01 Reconsider
Section 3.07.02 Rescind
Section 3.07.03 Resume Consideration
Section 4.00 Actions of the Commission
Section 4.01 Ordinances and Resolutions
Section 4.02 Si'nin' Authentication and Records
Section 4.03 Publication of Ordinances,Notices, etc.
Section 5.00 Parliamentarian
Section 6.00 Parliamentary Authority
Section 7.00 Amendments
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APPENDIX Parliamentary Definitions
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OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
1.02 MEETING-Time and place; committees.
1.02.01 Exc-.t for the months of A.ril and Jul Re• lar Commission meetin.s shall be
held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.in the Commission Chambers
on the second floor of the Municipal Building. Except as otherwise provided by law, all
meetings of the Commission shall be public meetings.
1.01.01(a) The first meeting in April of each year shall be held on the last week of
the preceding March.
1.01.01(b) The first meeting in July of each year shall be held on the last week of
the preceding June.
1.01.08 Regular Commission meetings for Executive Session matters and matters
requiring urgent approval shall be held on the second and last Tuesday of every month at
11:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building.
1.01.02(a) Executive Session meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the
Georgia Open Meetings Act.
1.01.09 Exce.t for the months of Asril and Jul all re. lar committee meetin.s shall be
held on the second and last Tuesday of every month in the Lee N. Beard Commission
Chamber beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the Public Services Committee starting first eve
time followed by an alphabetic rotation of the following committees Administrative
Services, Engineerin. Services Finance Public Safet on a two-month rotation c cle.
1.01.03(a) The last committee meetings in March of each year shall be cancelled
and all items on such committees shall be forwarded to the last Commission
meeting in March.
1.01.03(b)The last committee meetings in June of each year shall be cancelled and
all items on such committees shall be forwarded to the last Commission meeting in
June.
1.01.10 Other called meetings of the Commission and Committees and the subject dates
and time of these meetings may be scheduled as needed and notification of such meetings
shall be provided to the public in advance as required by law.
1.01.11 If there is a necessit to chan'e the time . d date of the re' lar meetin. of the
Commission or Committees or of any specially called meetings or any executive session
meeting, this shall be done by request of the Mayor or a majority of the members of the
Commission_.rovided a ma'orit of the Commissioners can attend the m-etin'which shall
be held on a different da . Notice of the time and date chan.e shall be .rovided to the
Mayor and Commission.
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1.01.12 The Commission may hold such additional meetings as shall be deemed
necessary when called by the Mayor or a majori of the members of the Commission
•rovided all members shall have been notified at least twent -four 24 hours in advance
of the s.ecial meetin•. Provided further that a ma'orit of the Commission ma convene
the same in extraordinary session for emergency business, such a natural disaster or civic
disturbance,whenever in their judgment it may be necessary.
1.01.13 An ad'ourned meetin• is a continuation of the meetin• immediatel .recedin•
whether a re. lar or s•ecial meetin•.
1.01.07(a) If a scheduled meeting of the Commission is not completed due to time
constraints or emer•enc_ the meetin• shall be ad'ourned to the followin• da or to
a s•ecific da scheduled b the Commission to allow for the com•letion of•endin•
business.
1.01.07 b In an ad'ourned meetin•_re• lar or s.ecial_ onl business which would
have been •ro.er to consider at the immediatel .recedin• meetin• ma be
considered and acted upon at the adjourned meeting.
1.01.07 cl Adjourned meetin•s resume business under the same rules limitations
and ri•hts as the immediatel .recedin• meetin•.
1.02.08An action taken at an committee meetin• other than to •os .one the a•enda item to the
next or a future committee meetin• shall be .laced on the a•enda of the re. lar meetin•
re• lar called meetin• or s.ecial meetin• of the full Commission for a..royal of the action
of the committee. In the event there is no quorum at a committee, all such items on such
a•enda shall be .laced on the .•enda of the next re. lar meetin• of the full Commission.
1.03 QUORUM
1.03.01 Seven 7)members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for an meeting
of the Augusta, Geor•is Commission.
1.03.02 If a •uorum is not .resent thi 30 minutes followin• the scheduled hour for
convenin• the meetin• the Chairman-Ma or or the Vice Chairman-Ma or Pro Tem•ore
or in their absence the Administrator(or his/her designee),may adjourn the meetin• until
the next day. By unanimous consent of those Commissioners present the meetin• ma be
adjourned to another hour and day.
1.02.03 If during the meetin• there ceases to be a •uorum all business must sto. -xce.t
that the Commission b ma'orit vote to be recorded in the minutes namin•those •resent
at the time of the vote)may:
1.02.03(a) fix another day at which to reconvene;
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1.02.03(b) adjourn and return at the next regular meeting;
1.02.03 c recess to determine if a •uorum will be .resent within a short .eriod of
time.
1.04 Chairman-Mayor.
1.03.01 The Chairman-Ma or hall have the ri is and .rivile.es of th- other
Commissioners with res.ect to debate but shall have the ri.ht but is not obli'ed to vote
on any matter(excluding appointment of any Commissioner to a committee and excluding
votin. as a member of an Committee as .rovided in the Consolidation Act onl to break
a tie or to create a tie. Additional) his/her duties durin. meetin.s shall include:
1.03.01(a)presiding over meetings of the Commission;
1.03.01 b)calling the meetin: to order at the scheduled hour
1.03.01(c)determining that a quorum is present;
1.03.01 d .reservin. decorum and order at all meetin.s
1.03.01 e)makin a the Commissioners aware of the substance of each motion;
1.03.01(f)calling for each vote;
1.03.01(g)announcing the results of each vote;
1.03.01(h)calling for a recess at such times as deemed advisable.
1.03.02 The Chairman-Ma or shall exercise such other duties as .rescribed in
Consolidation Act or by ordinance.
1.04 Vice Chairman-M,vor Pro Tempore. A Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore shall be
elected from amon. the district Commissioners at the first r-' lar meetin• in Janu. of each odd-
numbered ear as .rovided in the Consolidation Act. The Vice Chairman-Ma or Pro Tems ore
shall serve for a .eriod of tw. ears and shall have all ri i hts .rivile.es and duties of the chair in
the absence of the chair excludin. the ri t to vote to create or break a tie and in addition shall
have the ri t to make motions and vote on an issue includin. matters comin. before an
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-Ma or an. Vice Chairman-Ma or Pro Tem.ore the Administra or shall
determine whether a quorum is present. If a quorum is present,the Administrator shall call for the
election of a tem.orar chair. The tem.or. chair shall 'reside over that meetin. or until the
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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, except for actions described in O.C.G.A. • 50-14-
3 and • 50-14-4_or as these sections ma be amended from time to time shall be
accuratel recorded b the Clerk or his/her desi'nee in the minutes which minutes shall
include:
1.06.01 a) all main motions, exactly as worded when adopted (includin
amendments or stipulations);
1.06.01(b)the name of the maker of all important motions;
1.06.01(c) disposition of all main motions, Whether
1.06.01(c)(1) adopted;
1.06.01(c)(2) defeated;
1.06.01(c)(3) referred to committee or to staff for further information or
recommendations;
1.06.01(c)(4)held until a definite time;
1.06.01 c 5 the vote of each Commissioner and 1.06.01 c 6 comments of
Commissioners verbatim.
1.06.02 The minutes of meetin's of the Commission shall at a minimum briefl describe
all statements made and shall record the actions taken by the Commission. Any statement
shall be recorded in full at the request of a member of the Commission. A member of the
Commission may incorporate an additional statement when the minutes are read. The
minutes shall be read before they are approved as soon as is possible or feasible but in no
case later than the next regular meeting of the Commission.
1.06.03 The res s onsibili for correctin. and a..rovin' the minutes shall be vested onl
in the members of the Commission. The minutes of each meeting shall indicate their
subsequent approval/ correction. The minutes may be corrected whenever an error is
noticed u s on approval of the Commission regardless of the time which has elapsed since
recording of the minutes.
1.06.04 The minu es shall be attested to b the Clerk or his/her desi i ee.
1.07 Regular Agenda.
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1.07.01 All a.enda items shall include all su..ortin' documentation and such shall be
submitted to the Clerk for inclusion on the a.enda for all meetin s of the Commission.
1.07.02 Sub'ect to the limitation of Rule 1.07.08 the Administrator an elected official
and an member of the Commission shall have the ri'ht to have an item .laced on the
regular agenda of the Commission provided said item is submitted to the Clerk of
Commission no later than 9:00 a.m. on the Thursda_.rior to the Tuesda of the re. lar
Commission meetin. or an re. lar Committee mee in.. An item ma be added to the
re. lar a.enda after the 9:00 a.m. Thursda deadline with the unanimous consent of the
commission members in attendance. Unanimous consent of the committee members
'resent shall be re uired to add and item to a committee a.enda after the 9:00 a.m.
Thursday deadline.
1.07.03 The Clerk shall be res.onsible for assembling the a.enda and distributin• it to all
Commissioners no later than Frida in advance of the scheduled meetin..
1.07.04 An item may be removed from the anenda after 9:00 a.m. on the Thursda prior to
the Tuesda of the re. lar Commission meetin. with unanimous a. .royal of the members
of the Commission attendin. the re. lar meetin..
1.07.05 An item may be removed from the anenda prior to 9:00 a.m. on the Thursda 'nor
to the Tuesda of the re.ular Commission meetin' u.on the re.uest of the individual who
was resonsible for .lacin. the item on the a.enda.
1.07.06 No item .ertainin.to alcoholic bevera se a..lication shall be .laced on the a.enda
within one 1 ear from the date of the denial of the a..lication b the Commission.
1.07.07 No item .ert inin. to zonin. shall be .laced on the a.enda for the same zonin
classification within one 1 ear from the date of the denial of the a. .lication b the
Commission.
1.07.08 If an item has a..eared on the Commission A.enda and been defeated or if no
ction is taken on an item it shall not be considered a.ain b the Commis ion until it has
been discussed at the committee level.
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 Commissioner may withdraw an item from the consent
a.enda so that it shall be voted on individual) .
1.08.02 A non-a.enda item shall be defined as that which is deemed b a Commissioner to
re'uire ur t ent attention but which has net been .laced on the •ublished a.enda.
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1.08.02(a) If a Commissioner requests that a non-a s enda item be added to the
consent agenda, he/she must provide the specific item, and the reasons immediate
attention is required,to the Commission.
1.08.02 b) The unanimous consent of the Commissioners 'resent at the meetin
shall be required to add an item to the consent agenda.
1.09 Voting.
1.09.01 All votes shall be taken by raised hand, except those which the chair handles
throu h unanimous consent i.e. "If there are no ob'ections ... " and unless there is a
re•uest for a roll-call vote.A sin.le ob'ection will re•uire that a counted vote be taken.An
affirmative vote of at least six 6 members of the Commission shall be re•uired to ado•t
a motion, except where otherwise indicated.
1.09.02 Any Commissioner shall have the right to re•uest a roll call vote on an issue in
which event the chair shall direct the Clerk to call the roll 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 •uestion 'resented. To verif the vote and to correct •ossible 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 room after his name was called.
Changes of the vote are also permitted before the result is announced.
1.09.03 When an entire a'enda"tab"has been moved to be voted u•on b an en •ross vote
see Section 3.01.05 herein a Commissioner ma without discussion state that he/she is
votin. in the affirmative on all of the a.enda items on that "tab" exce•t certain ones which
he/she will name b number. In such cases the votes of the Commissioner s will be
recorded as ne'ative for the items named unless the Commissioner abstains as •rovided
in Section 1.09.06.
1.09.04 If a motion has been voted on without discussion and a Commissioner feels that it
is necessa to explain his/her vote. he/she ma have no more than one minute to •ive
•ublic reasons for his/her vote. The chair will not allow the Commissioner to re•eat
discussion that has ahead taken •lace at the same meetin• 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 and the motion shall be
rescheduled for another ime• Provided however the Chairman-Ma or shall have the ri' t
to vote to create or break a tie.
1.10 Public Participation in Commission Meetings.
1.10.01 Persons wishin' to address the Commission shall do so durin. the Public Comment
portion of the agenda.
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1.10.02 Subject to the limitations provided for herein, speakers will be allowed to appear
before the Commission at the .ublic comment ession •ri.r to the re. lar a enda with each
speaker allotted a maximum of five(5)minutes for their presentation.
1.10.02(a)Persons seeking to complain about the performance or lack thereof of an
employee of Augusta, Georgia shall submit such requests to the Administrator for
resolution. Such re.uests for .ublic comment will not be heard b the Commission or an
committee.
1.10.02 b Persons or businesses seekin' to do business with Au! sta Geor'is
shall submit such requests to the Administrator for consideration in accordance with the
re.uirements of the Procurement Code. Re.uests to make .resentation for •roducts or
services will not be heard b the Commission or any committee except as permitted by the
Procurement Code.
1.10.03 Each s.eaker must submit a re•uest in writin' includin. his/her address which
will state the topic of discussion, to the Clerk's office no later than 9:00 a.m. on the
Thursday preceding the next regularly scheduled Commission.
1.10.04 An extension of the five 5 minute limit .er .erson ma be ranted us on the
affirmative vote of six(6)members of the Commission.
1.10.05 If deemed advisable b the Chairman-Ma or a written res.onse to a s.eaker ma
be provided by the apnronriate County staff within thirty(30 da s. The Commission may
respond verbally at the completion of any speaker's presentation.
1.10.06 After each individual s eaker's remarks have concluded the Chairman Ma or ma
but shall not be re.uired to briefl res.and either •ersonall or throu. another member
of the Commission 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 desi'nee who will Bre.are a res.onse to the matter. If necess.
action on the matter for consideration of the Commission 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 speaker may return on another issue following the
policy and procedure.
1.10.08 All s.-.kers other than salaried members of the Au. sta Geor.'is staff shall
address the Commission in the following manner:
1.10.08 a Statin. name and address address is re•uired onl if individual has not
previously provided address to Clerk).
1.10.08 b) Stating whether he/she is speakin e for himself/herself or for another
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1.10.08 c Statin• if he/she re.resents an or•anization and whether he/she is bein•
compensated by the organization for whom he/she speaks;
1.10.08 d Statin• whether he/she or an member of his/her immediate famil 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 as a body and addressed through the chair.
Remarks shall not be made to a particular Commissioner.
1.10.10 I uestions from Commissioners the Administrator and/or the Au'usta Richmond
Count Attorne ma be made for clarification. However no .erson shall be .ermitted to
enter into any discussion, either directly or throu•h a member of the Commission without
permission of the chair.
1.10.11 All remarks must be related to the issue on which the speaker has requested to be
heard.No .erson shall be allowed to make im.ertinent dero•ator_ offensive or slanderous
remarks while addressing the Commission.
1.10.11 a A .erson ma be barred from further s.eakin• before the Commission
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 a.ain address the Commission in that meeting unless a ma'orit vote of
the Commission allows;
1.10.11 c In the event a s.eaker who is barred fails for im.ro.er conduct to obe
the rulin• the chair ma take such action as is deemed a. .roriate includin• the
removal of such person from the assembly;
1.10.111 dl The Commission may bar a person from addressing Commission
meetings for up to sixty (60) days for improper conduct. A -person barred by the
Commission for this .eriod ma re a uest a hearin• b written re a uest to the chair
which re'uest shall state the reason s for a reversal of the decision. All re a uests
for hearings shall be placed on the agenda and heard by the Commission. An
affirmative vote of six(6)members of the Commission shall be required to overturn
the previous decision to bar the persons.
1.10.11 e If not otherwise reco a 'zed b the Chair us on motion and the
affirmative vote of six(6)members of the Commission,the Commission may allow
public comment on an agenda item at the time the item is being considered by the
Commission. These comments must be limited to the subject that is being debated.
Members of the public may speak for five minutes and may only speak once. These
limits can be waived by the affirmative vote of six(6)members of the Commission.
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1.10.11(f) The Commissionmay schedule public hearings for the purpose of
solicitin'_.ublic comment on an sub'ect of interest to the Commission. Hearin•s
ma be held immediate) .rior to or followin. a meetin. of the Commission or at
such other places and times as the Commission may determine. No official action
shall be taken at any such public hearing.
1.11 Appointments by the Commission.
1.11.01 A..ointments shall be made as necessa . When it is has been determined b the
Consolidation Act or other rule or manner, that it is the "right" or "turn" of a particular
Commissioner to nominate a candidate for a position, such nominee must be elected by a
majority of the Commission. If any nominee however nominated fails to receive a
ma'orit vote alternate candidate s ma be nominated until the .osition is filled b
majority vote.
1.11.02 Any appointment to fill an expired or a new term on an board or commission
which a..ointment is made b the Commission shall not have less than six 6 votes of
approval.
2.00 Decorum of Debate. The following practices shall be followed in debate on motions and
matters presented to the Commission.
2.01 Adherence to Agenda.
2.01.01 In discussion, the remarks made by the Commissioners shall be confined to the
motion or matters immediately before the Commission.
2.01.02 All Commissioners must conduct themselves in a professional 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 ina.fro.riate. A
Commissioner ma not s.eak at a meetin. until he has been reco 'zed b the Chainnan-
Ma or. All comments made b a Commissioner shall address the motion that is bein
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
conse.uences of the .ro.osed measure in stron' terms but must avoid a discussion of
ersonalities and under no circumstances ma he/she attack or •u-stion the motives of another
Commissioner or staff. The issue and not a person, shall be the item under discussion. An
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Commissioner wishing to discuss an issue shall be allowed to do so; however discussion of an
particular issue by any particular Commissioner shall be limited to two (2) minutes of discussion
and one 1 minute of rebuttal unless debate is extended b the chair or b motion as erovided in
Section 3.04.05 hereof.
2.03 Call to Order, Remarks. 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 .rocedure to the attention of the chair and other Commissioners. In either case the s.eakin
Commissioner shall be required to continue with his/her remarks confined to the issue.
2.04 Discussion Throw h the Chair. All discussion shall be made throu. the chair and one
Commissioner ma not interro.ate another Commissioner or .erson s.eakin from the .ublic
except through the chair(or with the permission of the chair).
2.05 Disruptions. Durin• discussion or votin. no Commissioner shall disturb the other
Commissioners in an wa that ma be considered disru i tive to the •roceedin s or that ma
hamper the transaction of business by the Commission.
