HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-04 Council Rules Committee 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".
T
•
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Karen L. White
Council President
KCF:kmf
Attachment
Council Rules Committee April 26,2004 Page 2