Title
Update Council Rules of Procedure
Action
Action:
Approve the Budget, Governance and Intergovernmental Relations Council Committee's recommendations to amend Rule 28 (a) of the Rules of Procedure for the Charlotte City Council specific to Council's Committee meetings.
Body
Committee Chair:
Dimple Ajmera, Budget, Governance and Intergovernmental Relations
Staff Resource(s):
Patrick Baker, City Attorney's Office
Lina James, City Attorney's Office
Explanation
* The Rules of Procedure for the Charlotte City Council (Rules of Procedure) was most recently amended on April 8, 2019. Under the current rules:
* Rule 28 allows for telephonic and electronic attendance at Committee meetings and Council meetings under certain specific conditions. This rule was adopted by Council on May 24, 2010 and amended on April 11, 2016.
* In October 2020, Mayor Lyles referred consideration of virtual meetings and attendance under the Rules of Procedure to the Budget and Effectiveness Council Committee after Council held meetings virtually based on the Governor's declaration of a statewide state of emergency due to COVID-19 and pursuant to legal authority under the remote meeting laws.
* Council Committee meetings do not constitute a quorum of Council and Committees are only charged with making recommendations, not binding decisions, to Council.
* Amendments to the Rules of Procedure must be voted on and adopted by City Council.
Proposed Changes
* The proposed amendments to the Rule 28 (a) of the Rules of Procedure provide for allowing for electronic participation by Councilmembers during Council Committee meetings
* Specific amendments to Rule 28 (a) include deleting the reasons for absence and the notice requirements:
? Rule 28. Telephonic and electronic attendance at meetings
a) Committee meetings. Council members may attend committee meetings by telephone or other electronic means. when they are unable, by reason of illness or injury, to attend in person. Members who...
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