HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/1995
FEBRUARY 6, 1995
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
7500 W 29TH AVENUE
The City Council Study Session was called to order by Mayor Wilde
at 7 00 P m Councilmernbers present Rae Jean Behm, Don
Eafanti, Vance Edwards, Jean Fields, Ken Siler, Tony Solano, and
Claudia Worth Also present City Clerk, Wanda Sang; City
Administrator, Robert Middaugh; Parliamentarian, Mary E Bahde,
PRP; and staff
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Council Rules of
Order and Procedure
Motion by Mr Edwards to suspend for the entire meeting the City
Council Rules of Order and Procedure pertaining to the section
regarding no public comment shall be entertained at a study
session, to allow citizens to speak regarding their concerns and
on public comment; seconded by Mrs Fields, carried 7-0
Mr Middaugh introduced Mr Ed Arnold, Executive Director and Dr
K L Pattison, Sr Pastor, Clear Creek Valley Baptist Church;
representing Children's Services of Colorado, Inc Dr Pattison
and Mr Arnold outlined the mission that Children's Services
provides is to minister to children and increase their quality of
life and be of service to families
Consensus was 4-3 that the City Council conduct and take care of
City business first and then allow for public comment
Mr Middaugh explained and briefly commented on his memo of
January 23, 1995, and what he suggested was not to eliminate, to
restrict, to ban or abolish public comment What he was
suggesting that there is a problem in the way that we communicate
and that it would be advantageous to the City to find new and
improved additional ways in which to communicate public comments,
to have public debate and discussion on the various issues that
come before the City
Discussion on Council Rules of Order and Procedure
Section 2 , GENERAL RULES
Consensus was 7-0 Section 2 3, Comoellinq Attendance; Add that
upon absences by Councilmernbers they notify the City Clerk, and
the City Clerk will duly notify City Council at the beginning of
the meeting why a Councilmernber is absent
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 6, 1995
PAGE 2
Consensus was 7-0 Section 2 4, Right of Floor. That this section
be clarified, that the word debate be changed to discussion, and
that City Council has the right to speak two times, five (5)
minutes each, and questions and reading into the record is not
held against that time
Consensus was 7-0 Section 2 4, Riqht of Floor; Delete the last
two sentences starting with the word "If "
Consensus was 7-0 Section 2 8, Elected Officials That the
present Section 2 8 be deleted
Consensus was 7-0 Add a new Section 2 8, Duties of Parliamentar-
ian. The duties of the Parliamentarian should be to advise City
Council on Parliamentarian Rules, and should be the person that
keeps the time clock as to the two five minutes presentations by
members of City Council
Section 3
TYPES OF MEETINGS.
Mayor Wilde stated this portion of the rules deals with the types
of meetings held by City Council
Mr Edwards stated he has requested proposed changes to this
section be placed on the Agendas for February 13 and February 27
for consideration He filed the proposed changes with the City
Clerk February 3, 1995 He outlined the proposed change for
Section 3 1, Regular Meetings. Delete the last sentence starting
with "No public comment and ending with the word participate,"
and be replaced and changed under what would be notified Monday
under agenda as stating "Public Comment is permitted at Study
Session in accordance with Section 8 2 of Council Rules "
Consensus was 7-0 Section 3 1, Regular Meetings. That citizens
be allowed to comment only on specific items that are placed on
the Study Session agenda
Mr Edwards states under Section 3 1 1, Pre-Meetinqs. And
suggested that the section starting with the sixth line, delete
beginning with the word "members of the public may not
participate in any discussions held at such informal exchange of
information between Council members and staff as to ongoing City
projects and problems," and be replaced with a sentence stating
"Public Comment is permitted at Pre-Meetings and informal
session "
Consensus was 7-0 that the proposed change stated by Mr Edwards
for Section 3 1 1 Pre-Meetings. Be considered
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 6, 1995
PAGE 3
Discussion on Section 3 4 Executive Sessions. Mr Edwards stated
that he has had concerns where an Executive Session has been held
and he felt that it was not legally held and moved that it be
terminated and the meeting was not terminated, but he still felt
that it was illegal He questioned that according to the wording
in this section that he must stay at a meeting that he feels is
illegal
Consensus was 4-3 under Section 3 4 Executive Sessions. leave as
is, but delete in the last sentence starting with the word
"censure of elected officials,"
Consensus was 7-0 delete entire Section 3 6 Beveraqe allowed ln
Council Chambers.
Section 4
CHAIRMAN AND DUTIES
Consensus was 7-0, under Section 4 3 Council President. Change
that the City Attorney shall be designated Parliamentarian for
Council Meetings, and incorporate what was adopted by City
Council December 12, 1994 Mr Solano work with Mr Edwards in
developing wording for a job description for Council President
Section 5, ORDER OF BUSINESS AND AGENDA
Discussion of Section 5 3 Aqenda, centered around not setting up
introducing of agenda items prior to meeting
Consensus was 4-3, Section 5 3 Aqenda. Add to the rules that
when an agenda item that represents any district, or the people
from that district, have the first right to introduce it Any
other item on the agenda, if you want to call and ask the Chair
to introduce that item, and that should be allowed also, first
come first serve--needs clarification
Mr Edwards read his proposed changes to 5 4 Time Schedule:
stating "Consensus of a majority of a Council Committee or any
two Councilmembers who wish to place a subject on the agenda must
notify the City Clerk's Office, and file all backup documents by
noon on Wednesday preceding the Monday on which Council meets
Each Councilmember shall be allowed to originate only one item
per meeting to be added to the agenda " He explained the reasons
for the proposed changes
Mayor Wilde stated for clarification ln Section 5 4, to put an
item on the agenda it must be submitted two Fridays prior, but
then the backup material must be submitted by Wednesday
preceeding the Monday meeting
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 6, 1995
PAGE 4
Consensus was 4-3, Section 5 4 Time Schedule. That wording be
added stating, "concerning wednesday documentation be provided at
noon, that any two members of Council can add an item to the
agenda, and that they be able to add one item per meeting, and
that the City Clerk or Council President be given that
notification "
Consensus was 5-2 Section 5 5 Public Hearinq Add wording "A
rebuttal by the applicant and a rebuttal by the opponent stating
their position "
Section 7 BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEES
Consensus was 5-2 Section 7 1, Creation of Modify and state
"Only the City Council may create boards, commissions, special or
select committees to assist in the conduct of the operation of
the City Government with such duties as may be specified not
inconsistent with the City Charter(Sec 9) and Code of Laws
Ken Siler recommended that we re-Iabel 7 3 and substitute a
subparagraph of 7 3, and add that the Mayor may appoint from time
to time special members to special or select committees as
needed
Section 7 2, Membership and Selection. Delete that last sentence
Section 8
CITIZEN'S RIGHTS
Mr Edwards read the current wording in Section 8 1 Public
Comment and then stated his proposed changes under Section 8,
Public Comment. and his reasons for the change
Discussed substituting the word "subject" for "item"
Consensus was 5-2 Section 8 1 Public Comment To be changed to
read; "Any person may speak for a maximum of three minutes on any
item other than Agenda items Speakers must sign the Public
Comment roster Public Comment shall always precede all other
official business except Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance,
Roll Call, Approval of Minutes, and Proclamation or Ceremonies
There shall be no restriction on the number of citizens who wish
to speak under Public Comment The content of any speaker's
comments under Public Comment cannot be censored That a person
is allowed to donate time to other speakers to a maximum of nine
minutes, and that no written comments will be entered into by the
Chair unless a member of the public is present to read them into
the record "
Consensus was 3-4 to delete Section 8 4 Manner of Addressinq
Council. (Failed)
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES, FEBRUARY 6, 1995
PAGE 5
Discussed having a compeling interest in government issues
Consensus was 6-1 Section 8 4 Manner of Addressinq Council,
delete the sentence "There will be no argument between speakers
and Council "
Consensus was 7-0 Section 8 4 Manner of Addressinq Council, add
the word to the sentence "Members of the audience are ASKED to
maintain a decorous attitude and not make audible responses "
Consensus was 7-0 to add a new section, Section 11 ROBERT RULES
OF ORDER, and adopt Amended Newly Revised Edition of Robert Rules
of Order
Public Comment by speakers in the audience followed
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11 37
P m
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Wanda Sang, City ~C~erk