2.06 Call to Order Action.The chair may rule as "out of order" any action deemed inappro.riate
or dilatory and may interrupt a speaker for reasons deemed necessary by the chair. The Chairman-
Mayor shall say, "Commissioner/speaker,those remarks are out of order. Please cease this line of
comment and make appropriate comment to the issue.
2.07 Call of"Out Of Order".
2.07.01 If a member of the Commission refuses to comply with these Rules of Procedure
the following procedure shall be used:
2.07.01 a The Commissioner shall be "called to order"b the chair who shall sa
"Commissioner fusing name], you are now out of order. If you persist a
reprimand will be entered into the record."
2.07.01 b If a Commissioner defies the rulin' of the chair the Chairman Ma or
shall state, "Commissioner, you are personally out of order. Let the record indicate
a re.rimand a•ainst 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 present be taken and a statement by each
Commissioner be recorded as to wh he/she is for or a.ainst the rulin. of the chair.
A ma'orit vote of the members of the Commission .resent shall .overn."
3.00 Procedure in Meetings.
3.01 Motions.
3.01.01 In order for the Commission o take an official action on an sub'ect a
Commissioner must propose a Main Motion or there must be a Recommended Main
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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 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
efficientl if discussed in sections a motion to Discuss b Para a a•hs Sections or
Numbered Agenda Items under a "tab," may be made. A second shall be required and
discussion shall be brief as to the necessity for the action.A majority 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 belon's to the entire Commission
and not to the maker of the motion; therefore, if a Commissioner wishes to Withdraw a
motion that is officially before the Commission, action of the Commission must be taken
in either of the following ways:
3.01.04(a) The chair may ask the Commission if there are any ob_ections to the
motion being withdrawn. If there are no ob'ections the motion shall be withdrawn
by unanimous consent, without the need for the seconder to withdraw his/her
second;
3.01.04 b If there is an ob'ection to the motion bein• withdrawn then the chair
shall take an official vote on the "motion to withdraw the motion", a second being
required. A majority vote shall be required to adopt the motion to "withdraw the
motion."
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 (such as staff recommendations
that propose various options for the Commission to consider), unlimited choices may be
considered by "Filling the Blank" in the motion:
3.01.06 a No Commissioner ma su. est more than one .roosal for fillin. the
blank without unanimous consent from the other Commissioners;
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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 ma'orit no others shall be considered•
3.01.06(c)Alternatives (from staff recommendations 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.
3.02.01(a)Recommended Main Motions-A recommendation from staff,or another
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 wishes.
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 Commission 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 ad'ourn has the hi' est rank and will take .recedence 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)
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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 RANK-
11. Main Motion
3.04 Subsidiary Motions. During the course of debate, Commissioners may introduce motions
that propose that the Commission take a particular action on a main motion. These motions are
called subsidiary motions and they allow the Commission 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 subsidiary
motions.
3.04.01 Postpone indefinitely. If a Commissioner believes that the main motion should not
be considered by the Commission, that Commissioner may move to postpone the
consideration of the main motion indefinitely. If the motion is successful, consideration of
the main motion stops and the main motion is tabled for the duration of the meeting. A
motion to postpone indefinitely can be debated,but it can be amended. A majority vote of
the Commission is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.02 Amend. If 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 closel related to the ori'inal motion and must not chan.e 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 to
adopt an amendment. If the amendment is adopted then the Commission 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 mi. t be more acce stable
stated other than as presented, the Commissioner may amend through substitution,
insertion of sti.ulations strikin. out .ortions or strikin.out and insertin. .ortions.
A substitute motion shall be treated as a motion to amend. Such proposed
amendments shall be handled in one of the following ways:
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3.04.02 a1 b unanimous consent of the Commissioners• the chair or
another Commissioner throw h the chair ma su.'est chan'es or
sti.ulations, and if there are no objections from the Commissioners the
motion shall be amended by unanimous consent.
3.04.02 a 2 with a second discussion and a ma'orit vote on the .ro.osed
amendment.
3.04.02 b If a .ro•osed amendment fails to obtain unanimous consent or a ma'orit
vote the main motion considered shall be the one ori•inall presented.
3.04.02 c An amendment must be 'ermane relatin. to the substance of the main
motion) and may not introduce an independent question.
3.04.02(d) Improper amendments shall be:
3.04.02(d)(1) one(sl which are not germane,
3.04.02 d 2 one s which would make the ado stion of the amended
motion equivalent to a rejection of the motion;
3.04.02 d)(31 one(s) which are, in the opinion of the Chairman Ma or,
frivolous or absurd.
3.04.03 Refer to A Committee (Commit). If a Commissioner believes that further
information is needed before the Commission can act on a main motion, he may propose
that the motion be referred to a s ecific committee or de•artment for further stud . If an
a. .ro.nate committee does not alread exist then a committee ma be formed as a .art of
the motion. A motion to commit should specify the date that the committee or department
will re.ort back to the Commission. A motion to refer shall re uire a second and shall be
debatable only as to whether or not it shall be referredto whom it shall be referred or
when the .erson to whom it is referred shall re.ort back. If the motion fails the motion to
be considered shall be that motion which was on the floor prior to the motion to refer. This
motion is amendable. A majority vote is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.04 Pos .one to a Time Certain Pos .one Definitel . A motion to .os .one 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 re•uire a second and discussion shall be limited to the reason for holdin. 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 .assed the Chairman-Ma or will brin• the ori'inal motion back to the
Commission for consideration at the s.ecified time which ma be at the same meetin' at
a subse•uent meetin or u.on the occurrence of. s.ecified event. A ma'orit vote of the
Commission is required for the motion to pass.
Page 44 of 53
3.04.05 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate.A motion to limit debate places a time constraint
on the length of debate.The details of such a motion are to be decided by the Commissioner
who makes the motion. This motion can also be used to extend the limits of debate if a
limit on debate already exists. Debate is not allowed on this motion. A majority vote of the
Commission is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.06 Vote Immediately (Call The Question). A Commissioner may move to "call the
question" (i.e., 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 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 postponed 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 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 is required for the motion to
pass.
3.05 Privileged Motions. Privileged motions facilitate the runnin' •f h- m-- in. e •o 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 I uestion of Privile e. A formal •uestion addressed to the chair concernin' the
rights of a Commissioner or of the Commission as a whole is referred to a question 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 continues.
3.05.02 Recess.A motion to recess proposes that the meeting be suspended for a particular
amount of time when business is still pending. It is a temporary intermission of the
proceedings. A recess may be taken as it appears on the a.enda or as it is declared b th-
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
Page 45 of 53
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 exist. 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. 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 shall be required to overturn the chair's ruling. An Appeal is high in
precedence and can only be interrupted by a 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.
This question should take the form of a parliamentary inquiry and should relate to the
current business of the Commission. The chair will answer such questions or may ask the
Augusta,Georgia Attorney or parliamentarian for an opinion. The chair's reply,whether or
not he/she has requested advice from the Augusta 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 hypothetical
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
to debate and then rule on the question by majority vote. A point of order can only be
interrupted by a privileged motion or by a motion to lay on the table.
Page 46 of 53
3.06.04 Point of Information(Request for Information). If a Commissioner has a question
about the facts of a •articular issue that is bein' considered he ma ask a •oint of
information. A Point of Information is a 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 to the appropriate person. A second is not required, and the
motion is not debatable or amendable.
3.07 Supplementary Main Motions. Three motions allow the Commission to act on a main
motion that has either been passed or tabled by the Commission. 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 to debate whether
or not to overturn a decision made at the meeting that is in progress. It allows the
Commission to consider new information that may affect the decision that has already been
made. An Commissioner can make a motion to reconsider and an Commissioner ma
second the motion. The motion is debatable, but it cannot be amended. A majority vote of
the Commission is required for the motion to pass. If a motion to reconsider is passed, the
original decision will be voided, and the Commission will return to debate and revote the
original motion.
3.07.02 Rescind. A motion to rescind proposes that the Commission 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 the original motion has not been implemented,but the motion to rescind
shall not be in order if:
3.07.02 a the motion to rescind is made at the same meetin' in which the action
was taken;
3.07.02(b) a motion to reconsider was taken and lost;
3.07.02 c the matter is 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 meetin' where the decision was made or th- Commissioner seekin' to
rescind ma_*lace the matter on the a.enda for the next meetin.. The motion to
rescind will then be .laced on the a.enda for the next meetin•.At the next meetin
the motion to rescind will formally be made. If it is seconded,then the Commission
shall debate and vote on revision. A majority vote of the Commission is required
for the motion to sass. If a motion to rescind is •assed the ori f inal decision will be
voided.
3.07.03 Resume Consideration. The motion to resume consideration allows the
Commission to consider a motion that has been temporarily postponed. This motion
Page 47 of 53
re•uires a second and is not debatable or amendable. It is a main motion but ranks hi• er
than any debatable motion. A majority vote is required for the motion to pass.
4.00 Actions of the Commission. All communications to persons, firms or corporations affected
b actions taken at a called or re. lar meetin• of the Commission shall be made b the
Administrator for Augusta, Georgia, informing them of the action taken.
4.01 Ordinances and Resolutions.
4.01.01 Every ordinance or resolution proposed for adoption by the Commission shall be
introduced in writing and the caption of each ordinance shall be read previous to the
adoption of the ordinance, unless some member of the Commission shall then and there
demand that the entire ordinance be read. Upon such demand being made, the clerk shall
read the entire ordinance. 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 adoptin• the annual o•eratin' and ca•ital bud.ets and
general codification and revisions of ordinances and resolutions of the Commission.
