Fiscal Note
The proposed ordinance change limits the amount of time an alder may speak at one time regarding any motion to six minutes or there must be two-thirds approval of the members present. No appropriation is required.
Title
Amending Section 2.13 of the Madison General Ordinances to reduce the time allotted to each Alder for discussion and debate.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Currently an alder may not speak more than twice nor more than ten minutes at any one time regarding any motion without a two-thirds vote of the members present. This ordinance would reduce the amount of time allowed for an alder to speak to six minutes at any one time. This ordinance retains the rule that alders may not speak more than twice on any motion without a supermajority vote of the Council.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Section 2.13 entitled “Debate” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“2.13 - DEBATE
(1) When a member is about to speak to a question or make a motion, s/he shall address the presiding officer, and the presiding officer shall pronounce the name of the member entitled to the floor; and the member shall confine himself or herself to the question under consideration.
(2) No member shall speak more than twice on any question or motion nor more than ten (10) six (6) minutes at any one time, without leave of two-thirds (⅔) of the members present.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), no more than two alders may speak regarding a resolution to honor outgoing alders or Council leadership, and each alder may speak once for no more than ten (10) six (6) minutes on the resolution, without leave of two-thirds (⅔) of the members present. The alders permitted to speak shall be as recognized by the Chair.”