1994-183 Amended by Ordinance No. 98-415
NOTE: Amended by Ordinance No. 96-045
Amended by Ordinance No. 99-028
Amended by Ordinance No. 96-057 Amended by Ordinance No. 2000-420
Amended by Ordinance No. 96-085
Amended by Ordinance No. 2001-193.
Amended by Ordinance No. 96-257
Amended by Ordinance No. 98-246
Amended by Ordinance No. 98-325
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 90-026 RELATING TO RULES OF
PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AND
REPEALING ORDINANCES 93-073, 92-115, AND 90-150; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CI~USE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas, and
Section 2.07 of the city Charter of the city of Denton, Texas,
authorize the city Council of said city to promulgate and establish
rules of procedure to govern and conduct meetings, order of busi-
ness, and decorum, while acting as a legislative body representing
said city; and
WHEREAS, because of its desire to more effectively and effi-
ciently serve the public through the medium of public meetings, it
has become necessary to amend the rules of procedure; NOW,
THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. ordinance Numbers 93-073, 92-115, and 90-150 are
hereby repealed, and Ordinance Number 90-026 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
1. AUTHORITy
1.1 Charter: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07 of
the Charter of the city of Denton, Texas, the city council hereby
enacts these rules of procedure for all meetings of the city
Council of the city of Denton, Texas.
During any meeting, a reasonable opportunity shall be given
for citizens to be heard under these rules. These Rules of
Procedure are enacted as guidelines to be followed by all persons
in the Council Chamber including the city administrative staff,
news media, and visitors.
2. GENERAL RULES
2.1 Meetinqs to be Public: Ail official meetings of the
Council and Council committees and subcommittees, except closed
meetings permitted by the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings
Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vernon 1994), as amended,
shall be open to the public.
2.2 Quorum: Four members of the Council shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. (Charter, Section 2.06)
2.3 Compellinq Attendance: No member shall be excused from
attendance at a Council meeting except for good and valid reasons.
2.4 Misconduct: The Council may punish its own members for
misconduct.
2.5 Minutes of Meetings: An account of all proceedings of
the Council shall be kept by the City Secretary and shall be
entered in a book constituting the official record of the Council.
A certified agenda shall be prepared for all closed meetings and
shall be approved by the Mayor in accordance with Chapter 552, TEX.
GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vernon 1994), as amended.
2.6 Questions to contain One Subject: All questions submit-
ted for a vote shall contain only one subject. If two or more
points are involved, any member may require a division, if the
question reasonably admits of a division.
2.7 Riqht of Floor: Any member desiring to speak shall be
recognized by the Chairperson, and shall confine his or her remarks
to the subject under consideration or to be considered. No member
shall be allowed to speak more than once on any one subject until
every member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
2.8 City Manaqer: The City Manager, or Acting city Manager,
shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused. He or she
may make recommendations to the Council and shall have the right to
take part in all discussions of the Council, but shall have no
vote. (Charter, Section 5.03 (d))
2.9 City Attorney: The City Attorney, or Acting City
Attorney, shall be available upon request for all meetings of the
Council unless excused and shall, upon request, give an opinion,
either written or oral, on questions of law. The City Attorney
shall act as the Council's parliamentarian.
2.10 City Secretary: The city Secretary, or Acting City
Secretary, shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused,
and shall keep the official minutes and perform such other duties
as may be requested by the Council.
2.11 Officers and Employees: Any officer or employee of the
city, when requested by the city Manager, shall attend any meeting
of the Council. If requested to do so by the City Manager, such
employee may present information relating to matters before the
Council.
2.12 Rules of Order: These rules govern the proceedings of
the Council in all cases, except that where these rules are silent,
the most recent Edition of Robert's Rules of Order revised shall
govern.
2.13 Suspension of Rules: Any provision of these rules not
governed by the City Charter or Code may be temporarily suspended
PAGE 2
by the affirmative vote of four members of the Council. The vote
on any such suspension shall be taken by yeas or nays and entered
into the minutes of the Council.
2.14 Amendment of Rules: These rules may be amended, or new
rules adopted by the affirmative vote of four members of the
Council, provided that the proposed amendments or new rules shall
have been introduced before the city Council at a prior Council
meeting.
3. CODE OF CONDUCT
3.1 Councilmembers:
(a) During Council meetings, Councilmembers shall preserve
order and decorum and shall neither by conversation or otherwise
delay or interrupt the proceedings nor refuse to observe the rules
of the Council.
(b) A Councilmember, once recognized, shall not be interrup-
ted while speaking unless called to order by the Mayor or presiding
officer, unless a point of order is raised by another member or the
parliamentarian, or unless the speaker chooses to yield to ques-
tions from another member. If a Councilmember is called to order
while he or she is speaking, he or she shall cease speaking immedi-
ately until the question of order is determined. If ruled to be in
order, he or she shall be permitted to proceed. If ruled to be not
in order he or she shall remain silent or shall alter his or her
remarks so as to comply with rules of the Council.
3.2 Administrative Staff:
(a) Members of the Administrative staff and employees of the
City shall observe the same rules or procedure and decorum applica-
ble to members of the Council, and shall have no voice unless and
until recognized by the Chair.
(b) While the presiding officer shall have the authority to
preserve decorum in meetings as far as staff members and City em-
ployees are concerned, the City Manager also shall be responsible
for the orderly conduct and decorum of all city employees under his
or her direction and control.
(c) The city Manager shall take such disciplinary action as
may be necessary to insure that such decorum is preserved at all
times by city employees in Council meetings.
(d) All remarks and questions addressed to the Council shall
be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to any individual
member thereof.
PAGE 3
(e) No staff member, other than a staff member having the
floor, shall enter into any discussion either directly or indirect-
ly without permission of the presiding officer.
3.3 ~itizens:
(a) citizens are welcome and invited to attend all meetings
of the Council, and will be admitted to the Council Chamber up to
the fire safety capacity of the room.
(b) All citizens will refrain from private conversations in
the Chamber while the Council is in session.
(c) citizens attending Council meetings shall observe the
same rules of propriety, decorum, and good conduct applicable to
the administrative staff. Any person making personal, impertinent,
or slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing
the Council or while attending the Council meeting shall be removed
from the room if the Sergeant-at-Arms is so directed by the presi-
ding officer, and such person shall be barred from further audience
before the Council during that session of the Council.
(d) Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of
feet, applauding, whistles, yells, and similar demonstrations shall
not be permitted by the presiding officer, who shall direct the
Sergeant-at-Arms to remove such offenders from the room. In case
the presiding officer shall fail to act, any member of the Council
may move to require him or her to act to enforce the rules, and the
affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Council shall require
the presiding officer to act.
(e) No placards, banners or signs of any kind will be
permitted in the Council Chamber except exhibits, displays and
visual aids used in connection with presentations to the Council,
provided that such exhibits, displays and visual aids do not
disrupt the meeting.
3.4 Enforcement: The city Manager, in the absence of a
designated law enforcement officer, shall act as Sergeant-at-Arms
for the Council, and shall furnish whatever assistance is needed to
enforce the rules of decorum herein established.
3.5 Seating Arranqement: The city Secretary, City Manager
and city Attorney shall occupy the respective seats in the Council
Chamber assigned to them by the Mayor, but any two or more members
of the Council may exchange seats.
4. TYPE~ OF ~EETIN~S
4.1 Regular Meetinqs: The Council shall meet at seven
o'clock p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month or at any
PAGE 4
other times set by the Council, unless postponed or canceled for
valid reasons. Ail regular meetings of the Council will be held in
the Municipal Building at 215 East McKinney Street, or such loca-
tion as the City Council may by motion, resolution or ordinance
designate.
4.2 Special Meetinq~: Special meetings may be called by the
Mayor, the City Manager, or by any three members of the Council.
The call for a special meeting shall be filed with the City Secre-
tary in written form, and he or she shall post notice thereof as
provided by law.
4.3 Workshop Meetinqs: Workshop meetings or work sessions
may be called using the same procedure required for special meet-
ings. (See Sec. 4.2) The purpose of the workshop meeting is to
discuss or explore matters of interest to the city, to meet with a
City Board, Commission, or Committee Members, City staff or
officers of civic organizations, governing bodies or individuals
specifically invited to the session by the Mayor, Council or city
Manager. These meetings are informational and normally, no final
action shall be taken unless the posted agenda indicates otherwise.
citizens or other interested persons attending the work session
will not be allowed to participate in the session unless invited to
do so by the Mayor. citizens should be advised of the nature of
the work session and that their input may be received and consid-
ered at a regularly scheduled council meeting where the agenda pro-
vides for final action to be taken on the matter. The purpose of
this procedure is to allow the citizens attending the regular
meeting the opportunity of hearing the views of their fellow
citizens in a more formal setting. Any citizen may supply the city
Council a written statement or report regarding the citizen's
opinion on a matter being discussed in a work session. If the
Mayor invites citizens to participate in a work session, their
participation will cease at the point the Mayor closes the session
to public input to allow the Council to give city staff direction
as to needed information for the possible future meeting without
distracting comment from the audience.
4.4 Emergency Meetinqs: In case of emergency or urgent
public necessity, which shall be expressed in the notice of the
meeting, an emergency meeting may be called by the Mayor, the city
Manager or by three members of the Council, and it shall be suf-
ficient if the notice is posted two hours before the meeting is
convened.
