Council defers adopting standing rules after city attorney flags notice problem

The council paused action on a resolution to adopt Robert’s Rules and standing rules after the assistant city attorney said the item, as written in the packet, likely failed to provide proper notice under the open meetings law.

Assistant City Attorney Vinny Benigno told the council that the standing rules “are actually adopted in ordinance” and that listing them as a resolution in the agenda “is insufficient to provide notice” for a change to an ordinance. The mayor and multiple alderpersons debated options including suspending the rules to act tonight, referring the matter to the rules committee, or scheduling a special meeting to resolve the issue.

Several newly elected members urged more time to review any proposed consolidation of standing committees from six to four. Alder Matt Henneke said he was uncomfortable confirming committee appointments until the council had “the opportunity to discuss the merits of consolidation.” Other alderpersons argued the mayor is expected to appoint committees at the organizational meeting and that the municipal code already lists standing committees.

Because of the notice concern and the mixed views on timing, the council did not take final action on changing standing rules at the meeting; the mayor said the item would be revisited at the council’s next meeting.