CITY COUNCIL MEETING RULES OF ORDER
(PURSUANT TO CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15382)
The City Council adopts Rosenberg’s Rules of Order to govern the proceedings of City Council meetings, with the following exceptions and additions:
1. Suspension of the Rules. A supermajority of the City Council (4 members) may suspend the rules for a specific purpose. When rules are suspended, the vote to do so should state the purpose for suspending the rules.
2. Special Order of the Day. Ceremonial presentations, announcements and proclamations under Special Orders of the Day shall be limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes as required by the Sunshine Ordinance. Staff and/or the Mayor will work to
prepare recipients prior to the meeting.
3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Matters. Anyone wishing to speak on matters not on the agenda may do so under “Oral Communication, Non-Agenda.” Speakers shall limit comments to three (3) minutes or less. As required by the Sunshine Ordinance, the meeting agenda shall provide up to fifteen (15) minutes for this use at the beginning of the meeting. Any speakers not called will be called under the later scheduled nonagenda public comment. Speakers may comment only once on the same topic even where multiple meetings are held on the same day. No speaker may cede time to another.
4. Public Comment on Agenda Items. Public comment will be allowed on all agenda items at the time each item is called. All speakers, regardless of elected or appointed status, shall limit comments to three (3) minutes or less. Comments shall be limited to two (2) minutes for items with seven (7) or more speakers. No speaker may cede time to another. Public comment is not permitted on motions. Presentations and Council questions precede public comment. Public comment shall not be used to elicit a debate and speakers shall avoid personal attacks of members of the Council, staff or public.
5. Consent Items. Agenda items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted, approved, or adopted by one motion without discussion. Any Council member or member of the public or Council may request removal of a specific item for discussion or explanation. The removed/“pulled” item will be voted on separately.
6. Council Comments. Each Councilmember may speak up to nine (9) minutes per agenda item.
7. Counting Votes. The vote count on a motion will be determined by the majority of the membership unless a greater threshold is required by law. A supermajority is twothirds of the City Council (4 members).
8. Latest Time a New Agenda Item May Be Called. No new regular agenda items or council referrals will be heard after 11:00 p.m.