4.5 Closed Meetinqs: The Council may meet in a closed
meeting pursuant to the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings
Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vernon 1994), as amended.
PAGE 5
4.6 Recessed Meetinqs: Any meeting of the Council may be
recessed to a later time, provided that no recess shall be for a
longer period than until the next regular meeting.
4.7 Notice of Meetinqs: The agenda for all meetings, inclu-
ding Council Committee or Subcommittee meetings, shall be posted by
the city Secretary on the city's official bulletin board and notice
of all meetings shall be given by the city Secretary pursuant to
the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 TEX.
GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vernon 1994), as amended.
5. P~R~IDIN~ OFFICER ~ND DUTIES
5.1 Presidinq Officer: The Mayor, or in the absence of the
Mayor, the Mayor Pro-Tem, shall preside as chairman, or presiding
officer at all meetings of the Council. In the absence of both the
Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem, the Council shall elect a temporary presi-
ding officer. (Charter, Section 2.03)
5.2 Call to Order: The meetings of the Council shall be
called to order by the Mayor, or in his or her absence, by the
Mayor Pro-Tem. In the absence of both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro-
Tem, the meeting shall be called to order by the city Secretary,
and a temporary presiding officer shall be elected as provided
above.
5.3 Preservation of Order: The presiding officer shall
preserve order and decorum, and confine members in debate to the
question under discussion. The presiding officer shall call upon
the Sergeant-at-Arms as necessary to enforce compliance with the
rules contained herein.
5.4 Points of Order: The presiding officer shall determine
all points of order, subject to the right of any member to appeal
to the Council. If any appeal is taken, the question shall be,
"Shall the decision of the presiding officer be sustained?". If a
majority of the members present vote "No", the ruling of the chair
is overruled; otherwise, it is sustained.
5.5 Questions to be Stated: The presiding officer shall
state all questions submitted for a vote and announce the result.
A roll call vote shall be taken upon the request of any member, and
upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions.
5.6 Substitution for Presidinq officer: The presiding
officer may call any other member to take his or her place in the
chair, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
5.7 Call for Recess: The presiding officer may call for a
recess of up to fifteen (15) minutes at regular intervals of
PAGE 6
approximately one hour at appropriate points in the meeting agenda,
or if requested by any two members.
6. ORDER OF BUSINESS
6.1 Agenda: The order of business of each meeting shall be
as contained in the agenda prepared by the City Manager. The
agenda shall be a listing by topic of subjects to be considered by
the Council. Placement of items on the agenda shall be governed by
this Section and Section 6.3; provided that if a Councilmember has
an "emergency" item that the Councilmember believes should be
placed on the next regular or special meeting agenda, the placement
must be approved by two members of the Agenda Committee. Conduct
of business at special meetings and Council Committees and subcom-
mittees will likewise be governed by an agenda and rules of pro-
cedure contained herein.
6.2 Pledge of Allegiance: Each agenda shall provide an item
for the recital of the "Pledge of Allegiance" at the regularly
scheduled city council meetings.
6.3 Presentations by Members of Council: The agenda shall
provide a time when the Mayor or any Councilmember may bring before
the Council any business that he or she feels should be deliberated
upon by the Council. These matters need not be specifically listed
on the agenda, but discussion and formal action on such matters
shall be deferred until a subsequent Council meeting. Any member
may suggest an item for discussion at a future work session. The
City Manager or city staff shall only respond preliminarily on this
item at the work session. If the city Council believes the item
requires a more detailed review, the Council will give the City
Manager or City Staff direction to place the item on a future regu-
lar meeting agenda and advise staff as to the background materials
to be desired at such meeting.
6.4 Presentation by citizen~:
(a) Any person who wishes to place a subject on the Council
agenda at regular city Council meetings shall advise the City
Manager's office of that fact and the specified subject matter
which he or she desires to place on the agenda no later than 5:00
p.m. Wednesday prior to the Council meeting at which he or she
wishes the designated subject to be considered.
(b) Any person who wishes to address the Council regarding an
item that is on the Council's agenda for a regular or special
meeting, shall complete a "request to speak" form asking to speak
regarding the item and return it to the City Secretary before the
Council considers the item. The Mayor will call upon the citizen
to speak for no longer than three (3) minutes as that particular
PAGE 7
agenda item is considered by the city Council. The provisions of
this paragraph do not apply to persons appearing at a public
hearing in response to an official agenda notice or publication.
(c) Any person who wishes to address the Council at a public
hearing shall complete a "request to speak" form and return it to
the city Secretary before the applicable hearing. The Mayor will
call upon the citizen to speak for no longer than five (5) minutes.
6.5 Time Limits: Speakers before the Council are requested
to limit their remarks to five (5) minutes or less except for
citizens speaking to a non-public hearing agenda item, for which
presentations shall be limited to three (3) minutes or less.
6.6 Oral Presentations bv City Manaqer: Matters requiring
the Council's attention or action which may have developed after
the deadline for delivery of the written communication to the
Council may be presented orally by the city Manager. If formal
Council action on a subject is required, such action may be taken
only if the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act have been
satisfied.
6.7 Presentation of Proclamations: The agenda may provide
a time for the presentation of proclamations. The Mayor or
presiding officer may deliver and present proclamations upon the
request of citizens. Proclamations may encompass any activity or
theme except that proclamations with a theme religious or partisan
in nature shall not be presented. Moreover, proclamations shall
not be used for any commercial or advertising purpose.
7. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONSt AND MOTIONS
7.1 Printed or Typewritten Form: Ail ordinances and resolu-
tions shall be presented to the Council in printed or typewritten
form. The Council may, by proper motion, amend any ordinance or
resolution presented to it and direct that the amended ordinance be
placed on the next Council Agenda for adoption.
7.2 City Attorney to Approve: All ordinances, resolutions,
and contracts and amendments thereto, shall be approved as to form
and legality by the City Attorney, or he or she shall file a writ-
ten opinion on the legality of such ordinance, resolution or con-
tract prior to submission to the Council. (Charter, Section 6.02).
7.3 Distribution of Ordinances and Resolutions: The city
Manager shall prepare copies of all proposed ordinances and
resolutions for distribution to all members of the Council at the
meeting at which the ordinance or resolution is introduced, or at
such earlier time as is expedient.
PAGE 8
7.4 Recording of Votes: The yeas and nays shall be taken
upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions and the vote of
each member shall be recorded in the minutes. (Charter, Section
2.06 (b)).
7.5 Majority Vote Required: An affirmative vote of four (4)
members is necessary to repeal any ordinance or take any official
action in the name of the City except as otherwise provided in the
Charter or by the laws of the State of Texas. (Charterv Section
2.06) .
7.5.1 Tie-Vote: Matters voted on by the city Council which
end in a tie-vote shall automatically be placed on each subsequent
Council meeting agenda until a full Council is present.
7.6 Demand for Roll Call: Upon demand of any member, the
roll shall be called for yeas and nays upon any question before the
Council. It shall not be in order for members to explain their
vote during the roll call.
7.7 Personal Privileqe: The right of a member to address
the Council on a question of personal privilege shall be limited to
cases in which his or her integrity, character, or motives are
assailed, questioned, or impugned.
7.8 Dissents and Protests: Any member shall have the right
to express dissent from or protest against any ordinance or reso-
lution of the Council and have the reason therefore entered upon
the minutes. Such dissent or protest may be filed in writing, and
presented to the Council not later than the next regular meeting
following the date of passage of the ordinance or resolution
objected to.
7.9 Votinq Required: No member shall be excused from voting
except for lack of information and except on matters involving the
consideration of his or her own official conduct, or where his or
her personal interests are involved, and in these instances he or
she shall abstain. Any member prohibited from voting by personal
interest shall announce at the commencement of consideration of the
matter and shall not enter into discussion or debate on any such
matter and shall leave the meeting room. The member having briefly
stated the reason for his or her request, the excuse from voting
shall be made without debate.
7.10 Order of Precedence of Motions:
(a) The following motions shall have priority in the order
indicated:
1. Adjourn (when unqualified) and is not debatable and
may not be amended;
PAGE 9
2. Take a recess (when privileged);
3. Raise a question of privilege;
4. Lay on the table;
5. Previous question (2/3 vote required);
6. Limit or extend limits of debate (2/3 vote re-
quired);
7. Postpone to a certain time;
8. Commit or refer;
9. Amend;
10. Postpone indefinitely;
ll. Main Motion.
(b) The first two motions are not always privileged. To
adjourn shall lose its privilege character and be a main motion if
in any way qualified. To take a recess shall be privileged only
when other business is pending.
(c) A motion to adjourn is not in order:
1. When repeated without intervening business or dis-
cussion;
2. When made as an interruption of a member while
speaking;
3. While a vote is being taken.
(d) Only certain motions may be amended as provided in the
most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, revised. A motion
to amend shall be undebatable when the question to be amended is
undebatable.
7.11 Recons'deration: A motion to reconsider any action of
the Council can be made not later than the next succeeding official
meeting of the Council. Such a motion can only be made by a member
who voted with the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any
member. In order to comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act, any
Councilmember who wishes to make such a motion at a meeting suc-
ceeding the meeting where the action was taken shall notify the
City Manager to place the item for reconsideration on the Council
agenda. No question shall be twice reconsidered, except by unani-
mous consent of the Council, except that action related to any
PAGE 10
contract may be reconsidered at any time before the final execution
thereof. A matter which was not timely reconsidered in the manner
provided by this section or was reconsidered but the action origin-
ally taken was not changed by the Council cannot be reintroduced to
the Council or placed on a Council meeting agenda for a period of
six (6) months unless this rule is suspended as provided for in
these Rules of Procedure.
