6.0. SR 05-13-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.! rated directly into the previous mohon by verbal assent: where the amending motion is seen as · 'unfriendly,' it must b~ debated and decided first. All motions to AMEND the prexaous motion must be decided pnor to delibera- tion and vote on the MAIN motion {see #14). 16. Motion to RECESS SINDIAI¥ A procedural motion to permit a very, brief suspension of public heanng or deliberative meeting to facilitate commission opemuons or for the comfort of the public. Plan- ning commission members should avoid contact W~th interested par- ues dunng recess. 17. Motion to DEFER TO SPECIFIC TIME SIDIAI¥ Where testimony on a public hearing or deliberation by the commission on an agenda item cannot be concluded Wnthin a sin- gle session, a motion to DEFER TO A SPECIFIC TIME, that is, the immediately next meeting, is appropriate. The deferred nero becomes the first item in the suc- ceeding agenda. Care must be taken to not violate notice or #me limitation requirements (as with #7, Motion to RECONSIDER). 18. Motion to EXTEND THE TIME TO ADJOURN SINDIAIV Having already fixed the time of adjournment (see #5, Motion to FIX TIME TO ADJOURN), the commission may nevertheless "...extend such time. but by a two- thirds vote. 19. Motion to ADJOURN SINDINAIV While a motion to ADJOURN is always appropriate, planning commissions are obligated to expedite items on the meeting agenda. A Motion to ADJOURN is best used when all agenda items have been decided or remaining items have been DEFERRED TO SPECIFIC TIME (see #17). PLANNING C An additional num- ber of motions are neces- sary to facilitate the internal operations of the commission or acknowl- edge rights of its mem- bers. The following motions have no order of precedence. 20. Motion to ADOPT or the converse motion to REJECT SIDIAIV Action lo incorporate, alter, or chromate p-,hcies which guide the decision-making of the com- mission or board. Polic~ adoption requires only a voting majority; adopuon ol. or amendment to. by-laws rcqmres a two-thirds vote. IEditor's ,',lo~c: For more on by- laws. sec David Allor's 'Keeping Things In O~dcr: Planning Commis- sion/3.v-Laws, in PCJ #14]. 21. Motion to REFER TO COMMITTEE SIDIAI¥ Some larger planning com- missions have provision in their by-laws allowing referral of spe- cific issues to smaller committees for deliberation anc( subsequent recommendation back to the full commission. This does not dele- gate power to the committee to decide the issue. 22. Motion to DIVIDE A MOTION SINDIAIV Where a motion has been both moved and seconded and is under deliberation, but where that motion is considered as com- plex. Any member of the com- mission may seek to divide the motion, thereby permitting inde- l~ndent votes on specific issues. Care must be taken not to divide a motion in such a manner as to subsequently make contradictory decisions among the features of the divided motion. 23. Action to WITHDRAW A MOTION NS I ND INA I V Where the Mover finds that an initial motion is flawed, inap- propriate, or premature, the Mover may seek to W~thdraw the motion in whole. This action is not permissible if the otig~nal motion is either subject to an amending motion or has been amended. 24. Motion to SUSPEND THE RULES SIDIAI¥ Where. in extraordinary, con- ditions, established rules would hinder rather than promote effec- tive deliberation, specific rules may be suspended for specific time within a meeting -- the rea- sons for such suspension should be entered into the minutes of the meeting. Any suspenaon of rules requires a two-thirds vote. Great care must be taken under a sus- pension of rules to avoid the appearance (or the fact) of unfair- ness. No rule may be suspended which is otherwise required by laW. 25. Action to RULE OUT OF ORDER NS I ND INA I NV To assure the orderly progress of a meeting or hearing, the chair- person may rule individuah -- whether members of the commis- sion, staff, or the public -- out of order where: (1) comments are irrelevant to the item under dis- cussion. (2) comments have already been made, (3) the speci- fied period of time in which to speak has expired, or (4) com- ments are disruptive to the order of the meeting. 26. Instruction to DISREGARD NS I ND INA I NV To assure the objectivity of the heatings and meetings, thc chair- person may instruct the members to DISREGARD comments md/or written or vi_~ual materials that ave inllammatory or prejudicial. Such comments, however, ar~ retained OMMISSIONER5 JOURNAL / NUMBER 20 in any recordings or transcribed minutes of the meeting, and in the public record. 27. Motion to APPEAL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR SIDINAI¥ A right of members of a com- mission to challenge the action of a chairperson, so as to ensure that proper procedures are followed, not to impede deliberation and decision. 28. A POINT OF ORDER NS I ND INA ] NY A right of members of a com- mission to request that the chair- person follow proper order. The intent is to assure proper progress of deliberation, not to contest action of the chairperson (as in #27 Motion to APPEAL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR). The point of order seeks to address an immediate concern, not debate . . larger procedural issues. Repeated use of A POINT OF ORDER to delay or frustrate dec,ion i~ inap- propnare and damages the conti- nuity of deliberation. 29. A POINT OF INFORMATION NS ] ND ]NA ] NY A tight of members of a com- mission to request the specific inclusion or clarification of mat- ters of fact from the chail'person. 30. A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE NS I ND INA I NV A right of any member of the commLssion to e. xpress matters of serious concern. For example, if a member of the comm~on is aware of a conflict of intva~st in a specific ca.s~, that member should at the time that the case is brought forward on the agenda, tame A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, declare that a conflict of interest exist.s, and withdraw from all fur,her participation on that case. As a SlX. ciai note: I encourage that a member, having declared a conflict of intezest, Imvt the dmmber until that cas~ has been decided. ~