[Adopted 7-18-1983 by L.L. No. 2-1983 as Ch. I, Art. II, Div. 22, of the 1983 Code; amended in its entirety 2-24-2011 by Ord. No. 4.21.11]
This article sets forth the basic operating procedures for the City of Albany Common Council. The Common Council also follows its own “Rules of Procedure” adopted by resolution of the Common Council at the annual organizational meeting and amended from time to time.
The minutes of each meeting of the Common Council shall comply with the requirements of the New York State Open Meetings Law[1] and any requirements contained in the Common Council Rules of Procedure. Minutes of each official meeting shall be made available within seven days after adjournment and immediately distributed, one to the Mayor, one to each member of the Common Council and one to the head of each department. At the end of the year the printed minutes shall be maintained by the City Clerk as an official City record.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, § 100 et seq.
Eight members of the Common Council shall constitute a quorum, but any number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members at official meetings. The Council shall be called to order by the President or, if the President is absent, by the President Pro-Tempore, who shall preside until the President appears.
The President of the Common Council or a majority of its members may call a special meeting by causing a written notice thereof specifying the objects of the meeting to be served by the City Clerk upon each member personally, by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail at least 24 hours before the time of such meeting. The City Clerk shall make every reasonable attempt to insure that each Council member actually receives notice of the special meeting. No other business than that stated in said notice shall be transacted at such meeting.
In case the Common Council shall convene with less than a quorum at any regular or special meeting; or if, while any meeting is in progress, any less number than a quorum shall be present, the majority of the members present are authorized to send a police officer for any or all absent members, as such majority of members shall agree.
The regular official meetings of the Council shall be held on the first and third Mondays of each month. The Common Council shall convene at 7:00 p.m. Regular meetings of the Common Council may be changed by consent of the Council President, President Pro-Tempore and Majority Leader, when the regular meeting date falls on a holiday, religious or cultural observance. The public shall be notified of the new date as provided in the NYS Open Meetings Law.