2008-075-RES establishing pre-meeting work session one hour prior to regular council meeting

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RESOLUTION NO. 2008-075 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS; ESTABLISHING PRE-MEETING WORK SESSION ONE HOUR PRIOR TO REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS; REQUIRING ORDINANCES TO HAVE TWO READINGS BEFORE ADOPTION; ALLOWING FOR A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL TO SUSPEND THE TWO READINGS RULE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, in order for the city council to efficiently and effectively conduct business at its meetings council members need to be as informed as possible about items on the meeting agenda; and; WHEREAS, council meetings that last an excessive number of hours and/or adjourn late in the evening are exhausting for council members, staff, and audience members; and, WHEREAS, conducting a work session prior to the regulaz meeting will a11ow council members to ask questions and allow staff time to research and answer questions; and, WHEREAS, ordinances should be thoroughly evaluated and deliberated; and, WHEREAS, requiring that ordinances have readings at two different meetings will maximize the notice given to citizens, allowing them additional time for input, and also allow the city council additional time to consider new or amended laws; and, WHEREAS, unforeseen and/or special circumstances may require passage of ordinances on one reading; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS: Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things approved. Section 2. T'hat a work session shall be conducted one hour prior to the regular city council meeting for the purpose of reviewing agenda items and asking questions of staff prior to the regular meeting. Work sessions are open to the public and no agenda items will be acted upon during the work session. Section 3. That a11 ordinances shall have readings at two different city council meetings. Section 4. That a supermajority of the entire council (5 or more "ayes") shall be required to suspend the rule in Section 3 and allow passage of an ordinance after one reading should city council determine that circumstances warrant a suspension. Section 5. That this resolution shall become effective September 8, 2008.