7.12 The Previous Question: When the previous question is
moved and seconded, it shall be put as follows: "Shall the main
question be now put?". There shall then be no further amendment or
debate; but pending amendments shall be put in their order before
the main question. If the motion for the previous question is
lost, the main question remains before the Council. An affirmative
vote of three-fifths of the Council shall be required to move the
previous question. To demand the previous question is equivalent
in effect to moving "that debate now cease, and the Council immed-
iately proceed to vote on the pending motion". In practice, this
is done with the phrase "Call for the Question", or simply saying
"Question".
7.13 Withdrawal of Motions: A motion may be withdrawn, or
modified, by its movant without asking permission until the motion
has been stated by the Presiding officer. If the movant modifies
his or her motion, the seconding councilmember may withdraw his or
her second. After the question has been stated, the movant shall
neither withdraw it nor modify it without the consent of the Coun-
cil. The subject different from that under consideration shall be
admitted under color of amendment. A motion to amend an amendment
shall be in order, but one to amend an amendment to an amendment
shall not be in order.
7.14 Appropriations of Money: Before formal approval by the
Council of motions providing for appropriation of money, informa-
tion must be presented to the Council showing purpose of the ap-
propriation. In addition, before finally acting on such an ap-
propriation, the Council shall obtain a report from the city
Manager as to the availability of funds and his or her recommenda-
tions as to the desirability of the appropriation.
7.15 Transfer of AnDroDriations: At the request of the city
Manager, and within the last three (3) months of the budget year,
the Council may by resolution transfer an unencumbered balance of
an appropriation made for the use of one department, division, or
purpose; but no transfer shall be made of revenues or earnings of
any non-tax supported public utility to any other purpose.
8. C~TION OF COMMITTEESw BOi%RDS AND COMMISSIONB
8.1 Council Committees: The Council may, as the need
arises, authorize the appointment of the "ad hoc" Council commit-
PAGE 11
tees. Any committee so created shall cease to exist upon the
accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created or
when abolished by a majority vote of the Council.
8.2 citizen Boards, Commissions, and Committees: The
Council may create other Committees, Boards and Commissions to
assist in the conduct of the operation of the City government with
such duties as the Council may specify not inconsistent with the
City Charter or Code. Memberships and selection of members shall
be as provided by the Council if not specified by the city Charter
or Code. Any Committee, Board, or Commission so created shall
cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for
which it was created, or when abolished by a majority of the vote
of the Council. No Committee so appointed shall have powers other
than advisory to the Council or to the city Manager, except as
otherwise specified by the Charter or Code.
8.3 ApDointments:
(a) Individual city Councilmembers making nominations for
members to citizen boards and commissions will consider interested
persons on a citywide basis.
(b) The City Council will make an effort to be inclusive of
all segments of the community in the board and commission appoint-
ment process, city Councilmembers will consider ethnicity, gender,
socio-economic levels, and other factors to ensure a diverse
representation of Denton citizens.
(c) The city Council will take into consideration an individ-
ual's qualifications, willingness to serve, and application infor-
mation in selecting nominations for membership to each board and
commission.
(d) In an effort to ensure maximum citizen participation,
city Councilmembers will continue the general practice of nominat-
ing new citizens to replace board members who have served three
consecutive, full terms on the same board.
(e) Each city Councilmember will be responsible for making
nominations for board and commission places assigned to him or her,
which may correspond to the city Councilmember's place. Individual
city councilmembers will make nominations to the full City council
for the governing body's approval or disapproval.
8.4 Rules of Procedure: Board and Commission members shall
comply with the provisions of Article III of Chapter 2 of the Code
of Ordinances. Each Board shall be provided a copy of these rules
of procedure and each advisory board shall adopt rules of procedure
governing the operation of its board, incorporating Sections 2, 3,
5, and 7 hereof insofar as is possible.
PAGE 12
Questions on which the voting requirement is varied by the
Charter, State Statutes and these rules are listed below:
9.1 Charter and State Statutory Requirements:
(a) Charter Amendment - Five Votes: Ordinances submitting
proposed Charter amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of
the council. (Article XI, Section 3, Texas Constitution and Arti-
cle 1165, Revised civil Statutes). For a seven member Council,
this means five members must vote affirmatively.
(b) Lev¥inq Taxes - Five Votes: Ordinances providing for the
assessment and collection of taxes require the approval of two-
thirds of the members of the Council. (Article 1033, Revised civil
Statutes).
(c) Chanqinq Paving Assessment Plans - Five Votes: Changes
in plans for paving assessment require a two-thirds vote of the
Council. (Article l105b, Section 10, Revised civil Statutes).
(d) Chanqes in Zoning Ordinance or Zoninq Classifications:
In cases of a written protest of a change in a zoning regulation ur
zoning classification by the owners of twenty (20%) percent or more
either of the area of the lots included in such proposed change, or
of the lots immediately adjoining the same and extending two hun-
dred feet (200') therefrom, such amendment shall not become effec-
tive except by the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all
members of the City Council; six (6) votes of the city Council is
required to override the decision of the Planning and Zoning Com-
mission that a zoning change be denied.
10. SEVER~BILITY CLAUSE
That if any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause,
phrase or word in this ordinance, or application thereof to any
person or circumstances is held invalid by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance, and the city Council of the
City of Denton, Texas, hereby declares it would have enacted such
remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~day o~ 1994.
PAGE 13
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPR~ED AS~O LEGAL FORM:
DEBRA A. DRAYOVITCH, CITY ATTORNEY
PAGE 14
E:\WPDOCS\ORD\RULES.PRO
ORDINANCE NO. q[0 - OV~-~
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183 RELATING TO THE RULES OF
PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, BY
PROVIDING THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE AT LEAST
ONE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON EACH ITEM BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 94-183 is hereby amended by
amending section 7.6 Demand for Roll Call to read as follows:
Section 7.6. Demand for Roll Call.
Upon demand of any member, the roll shall be called for
yeas and nays upon any question before the Council, with the
exception of those circumstances set forth in Section 7.12,
The Previous Question. It shall not be in order for members
to explain their vote during the roll call.
SECTION II. That Ordinance No. 94-183 is hereby amended by
amending section 7.12 The Previous Question to read as follows:
Section 7.12. The Previous Question.
When the previous question is moved and seconded, it
shall be put as follows, ,,Shall the main question be now put?"
There shall then be no further amendment or debate, except
that nothinq herein shall allow the previous question to be
called prior to a least one opportunity for each member of the
Council to speak on the question before the Council. Any
pending amendments shall be put in their order before the main
question. If the motion for the previous question is lost,
the main question remains before the Council. An affirmative
vote of 3/5 of the Council shall be required to move the
previous question. To demand the previous question is
equivalent in effect to moving, "That debate now cease, and
the Council shall immediately proceed to vote on the pending
motion." In practice, this is done with the phrase, "Call for
the question" or simply saying, "Question".
SECTION III. That save and except as amended hereby, all the
sections, clauses, and phrases of Ordinance No. 94-183 shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION IV. That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~ day of ~, 1996.
BOB CASTLEBERRY, MAY~ ~
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APP~VED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: ~/~/~~
PAGE 2
E:%WPDOCS\ORD\PLEDGE.O
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183 RELATING TO THE RULES OF
PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, BY
PROVIDING THAT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL INCLUDE BOTH A RECITAL
OF THE PLEDGE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND TO THE TEXAS FLAG; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Denton has determined
that it would be in the public interest to begin each meeting with
a pledge of allegiance to both the United States flag and to the
state flag of Texas; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I, That Ordinance No. 94-183 is hereby amended by
amending Section 6.2 "Pledge of Allegiance" to read as follows:
Section 6.2. Pledge of Allegiance.
Each agenda shall provide an item for the recital of the
"Pledge of Allegiance" at the regularly scheduled Council
meetings. This item shall begin with the recital of the
pledge of allegiance for the United States flag and shall
follow with a recital of the pledge of allegiance for the
Texas state flag in accordance with article 6139(b) of
Vernons Annotated Texas Civil Statutes.
.SECTION II. That save and except as amended hereby, all the
sections, clauses, and phrases of Ordinance No. 94-183 shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION III. That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~-~ day of ~, 1996.
BOg CASTLEBERRY,
ATTEST:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Ho. - OPS-
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION
2~29 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
RELATING TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DENTON, TEXAS, BY PROVIDING CERTAIN RULES ESTABLISHING THE ORDER
OF BUSINESS AND CLARIFYING TIME LIMITS ON PRESENTATIONS BY CITIZENS
BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Attorney General has ruled that the Texas Open
Meetings Act does not entitle the public either to choose the items
to be discussed before the Council or to speak about items on the
agenda; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest to
establish rules providing citizens the right to speak at Council
meetings within certain time limits and under certain rules which
will preserve the. ability of the Council to effectively and
efficiently conduct its public meetings; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 94-183 is hereby amended by
amending Section 6 "Order of Business", sections 6.1 through 6.7,
'inclusive, and amending Section' 2.29 "City Council Procedures:
Order of Business" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton,
to read as follows:
6. ORDER OF BUSINESS
6.1 Aqenda: [2-29(a)] The order of business of each meeting
shall be as contained in the agenda prepared by the City Manager,
which shall be reviewed and approved by an Agenda Committee~
composed of the Mayor, one other member of the City Council
selected by the Council, and the City Manager. The agenda shall be
a listing by topic of subjects to be considered by the Council.
Placement of items on the agenda shall be governed by this Section
and Section 6.3; provided that if a Councilmember has an
"emergency" item that the Councilmember believes should be placed
on the next regular or special meeting agenda, the placement must
be approved by two members of the Agenda Committee. Conduct of
business at special meetings and Council committees and
subcommittees will likewise be governed by an agenda and the rules
of procedure contained herein.
6.2 Pledqe of Allegiance: [2-29(b)] Each agenda shall
provide an item for the recital of the "Pledge of Allegiance" at
the regularly scheduled City Council meetings. This item shall
begin with the recital of the pledge of allegiance for the United
States flag and shall follow with a recital of the pledge of
allegiance for the Texas state flag in accordance with article
6139(b) of Vernons Annotated Texas Civil Statutes.
6.3 Presentations by Members of the Council: [2~29(c)] The
agenda shall provide a time when the Mayor or any Councilmember may
bring before the Council any business that he or she feels should
be deliberated upon by the Council. These matters need not be
specifically listed on the agenda, but discussion and formal action
on such matters shall be deferred until a subsequent Council
meeting. Any member may suggest an item for discussion at a future
work session. The City Manager or City staff shall only respond
preliminarily on this item at the work session. If the City
Council believes the item requires a more detailed review, the
Council will give the City Manager or City staff direction to place
the item on a future regular meeting agenda and advise staff as to
the background materials to be desired at such meeting.
6.4 Presentations by Citizens: [2-29(d)]
(a) gitizen Reports: Any person who wishes to place a
subject on the Council agenda at a regular City Council meeting
shall advise the City Manager's office of that fact and the
specified subject matter which he or she desires to place on the
agenda no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the Council
meeting at which he or she wishes the designated subject to be
considered. A time for such citizen reports shall be provided on
the agenda after the pledge of allegiance, approval of the minutes,
and the presentation of proclamations. Any speaker providing a
citizen report shall speak for no longer than five (5) minutes on
all items that he or she may bring before the Council at each
meeting, unless the Mayor or the majority of the Council grants an
extension of time. No citizen may fill out a "request to speak"
form or have an opportunity to speak or comment on another
citizen's report which is given at the same Council meeting.
(b) Speakinq on Reqular Aqenda Items: Any person who
wishes to address the Council regarding an item that is on the
Council's non-consent agenda for a regular or special meeting,
shall complete a "request to speak" form asking to speak regarding
~the item and return it to the City Secretary before the Council
considers the item. The Mayor will call upon the citizen to speak
for no longer than three (3) minutes as that particular agenda item
is considered by the City Council. The provisions of this para-
graph do not apply to persons appearing at a public hearing in
response to an official agenda notice or publication, nor shall any
person have a right to speak or provide input on consent agenda
items, unless such items are removed from the consent agenda and
placed on the regular agenda by the City Council. The provisions
of this paragraph also do not apply to workshop meetings, and a
citizen's right to speak and provide input at those meetings shall
be limited and controlled by Section 4.3 ,'Workshop Meetings" of
this ordinance.
(c) Speakinq at Public Hearings: Any person who wishes
to address the Council at a public hearing shall complete a
Page 2
"request to speak" form and return it to the City Secretary before
the applicable hearing. The Mayor will call upon the citizen to
speak for no longer than five (5) minutes.
6.5 Time Limits: [2-29(e)] Speakers before the Council
shall limit their remarks to five (5) minutes or less for public
hearing items and citizen reports. Citizens speaking to a non-
public hearing agenda item shall limit their presentations to three
(3) minutes or less.
6.6 Oral Presentations by City Manaqer: [2-29(f)] Matters
requiring the Council's attention or action which may have
developed after the deadline for delivery of the written
communication to the Council may be presented orally by the City
Manager. If formal Council action on a subject is required, such
action may be taken only if the provisions of the Texas Open
Meetings Law have been satisfied.
6.7 Presentation of Proclamations: [2-29(g)] The agenda may
provide a time for the presentation of proclamations. The Mayor or
presiding officer may deliver and present proclamations upon the
request of citizens. Proclamations may encompass any activity or
theme except that proclamations with a theme religious or partisan
in nature shall not be presented.. Moreover, proclamations shall
not be used for any commercial or advertising purpose.
SECTION II. That save an except as amended hereby, all of the
sections, clauses, and phrases of Ordinance No. 94-183, as amended,
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION III. That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the~day of ~ , 1996.
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPJOIEi 5 LE 2
HER~F~RT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Page 3
ORDINANCE NO. ~-~57
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING
SECTION 2.6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL BY
AUTHORIZING THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE APPROVED BY ONE MOTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR RETROACTIVE
EFFECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, because of the City Council's desire to more
effectively and efficiently serve the public through the medium of
public meetings, the Council deems it in the public interest to
amend the Rules of Procedure; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 94-183, as amended, is hereby
amended by amending Section 2.6 "Questions to Contain One Subject"
to read as follows:
2.6 All questions submitted for a vote shall contain one
subject, except the City Council may approve all items which are on
the consent agenda in one motion, regardless of how many subjects
are cOntained in the consent agenda, so long as all items have been
properly posted in accordance With the Texas Open Meetings Act and
have not been removed from the consent agenda by a councilmember.
If two or more points are involved, any member may require a
.division, if the question reasonably admits of a division.
SECTION II. That save and except as amended hereby, all the
sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, and phrases of Ordinance
No. 94-183, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION III. That this ordinance take effect from and after
October 1, 1996, immediately upon its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 5~day of ~ 1996.
JA~K~
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 94-183 AND 96-085, AS AMENDED,
AND SECTION 2-29(d) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DENTON,
TEXAS, THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DENTON, TEXAS, BY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK
BOTH ON REGULAR AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS; AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest to amend its rules of order to
provide for the opportunity for citizens to speak both on regular agenda and consent agenda
items; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance Nos. 94-183 and 96-085 are hereby amended by amending
Section 6.4(b) "Presentations by Citizens" and amending Section 2-29(d) "City Council Proce-
dures: Order of Business - Presentations by Citizens" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Denton, Texas to read as follows:
See. 6.4(b). Presentations by Citizens.
Sec. 2-29(d). City Council Procedures: Order of Business - Presentations by Citizens.
Speaking on Regular Agenda and Consent Agenda Items: Any person who wishes to ad-
dress the Council regarding an item that is on the Council's agenda for a regular or spe-
cial meeting, shall complete a "request to speak" form asking to speak regarding the item
and rettun it to the City Secretary before the Council considers the item. The Mayor will
call upon the citizen to speak for no longer than three (3) minutes as that particular
agenda item is considered by the City Council. The provisions of this paragraph do not
apply to persons appearing at a public hearing in response to an official agenda notice or
publication. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to workshop meetings, and a
citizen's right to speak and provide input at those meetings shall be limited and controlled
by Section 4.3 "Workshop Meetings" of this ordinance.
SECTION II. That save and except as an~ended hereby, all of the sections, clauses, and
phrases of Ordinance Nos. 94-183 and 96-057 and Section 2-29 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Denton shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION III. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ]~7~ day of~~_, 1998.
JAC~I'LLER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPR~)VED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Page 2
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183, AS AMENDED, TIlE RULES
AND PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, BY
ESTABLISHING THE TIME FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Conncil deems it in the public interest to establish rules to change
the times of regular City Council meetings; NOW, THEREFORE,
'FilE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I: That Ordinance No. 94-183, as amended, is hereby amended by amending
Section 4.1 "Regular Meetings" to read as follows:
4-1. Regnlar Meetings: The Council shall meet at six o'clock p.m. on the first and third
Tuesday of each month, with executive sessions (closed meetings) of the Conncil
commencing at five fifteen o'clock p.m., or at any other time set by the Council, uuless
the meeting is postponed or cancelled for valid reasons. All regular meetings of the
Council will be held in the Municipal Building at 215 East McKinney Street, or at such
other location as the City Council may, by motion, resolution or ordinance from ti~ne to
time designate.
SECTION 1I. That save and except as ameoded hereby, all of the sectious, subsections,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of Ordinance No. 94-183, as amended, shall remain in fidl force
and effect.
SECTION IlL That this ordinance shall become effective ira. mediately upon its passage
and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the b ¢ day of (~)~)-/,QP~) , 1998.
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
(/
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: _ ·.
PAGE 2
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 96-014, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, BY PROVIDING CERTAIN
RULES ESTABLISHING DECORUM, BEHAVIOR, AND SECURITY REGARDING CITI-
ZENS' BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A
PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $500.00; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTWE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it in the public interest to amend its Rules of Proce-
dure to preserve order and decorum and security during City Council meetings, which will help
preserve the ability of the City Council to effectively and efficiently conduct its public meetings;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY O13 DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 96-014, as amended, is hereby amended by amending
Section 3.3 "Citizens" of Section 3 "Code of Conduct", to read as follows:
3.3 Citizens:
a. Citizens and other visitors are welcome to attend all public meetings of the City
~2ouneil, and wilt be admitted to the City Council Chamber or other room in
x4hieh the City Council is m6eting, up to the fire safety capacity of the room.
b. All meeting attendees shall conduct themselves with propriety and decorum.
