Genesis Posted October 24, 2019 at 11:49 PM Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 at 11:49 PM The Board uses a consent calendar to circumvent discussions on controversial issues. What are the parliamentary steps to opposing the use of a consent calendar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:17 AM Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:17 AM 21 minutes ago, Genesis said: The Board uses a consent calendar to circumvent discussions on controversial issues. What are the parliamentary steps to opposing the use of a consent calendar? Unless you have a rule to the contrary, if any member objects to an item on the consent calendar, it is removed from the consent calendar and placed on the agenda or order of business where it normally would be if there was no consent calendar. No motion is necessary, although the member objecting might ask that it be placed in the appropriate place in the regular agenda. Here is what RONR says about a consent calendar on page 361: Consent Calendar. Legislatures, city, town, or county councils, or other assemblies which have a heavy work load including a large number of routine or noncontroversial matters may find a consent calendar a useful tool for disposing of such items of business. Commonly, when such a matter has been introduced or reported by a committee for consideration in the assembly, its sponsor, or, sometimes, an administrator, may seek to have it placed on the consent calendar. This calendar is called over periodically at a point established in the agenda by special rule of order, at least preceding standing committee reports. The matters listed on it are taken up in order, unless objected to, in which case they are restored to the ordinary process by which they are placed in line for consideration on the regular agenda. The special rule of order establishing a consent calendar may provide that, when the matters on the calendar are called up, they may be considered in gross or without debate or amendment. Otherwise, they are considered under the rules just as any other business, in which case the "consent" relates only to permitting the matter to be on the calendar for consideration without conforming to the usual, more onerous, rules for reaching measures in the body. (Emphasis added) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:22 AM Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:22 AM Just now, Richard Brown said: What are the parliamentary steps to opposing the use of a consent calendar? If you want to oppose the use of a consent calendar completely, rather than object to a particular item on the consent calendar, then I suppose you could either object to every item on the consent calendar or try to get a special rule of order adopted prohibiting the use of a consent calendar or setting out acceptable procedures for its use. A consent calendar actually should not be used at all and is out of order unless there is a special rule of order permitting it or the rules have been suspended to permit it. You could therefore make an objection or point of order that there is no provision in your rules for a consent calendar. Whether the chairman and/or majority of the other members will agree with you and do away with it is another matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genesis Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:29 AM Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 at 12:29 AM Thank you, Richard! Your advice is greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transpower Posted October 25, 2019 at 03:09 PM Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 at 03:09 PM Side note: My experience with Consent Calendars is that they save a lot of time--especially for dealing with routine business. So, you might expect to get some push-back if you try to eliminate them completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Elsman Posted October 25, 2019 at 05:23 PM Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 at 05:23 PM On the other hand, the use of a consent calendar may increase the pressure on members to "go along to get along" when members' better judgment might indicate the need for deliberation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bruce Posted June 24, 2020 at 02:18 PM Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 at 02:18 PM Can a member of the public request the removal of an item from the consent calendar at a city council meeting in Florida? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atul Kapur Posted June 24, 2020 at 02:27 PM Report Share Posted June 24, 2020 at 02:27 PM Guest Bruce, this forum prefers you post your question as a new topic, rather than adding to previous one, even if related. BTW, No. More detailed answer if you post as a new topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 4, 2021 at 01:58 AM Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 at 01:58 AM Should the content of the items on the consent agenda be recorded in the minutes as attachments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Novosielski Posted February 4, 2021 at 03:27 AM Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 at 03:27 AM 1 hour ago, Guest Guest said: Should the content of the items on the consent agenda be recorded in the minutes as attachments? Please post new questions as a new topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts