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Council debates rules of procedure, considers easing requirements to bring items back
Summary
Council reviewed its rules of procedure and debated whether to rely on Robert's Rules or adjust rules to allow any council member to bring up reconsideration or to reduce the number of members needed to bring a tabled item back; staff will draft proposed amendments for a future meeting.
Council reviewed the city's council rules of procedure (19th revision) and discussed whether to reset to Robert's Rules of Order or to revise the local rules to ease the process for bringing items back from the table. Councilor Richard Olsen urged a 'reset' to Robert's Rules; staff and the city attorney explained that the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) affects how tabling and reconsideration work in practice and that the current rules incorporate TOMA constraints.
Council discussed options including lowering the number of members required to bring a tabled item back or allowing any council member to initiate a motion for reconsideration. The city attorney said staff will draft suggested changes and bring them back for formal action; councilors also discussed conduct expectations during meetings, including discouraging use of phones while people are presenting.