4.01.02 Except for emergency ordinances under subsection 4.01.03 of this section or
ordinances amending the Zoning Map for Augusta, Georgia, or upon a unanimous vote of
the Commission,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 shall be required for the adoption of any ordinance or resolution;
Provided however a vote of two-thirds of the Commission excludin' the Chairman
Mayor, shall be required to change any provision of the Consolidation Act 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 voting
for and against each proposed ordinance or resolution or amendment thereto shall be
entered in the minutes of the proceedings of the Commission.
4.01.03 To meet a •ublic emer.'enc threatenin. life health •ro•ert or •ublic •eace the
Commission may adopt emergency ordinances or resolutions, but such ordinances or
resolutions may not be enacted to levy taxes, or to grant,renew or extend a franchise, or to
re. late the rate char.ed for an •ublic utilit or service or to authorize the borrowin of
money. An emergency ordinance or resolution shall be in the form prescribed for
ordinances or resolutions .enerall exce•t that it shall be •lainl desi a ated as an
emer..enc ordinance or resolution and shall contain a declaration statin. what emer..enc
exists. An emergency ordinance or resolution may be adopted with or without amendment
or ma be re'ected at the meetin. at which it is introduced but the affirmative vote of at
least six(6)members of the Commission shall be required for its adoption. It shall become
effective upon adoption or at such later time as it may specify.
4.01.04 The caption of each ordinance shall be read once previous to the adoption of the
ordinance. All readings of every ordinance shall be by reading the caption of such
ordinance only,unless some member of the Commission shall then and there demand that
Page 48 of 53
the entire ordinance be read. Upon such demand being made,the clerk shall read the entire
ordinance.
4.02 Signing, Authentication, and Recording. Every ordinance or resolution adopted by the
Commission shall be submitted to the Chairman-Mayor for his/her signature as promptly as
practicable following its adoption. The Clerk of the Commission shall authenticate by the Clerk's
signature and cause to be recorded in full all ordinances and resolutions adopted by the
Commission 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 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 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, Georgia the ordinances of the
Commission,the proclamations of the Chairman-Mayor and all other official notices of either the
Commission or 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 shall be published one time;all other matters shall be published such number of times
as the Commission or 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 and
shall not have the bodies of such ordinances published.
5.00 Parliamentarian. The Augusta, Georgia Attorney or his/her designee shall serve as
parliamentarian and shall advise and assist the chair and the Commission in matters of
parliamentary law. A professional parliamentarian may be consulted as deemed necessary.
6.00 Parliamentary Authority. The latest edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY
REVISED shall govern meetings of the Augusta, Georgia Commission in all areas in which it is
applicable and in which it is not inconsistent with these rules adopted by the Commissioners, or
with higher law.
7.00 Amendments. These Rules may be amended by a majority of the entire Commission at a
regular meeting or special meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission,provided notice
has been given of the amendment(s) at the meeting prior to the vote on the amendment(s).
APPENDIX
Parliamentary Definitions
The following parliamentary definitions apply to the RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE
Augusta, Georgia Commission
adjourn-to officially terminate a meeting
adjourned meeting - a meeting that is a continuation at a later time of a regular or special
meeting
Page 49 of 53
adopt-to approve or pass by whatever vote is required for the motion affirmative vote - a
vote in favor of the motion as stated
a.enda-the official list of items of business •lanned for consideration durin. the meetin
a..royal of minutes-formal acce.tance of the record at a meetin. thus makin.this record
the official minutes of the Commission
chair-the Chairman-Mayor or Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
Code of Conduct-The Richmond County Code of Conduct
Commission-the Augusta, Georgia Commission
Commissioner - any of the ten members serving on the Commission elected from the ten
(10)districts established by the Consolidation Act
Commission parliamentary rules- the body of rules and 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 or.anization or Commission
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 dela action b referrin' the motion to staff or an a.enc_ 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 to which it is applied
germane discussion- discussion relating directly to the matter involved
Page 50 of 53
hearing - a meeting for the purpose of listening to the views of an individual or of a
•articular • ouo on a .articular sub'ect in order - .ermissible and ri• t from a
parliamentary standpoint
ma'orit vote- an affirmation vote of at least six 6 Commissioners 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 after the record has been
approved by vote of the body
motion - a .ro•osal submitted to the Commission 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 ado•ted order in which the business is 'resented to the meetin• of
the Commission
out of order-not correct, from a parliamentary standpoint, at the particular time
•arliamenta authorit - the code of •rocedure ado.ted b the Commission 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 Cit of Au• sta
or other governing Bodies
•endin• motion - sometimes referred to as •endin• •uestion• a motion that has been
•ro.osed and stated b the chair for the Commission's consideration and that is awaitin•
decision by vote
•recedence-the order or .riorit •overnin• the motion
•recedent- a course of action that ma serve as a • ide or rule for future similar situation
•rocedural motion - motion to assist the Commission in treatin• or dis s osin• of a main
motion- or motion relatin• to the .endin• business otherwise at hand
.ro•osal or .ro.osition- a statement of a motion of an kind for c nsideration and action
O.C.G.A. - Official Code of Georgia Annotated
•uorum - the number of .ersons that must be 'resent at a meetin• of the Commission to
enable it to act legally on business; seven(7)members of the Commission shall constitute
a •uorum for an meetin• of the Au. sta Geor•is Commission
reco• 'tions- acknowledgement by the chair, giving a .erson sole ri• t to s.eak
Page 51 of 53
reconsider- to review again 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 action has already
been taken to implement the motion it wishes to rescind
resolution-a formal motion,usually in writing,and introduced by the word"resolved"that
is presented to the
Commission for a decision ruling- the chair's decision as it relates to the procedure of the
Commission
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
Note-The Rules of Procedure for the conduct of parliamentary business coming before the
Augusta, Georgia Commission were first adopted by the Commission in 1996.
Secs. 1-2-14-1-2-25. Reserved.
Page 52 of 53
Exhibit D
ADD NEW the following subsection to Code Sec. 1-2-30:
e The Administrator for Augusta, Georgia shall be elected/appointed by a majority vote of the
Commission of Au. sta Geor.is from nominations 'resented b the Ma or followin. the
Commission approved recruitment process. The Mayor shall present as many as three top
candidates for appointment, along with his recommendation. The Commission shall elect/appoint
an Administrator from among the candidate or candidates presented by the Mayor. Should none
of the candidates be elected/appointed, then the Mayor shall nominate as many as three new
candidates from those who applied through the recruitment process.
Page 53 of 53
1
RULES OF PROCEDURE
for the
AUGUSTA , SA'Ili
CO : 'N S ' ?
ADOPTED July 3, 1996
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
CONTENTS
Section 1.01 Meetings-Time and place; Committees
Section 1.01.01 Regular, Meetings and ,_Special Meetings, Committee
Meetings
Section 1.01.02 Adjourned Meetings
Section 1.01.03 Executive Session Meetings
Section 1.02 Quorum
Section 1.03 Chairman-Mayor
Section 1.04 Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro pore
Section 1.05 Absence of Chairma or an hairm. ayor Pro Tempore
Section 1.06 Minutes
r.r
k � x�
Section 1.06.01 Content of s
Section 1.06.02 Approv,c.of Minut. •
Section 1.07 Re ul. a
Section 1.08 Con fgenda
iP
S on 11 w Consent Agenda
'on 1 t t on-agenda Items
Section 1.0'. Voting
Section 1.09.02 Roll Call Vote
Section 1.09.03 Voting"en gross"
Section 1.09.04 Discussion Following Vote
Section 1.09.05 Tie Votes
Section 1.10 Public Participation in Commission Council Meetings
Page 2 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
Section 1.11 Appointments by the Commission Council
Section 2.00 Decorum of Debate
Section 2.01 Adherence to Agenda
Section 2.02 Discussion of the Issue
Section 2.03 Call to Order,Remarks
Section 2.04 Discussion Through the Chair
Section 2.05 Disruptions
Section 2.06 Call to Order,Action
Section 2.07 Call "Out of Order"
Section 3.00 Procedure in Meetin• ;;,_
Section 3.01 Motions
Section 3.01.01 Motions i .1
Section 3.01.02 Divide � - Motion
Section 3.01.03 r E f b r ,' ' s
Section 3.01.04 it ithdra ;1 of Motion
SE. on 05 ;' ed en Gross
* •
on 3 ��� ',� .� ling in the Blank"
Section 3.0 Main Motions
Section 3.03 � Ranking of Motions
Section 3.04 Subsidiary Motions
Section 3.01.01 Postpone Indefinitely
Section 3.04.02 Amend
Section 3.04.03 Refer to a Committee
Page 3 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
Section 3.04.04 Postpone to a time Certain
Section 3.04.05 Limit or Extend Limits of Debate
Section 3.04.06 Vote Immediately
Section 3.04.07 Lay on the Table
Section 3.05 Privileged Motions
Section 3.05.01 Question of Privilege
Section 3.05.02 Recess
Section 3.05.03 Adjourn
Section 3.06 Incidental Motions
Section 3.06.01 Appeal
Section 3.06.02 Parlia , , , Inqui a=
Section 3.06.03 Point of O �� � '
Section 3.06.04 Point o formatio
Section 3.07 Suppl- 0 :. , � s
Section 3.07.01 � '.�`consid.R;
S on *, 1-02 .N .
uu
'on 3 t:r. : 's sume Consideration
Section 4.01 ,4. Actions of the Commission Council
Section 4.01 Ordinances and Resolutions
Section 4.02 Signing,Authentication, and Records
Section 4.03 Publication of Ordinances,Notices, etc.