Conversations between or among audience members should be conducted outside
the meeting room. Attendees will refrain from excessively loud private conversa-
tions while the Council is in session.
c. Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of the feet, applauding, whis-
tles, yells, and similar demonstrations shall not be p~,mitted.
d. Placards, banners, or sJ~., will not be permitted in the City Council Chamber or
in any other room in which the City Council is meeting. Exhibits, displays, and
visual aids used in connection with presentations to the City Council, however,
are permitted.
e. Audience members may not place their feet on any chairs in the City Council
Chamber or other room in which the City Council is meeting.
f. Only City Council members and City staffmay step on to the dais.
g. All people wishing to address the City Council shall first be recognized by the
presiding oftieer and shall limit their remarks to the matter under discussion.
h. All remarks and questions addressed to the City Council shall be addressed to the
City Council as a whole and not to any individual members.
i. Any person addressing the City Council in the City Council Chamber shall do so
from the lectern unless physically unable to do so. People addressing the City
Council shall not be permitted to approach the dais. If they wish to hand out pa-
pers or other materials to the City Council, they should express that desire to the
presiding officer, and the City Manager shall direct a staffmember to hand out the
materials.
j. When the time has expired fora presentation to the City Council, the presiding of-
fleer shall direct the person speaking to cease. A second request from the presid-
ing officer to cease, speaking shall be cause of the removal of the speaker if that
person continues to speak.
k. Equipment, apparatus, or paraphemalia such as camera tripods, easels, or wheel-
chairs shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise be located in the doorway, entrance-
way, or walkways of the City Council Chamber or of any other room in which the
City Council may choose to meet. Representatives of the electronic media may
set up cameras and other equipment only in the back of the room, It is permissi-
ble for television camera operators to film for short periods of time (several min-
' utes) from the entranceway to the City Council Chambers using hand-held cam-
era only; Any radio station, which broadcasts the regular City Council meetings
live may hook their equipment up at the front of the room as long as it remains
out of sight and out of the way.
1. There will be a uniformed City of Denton police officer present at all regular
meetings of the City Council. This police officer shall act in the capacity of a se-
curity officer/sergeant-at-arms, and shall enforce tho meeting rules and act upon
tho direction of the presiding officer.
m. Any person making personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks, or who
becomes b6isterous while addressing the City Council or who otherwise violates
. any of the above-mentioned rules while attending a City Council meeting shall be
removed from the room at the direction of the presiding officer, and the person
shall be barred from further audience before the City Council during that session
of the city Council. I/the presiding officer fails to ac~, any member of the City
Council may move to require the offending person's removal, and the affirmative
vote of a majority of the City Council shall require the presiding officer to act.
The sergeant-at-arms, if so directed by the presiding officer or an affumative vote
of the majority of the City Council, shall remove the offending person from the
meeting.
Page 2
SECTION II. That any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall, upon convic-
tion, be fined a sum not exceeding $500.00. Each day that a provision of this ordinance is violated
shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
SE(~TION III. That save and except as amended hereby, all of the remaining sections,
subsectiOns, paragraphs, and sentences of Ordinance No. 96-014, as amended, shall remain in
full force and effect.
SECTION IV. That if any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or
WOrd in this ordinance, or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid by
any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance, the City Council of the City of Denton hereby declares that they
would have enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
SEC~ON W. That this ordinance shall become effective fourteen (14) days fi.om the
date of its passage, and the City Secretary is hereby directed to eanse the caption of this ordi-
nance to be published twice in the Denton Record-Chronicle, a daily newspaper published in the
City of Denton, Texas, within ten (10) days of the ,.~te of its passa/~e.
· ~ 1998.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~ dayof ~~
JAC~LER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
· ~ '
APPI~VED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Page 3
ORDINANCE NO. Oq-~,.f g
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 98-415 BY CORRECTING THE
DESCmTWE CA~T~ON OF THE ORDINANCE AND SECTIONS ~ A~ IH TO CHANCE
THE REFERENCE TO ORDINANCE NO. 96-014 TO 94-183, AS AMENDED; PROVIDING
A SEVE~,AB~UT¥ CLAUSE; PROVn~IN~ A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROV~IN~ FOR A
PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $$00.00; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No, 98-415, which amended the Council's Rules of Procedure to
preserve order, decorum, and security during City Council meetings, needs to be amended due to
an incorrect reference to Ordinan¢~ No. 96-014, which needs to be changed to Ordinance No. 94-
183; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Ordinance No. 98-415 is hereby amanded by changing the references
in the caption of the ordinance and Sections I and III from Ordinance No. 96-014 to Ordinance
No. 94-183, as amended.
SECTION II. That if any s~tion, subsection, paragraph, s~nt~nce, clause, phrase, or
word in this ordinance, or application th~eof to any parson or circumstance is held inValid by
any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this ordinance, the City Council of the City of Denton hereby declares that they
.would have enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
SECTION IH. That save and except as amended hereby, all of the sections, clauses, and
phrases of Ordinance No. 98-415, as amended shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION IV. That any person violating any provision of Ordinance No. 98-415, as
amended, shall, upon conviction, be freed a sum not exceeding $500.00. Each day a provision of
this ordinance is violated shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
~ That this ordinance shall become effective fourteen (14) days from the
date of its passage, and tile City Secretary is hereby directed to cause the following descriptive
caption of Ordlna~Ce No. 9841~, as emended, to be published twice in the Denton Record-
Chronicle, a daily newspaper published in the City of Denton, Texas, within ten (10) days of the
date of the pammse of this ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183, AS AMENDED,
RELATING TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, BY
PROVIDING CERTAIN RULES ESTABLISHING DECORUM, BEHAVIOR,
AND sECURITY REGARDING CITIZENS' BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT AT
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY NOT
TO EXCEED $~00.00; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ,~,q'/~ day of ,1999.
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
Page 2
S:\Our Documents\Ordinances\00kSpecial Meetings Of Council.doc
ORDINANCE NO. ~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 4.2 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 94-183 AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER OR THREE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING; RATIFYING MEETINGS AND
ACTIONS OF THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER OR THREE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CALLING A MEETING AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION; AND TO DESG1NATE A
LOCATION FOR A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: Ordinance No. 94-183, Section 4.2 is amended to read as follows:
4.2 Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, the City Manager, or
by any three members of the Council. The call for a special meeting shall be filed with the City
Secretary in written form, and he or she shall post notice thereof as provided by the Texas Open
Meetings Act, Tex. Gov't. Code Ann. {}351.001, et seq (Vernon 1994, as amended). The Mayor,
City Manager, or three of the council members may designate a location for the special meeting
as long as the location is open to the public.
SECTION 2: All previous meetings and all actions by the Mayor, City Manager or three
members of the council in calling a meeting at a location other than city hall are hereby affirmed,
ratified and approved;
SECTION 3: All ordinances that conflict with this ordinance, including Section III of
Ordinance No. 97-220, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4: That this ordinance shall become effective on November 1, 2000.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the /~ ~'t- day of ~x[ax/torw~e_r ,2000.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
· . S:\Our Documents\Ordinances\OO\Special Meetings Of Council,doc
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY:
S:\Our Documents\Ordinances\OO\Special Meetings Of Council.doe
ORDINANCE NO. ~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 4.2 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 94-183 AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER OR THREE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING; RATIFYING MEETINGS AND
ACTIONS OF THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER OR THREE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CALLING A MEETING AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION; AND TO DESGINATE A
LOCATION FOR A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: Ordinance No. 94-183, Section 4.2 is amended to read as follows:
4.2 Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, the City Manager, or
by any three members of the Council. The call for a special meeting shall be filed with the City
Secretary in written form, and he or she shall post notice tbereof as provided by the Texas Open
Meetings Act, Tex. Gov't. Code Ann. §351.001, et seq (Vernon 1994, as amended). The Mayor,
City Manager, or three of the council members may designate a location for the special meeting
as long as the location is open to the public.
SECTION 2: All previous meetings and all actions by the Mayor, City Manager or three
members of the council in calling a meeting at a location other than city hall are hereby affirmed,
ratified and approved;
SECTION 3: All ordinances that conflict with this ordinance, including Section III of
Ordinance No. 97-220, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4: That this ordinance shall become effective on November 1,2000.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the ~7~t~ dayof ~ov~r,~,~el'' ,2000.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
S:\Our Documents\Ordinances\00\Special Meetings Of Council.doc
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY:
ORDINANCE NO./-~ ~/-"/~2,_.~
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 94-183 AND SECTION 2-29 OF THE CITY
CODE RELATING TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DENTON, TEXAS, AND ALL AMENDING ORDINANCES AND REPEALING AND
CONSOLIDATING ORDINANCES 76-48, 81-35, 90-026, 90-150, 90-150, 92-115, 93-073, 94-
183, 96-045, 96-057, 96-085, 96-257, 98-246, 98-325, 98-415, 99-028 AND 2000-420;
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas, and Section 2.07 of the City
Charter of the City of Denton, Texas, authorize the City Council of said City to promulgate and
establish rules of procedure to govern and conduct meetings, order of business, and decorum, while
acting as a legislative body representing said City; and
WHEREAS, because of its desire to more effectively and efficiently serve the public
through the medium of public meetings, it has become necessary to amend and consolidate all
amendments of the City Council Rules of Procedure; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, HEREBY ORDAINS:
RECTION 1. That Ordinance Numbers 94-183, 96-045, 96-057, 96-085, 96-257, 98-246,
98-325, 98-415, 99-028, and 2000-420 and Section 2-29 of the City Code (Rules 6-2-6-7)are
hereby amended and consolidated into one Ordinance known as the Denton City Council Rules of
Procedure to read as follows:
1. AIITHORITV
1.1 Char~er: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07 of the Charter of the City of
Denton, Texas, the City Council hereby enacts these roles of procedure for all meetings of the City
Council of the City of Denton, Texas.
