A.
At its annual organizational meeting, the Council,
by a majority vote, shall elect from its number a President of Council,
who shall preside at all of its meetings when the Mayor does not preside.
If the Council, at its annual meeting, fails to elect a President,
the Mayor shall appoint the President from the Council, and in that
case, no confirmation shall be necessary.
B.
The President of Council shall hold office for one
year and until the next annual meeting.
C.
He or she shall have the right to debate and vote
on all questions before the Council.
D.
If the Mayor is absent from the Borough for a period
of three consecutive days or for any reason is unable to act, the
President of Council shall perform all the duties of the Mayor during
his or her absence or inability. The Mayor, in case of his or her
intended absence from the Borough for more than three days at any
one time, shall notify the President, in writing, of such intended
absence, whereupon the President shall become Acting Mayor from the
receipt of such notice and continue to act until the Mayor's
return. If the Mayor refuses to execute any contract that Council
has so approved or that is made on behalf of the Council, the President
of Council shall be authorized to execute the contract on behalf of
the Council.
[Amended 9-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-13]
E.
In case of the temporary inability of the President
to so act, the Council member having the longest term of service as
such may act temporarily for the President.
A.
Composition. The Mayor and Council persons shall constitute
the Council.
B.
Meetings.
(1)
The Council shall meet for organization on the first
day of January or during the first seven days in January in any year
at the call of the incoming Mayor. Thereafter, the Council shall meet
regularly with the Borough at such times and places as provided by
the rules of the Council. The Mayor shall, when necessary, call special
meetings of the Council.
(2)
Agenda. The agenda, regular and special meetings shall
be held at the Borough Hall at 7:00 p.m. during the course of the
year, according to the meeting schedule approved by the Mayor and
Council at the annual meeting in accordance with the requirements
of the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.).
(3)
At the reorganization meeting, the following order
of business shall be observed:
(4)
At the regular meetings, the following order of business
shall be observed:
(a)
Call to order.
(b)
Prayer and salute to the Flag.
(c)
Roll call.
(d)
Bids/ordinances (if applicable).
(e)
Approval of minutes.
(f)
Committee reports.
(g)
Subcommittee reports.
(h)
Treasurer's report.
(i)
Opportunity for citizens to address Mayor and Council.
(j)
Payment of bills and claims.
(k)
Old business.
(l)
Correspondence.
(m)
New business.
(n)
Resolutions.
(o)
Adjournment.
(5)
The order of business for the annual and regular meetings
may be changed by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting
of the Borough Council. Every member who shall be present when the
question is put to vote shall vote for or against the question or
shall abstain. Such abstention shall have no effect upon the final
count and shall be treated as neither affirmative nor negative.
C.
Except as otherwise required by statute, all action
of the Borough Council shall be by a majority vote of those present,
except that no action may be taken with fewer than four affirmative
votes.
D.
Upon the motion of one member of the Borough Council
and seconded by another member of the Borough Council, a roll call
vote shall be taken and the yeas, nays and abstentions entered into
the minutes of the meeting.
E.
While a member is speaking, no other member shall
leave his seat or engage in private discussion.
F.
No member of the public during the public session
shall speak more than twice on the same subject unless authorized
to do so by the Mayor.
G.
Quorum. Three Councilmen and the Mayor or, in the
absence of the Mayor, four Councilmen shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business; but a smaller number may meet and adjourn
from time to time.
H.
Powers of the Council. The Council shall possess all
the powers granted by or permissible under the laws of the State of
New Jersey, including particularly those powers enumerated in N.J.S.A.
40A:60-6.
I.
Rules of procedure. The Council shall provide by resolution
or ordinance rules of procedure not inconsistent with law or this
code. Proceedings at all meetings shall be conducted in accordance
with Robert's Rules of Order, revised, except where the Council provides
otherwise by resolution or ordinance. The Attorney shall be ex officio
parliamentarian and shall give his opinion on questions of procedure
at the request of members of the Council.
J.
Attendance at meetings. All regular and special meetings
of the Council shall be open to the public. The Attorney, the Clerk
and any other Borough officer or employee whose presence is required
by resolution of the Council shall attend such meetings.
K.
Rules of Council. The Council shall by resolution
adopt rules of procedure not inconsistent with this code. The rules
shall provide for standing committees of the Council.
L.
Ordinances and resolutions. The Council shall take
appropriate action to ensure that ordinances and resolutions of the
preceding year are compiled and codified.
