Council approves multiple rule suspensions to modify agendas, swap committee dates and allow late budget amendments

At the Oct. 20 agenda review the council approved several motions to suspend council rules and amend agendas to accommodate timing needs for upcoming items.

Rule suspensions and agenda changes: Council suspended rules and adopted an amendment without automatic deferral so that special budget ordinance C36771 (SHREC cost reimbursement) could be added to the Oct. 27 agenda. Council also suspended rules to add emergency ordinance C36774 (council employees) to Oct. 27 as an emergency item after adopting the Cathcart amendment.

Committee date swap: Policy staff requested and council approved suspending rules to swap committee meeting dates so finance (FNA) could review budget items at the Nov. 3 meeting and public safety could meet Oct. 27. The motion to swap the October Finance & Administration committee meeting with the November Public Safety committee was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Budget amendment timing: Council approved a motion to suspend rules to permit all proposed amendments to the budget to be considered and adopted by a simple majority vote if circulated no later than noon on the Friday prior to final consideration of the biennial budget, and to allow such amendments to be adopted without deferral of final action. Councilmembers discussed the possibility that the final budget adoption might be deferred; staff said the motion was written to accommodate a later adoption date if necessary.

Councilmembers emphasized the importance of reading motions verbatim and ensuring clarity for the public and members who may not have paper copies of motions. The agenda as modified by these suspensions was approved by voice vote.