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Panel approves added charter language to give council president authority to maintain meeting decorum
Summary
Commissioners approved an amendment to clarify the president of council's authority to preside, enforce rules of procedure and (with a majority of council) direct the removal of disruptive individuals from meetings.
The Charter Review Commission approved new language clarifying powers of the president of council to preside over meetings, enforce rules of procedure, maintain decorum and, with a majority of council present, direct removal of anyone whose conduct substantially disrupts proceedings.
The proposed 5.03 text specifies that the president ‘‘shall preside at all regular and special meetings’’ but ‘‘shall have no vote therein except in the case of a tie.’’ It adds enforcement tools including verbal warnings, calls for recess, and—with concurrence of a majority—direction to remove disruptive individuals. Commissioners said the language is intended to allow orderly meetings while preserving council oversight.
Why it matters: The change addresses recurring concerns about disorder at public meetings and aims to give the presiding officer clear, charter-backed authority to act while requiring a majority of council to carry out the most intrusive step—removal.
Outcome: The commission voted to approve the proposed text and will include it in the package sent to council for consideration.
