RES 68210 - Laserfiche WebLink

The statute, or other provisions providing for a city govern- ment or other local governing body, may set out rules of 9rocedure governing the action of the body, and when such rules are set forth they must ordinarily be co~plied with, though in certain cases of general directions the rules may be directory instead of mandatory. In certain such cases it may be that actions will not be nvalldated by failure to comply with the rules of this type. i · In addition to prescribed rules a local eglslatlve body may adopt rules for its own regulation and government. These rules can, of course, not conflict with any superior authority, but can set forth the procedure to be followed for the guidance and convenience of members of the body and also persons having business with body. In addition to adopting its own rules, a body may provide for situations not covered by the rules by the adoption of a legislative manual to govern in instances where the consti%ution or statutes may not be applicable, and such bodies do usually adopt a manual. A city council or other local legislative body has the right to suspend such rules as it has authority to adopt and, of course, also to suspend any rules contained in an adopted legislative manual. When a local legislative body acts in violation of such rules as it has authority to suspend, the rules are deemed suspended thereby and its actions are not invalidated by failure to comply with such rules. In addition to those rules technically governing procedure there are many practical rules which it is essential to comply with in order for a body to conduct its business in an efficient or business-like manner. No set of rules could be adopted which would eliminate the necessity of the use of discretion an~ sound judgment on the part of a presiding officer.. Further, parliamentary rules are not self-enforcing, but must be applied and enforced b~ the presiding_offic~r~ ..... THE PRESIDING OFFICER The general duties of a presiding officer are to Preside and guide the body in performing its functions. It is his'duty to see that business which should come before the organization is properly placed before it, that due consideration is given to such business, and that it is disposed of by the body. In a small body there is no reason why a presiding officer may not give information to the other members or engage in discussion from the chair. He should not, however, use his position to dominate the discussion and should ordinarily permit the other members to speak first. One of the most obvious and imb=.rtant duties of the presiding officer is to recognize persons for the surDose of permitting them to present business to the organization, or ~ ~Dea~ upon matters before it. In general, the presiding officer sh~=:.B.recognize persons -12-