During any meeting, a reasonable opportunity shall be given for citizens to be heard under
these rules. These Rules of Procedure are ~nacted as guidelines to be followed by all persons in the
Council Chamber including the city administrative staff, news media, and visitors.
2. GENERAI, RIll,ES
2.1 Meetings to be Public: All official meetings of the Council and Council
committees and subcommittees, except closed meetings permitted by the provisions of the Texas
Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vemons Annotated Texas Civil
Statutes 1999 (Vernons), as amended, shall be open to the public.
PAGE 1
2.2 Quorum: Four members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. (Charter, Section 2.06)
2.3 Compelling A,endance: No member shall be excused lkom attendance at a
Council meeting except for good and valid reasons.
2.4 Misenndnct: The Council may punish its own members for misconduct.
2.5 Minutes nf Meeting.q: An account of all proceedings of the Council shall be kept
by the City Secretary and shall be entered in a book constituting the official record of the Council.
A certified agenda shall be prepared for all closed meetings and shall be approved by the Mayor in
accordance with Chapter 552, TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN. (Vemons 1999), as amended.
2.6 Qne~tion~q tn Contain One Subject: All questions submitted for a vote shall
contain one subject, except the City Council may approve all items which are on the consent
agenda in one motion, regardless of how many subjects are contained in the consent agenda, so
long as all items have been properly posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act and
have not been removed from the consent agenda by a Councilmember. If two or more points are
involved, any member may require a division, if the question reasonably admits of a division.
2.7 Right of Floor: Any member desiring to speak shall be recognized by the
Chairperson, and shall confine his or her remarks to the subject under consideration or to be
considered. No member shall be allowed to speak more than once on any one subject until every
member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
2.8 City Manager: The City Manager, or Acting City Manager, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused. He or she may make recommendations to the Council and
shall have the right to take part in all discussions of the Council, but shall have no vote. (Charter,
Section 5.03 (d))
2.9 CiW Attorney: The City Attorney, or Acting City Attorney, shall be available
upon request for all meetings of the Council unless excused and shall, upon request, give an
opinion, either written or oral, on questions of law. The City Attorney shall act as the Council's
parliamentarian.
2.10 CiW Secretary.: The City Secretary, or Acting City Secretary, shall attend all
meetings of the Council unless excused, and shall keep the official minutes and perform such other
duties as may be requested by the Council.
2.11 IDffieem and F, mployee~q: Any officer or employee of the City, when requested by
the City Manager, shall attend any meeting of the Council. If requested to do so by the City
Manager, such employee may present information relating to matters before the Council.
PAGE 2
2.12 R,le~ nf Order: These roles govern the proceedings of the Council in all cases,
except that where these roles are silent, the most recent Edition of Robert's Rules of Order revised
shall govern.
2.13 Sugpen~qion of Rnle~: Any provision of these roles not governed by the City
Charter or Code may be temporarily suspended by the affirmative vote of four members of the
Council. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by yeas or nays and entered into the
minutes of the Council.
2.14 Amendment of Rules: These roles may be amended, or new rules adopted by the
affirmative vote of four members of the Council, provided that the proposed amendments or new
roles shall have been introduced before the City Council at a prior Council meeting.
3. CODE OF CONDIICT
3.1 Conncilmembem:
a. During Council meetings, Councilmembers shall preserve order and decorum and
shall neither by conversation or otherwise delay or interrupt the proceedings nor refuse to observe
the rules of the Council.
b. A Councilmember, once recognized, shall not be interrupted while speaking unless
called to order by the Mayor or presiding officer, unless a point of order is raised by another
member or the parliamentarian, or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another
member. If a Councilmember is called to order while he or she is speaking, he or she shall cease
speaking immediately until the question of order is determined. If ruled to be in order, he or she
shall be permitted to proceed. If ruled not to be in order he or she shall remain silent or shall alter
his or her remarks so as to comply with rules of the Council.
3.2 P, dmlni~trative Staff.'
a. Members of the Administrative staff and employees of the City shall observe the
same rules or procedure and decorum applicable to members of the Council, and shall have no
voice unless and until recognized by the Chair.
b. While the presiding officer shall have the authority to preserve decorum in
meetings as far as staffmembers and City employees are concerned, the City Manager also shall be
responsible for the orderly conduct and decorum of all City employees under his or her direction
and control.
c. The City Manager shall take such disciplinary action as may be necessary to insure
that such decorum is preserved at all times by City employees in Council meetings.
PAGE 3
d. All remarks and questions addressed to the Council shall be addressed to the
Council as a whole and not to any individual member thereof.
e. No staff member, other than a staff member having the floor, shall enter into any
discussion either directly or indirectly without permission of the presiding officer.
3.3 Citlzen~:
a. Citizens and other visitors are welcome to attend all public meetings of the City
Council, and will be admitted to the City Council Chamber or other room in
which the City Council is meeting, up to the fire safety capacity of the room.
b. All meeting attendees shall conduct themselves with propriety and decorum.
Conversations between or among audience members should be conducted outside
the meeting room. Attendees will refrain from excessively loud private
conversations while the Council is in session.
c. Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of the feet, applauding,
whistles, yells, and similar demonstrations shall not be permitted.
d. Placards, banners, or signs will not be permitted in the City Council Chamber or
in any other room in which the City Council is meeting. Exhibits, displays, and
visual aids used in connection with presentations to the City Council, however,
are permitted.
e. Audience members may not place their feet on any chairs in the City Council
Chamber or other room in which the City Council is meeting.
f. Only City Council members and City staffmay step on to the dais.
g. All people wishing to address the City Council shall first be recognized by the
presiding officer and shall limit their remarks to the matter under discussion.
h. All remarks and questions addressed to the City Council shall be addressed to the
City Council as a whole and not to any individual members.
i. Any person addressing the City Council in the City Council Chamber shall do so
from the lectern unless physically unable to do so. People addressing the City
Council shall not be permitted to approach the dais. If they wish to hand out
papers or other materials to the City Council, they should express that desire to
the presiding officer, and the City Manager shall direct a staffmember to hand out
PAGE 4
the materials.
j. When the time has expired for a presentation to the City Council, the presiding
officer shall direct the person speaking to cease. A second request from the
presiding officer to cease speaking shall be cause of the removal of the speaker if
that person continues to speak.
k. Equipment, apparatus, or paraphernalia such as camera tripods, easels, or
wheelchairs shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise be located in the doorway,
entranceway, or walkways of the City Council Chambers or of any other room in
which the City Council may choose to meet. Representatives of the electronic
media may set up cameras and other equipment only in the back of the room. It is
permissible for television camera operators to film for short periods of time
(several minutes) from the entranceway to the City Council Chambers using hand-
held cameras only. Any radio station, which broadcasts the regular City Council
meetings live may hook their equipment up at the front of the room as long as it
remains out of sight and out of the way.
1. There will be a uniformed City of Denton police officer present at all regular
meetings of the City Council. This police officer shall act in the capacity ora
security officer/sergeant-at-arms, and shall enforce the meeting rules and act upon
the direction of the presiding officer.
m. Any person making personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks, or who
becomes boisterous while addressing the City Council or who otherwise violates
any of the above-mentioned rules while attending a City Council meeting shall be
removed from the room at the direction of the presiding officer, and the person
shall be barred from further audience before the City Council during that session
of the City Council. If the presiding officer fails to act, any member of the City
Council may move to require the offending person's removal, and the affirmative
vote of a majority of the City Council shall require the presiding officer to act.
The sergeant-at-arms, if so directed by the presiding officer or an affirmative vote
of the majority of the City Council, shall remove the offending person from the
meeting.
3.4 Enforcement: The City Manager, in the absence of a designated law enfomement
officer, shall act as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Council, and shall furnish whatever assistance is
needed to enforce the rules of decorum herein established.
3.5 Seating Arrangement: The City Secretary, City Manager and City Attorney shall
occupy the respective seats in the Council Chamber assigned to them by the Mayor, but any two or
more members of the Council may exchange seats.
PAGE 5
4. TYPES OF MEETING~
4.1 Regnlar Meetings: The Council shall meet at six o'clock p.m. on the first and
third Tuesday of each month, with executive sessions (closed meetings) of the Council
commencing at five fifteen o'clock p.m., or at any other time set by the Council, unless the meeting
is postponed or cancelled for valid reasons. All regular meetings of the Council will be held in the
Municipal Building at 215 East McKinney Street, or at such other location as the City Council may,
by motion, resolution or ordinance fi'om time to time designate.
