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Council votes to amend meeting rules on abstentions and motions for reconsideration; ordinance passes 4–1
Summary
The council amended municipal code sections governing abstentions and the right to request reconsideration to align with Robert’s Rules of Order; the ordinance passed 4–1, with Mayor Burke casting the lone no vote.
The City Council approved an ordinance amending municipal code provisions that govern how abstentions are treated and who may move to reconsider actions, aligning local rules more closely with Robert’s Rules of Order.
City Attorney Fred Galante explained that under Robert’s Rules an abstention is treated as a ‘‘non‑vote’’ and does not count toward the tally; the revised municipal code language brings the city’s ordinance into conformity and clarifies that only members who voted with the prevailing side may later move to reconsider, while allowing an abstaining member the opportunity to change a live vote before the council moves to the next item. (Fred Galante, City Attorney.)
Council debate was briefly contentious. Mayor Burke offered a substitute motion to retain the existing language governing how abstentions are counted, arguing recent events reflected a desire to preserve the prior rule; no one seconded his substitute, and the original motion passed. The ordinance was read by title and approved with four votes in favor and Mayor Burke voting no. (Vote: 4–1; Mayor Burke no.)
Why it matters: the change clarifies voting procedure and the mechanics of post‑vote reconsideration in council proceedings; it may affect how tight votes are counted in future decisions.
What’s next: the city clerk will publish the ordinance and staff will apply the revised rules to future city council proceedings.
