All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public.
Promptly at the hour set by law on the day of each regular meeting,
the members of the Council, the City Clerk, City Attorney and Mayor
shall take their regular stations in the Council Chambers, and the
business of the Council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition
in the following order:
Call to order. The Mayor, or in his absence, the Council
President, shall take the Chair precisely at the hour appointed for
the meeting and shall immediately call the Common Council to order.
Public hearing. When a matter for public hearing comes before the Council, the Mayor will open the public hearing. Upon opening the public hearing and before any motion is adopted related to the merits of the issue to be heard, the Mayor shall inquire if there are any persons present who desire to speak on the matter which is to be heard or to present evidence respecting the matter. (See also § 102-15.)
The order of business need not be followed if the
Mayor determines that it is necessary to deviate.
The Chief of Police (or designee) acts as the
sergeant-at-arms. It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms to
carry out all instructions of the presiding officer to preserve the
peace and maintain order and decorum at Council meetings.