4.2 Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, the City
Manager, or by any three members of the Council. The call for a special meeting shall be filed with
the City Secretary in written form, and he or she shall post notice thereof as provided by the Texas
Open Meetings Act, [Chapter 55] TEX. GOV'T. CODE ANN., (Vemons 1999, as amended). The
Mayor, City Manager, or three of the council members may designate a location for the special
meeting other than the Municipal Building as long as the location is open to the public.
4.3 3~5:a~3~etmgs: Workshop meetings or work sessions may be called using
the same procedure required for special meetings. (See Sec. 4.2) The purpose of the workshop
meeting is to discuss or explore matters of interest to the City, to meet with City Board,
Commission, or Committee Members, City staff or officers of civic organizations, governing
bodies or individuals specifically invited to the session by the Mayor, Council or City Manager.
These meetings are informational and normally, no final action shall be taken unless the posted
agenda indicates otherwise. Citizens or other interested persons attending the work session will not
be allowed to participate in the session unless invited to do so by the Mayor. Citizens should be
advised of the nature of the work session and that their input may be received and considered at a
regularly scheduled council meeting where the agenda provides for final action to be taken on the
matter. The purpose of this procedure is to allow the citizens attending the regular meeting the
opportunity of hearing the views of their fellow citizens in a more formal setting. Any citizen may
supply the City Council a written statement or report regarding the citizen's opinion on a matter
being discussed in a work session. If the Mayor invites citizens to participate in a work session,
their participation will cease at the point the Mayor closes the session to public input to allow the
Council to give City staff direction as to needed information for the possible future meeting without
distracting comment from the audience.
4.4 F~mergeney Meetings: In case of emergency or urgent public necessity, which
shall be expressed in the notice of the meeting, an emergency meeting may be called by the Mayor,
the City Manager or by three members of the Council, and it shall be sufficient if the notice is
posted two hours before the meeting is convened.
4.5 Closed Meetings: The Council may meet in a closed meeting pursuant to the
requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vemons
1999), as amended.
PAGE 6
4.6 ~: Any meeting of the Council may be recessed to a later time,
provided that no recess shall be for a longer period than until the next regular meeting.
4.7 Notice of Meetings: The agenda for all meetings, including Council Committee or
Subcommittee meetings, shall be posted by the City Secretary on the City's official bulletin board
and notice of all meetings shall be given by the City Secretary pursuant to the requirements of the
Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. (Vemons 1999, as amended.)
5. PRE~qlDING OFFICER AN[} DIITIE~q
5.1 Presiding Officer: The Mayor, or in the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pm-
Tern, shall preside as chairman, or presiding officer at all meetings of the Council. In the absence
of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem, the Council shall elect a temporary presiding officer.
(Charter, Section 2.03)
5.2 Call tn Order: The meetings of the Council shall be called to order by the Mayor,
or in his or her absence, by the Mayor Pro-Tem. In the absence of both the Mayor and the Mayor
Pro-Tern, the meeting shall be called to order by the City Secretary, and a temporary presiding
officer shall be elected as provided above.
5.3 Preservation of Order: The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum,
and confine members in debate to the question under discussion. The presiding officer shall call
upon the Sergeant-at-Arms as necessary to enforce compliance with the roles contained herein.
5.4 Points of Order: The presiding officer shall determine all points of order, subject
to the right of any member to appeal to the Council. If any appeal is taken, the question shall be,
"Shall the decision of the presiding officer be sustained?". If a majority of the members present
vote "No", the ruling of the chair is overruled; otherwise, it is sustained.
5.5 Qne~tion~ to he Stated: The presiding officer shall state all questions submitted
for a vote and announce the result. A roll call vote shall be taken upon the request of any member,
and upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions.
5.6 Substitution for Presiding Officer: The presiding officer may call any other
member to take his or her place in the chair, such substitution not to continue beyond adjournment.
5.7 Call for Recess: The presiding officer may call for a recess of up to fifteen (15)
minutes at regular intervals of approximately one hour at appropriate points in the meeting agenda,
or if requested by any two members.
PAGE 7
6. ORDER OF RllglNEgg (Section 2-29 of the City Code "City Council Procedures;
Order of Business")
6.1 (2-29(a)) Agenda: The order of business of each meeting shall be as cuntaincd in the
agenda prepared by the City Manager, which shall be reviewed and approved by an Agenda
Committee composed of the Mayor, one other member of the City Council selected by the Council,
and the City Manager. The agenda shall be a listing by topic of subjects to be considered by the
Council. When items are removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda by
members of the Council, the removed items shall be taken up in the order of removal right alter the
consent agenda. Placement of items on the agenda shall be governed by this Section and Section
6.3; provided that if a Councilmember has an "emergency" item that the Councilmember believes
should be placed on the next regular or special meeting agenda, the placement must be approved by
two members of the Agenda Committee. Conduct of business at special meetings and Council
Committees and subcommittees will likewise be governed by an agenda and these Rules of Pro-
cedure.
6.2 (2-29(b)) Pledge of Allegiance: Each agenda shall provide an item for the recital of the
"Pledge of Allegiance" at the regularly scheduled city council meetings. This item shall begin with
the recital of the pledge of allegiance for the United States flag and shall follow with a recital of the
pledge of allegiance for the Texas state flag in accordance with article 6139 (b) of Vemons
Annotated Texas Civil Statutes.
6.3 (2-29(c)) Presentations hy MemBers of Council: The agenda shall provide a time when
the Mayor or any Councilmember may bring before the Council any business that he or she feels
should be deliberated upon by the Council. These matters need not be specifically listed on the
agenda, but discussion and formal action on such matters shall be deferred until a subsequent
Council meeting. Any member may suggest an item for discussion at a future work session. The
City Manager or city staff shall only respond preliminarily on this item at the work session. If the
City Council believes the item requires a more detailed review, the Council will give the City Man-
ager or City Staff direction to place the item on a future regular meeting agenda and advise staff as
to the background materials to be desired at such meeting.
6.4 (2-29(d)) Pre~ent~tinn by Citi~eng:
a. (2-29(d)(i)) Citizen Repartg: Any person who wishes to place a subject on the Council
agenda at regular City Council meetings shall advise the City Manager's office of that fact and the
specified subject matter which he or she desires to place on the agenda no later than 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday prior to the Council meeting at which he or she wishes the designated subject to be
considered. A time for such citizen reports shall be provided on the agenda after the pledge of
allegiance, approval of the minutes, and the presentation of proclamations. Any speaker providing
a citizen report shall speak for no longer than five (5) minutes on all items that he or she may bring
before the Council at each meeting, unless the Mayor or the majority of the Council grants an
extension of time. No citizen may fill out a "request to speak" form or have an opportunity to
PAGE 8
speak or comment on another citizen's report which is given at the same Council meeting.
b. (2-29(d)(ii)) Speaking on Regnlar ant[ I~an~qent Agenda ltem~: Any person who wishes
to address the Council regarding an item that is on the Council's agenda for a regular or special
meeting, shall complete a "request to speak" form asking to speak regarding the item and return it
to the City Secretary before the Council considers the item. The Mayor will call upon the citizen to
speak for no longer than three (3) minutes as that particular agenda item is considered by the City
Council. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to persons appearing at a public hearing in
response to an official agenda notice or publication. The provisions of this paragraph also do not
apply to workshop meetings, and a citizen's right to speak and provide input at those meetings shall
be limited and controlled by Section 4.3 "Workshop Meetings" of this ordinance.
c. (2-29(d)(iii)) Any person who wishes to address the Council at a public hearing shall
complete a "request to speak" form and tatum it to the City Secretary before the applicable hearing.
The Mayor will call upon the citizen to speak for no longer than five (5) minutes.
6.5 (2-29(e)) Time l,imit~q: Speakers before the Council shall limit their remarks to five (5)
minutes or less for public hearing items and citizen reports. Citizens speaking to a non-public
hearing agenda item shall limit their presentations to three (3) minutes or less.
6.6 (2-29(0) Oral Pre~entatlons hy City Manager: Matters requiring the Council's attention
or action which may have developed after the deadline for delivery of the written communication to
the Council may be presented orally by the City Manager. If formal Council action on a subject is
required, such action may be taken only if the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act have
been satisfied.
6.7 (2-29(g)) Presentation of Proelam~tion~q: The agenda may provide a time for the
presentation of proclamations. The Mayor or presiding officer may deliver and present
proclamations upon the request of citizens. Proclamations may encompass any activity or theme
except that proclamations with a theme religious or partisan in nature shall not be presented.
Moreover, proclamations shall not be used for any commercial or advertising purpose.
7. CON~qIDERATION OF ORDINANCES; RE~qOI,IITION~q: AND MOTION~
7.1 Printed or T~vpewril~en Fnma: All ordinances and resolutions shall be presented to
the Council in printed or typewritten form. The Council may, by proper motion, amend any
ordinance or resolution presented to it and direct that the amended ordinance be placed on the next
Council Agenda for adoption.
7.2 City Attorney to Approve: All ordinances, resolutions, and contracts and
amendments thereto, shall be approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney, or he or she
shall file a written opinion on the legality of such ordinance, resolution or contract prior to
submission to the Council. (Charter, Section 6.02).
PAGE 9
7.3 Disttlbntinn of Ordinances and Resolntinns: The City Manager shall prepare
copies of all proposed ordinances and resolutions for distribution to all members of the Council at
the meefing at which the ordinance or resolution is introduced, or at such earlier time as is
expedient.
