18 - AMENDING ORDINANCE - FIRST READING

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Item No. 18 memorandum TO: Mayor & Council FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, Interim City Attorney SUBJECT: AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE I, SECTION 2 -1 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PARIS ( "RULES OF ORDER FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS) TO PROVIDE THAT ORDINANCES, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS, MAY BE ADOPTED ON THE FIRST READING OR BY PLACEMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA DATE: February 15, 2016 BACKGROUND: In 2012, the City Council amended Chapter 2, Article I, Sec. 2 -1 to provide for more collegial and efficient Council meetings. Sec. 2 -1(13) provides that ordinances must have two readings, at two separate Council meetings, prior to adoption. The rule also provides that a supermajority of the Council (5 aye votes) may vote to suspend the rule as to any particular ordinance (other than those required by law to have two readings) and then pass it on the first reading. Sometime thereafter, the Council agreed to several additional policies to streamline the efficiency of the City, including a policy that dispenses with the requirement of two readings for ordinances except in certain limited circumstances. Best practice dictates that Sec. 2 -1 be amended to reflect this policy. Because the City Council may determine its own procedures, and because no ordinance has been adopted with any less than a majority vote of the Council, adoption of this amendment is merely a matter of "clean -up." STATUS OF ISSUE: The ordinance should be changed to allow for adoption of ordinances on the first reading or, alternatively, by inclusion in and adoption of the Consent Agenda, in keeping with the policy and Council's current practice. The following ordinances would still require readings at two separate City Council Meetings before adoption: a. An ordinance adopting or amending the city's operating budget. b. An ordinance authorizing the expenditure of an amount greater than $50,000.00 unless that expenditure has previously been approved as part of the city's annual operating budget. c. An ordinance annexing or disannexing property into or out of the city. d. An ordinance authorizing the sale of certificates of obligation. e. An ordinance increasing the real ad valorem tax rate. f An ordinance adopting new or modified fees and /or fines. g. When a double vote is required by state or other law.