Section 5.00 Parliamentarian
Section 6.00 Parliamentary Authority
Page 4 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
Section 7.00 Amendments
APPENDIX Parliamentary Definitions
ray . .
ill
Page 5 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
1.01 MEETING-Time and place; committees.
1.01.01 Except for the months of April and July, Regular Commission meetings shall be
held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers
on the second floor of the Municipal Building. Except as otherwise provided by law, all
meetings of the Commission shall be public meetings.
1.01.01(a) The first meeting in April of each year shall be held ast week of
the preceding March.
1.01.01(b) The first meeting in July of each year shall be he the 1 eek of
the preceding June.
X� Y\
1.01.02 Regular Commission meetings is Execu , Session .1-• s and matters
requiring urgent approval shall be held on ME second an. $ .. Tuesd .+of every month at
Yzx°
11:00 a.m. in the Commission Cham.-rs on the ,‘,,•nd floo > t -Municipal Building.
1.01.02(a) Executive S- sion m� m :s shall c'.=, •ni ted in accordance with the
Georgia Open Meetin: t.
1.01.03 Except for the months o . and Jus, 1_ egular committee meetings shall be
held on the second and last T -sday . ery • •nth in the Lee N. Beard Commission
Chamber beginning at 1:00 p. . with th- is Services Committee starting first every
time followed by an alphabe otation • ° the following committees Administrative
Services, Engineerin_, >-s, s' blic Safety on a two-month rotation cycle.
1.01.03(a) l - , st co ittee meetings in March of each year shall be cancelled
-,x all ite r suc• •mmittees shall be forwarded to the last Commission
gin Ma E
,,1 t,.. .� IP4., t committee meetings in June of each year shall be cancelled and
i =" ' . ' ``°r-,'` committees shall be forwarded to the last Commission meeting in
' .e.
y fr
1.01.04 6 ',-r called meetings of the Commission and Committees and the subject, dates
and time .``these meetings may be scheduled as needed and notification of such meetings
shall be provided to the public in advance as required by law.
1.01.05 If there is a necessity to change the time and date of the regular meeting of the
Commission or Committees or of any specially called meetings or any executive session
meeting, this shall be done by request of the Mayor or a majority of the members of the
Commission,provided a majority of the Commissioners can attend the meeting which shall
be held on a different day. Notice of the time and date change shall be provided to the
Mayor and Commission.
Page 6 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
1.01.06 The Commission may hold such additional meetings as shall be deemed
necessary when called by the Mayor or a majority of the members of the Commission,
provided all members shall have been notified at least twenty-four(24) hours in advance
of the special meeting. Provided, further,that a majority of the Commission may convene
the same in extraordinary session for emergency business, such a natural disaster or civic
disturbance,whenever in their judgment it may be necessary.
1.01.07 An adjourned meeting is a continuation of the meeting immediately preceding,
whether a regular or special meeting.
1.01.07(a) If a scheduled meeting of the Commission is not p . eted d • to time
constraints or emergency,the meeting shall be adjourned to t' • silowi Y ;ay or to
a specific day scheduled by the Commission to allo _. - co 1• pending
business.
1.01.07(b) In an adjourned meeting gular o sp= only bmess which would
have been proper to consid- at the i ediatel " -c mg meeting may be
considered and acted upon a a djo e ting.
1.01.07(c) Adjourned a ings re - busines er the same rules, limitations
and rights as the imm-di.r s .recedi -eting.
1.01.08Any action taken at any comm ee me . (othe4 ` an to postpone the agenda item to the
next,or a future, committee meting) sha f aced on the agenda of the regular meeting,
regular called meeting,or speci e.eeting ." , e full Commission for approval of the action
of the committee. In t t � . quorum at a committee, all such items on such
agenda shall be pla • o e a n.. • `the next regular meeting of the full Commission.
1.02 Q U
t 01 •. -.. ers of the Commission Council shall constitute a quorum for any
in, 11.• • f •• = -- ' Augusta, Georgia Commission Council.
1.02.02 ; •arum is not present thirty (30) minutes following the scheduled hour for
convening k meeting, the Chairman-Mayor or the Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore,
or in their:.sence,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;
Page 7 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 R _�� ted) to vote
on any matter(excluding appointment of any Commissioner to a co -; .nd -xcluding
voting as a member of any Committee as provided in the Consolidat'. g ct)onl o break
a tie or to create a tie. Additionally, his/her duties during meetings s' 'nclud
I 1.03.01(a)presiding over meetings of the Commiss en ` .. ;
1.03.01(b)calling the meeting to ord at the s e. . hour;
1.03.01(c) determining that a , ,p is r •
1.03.01(d)preserving . I an. ',, , at all m gs,
1.03.01(e)making the Co • Vt.ners a • . the substance of each motion;
1.03.01(f)calling fore 1• vote;
1.03.01(g) anne , ` th , . each vote;
1.03.01(h)cF`., 't_.for a r.,`x ess at such times as deemed advisable.
1 '• .I Chai ,..s. . shall exercise such other duties as prescribed in
:onsolida Act or by ordinance.
,
1.04 Vice t` , in.'1- Pro Tempore. A Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore shall be
elected from s, , g the district Commissioners at the first regular meeting in January of each odd-
numbered
year'`, 'ded in the Consolidation Act. The Vice Chairman-Mayor Pro Tempore
shall serve for a p rd of enetwo years and shall have all rights,privileges and duties of the chair
in the absence of ``e 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 Oof Chairman-Mayor Aand 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
Page 8 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 b 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 do.°fid ('ncluding
amendments or stipulations);
1.06.01(b)the name of the maker of all important m
1.06.01(c) disposition of all main m ns, Wh:,r' b:
1.06.01(c)(1) adopted;
1.06.01(c)(2) defe..tee; �
1.06.01(c)(3) r fe o co or t staff for further information or
recommendations.
1.06.01(c)(4)he until a d- time;
1.06.01x r- Commissioner; and 1.06.01(c)(6) comments of
Co .issi' ers -r. .
1.06 • - minute meeti. a of the Commission shall, at a minimum,briefly describe
a date" ` , made a cord the actions taken by the Commission. Any statement
'.all be re ded in full at the request of a member of the Commission. A member of the
miss• a '.,,orate an additional statement when the minutes are read. The
m fr,r=_• a 'Before they are approved as soon as is possible or feasible but in no
case r= han the next regular meeting of the Commission.
1.06.03 Flu°"'esponsibility for correcting and approving the minutes shall be vested only
in the m- .ers 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.
1.06.034 The minutes shall be attested to by the Clerk or his/her designee.
1.07 Regular Agenda.
Page 9 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
1.07 .01 All agenda items The Administrator shall include be responsible for obtaining all
supporting documentation related to any item to be placed on the agenda and such shall be
ubmitsubmitted same to the Clerk forte includesion on the agenda for all meetings of the
Commission Council.
1.07.02 Subject to the limitation of Rule 1.07.08, the Administrator, any elected official
and Aany member of the Commissionef shall have the right to have an item placed on the
regular agenda of the Commission or department head wishing to have an item placed on
an agenda providedthould submit said item is submitted to the Administrator Clerk of
Commission no later than 59:00 pa.m. on the ThursdayWednes!lay priesf: .:• Tuesday of
the regular Commission Council meeting or any regular Committee : ' •-- --.
be added to an agenda without the consent of the Chairman Mayorhat ,n of the
committee responsible for such department; provided, however, me of. the
-• . . - - ' - • An ma .e added to the
regular agenda after the 9:00 a.m. Thursda eadline the un.`is •,.° consent of the
commission members in attendance. Una imous .n
of the dmmittee members
present shall be required to add an.. item to mmitte.� _- a after the 9:00 a.m.
Thursday deadline.
1.07.03 The Clerk shall be res _ ¢a'ble for bling t genda and distributing it to all
Commissioners no later than ri. ' • advan•. ` the s eduled meeting.
1.07.04 An item may be Vis` ove.t ;g.m t ; agenda after 59:00 p .m. on the
WedneaThursday prior to the esday o regular Commission Council meeting with
unanimous approval of the m .ers of ,>: Commission Council attending the regular
meeting.
1.07 05 An item t11111°:e re I ved from the agenda prior to 59:00 pa.m. on the
F _rsday p Fo the -sday of the regular Commission Council meeting upon
t eqr:•f the , •. .. --- • - .:, -- individual party who was
-sponsibl or placing the item on the agenda.
1: o i -` . `� . g to alcoholic beverage application shall be placed on the agenda
with - (1) year from the date of the denial of the application by the Commission.
1.07.07 Nt -m pertaining to zoning shall be placed on the agenda for the same zoning
classificaon within one (1) year from the date of the denial of the application by the
Commission.
1.07.08 If an item has appeared on the Commission Agenda and been defeated, or if no
action is taken on an item, it shall not be considered again by the Commission until it has
been discussed at the committee level.
