CITY OF  RANGER  NOTICE OF A CALLED MEETING  Notice is hereby given that a Called Meeting oft the Governing Body oft the City of Ranger, Texas, will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall, 400 West Main Street  Ranger, Texas. The following subjects will be discussed, to wit: Agenda Item 01: Call to Order- Mayor Robinson  Roll Call/Quorum Check  Agenda Item 02: Citizen's Presentation-At this time, anyone on the list will be allowed to speak on any matter other than personnel matters or matters under litigation, for a length of time not to exceed THREE minutes. No Council/Board discussion or action may take place on a matter until such matter has been placed on an agenda and posted in accordance with law. Agenda Item 03: Discuss/Consider: rules of procedure for the city council, boards,  commissions, and committees. - Terry Robinson, Mayor Agenda Item 4: Discuss/Consider: Adjournment  I,t the undersigned authority, do hereby certify that the above notice of meeting oft the Governing Body of the City of Rangeri isa true and correct copy of said notice on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of Ranger, a place convenient and readily available to the general public at all times, and notice was posted by 4:30 p.m., June 6, 2024 and remained posted for 72 hours  preceding the scheduled time of the meeting.  Somer Lee Somer Lee, City Secretary NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE  The City council reserves the right to convene into Executive Session concerning any oft thei items listed on this agenda under the authority oft the  Mayor, wheneveri itis considered necessary and legally. justified under the Open Meetings Act. Ranger City Hall and Council Chambers are wheelchair: accessible: and accessible parking spaces are available. Request for accommodation ori interpretive services must ber made 481 hours priort tot this meeting. Please contact City Secretary's office at (254)647-3522 fori information or assistance. This Notice was removed from the outside bulletin board on.  by.    Rules of Procedure for the City Council and the Boards, Commissions and Committees  of the City of Ranger, Texas  CITY OF  RAI GER    ARTICLE1. AUTHORITY, APPLICABILITY, ANDAMENDMENT.  1.1 Authority. 1.2 Applicability. 1.3 Amendment.  ARTICLE2. GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE AND POLICIES.. 2.2 Council/Staff Relationships and Communications.  2.1 Construction of Authority. 2.3 Meetings Shall Be Public.. 2.4 Conduct of Meetings.. 2.5 Regular Meetings. 2.6 Special/Town Hall Meetings. 2.7 Emergency Meetings. 2.8 Work Sessions. 2.9 Executive Sessions.. 2.10 Recessed Meetings. 2.11 Quorum.. 2.12 Conflict of Interest. 2.13 Presiding Officer.. 2.14 Minutes of Meetings.  2.15 Suspension and Amendment of Rules. ARTICLE: 3. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.  3.1 Purpose.  8  3.2 Model Format for an Agenda Item Discussion.  3.3 Types of Council Actions.. 3.4 The Basic Motions. 3.5 The Motion to Amend. 3.6 Discussion and Debate. 3.7 Other Motions. 3.9 Motion to Reconsider. 3.10 Courtesy, Decorum and Order.. 3.11 Enforcement of Rules and Procedures. 3.12 Council May Discipline its Own Members. Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  10 10 10 10 11 12 12 14 14 Page I1  3.8 Motions Requiring a Two-Thirds or Supermajority Vote to Pass..    ARTICLE 4. AGENDA ORDER. 4.1 Call to Order..  15 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 19 19 19  4.2 Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance.. 4.3 Presentations and Proclamations. 4.4 Approval of the Minutes.. 4.5 Consent Agenda Items.. 4.6 Public Hearings. 4.7 Regular Agenda Items. 4.8 Resident Comments on Non-Agenda Items.. 4.9 City Manager's Reports. 4.10 Future Agenda Items.. 4.11 Executive Session Items. 4.12 Action on Executive Session Items.. 4.13 Adjournment. 5.1 Purpose. 5.2 Agenda.. 5.3 Technical Questions. 5.4 Prohibitions Against Formal Actions.. 5.5 Audience Comments or Questions. ARTICLE 6. RULES GOVERNING RESIDENT COMMENTS. 6.2 Mayor to State Rules for Audience Comments. 6.3 Rules Governing Resident Comments. 6.4 Preservation of Order. ARTICLE 7. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 7.1 General.. 7.2 Meeting Times and Agenda Order..  ARTICLE 5. WORK: SESSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES  6.1 Purpose.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page I2    7.3 Boards with Regulatory Authority. 7.4 Boards without Regulatory Authority.  19 19 19 19 19 20  7.5 Appointments. 7.6 Board Members. 7.7 Open Government Training. TABLE OF MOTIONS, AND POINTS OF ORDER.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 13    ARTICLE 1. AUTHOAITY,APPLCABLIY AND AMENDMENT  1.1 Authority.  The City Charter oft the City of Ranger, Texas grants the City Council the right to determine its own rules ofp procedure; thet following rules are enumerated under and by authority ofs said provision.  