Concerned Citized Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:00 PM Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:00 PM I was at our City Council meeting in Ohio. Council has been discussing new legislation that will hopefully become an Ordinance to vote on soon. A member of the City Council made a motion, under new business, (which it is not), to accept the Ordinance "as is" with no further discussion. There is not an Official ordinance, with a number, to vote on yet. The President of Council called a vote and Council voted yes. This is the type of legislation that you would look really bad voting no- on. The other Members of Council are afraid of this guy and were not sure what to do. They all (except the guy who made the weird motion) agree that it needs to be discussed more to work out some kinks. My question is, does the motion to accept the information they had "as is" stand? Is there anything they can do so they can continue to debate and work out the legislation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:05 PM Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:05 PM 1 minute ago, Concerned Citized said: I was at our City Council meeting in Ohio. Council has been discussing new legislation that will hopefully become an Ordinance to vote on soon. A member of the City Council made a motion, under new business, (which it is not), to accept the Ordinance "as is" with no further discussion. There is not an Official ordinance, with a number, to vote on yet. The President of Council called a vote and Council voted yes. This is the type of legislation that you would look really bad voting no- on. The other Members of Council are afraid of this guy and were not sure what to do. They all (except the guy who made the weird motion) agree that it needs to be discussed more to work out some kinks. My question is, does the motion to accept the information they had "as is" stand? Is there anything they can do so they can continue to debate and work out the legislation? If the rules in RONR apply, an applicable adopted main motion may be amended after it was adopted. See RONR (11th ed.), p. 305ff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:12 PM Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:12 PM I agree with Mr. Mervosh and would add that since this is a city council, it quite likely has its own rules which would supersede the provisions in RONR. The council procedures might also be subject to State statutes regarding these matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. J. Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:13 PM Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 at 06:13 PM (edited) 9 minutes ago, George Mervosh said: If the rules in RONR apply, an applicable adopted main motion may be amended after it was adopted. See RONR (11th ed.), p. 305ff Not disagreeing, but that motion would be treated as any motion to adopt an ordinance would be. I suspect that there are public notice requirements. Edited February 28, 2018 at 06:14 PM by J. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted February 28, 2018 at 07:23 PM Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 at 07:23 PM 1 hour ago, Concerned Citized said: My question is, does the motion to accept the information they had "as is" stand? Is there anything they can do so they can continue to debate and work out the legislation? I concur with my colleagues that there are almost certainly rules in the council’s rules and applicable law which are pertinent here, and those rules should be consulted. So far as RONR is concerned, however, I would interpret the member’s motion to adopt the motion “as-is” as a motion to Suspend the Rules and adopt the main motion without debate or amendment. Such a motion is in order, but requires a 2/3 vote for adoption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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