Page 10 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 Commissioner 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 non-agenda it res dded to the
consent agenda, he/she must provide the specific item, and t r rea•• s iediate
attention is required, to the Commission Council.
1.08.02(b) The unanimous consent of the Commis- . r , pre F - meeting
shall be required to add an item to the consent ale a.
1.09 Voting.
1.09.01 All votes shall be taken b ed h , pt tho- Which the chair handles
through unanimous consent (i.. , " f t' e no o 'on ... "), and unless there is a
request for a roll-call vote.A : - object . ill requi at a counted vote be taken.An
affirmative vote of at least si (• .,� -, bers Co ission Council shall be required
to adopt a motion, except where • e indic.
1.09.02 Any Commissioner s have th "e3J1 to request a roll call vote on any issue, in
which event the chair shall dir e Cler •ky' all the roll in alphabetical order, except that
the Chairman-Mayor' f ha last and only when his vote will create or break
a tie. As each Co c ssi• :' is m- called, such Commissioner shall vote either "yes"
or "no" to the que' o' resent 4. To verify the vote and to correct possible errors, the
Cler s the v• x er a member responds to his name. At the conclusion of the
rec `'a , hairman . =�.n ask if anyone entered the room after his name was called.
anges o r = e vote are also permitted before the result is announced.
1.. 5 . agenda"tab"has been moved to be voted upon by an en gross vote
(see m •n 3.01.05 herein), a Commissioner may, without discussion state that he/she is
voting i . 5` ative on all of the agenda items on that "tab" except certain ones which
he/she wi ".me by number. In such cases, the votes of the Commissioner(s) will be
recorded negative for the items named, unless the Commissioner abstains as provided
in Section 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.
Page 11 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 Participation lin Commissionil Meetings.
1.10.01 Persons wishing to address the Commission Council shall do so during the Public
Comment portion of the agenda.
1.10.02 Subject to the limitations provided for herein,Sspeakers wit ® edo appear
before the Commission Council at the public comment session prio ` • - regul agenda
with each speaker allotted a maximum of five(5)minutes for their p -ntatio
1.10.02(a)Persons seeking to complain about the p ;'fo �G or lac thereof of an
employee of Augusta, Georgia shall su such sts to . ~ rtministrator for
resolution. Such requests for public comme will no se d by th? "ommission or any
committee.
1.10.02(b) Persons or b, siness- •-king to .us' ess with Augusta, Georgia
shall submit such requests to _ dmini - for con 'ration in accordance with the
requirements of the Procure en e. R.e.� - to . e presentations for products or
services will not be heard by theksion or committee except as permitted by the
Procurement Code.
1.10.03 Each speaker must su i;' a requ . 'n writing, including his/her address, which
will state the topic o <;`�, io lerk's office no later than 59:00 pa.m. on the
Wedne:,Thursday p ced : the ex -gularly scheduled Commission Council meeting.
1.10.0 extension " the (5) minute limit per person may be granted upon the
a •yam a ate of si .ers of the Commission Council.
o 05 I a A '�•a I le by the Chairman-Mayor, a written response to a speaker may
propriate County staff within thirty (30) days. The Commission-
ay respond verbally at the completion of any speaker's presentation.
1.10.06 A• each individual speaker's remarks have concluded,the Chairman Mayor may,
but shall et 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.
Page 12 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 speaker may return on another issue following the
policy and procedure.
1.10.08 All speakers, other than salaried members of the Augusta Richmond
CountyAugusta, Georgia staff, shall address the Commission Council in the following
manner:
1.10.08(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/hei` ' for a ther;
1.10.08(c) Stating if he/she represents an organizati•.-, ,• whe - is being
compensated by the organization for whom he/s e 'sea f
1.10.08(d) Stating whether he/she or ny me De ,'s/her i I . ediate family has
a personal interest in the pend g matter.
1.10.08(e) Stating his/he comm:
1.10.09 All remarks shall be a
{:s mmissi., n .:. - as a body and addressed through
the chair. Remarks shall not be ri .`k partic ' K, immissioner.
1.10.10 Questions from Co sioners, #k x 'nistrator, and/or the Augusta Richmond
County Attorney may be mad- clarific , gin. However, no person shall be permitted to
enter into any discuss x , -r ‘I» t : #hrough a member of the Commission Council,
without permission . air.
1.10 remarks E t be .- = ed to the issue on which the speaker has requested to be
h 'a. , son shal 1.tt r._ -d to make impertinent,derogatory,offensive or slanderous
ymarks w e addressing the Commission Council.
' 1." ,, son may be barred from further speaking before the Commission-
- in that meeting if his/her conduct is deemed "out of order";
1. 'i b) Once barred for improper conduct, a speaker shall not be permitted to
co ' inue 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
Page 13 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 at the time the item :, • considered
by the Commission Council. These comments must be limite' o t • ubj-ct that is
being debated. Members of the public may speak for five a'n and :f ay only
speak once. These limits can be waived by the affirmative vo •f six • embers
of the Commission Council.
1.10.11(f) The Commission Council joy sched , sublic h.• for the purpose
of soliciting public comment on anyNbject of ntto the •" ission Council.
Hearings may be held i diately p to or 9- 4 w', g a meeting of the
Commission Council or at s ,,„ er pl.° . • times e Commission Council
may determine.No offic'al acts• :x..11 bet. . a such public hearing.
1.11 Appointments Bhy Tthe Corn is . . • -
1.11.01 Appointments shall be , ade a - essary v en it is has been determined, by the
Consolidation Act or other ru or mann �s; t it is the "right" or "turn" of a particular
Commissioner to nominate a c • 'date fo 1 •osition, such nominee must be elected by a
majority of the Co r.', �.rwi nominee,however nominated, fails to receive
a majority vote, alt -Fa 'and E•ate` may be nominated until the position is filled by
majority vote. ,
1 I ;i appoint w E an expired or a new term on any board or commission,
,,, ich app =. tment is made by the Commission, shall not have less than six (6) votes of
�r.
2.00 Decor Ex °,i f Debate. The following practices shall be followed in debate on motions and
matters presen - - Commission Council.
2.01 Adherence to Agenda.
2.01.01 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 professional 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 not speak at a meeting until he has been recognized by the Chairman-
Page 14 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 p
I 2.02 Discussion Oof Tthe Issue.In discussion, a Commissioner may conde i �� - natur •f likely
consequences of the proposed measure in strong terms, but must a x`t a dis• .sion of
personalities, and under no circumstances may he/she attack or • 0 the •f another
Commissioner or staff. The issue, and not a person, shall be t ite •der •iscussion. Any
Commissioner wishing to discuss an issue shall be owed to o; how. f f t,:'scussion of any
particular issue by any particular Commissioner shY be lim' e• • o (2) I. utes of discussion
and one(1)minute of rebuttal, unless debate extende• the ch Mj g b motion as provided in
Section 3.04.05 hereof.
I 2.03 Call oto Order, Remarks. Th- 'r shall -diately as "out of order" any remarks
made outside the issue being address-d. >tionall , <<a:,ather It•mmissioner may call this breach
of procedure to the attention of the cha' her Co ioners. In either case, the speaking
Commissioner shall be required to co ue w *s/her arks confined to the issue.
2.04 Discussion Through Tthe Chai„ ;11 discu on shall be made through the chair, and one
Commissioner may not inte.���x=��z,f,
n� - •t'• issioner or person speaking from the public
except through the chair(o'_ a p- s in of the chair).
2.05 Disr• a( L During cussi• or voting, no Commissioner shall disturb the other
Commis • ers y way � z •e considered disruptive to the proceedings or that may
hamp- "• e transa •n of business by the Commission Council.
I 2.06 Ca ' Ors , in. The chair may rule as "out of order" any action deemed
inappropriat 4 •ilatory and may interrupt a speaker for reasons deemed necessary by the chair.
The Chairman-`.i } all say, "Commissioner/speaker, those remarks are out of order. Please
cease this line of ent and make appropriate comment to the issue.
I 2.07 Call Oof"Out Of Order".
2.07.01 If a member of the Commission Council refuses to comply with these Rules of
Procedure the following procedure shall be used:
2.07.01(a)The Commissioner shall be "called to order"by the chair,who shall say,
"Commissioner [using name], you are now out of order. If you persist a
reprimand will be entered into the record."
Page 15 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia-Ric-kmond-County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
2.07.01(b) If a Commissioner defies the ruling of the chair, the Chairman Mayor
shall state, "Commissioner, you are 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 present be taken and a statement 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."
3.00 Procedure lin Meetings.
3.01 Motions.
3.01.01 In order for the Commission Council to take any o acti subject, a
Commissioner must propose a Main Motion or there t b 'ecommended Main
Motion, as provided in Section 3.01.02(a) propos; ain Mo fir,_ a st be seconded
before there will be discussion on the motio .A second .i of requi 9_`the Commissioner
seconding the motion to support th- motion. ommis °. 1, ay withdraw a Main
Motion that he has made as provid Q '�� Sects n ' 04 her. , at any time before the
Commission Council has voted on i at on. Prio • _'a vote, the chair shall state
the motion (or resolution) or i 'stance f •e/she m. .11 upon the Clerk or secretary
to do so.
3.01.02 If the motion present,,t cont.'. o ( or more parts capable of standing as
m
separate motions, a Comissi er may ' ."�; to "Divide the Motion." This motion shall
require a second and discussion •all be . 1 .%' ed only on why it should or should not be
divided. A majority v. 1 .. b =k'4 o adopt the motion to "divide the motion."