7.4 Reeordlng of Votes: The yeas and nays shall be taken upon the passage of all
ordinances and resolutions and the vote of each member shall be recorded in the minutes. (Charter,
Section 2.06 (b)).
7.5 M~ori~ Vote Required: An affirmative vote of four (4) members is necessary to
repeal any ordinance or take any official action in the name of the City except as otherwise
provided in the Charter or by the laws of the State of Texas. (Charter, Section 2.06).
7.5.1 Tie-Vote: Matters voted on by the City Council which end in a tie-vote shall
automatically be placed on each subsequent Council meeting agenda until a full Council is present.
7.6 Demand for Roll C~all: Upon demand of any member, the roll shall be called for
yeas and nays upon any question before the Council, with the exception of tho~e circumstances set
forlh in Section 7.12: The Previotm Question. It shall not be in order for members to explain their
vote during the roll call.
7.7 ~: The right of a member to address the Council on a question of
personal privilege shall be limited to eases in which his or her integrity, character, or motives are
assailed, questioned, or impugned.
7.8 Dissents and Protests: Any member shall have the right to express dissent from or
protest against any ordinance or resolution of the Council and have the reason therefore entered
upon the minutes. Such dissent or protest may be filed in writing, and presented to the Council not
later than the next regular meeting following the date of passage of the ordinance or resolution
objected to.
7.9 Voting Required: No member shall be excused fi~om voting except for lack of
information and except on matters involving the consideration of his or her own official conduct, or
where his or her personal interests are involved in accordance with Chapter 171, TEX. GOV'T.
CODE ANN. (Vemons 1999, as amended), and in these instances he or she shall abstain. Any
member prohibited from voting by personal interest shall announce this at the commencement of
consideration of the matter and shall not enter into discussion or debate on any such matter and
shall leave the meeting room. The member having briefly stated the mason for his or her request,
the excuse from voting shall be made without debate.
PAGE 10
7.10 Order of Precedence of Minions:
a. The following motions shall have priority in the order indicated:
1. Adjourn (~vhen unqualified) and is not debatable and may not be amended;
2. Take a recess (when privileged);
3. Raise a question of privilege;
4. Lay on the table;
5. Previous question (2/3 vote required);
6. Limit or extend limits of debate (2/3 vote required);
7. Postpone to a certain time;
8. Commit or refer;
9. Amend;
10. Postpone indefinitely;
11. Main Motion.
b. The first two motions are not always privileged. To adjourn shall lose its privilege
character and be a main motion if in any way qualified. To take a recess shall be privileged only
when other business is pending.
c. A motion to adjourn is not in order:
1. When repeated without intervening business or discussion;
2. When made as an interruption of a member while speaking;
3. While a vote is being taken.
d. Only certain motions may be amended as provided in the most current edition of
Robert's Rules of Order, revised. A motion to amend shall be undebatable when the question to be
amended is undebatable.
7.11 Reennsiderafion: A motion to reconsider any action of the Council can be made
PAGE 11
not later than the next succeeding official meeting of the Council. Such a motion can only be made
by a member who voted with the prevailing side. It can be seconded by any member. In order to
comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act, any Councilmember who wishes to make such a
motion at a meeting succeeding the meeting where the action was taken shall notify the City
Manager to place the item for reconsideration on the Council agenda. No question shall be twice
reconsidered, except by unanimous consent of the Council, except that action related to any
contract may be reconsidered at any time before the final execution thereof. A matter which was
not timely reconsidered in the manner provided by this section or was reconsidered but the action
originally taken was not changed by the Council cannot be reintroduced to the Council or placed on
a Council meeting agenda for a period of six (6) months unless this nile is suspended as provided
for in these Rules of Procedure.
7.12 The Previous Question: When the previous question is moved and seconded, it
shall be put as follows: "Shall the main question be now put?". There shall then be no further
amendment or debate; except that nothing herein ghall allow the previmm question to he called prior
to a lea~t nne oppommity for each member of the Council to speak on the question Before the
C, ouncil. Any pending amendments shall be put in their order before the main question. If the
motion for the previous question is lost, the main question remains before the Council. An
affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Council shall be required to move the previous question. To demand
the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That debate now cease, and the Council
shall immediately proceed to vote on the pending motion". In practice, this is done with the phrase
"Call for the question", or simply saying "Question".
7.13 Withdrawal ofMotlon~: A motion may be withdra~vn, or modified, by its movant
without asking permission'until the motion has been stated by the Presiding Officer. If the movant
modifies his or her motion, the seconding councilmember may withdraw his or her second. After
the question has been stated, the movant shall neither withdraw it nor modify it without the consent
of the Council. The subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of
amendment. A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order, but one to amend an amendment
to an amendment shall not be in order.
7.14 Appropriations of Money: Before formal approval by the Council of motions
providing for appropriation of money, infomtation must be presented to the Council showing
purpose of the appropriation. In addition, before finally acting on such an appropriation, the
Council shall obtain a report from the City Manager as to the availability of funds and his or her
recommendations as to the desirability of the appropriation.
7.15 Transfer of Appropriations: At the request of the City Manager, at any time
during the fiscal year, the Conncil may by resolution transfer an unencumbered balance of an
appropriation made for the use of one department, division, or purpose; but no transfer shall be
made of revenues or eamings of any non-tax supported public utility to any other purpose.
PAGE 12
8. CRF~ATIf}N OF Cf}MMITTEE,q~. Rf}ARD,q AND COMMI,q,qlCINS
8.1 Conncil Committee~: The Council may, as the need arises, authorize the
appointment of the "ad hoc" Council committees. Any committee so created shall cease to exist
upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for which it was created or when abolished by a
majority vote of the Council.
8.2 Citizen rlnard~; Cotnrnig~ion,~: and Commillees: The Council may create other
Committees, Boards and Commissions to assist in the conduct of the operation of the City
government with such duties as the Council may specify not inconsistent with the City Charter or
Code. Memberships and selection of members shall be as provided by the Council if not specified
by the City Charter or Code. Any Committee, Board, or Commission so created shall cease to exist
upon the accomplishment of the special propose for which it was created, or when abolished by a
majority of the vote of the Council. No Committee so appointed shall have powers other than
advisory to the Council or to the City Manager, except as otherwise specified by the Charter or
Code.
8.3 Appointments:
a. Individual City Councilmembers making nominations for members to citizen boards and
commissions will consider interested persons on a citywide basis.
b. The City Council will make an effort to be inclusive of all segments of the community in
the board and commission appointment process. City Councilmembers will consider ethnicity,
gender, socio-economic levels, and other factors to ensure a diverse representation of Denton
citizens.
c. The City Council will take into consideration an individual's qualifications, willingness
to serve, and application information in selecting nominations for membership to each board and
commission.
d. In an effort to ensure maximum citizen participation, City Councilmembers will
continue the general practice of nominating new citizens to replace board members who have
served three consecutive, full terms on the same board.
e. Each City Councilmember will be responsible for making nominations for board and
commission places assigned to him or her, which may correspond to the City Councilmember's
place. Individual City Councilmembers will make nominations to the full City Council for the
governing body's approval or disapproval.
8.4 Rnles of Procedure: Board and Commission members shall comply with the
provisions of Article III of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances. Each Board shall be provided a
copy of these roles of procedure and each advisory board shall adopt roles of procedure governing
PAGE 13
the operation of its board, incorporating Sections 2, 3, 5, and 7 hereof insofar as is possible.
9. VOTES REQUIRED
Questions on which the voting requirement is varied by the Charter, State Statutes and these
roles are listed below:
9,1 Charier and State Stah~tnry R eqnirements:
a. Charter Amendment - Five Votes: Ordinances submitting proposed Charter
amendments must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. (Article XI, Section 3, Texas
Constitution and Chapter 9, Texas Local Government Code (Vemons 1999, as amended.) For a
seven member Council, this means five members must vote affirmatively.
b. I,evying Taxes - Five Votes: Ordinances providing for the assessment and collection of
certain taxes require the approval of two-thirds of the members of the Council (Section 302.101,
Texas Tax Code) (Vemons, 1999, as amended.)
c. Changing Paving Assessment Plan~ - Five Votes: Changes in plans for paving
assessment require a two-thirds vote of the Council. (Section 313.053(e) Transportation Code,
Vemons 1999, as amended.)
d. Change~ in Znning Ordinance ar Zoning Classifications: In cases of a written
protest of a change in a zoning regulation or zoning classification by the owners of
twenty (20%) percem or mom either of the area of the lots included in such proposed
change, or of the lots immediately adjoining the same and extending two hundred
feet (200') therefrom, such amendment shall not become effective except by the
favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all members of the City Council; six (6) votes
of the City Council is required to override the decision of the Planning and Zoning
Commission that a zoning change be denied.
e. Amendment of Tax Abatement Poling: The guidelines and criteha adopted as the
City's Tax Abatement Policy may be amended or repealed by a vote of three-fourths
(3/4) of all members of the City Council. (Section 312.002(c)) Texas Tax Code
(Vemons 1999, as amended.)
10. SEVERABII,ITV CI,AI JSE
That if any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in this
ordinance, or application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance, and the City Council of the City of Demon, Texas, hereby declares it would have
enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
PAGE 14
~ That Ordinances 74-48, 81-35, 90-026, 90-150, 92-115, and 93-073 are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the/~--~day of ~(/~ , 2001.
EUL1NE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: ~~~
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