04-26-04 Council Rules Committee

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Council Rules Committee Committee Report The April 26,2004 meeting of the Council Rules Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council President Karen White at 3:28 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance include Council Members Dieter,Kelly,Puzzello,Varner, Kuspa,White,Kirsits and Coleman,City Clerk John Voorde, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council President White noted that the Council Rules Committee members include Dr. Varner, Council Member Puzzello and herself. The first item on the agenda was to review Substitute Bill No. 25-04 which would amend Chapter 2,Article 1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing"Regulations Governing the Common Council". Council President White,the sponsor of the Bill,made the presentation. She noted that the Bill was filed as a means to improve the many services which the Council provides to the City. She then highlighted some of the basic features,namely: that cell phones and pages would be required to be turned to a silent mode while the Council is in session in the Council Chambers;that a cover letter would be required when a substitute bill is filed with the Clerk which highlights the changes from the original Bill;that both Council Members and Citizen Members serving on Standing Committees would be required to comply with the State of Indiana conflict of interest statute; that Council Members serving on other committees, groups,associations; etc.,would be required to provide a verbal update on meetings of such groups under unfinished business within two (2)weeks after such meetings; and that under Privilege of the Floor that any questions or issues would be referred to the appropriate Council Member or Chairperson of a Standing Committee for an update at the next regular Council meetings. The Council Attorney noted that at a recent ICEF Seminar where members of the Legal Department and herself put on a legal seminar,that many attorneys were pleased to hear that they may file electronically with the City Clerk's Office. Following discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Substitute Bill No. 25-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed Dr. Varner noted that the new requirement for a cover letter to spell out changes in substitute bills is a very good idea. He noted that it will make it easier for members of the public as well as the Council to see the changes, and will help streamline and simplify the process. He noted that the change makes the"overall process more transparent".