3.01.03 If a main .• ti' is in e form of a resolution or document containing several
para' n or sects`F whic• e not separate motions but could be discussed more
e en t discuss t �. ions, a motion to Discuss by Paragraphs, Sections, or
umbere.1 genda Items under a "tab," may be made. A second shall be required and
ssio€ . n- . .s to the necessity for the action.A majority vote shall be required
to y�t�i er'• .. ;phs, sections, or numbered agenda items under a'tab'."
3.01 t`- ce a motion has been moved and seconded,it belongs to the entire Commission-
!r'' to the maker of the motion; therefore, if a Commissioner wishes to
Withdraw = otion that is officially before the Commission Council, action of the
Commiss.en 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 objections
to the motion being withdrawn. If there are no objections, the motion shall be
withdrawn by unanimous consent, without 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
Page 16 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
required. A majority vote shall be required to adopt the motion to "withdraw the
motion."
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 (such as staff recommendations
that propose various options for the Commission Council to consider), unlimited choices
may be considered by"Filling the Blank"in the motion:
3.01.06(a) No Commissioner may suggest more than one p op,..1 for l ling the
blank without unanimous consent from the other Commissio •
3.01.06(b) Each proposal shall be debatable and s beed as an independent
item to be voted on separately until ir has be; ..rove. "•#'.jority. As soon
as one proposal has received a majo y,no of er .1 be co dered;
3.01.06(c)Alternatives (fro , ff r o dation and/or suggestions by
Commissioners) are list-d in to = order for g:
3.01.06(c)(1)N _ listed $.' p ; orde in which they were proposed,
3.01.06(c)(2) 0 '"er pro i <ls ar- isted in the order of their probable
acceptability,b inning w : • least popular choice.
3.02 Main Motions.
3.02.01 A main to • is a •otion whose introduction brings business before the
Co • -
1 11(a)Recommended Main Motions-A recommendation from staff, or another
' e agenda for action, shall be handled as an Recommended Main
o i ichair. That is, the chair shall, upon the conclusion of a report, state,
e question(or motion)before you is ... " (stating the motion in the affirmative).
- P d will be required in these instances and the chair, in assuming such
mo , is not presumed to be in favor of the motion and may speak against it if
h- '" e so wishes.
3.03 Ranking Oof 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 Commission Council returns to consider the motion of lower
precedence.
Page 17 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
3.03.02 A main motion has the lowest rank and does not take precedence over any other
motion. A motion to adjourn 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 �r
Question)
6. Limit Debate or Extend
SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS (Debatable r r
7. Postpone to a Time Certain
(Postpone Definitely)
8. Refer to Committee(Commit)
9. Amend
10. Postpone Indefinitely
OTHER MOTIONS
LOWEST RANK-
11. Main Motion
3.04 Sub •ia 4 ''tions. course of debate, Commissioners may introduce motions
that p k Jose that e Commission Council take a particular action on a main motion. These
mo ps- cal otions and they allow the Commission Council to reach a
conclusio G •a e :"` . Subsidiary motions require a second before they can be voted on
or debated. _ subsidiary motion,Amend,Limit Debate, and Vote Immediately,also can apply
to other subsid . . ens.
3.04.01 P tpone indefinitely. If a Commissioner believes that the main motion should not
be considered by the Commission Council, that Commissioner may move to postpone the
consideration of the main motion indefmitely. If the motion is successful, consideration of
the main motion stops and the main motion is tabled for the duration of the meeting. A
motion to postpone indefinitely 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. If 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.
Page 18 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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. Ah 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 Via. - acceptable
stated other than as presented, the Commissioner may amen. o • su•stitution,
insertion of stipulations, striking out portions,or striking out t 1 d serting N ortions.
A substitute motion shall be treated as a motion to . .. Suc ''roposed
amendments shall be handled in one of the followi
3.04.02(a)(1) by unanimous ainsent o Comm .-s; the chair, or
another Commissioner, thr gh th- c � may gest changes or
stipulations and if th- e are no ' coons � �. t.•-
Commissioners, the
motion shall be ame + ► un
consen
3.04.02(a)(2)w , • secon., a(1•xussion a majority vote on the proposed
amendment.
3.04.02(b)If a propose. en.i .k fails t, obtain unanimous consent or a majority
vote, the main motion fps sidered 11`1 iie the one originally presented.
3.04.02(c) An „, �. ia. e° .. , , 'germane (relating to the substance of the main
motion) and
oti.= int •a u an independent question.
t,.02(d) .,..er ,dments shall be:
FZ+
" . 3.04.02(d)(1) one(s)which are not germane,
.t t:+ ` d)(2) one(s) which would make the adoption of the amended
motion equivalent to a rejection 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 Tto 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 aspecific 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 shall be debatable only as to whether or not it shall be referred,to whom it shall
Page 19 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 motion
to refer. This motion is amendable. A majority vote is required for the motion to pass.
3.04.04 Postpone Tto Aa 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 mot ; ':t considered
shall be that motion which was on the floor prior to the motion to hog o me ertain. If
this motion is passed, the Chairman-Mayor will bring the origin.g s ion ba to the
Commission Council for consideration at the specified time whichbe • e same
meeting, at a subsequent meeting, or upon the occurrence • -cifi ��. • � majority
vote of the Commission Council is required for the moto , .o p
3.04.05 Limit Oor Extend Limits Sof De e. A •ti• • �•
• limit • •ate places a time
constraint on the length of debate. T• details o ch a m• s' ' a - to be decided by.the
Commissioner who makes the moti• s moo also be .-d to extend the limits of
debate if a limit on debate alrea• exist :_ � •ate is n w on this motion. A majority
vote of the Commission Coin requir- err the mot o pass.
3.04.06 Vote Immediately (Call a_ , estion). ;C' mmissioner may move to "call the
question" (i.e., move to end viscus `a whe 'it is clear that further discussion is
unnecessary or that discussio is beco ` � -petitive. This motion shall not require a
second and no discussion on t • otion s .. be allowed. If there is no objection, then it
will be presumed they
E t. Should there be an objection, an affirmative
vote of a majority o40
`o mm, sio .. shall be required.
3.04 0 eon Tt ;F ' .ble '• ;- •one Temporarily).A motion to lay on the table proposes
te ,41._b•eration •+ . �' otion be postponed until a later time in the same meeting.
e main otion can be brought back for consideration only if a motion to Resume
t�;esg idea - • d by the Commission Council during the same meeting. The
• of taken up during the meeting.Debate is not allowed on this motion
and a , r��,stion is not amendable. A majority vote of the Commission Council is required
for the ,, pass.
3.05 Privileged otions. 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 Sof Privilege. A formal question addressed to the chair concerning the
rights of a Commissioner or of the Commission Council as a whole is referred to a question
of privilege. It does not require a second and cannot be debated or amended. The chair is
Page 20 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 continues.
3.05.02 Recess.A motion to recess proposes that the meeting be susp de, •r a •articular
amount of time when business is still pending. It is a tempora i• : rmissi. A of the
proceedings. A recess may be taken as it appears on the agenda or a is decl.F • by the
chair when he/she deems it advisable or by a motion fro • i , e motion
must specify the length of the recess. The motion mus . ,o b •nde.. D ebate is not
allowed on this motion,but the motion can lomende r; ajorit • .required for the
motion to pass.
3.05.03 Adjourn. The highest ranks• a'�•tion • a the mo > to adjourn, requiring a
second and a majority vote with o •isc allowe.' •'• ep at the motion shall contain
a time to hear any non-comply 'terns o .genda, ch exist. If all business on the
agenda has been completed,t e c • ay assn he nu ion and,without a second,obtain
unanimous consent to adjourn.
3.06 Incidental Motions. Incidental .y otions . {.-`Commissioners to exert their rights as a
member of the Commission Council. :0,'dental ons can be introduced at any time during a
meeting.
3.06.01 Appeal. f - v er a Co issioner believes that the chair is mistaken in a ruling,
a Co'- goner m •seal Chair's Decision. An appeal shall require a second and
se . se •' •s.able wit 4k speaking first to explain his/her ruling.The chair may also
ose out �x� debate with a statement defending the ruling. An appeal may be made only
E4 ruli • ••c. •• •e made:
4 6.01(a) in response to a parliamentary inquiry or point of information; or
3.1 . (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 by a 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-
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Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
Council. This question should take the form of a parliamentary inquiry and should relate
to the current business of the Commission Council. The chair will answer such questions
or may ask the Augusta Richmond CountyAugusta, Georgia Attorney or parliamentarian
for an opinion. The chair's reply, whether or not he/she has requested advice from the
Augusta 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 hypothetical questions.
3.06.03 Point of Order(Question of Order). T,y
If a Commissioner believes that a violation of the rules of parli. to .roc-dure has
occurred, he can raise a point of order. A second is not required. e air c. make a
ruling on the question or can allow the Commission Council to deba M ,.d then. e on the
question by majority vote. A point of order can only be int t by . _ d motion
or by a motion to lay on the table.
3.06.04 Point of Information(Request for ormatio s . ommis .ner has a question
about the facts of a particular issu- that is b: ''' consi. s may ask a point of
information. A Point of Informatio -, req s , ected t• r•r through the chair, for
information relevant to the bus'ness at >::;• but no' te. o parliamentary procedure.
