RES 68210 - Laserfiche WebLink

PRESENTATION OF BUSINESS There are several ways by which business can come before an organization for its consideration. Statutes ordinarily will regu- late the form of business and matters which can be considered and acted upon by city councils and other local legislative bodies. For example, certain acts can be taken only by ordinance; certain other acts can be taken by resolution or order or on motion. In so far as these items are covered by statute they are controlled by the statute. On items concerning which no particular form is required, resolutions or motions may be used. The essential difference between a resolution and a motion is; a resolution is a proposal submitted in writing, the effective clause of which is "ResolVed that ..." Items of business submitted orally are called motions and the effective clause is "I move that ..." In so far as consideration is given it is unimportant in what manner a matter is brought before a body. Often important business comes before a body in the form of reports submitted by committees of the membership itself, or sub- mitted by other persons on the request or direction of the body. Reports can be adopted where they state matters upon which the body wishes to take a position, ordinarily the proper procedure is to have information and recommendations presented in reports, but to submit any actions to be taken in the form of resolutions or motions for the separate consideration and acceptance or rejection by the body. - PROCEDURAL MOTIONS Much consideration has been given by some writers to procedural motions which may be used to govern the action of a body or to aid in disposing of business presented to it. These items are usually exhaustively covered by legislative manuals. Strict ComDliance with all such technical procedural rules will, in large measure, protect a legislative body and its presiding officer from criticism with reference to their procedure. It is true, however, that even these technical procedural rules must be applied with judgment. The rules themselves are based on experience and sound practice and can usually be reasoned out from certain basic principles. CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIONS There are many motions which have an established form and concerning which rules and precedents have developed. It is not, however, possible for anyone to make a complete list of all motions which might be made, but certain motions can be classified and generally helpful observations be made on the basis of these classi- fications. A classification which is often used is the following -- taking precedence in the order listed: -14-