1.2 Applicability.  The rules of procedure adopted by the City Council are applicable not only to the City Council, but shall  apply to all other boards, commissions, and committees of the City of Ranger.  1.3 Amendment. Council present.  These rules may be amended or new rules adopted, by a majority vote of the members of the City  ARTICLE2. GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE AND POLICIES  2.1 Construction of Authority.  The construction of authority in all matters associated with the meetings and activities of the City Council, including the Agenda, shall be: (1) the U.S. Constitution and statutes of the United States of America; (2) The Texas Constitution and statutes oft the State of Texas; (3) the City Charter; (4) the Code of Ordinances of the City of Ranger, Texas; (5) these rules; and, (6) Robert's Rules as amended and set  forth herein.  2.2 Council/Staff Relationships and Communications.  The Council should contact City employees through the City Manager. Council Members should refrain from giving orders or direction to any subordinate of the City Manager, either publicly or privately. Work assignments and policy direction should come from the elected body as a whole and not from individual  members.  2.3 Meetings Shall Be Public.  All meetings of the City Council shall be public, except such executive sessions in accordance with law, and notices thereof shall be posted as provided under the Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act. Except int the case of an emergency meeting, notice of all meetings shall be givena The Ranger City Hall is wheelchair accessible and special parking is available on the west side of the building. Ifspecial accommodations are required, please contact the City Secretary: a minimum of24  minimum of 96 hours before the time set for any meeting.  hours in advance at 254.647.3522.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page I4    2.4 Conduct of Meetings. inconsistent with these rules. 2.5 Regular Meetings.  Meetings of the City Council shall be conducted. according to the rules adopted by the City Council, as well as the terms and provisions of Robert's Rules of Order as amended herein and when not  Regular meetings of the City Council shall be on the second and fourth Monday ofe each month at! 5:30 PM. The Council may, byr majority vote at a regular meeting, change the days or times ofr meetings as  circumstances may necessitate. 2.6 Special/Town Hall Meetings.  Special meetings of the City Council may be called, upon the request of the Mayor or City Managera a request for a special meeting shall be filed with the City Manager in written/electronic format unless made at a regular meeting at which a quorum of Council Members are present. The City Manager and all  Council Members shall be notified of all special meetings. (City Charter Sec. 3.08)  2.7 Emergency Meetings.  In case of an emergency or urgent public necessity, which shall be expressed int the meeting notice, it shall be sufficient if members receive, and notice is posted two (2) hours before the meeting is convened. Notice shall be provided also to the media in accordance with the Texas Government Code,  Section 551.047. 2.8 Work Sessions.  Work Sessions are called for the purpose of conducting a detailed and thorough exploration of  matters that may properly come before the City Council.  2.9 Executive Sessions.  Executive Sessions are sessions closed to the public. They are only permitted for the purpose of discussing matters enumerated in Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act of the Texas Government Code. Disclosure of topics to be discussed shall be made to the public in accordance with the requirements sof The City Council can retire into an Executive Session as stated on a posted agenda during a regular or special meeting, ifa a motion is duly made and seconded and affirmed by a majority of the Council. However, before said session begins, the presiding officer shall announce that the Executive Session is commencing. The presiding officer shall also announce that council members entering executive session must leave any electronic or recording device in their possession, in council chambers. The order in which an Executive Session may appear on the agenda is subject to the discretion of the City Council. A certified agenda oft the meeting must be certified by the presiding officer or his or her designee, as ai true and  the Open Meetings Act.