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

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(g) The Clerk shall have the power to administer oaths of office. (h) The Clerk shall make available to the press and any other interested person upon request public information which is available concerning the subjects to be discussed at any regular, special or caucus meeting of the Council, and shall also make available the time, date and place of such meetings. (i) Upon the request by the President of the Council or the Chairman or a Council Committee, the Office of -the City Clerk shall provide other supportive clerical assistance and other related services to the Council, its standing committees, anu such other committees which include council representatives. Such services shall be provided to further effectuate the necessary obligations, responsibi!iLties and duties required of the Councilmen and to further the effective and efficient operation of the Council. SEC. 2-7 (A) SERGEANT -AT ARMS. (a) Upon the recommendation of the President of the Council, the Chief of Police shall designate, detail, and assign a police officer to act as sergeant -at -arms for the Council who shall exercise duties as shall be designated by the Council. (b) The Sergeant -at -arms shall exercise and perform other duties as may be prescribed by this Code and the laws of ;his State for the effective operation and conduct of the Council. SEC. 2-7 (B) COUNCIL ATTORNEY. (a) A Council attorney may be appointed by the Pre- sident of the Common Council subject to the approval of the Council. (b) The Council attorney shall be responsible to see that all ordinances and resolutions requested by Councilmen are drafted; shall review all rop_osed ordinances and resolutions as to form and legality; shall advise the office of the City Clerk as to all matters regarding publication and codification of ordinances and shall give legal advice as requested by the Common Council, its committees and its members. SEC. 2-8 DECORUM AND DEBATE REGULATING COMMON COUNCIL (a) The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum at all council meetings. W-lien necessary, the presiding officer may seek the assistance of the Sergeant -at -arms in the enforcement of this provision. ia} (b) Each member of the Common Council shall be present within the Council Chamber during the sessions of the Council, unless excused or necessarily prevented from being present, and shall vote of each question put unless excused from voting by a majority of the members present. (c) A Councilman shall not vote, or take any other discretionary action in his official capacity, except in the exercise OF his own independent judgment, reached after due regard for the collective interests of his constituency as a whole, and of the citizens and the community of the City of South Bend. The prohibition in this section extends to any agreement