Revising the Governing Rules Regulations of the Legislative Branch of the City of South Bend

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(p) If a standing committee desires to conduct a formal hearing the following procedures shall be followed: (1) The proceedings of the Committee shall be recorded by the Chairman or his designate in a journal which shall among other things, show those present at each meeting and include a record of the votes on any question on which a_ record vote is requested. (2) The Chairman shall make public, pursuant to the Office of the City Clerk, the announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least one week before the commence- ment of that hearing unless the committee determines that there is good cause to begin such hearing at an earlier date. In the latter event the chairman shall make such public announce- ments at the earliest possible date. (3) The committees are authorized to receive exhibits, hear witnesses, and report to the Common Council for final action, together with such recommendations as may be agree: upon by the Committee. (4) Any public hearing of a Council committee may be covered by the news media. However, in order to assure respect to the conduct of the public hearings observing acceptable standards of dignity, ro riety, courtesy, and decorum, and to assure the proper fact -liming mission through the hearing process, the Chair- man may, provide special rules governing such matters as to placement of microphones, location of cameras, and the allocation of space for representatives of the media in the hearing rooms as circumstances may require. SEC. 2-10A POWERS, DUTIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COUNCIL RULES COMMITTEE (a) The Common Council recognizes that its councilmen hold their offices as a trust conferred upon them by the citizen voters of the community, and that this public trust requires all councilmen to observe the highest standard of conduct in carrying out their official duties. (b) The Council further recognizes the Council Rules Committee as part of the crforcing mechanism of the Rules and Regulations governing the Common Council. (c) The Council Rules Committee referred to hereinafter as "Committee" shall consyst of not less than three (3) members, of whom there shall be a reflection of the political composition o the Council. However, the remaining odd -numbered member shall be the President of the Common Council. (d) A vacancy on the Rules Committee due to cause shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. A temporary vacancy shall be deemed to exist if the matter under investigation by the Committee involves any of the Com- mittee members. Said member may return to the Committee after the matter has been finally_ resolved and if the Councilman desires to be reinstated. (e) Officers and Staff. The Committee shall elect from its membership a Chairman and a Vice -Chairman who shall, each be selected for one-year terms. The City Clerk or a designee of said office shall serve as the custodian of its records and minutes. The City Attorney's Office and the Council Attorneys may furnish legal assistance to the Committee, and the Committee -14-