This motion is addressed first e ropriate on. A second is not required,
and the motion is not debatab e o `_ :endable :
3.07 Supplementary Main Motions ee a ns all,, the Commission Council to act on a
main motion that has either been pass or table. fx..'`e Commission Council. These motions are
considered to be main motions but dif om us ain motions in the ways specified.
3.07.01 ReconsiderOP' otio, to onsider allows the Commission Council to debate
whether or not to o a dec ion made at the meeting that is in progress. It allows the
Co .r• '. :. • . . cons .;; new information that may affect the decision that has
a 1:`..y L made. ..• i issioner can make a motion to reconsider and any
ommissi -r may second the motion. The motion is debatable,but it cannot be amended.
° s� on • x @ .mmission Council is required for the motion to pass. If a motion
to . . .e"' •` {+ ., the original decision will be voided, and the Commission Council
will ` `-.'x to debate and revote the original motion.
I 3.07.02 R` d. A motion to rescind proposes that the Commission Council overturn a
motion •.°ssed at a previous meeting. A motion to rescind can be made by any
Commissioner. It is in order as long as the original motion has not been implemented,but
the motion to rescind shall not be in order if:
3.07.02(a) the motion to rescind is made, at the same meeting in which the action
was taken;
3.07.02(b) a motion to reconsider was taken and lost;
Page 22 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia-Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
3.07.02(c) the matter is 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 revision. A majority vote o ommission-
Council is required for the motion to pass. If a motion to • R s p, sed, the
original decision will be voided.
3.07.03 Resume Consideration. The motion to resu ' Rd- ows the
Commission Council to consider a motion that has be- to p ly postponed. This
motion requires a second and is not debata r amen ` . It is aotion but ranks
higher than any debatable motion. A majoriirvote is eq► a_.' for the otion to pass.
4.00 Actions Oof Tthe Commission r'a. A . _.i unicat s to persons, firms or
corporations affected by actions taken .t a cal i regular Sino if the Commission shall be
made by the Administrator for Augus eorgia, ssr^,v ing the w the action taken.
4.01 Ordinances Aand Resolutions.
4.01.01 Every ordinance or re. ution profor adoption by the Commission Council
shall be introduced in writing the cap °• ® of each ordinance shall be read previous to
the adoption of the or.•gtl _x u � � ember of the Commission shall then and there
demand that the en_e or' an - be '-ad. Upon such demand being made, the clerk shall
read the entire ordi n. . .No o,®inance or resolution shall pass which refers to more than
one ° matter onta "� •atter different from that expressed in the title thereof,
e .t • Eaw:r ces or s adopting the annual operating and capital budgets and
eneral c•f'�fication and revisions of ordinances and resolutions of the Commission
4.01.t . gi cept for emergency ordinances under subsection 4.01.03 of this section or
ordinan �� > 'ding the Zoning Map for Augusta Richmond CountyAugusta,Georgia,or
upon a un.,AL ous vote of the Commission Council,no ordinance shall be adopted until it
has been `-ad 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 rte of at least six (6) members of the Commission Council shall be required
for thvote
e 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 Consolidation 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
Page 23 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 levy 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 stat . w emergency
exists. An emergency ordinance or resolution may be adopted with o • t . •endment
or may be rejected at the meeting at which it is introduced, but the ative .te of at
least six(6)members of the Commission Council shall be required f. adopt ,t. It shall
become effective upon adoption or at such later time as its -cify.
hua�
4.01.04 The caption of each ordinance shallie read o 4,-. •reviou �a. �•-°adoption of the
ordinance. All readings of every ordinanshall be adingcaption of such
ordinance only, unless some memb- of the C • ission .i, shall then and there
demand that the entire ordinance be � , Upo s b a emand '`ng made, the clerk shall
read the entire ordinance.
4.02 Signing,Authentication,Aan• R. i ,,+ing
/1.02.01 Every ordinance or.resolution ,`l opte• � he C. ` ission Council shall be submitted to
the Chairman-Mayor for his/her sign :re as pro is ,*`as practicable following its adoption. The
Clerk of the Commission Council sh �:x•uthenti,1 `- by the Clerk's signature and cause to be
recorded in full all ordinance -q o .�i �` • .ted by the Commission Council and signed by
the Chairman Mayor or oth;"` : :`eco� ing in a properly indexed book kept for such purpose
which shall be a public re.co La .: • open ' public inspection.The Commission Council shall further
provide for _ . -riodic ► .ting, ', ision, codification, and printing of all ordinances or
resolutio►.='• a x ral and a F=�`. nature, together with such codes of technical regulations
and of,._ rules an ; egulations' as the Commission Council may require.
4.03 Pub ' •s o " i ' ces, Notices, E tc._It shall be the duty of the Chairman-Mayor to
have publis the official gazette or newspaper of Augusta Richmond CountyAugusta,
Georgia the orb'l- t -;.. of the Commission Council, the proclamations of the Chairman-Mayor
and all other offic < otices of either the Commission Council or the Chairman-Mayor ordered to
be published by t'em, 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 Council or 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.
Page 24 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
5.00 Parliamentarian.
5.01 The Augusta Richmond CountyAugusta, Georgia Attorney or his/her designee shall serve as
parliamentarian and shall advise and assist the chair and the Commission Council in 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 CountyAugusta, Georgia Commission " all areas in
which it is applicable and in which it is not inconsistent with these , apt-a by the
Commissioners, or with higher law.
7.00 Amendments.
7.01 These Rules may be amended by a majoritymi
he entir- u mssisr` .� ��• at a regular
meeting or special meeting of the Augusta RicluMnd Co •t _ E • issio , provided
notice has been given of the amendment(s) a he meeti 'or to t .- at- an the amendment(s).
APPENDIX
Parliamentary Definitions
The following parliamentary definitio _ to the . .. S OF PROCEDURE FOR THE
Augusta Richmond CountyAu l usta or l is issio Council
adjourn-to officially terminat: "s eeting
adjourned meeting ng at continuation at a later time of a regular or special
meeting
a• c a rove or a � � '` atever vote is required for the motion affirmative vote - a
s to in fa • of the motion as stated
e • . t of items of business planned for consideration during the meeting
approv. •• ='tes-formal acceptance of the record at a meeting,thus making this record
the officia nutes 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 CountyAugusta, Georgia Commission-
Council
Page 25 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 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 pa 'tart' ore often
herein referred to as discussion
defer or hold - to delay action by referring 4 motio t. (or . .gency, committee,
etc.)for more information, or by pos 'ening a v.;" o a cert. ;
demand - an assertion of a par iamentfight by . t , olip i sioner dilatory motions or
tactics - misuse of procedures . otions _ ..re out o ,.ser or would delay or prevent
progress in a meeting
floor-when a person receives f% '_ ition � s m the chair,he/she "has the floor"and
is the only person entitled to si __________
germane amendment @' nog ! ng directly to the motion to which it is applied
germane discussio s pp
cussio elating directly to the matter involved
Y4SXR.
h; g A eeting t�+- ,i. ; N T ose of listening to the views of an individual or of a
icular oup on a particular subject in order - permissible and right from a
..me. . p o•'a:
majo . ote-an affirmation vote of at least six (6) Commissioners or the vote of five(5)
Comm- -1i7'! -, nd the vote of the Chairman-Mayor in the event of a tie
minutes e legal record of the action of the Commission Council after the record has
been approved by vote of the body
I 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
Page 26 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond Count,.Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 •tio i at K as been
proposed and stated by the chair for the Commission Council's co i••ation . • that is
awaiting decision by vote
precedence-the order or priority governing the motion
4:^i
precedent- a course of action that may sery as a it- • for fu e similar situation
procedural motion-motion to assist o i s eating or disposing of a
main motion; or,motion relatint to he • 'ng bus' th ise at hand
proposal or proposition- a st e •f a mo •f any ind for consideration and action
O.C.G.A. - Official Code of G. .rgia � �; ated
quorum - the number of pers. . hat mu- 1,e present at a meeting of the Commission-
Council to enable it -ganess; seven (7) members of the Commission-
Council shall cons ,- quo m .r any meeting of the Richmond of the Augusta
Richmond County t .ta, Geo •is Commission Council
r-• ackno =s t by the chair, giving a person sole right to speak
•
sid- « in a matter previously disposed of and to vote on it again; must
b- -- on
- Y •ay of business
request - ent to the chair asking a question or some "right"
rescind - a•nullify or cancel out a previous action, cannot be made if action has already
been taken to implement the motion it wishes to rescind
resolution-a formal motion,usually in writing, and introduced by the word"resolved"that
is presented to the
Commission Council for a decision ruling-the chair's decision as it relates to the procedure
of the Commission Council
Page 27 of 28
Rules of Procedure
Augusta,Georgia Richmond County Commission Council
Adopted July 3, 1996
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 w op�'o I issioner
voices objection,with a single objection a vote must be taken
unfinished business- any business that is postponed definit,., • tirm.•
Note-The Rules of Procedure for the conduct oimparliame;s busin- ` *=' 'ng before the
Augusta, Georgia Richmond Commission were firs adopted •y �� ommis on in 1996_and re
adopted Nov. 18, 2003.
Secs. 1-2-14-1-2-25. Reserved. Ne
ry
z.,
s
Page 28 of 28