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 15    correct record of the meeting, and must be sealed and permanently kept by the City Secretary, subject to opening by Court order or as may otherwise be permitted by applicable law. The certified agenda shall be the only record made and maintained of the executive session proceedings. No voting or action shall be taken by the City Council during an Executive Session. No other subject but that posted on the agenda is to be considered. Adjournment oft the Executive Session and any vote needed shall be made during the open Any person, including a member of the City Council, who, without lawful authority, knowingly discloses to a member of the public the certified agenda for a meeting that was lawfully closed to the public under the Open Meetings Act may be held liable for: (a) actual damages; (b) reasonable attorney fees and court costs; and (c) exemplary or punitive damages. An offense is a Class BI misdemeanor. The City Council will make and keep a certified agenda of each closed executive session, except for an executive session held by the governmental body to consult with attorney in accordance with section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code. The presiding officer must certify that the agenda is a true and correct record of the executive session. The certified agenda must include (1) a statement of the subject matter ofe each deliberation; (2) a record of any further action taken; and (3) an announcement by the presiding officer at the beginning and the end of the closed meeting indicating the time and date. The presiding officer will certify all agendas in accordance with Texas Local Government Code, Section 551.103:  public meeting.  "Sec. 551.103 CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING REQUIRED.  (a) A governmental body shall either keep a certified agenda or make a recording of the proceedings of each closed meeting, except for a private consultation permitted under Section 551.071. (b) The presiding officer shall certify that an agenda kept under Subsection (a) isat true and correct  record of the proceedings. (c) The certified agenda must include:  (1) as statement of the subject matter of each deliberation (2)arecord of any further action taken; and indicating the date and time.  (3) an announcement by the presiding officer at the beginning and the end of the meeting (d)A Arecording made under Subsection (a) must include announcements by the presiding officer at the  beginning and the end of the meeting indicating the date and time."  2.10 Recessed Meetings.  No meeting shall be recessed for al longer period of time than until the next regular meeting except when required information has not been received, or, in the case of work sessions or special meetings,  to a date certain by motion duly passed.  2.11 Quorum.  The Open Meetings Act defines a' "quorum" as a majority of the governing body unless otherwise defined by applicable law, rule or charter. A quorum of a governmental body's members must be present in order for the governmental body to exercise the authority delegated to it. A quorum of any governmental body  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 16    must be present to convene an open meeting oft that body under the Act. This requirement applies eveni if the governmental body plans to go into an executive session immediately after convening. (Charter- ArtV  Section 14)  2.12 Conflict of Interest.  AC Council Member prevented from voting by a conflict of interest shall file a confict-of-interest. questionnaire with the City Secretary as soon as possible after the posting of an agenda which contains a conflict, unless an applicable conflict ofi interest questionnaire has already been filed.  ACouncil Member prevented from voting by a conflict of interest shall step down from the dais and leave the room, shall not vote ont the matter, shall not participate in discussions regarding the matter or attempt toi influence the Council's deliberation of the matteri in any way, shall not attend Executive Sessions regarding the matter, and shall otherwise comply with the state law and city ordinances concerning Also, Section 176.003 of the Local Government Code requires certain local government officers to file a Conflicts Disclosure Statement. A' "local government officer" is defined as a member oft the governing body ofal local government entity, a director, superintendent, administrator, president, or other person designated as the executive director of the local government entity; or an employee ofa a local government entity with respect to whom the local government has, in accordance with Section 176.005, extended the requirements of Section 176.003 and 176.004. The CIS form is required to bet filled with the City Secretary no later 5 p.m. ont the seventh business day after the date on which the officer becomes aware of the facts that require the filing of this statement. Additionally, a local government officeris required toi file an "Affidavit Providing Notice of Potential Conflict of Interest" should the office have a 'substantial interest" in al business or property, as defined in Chapter: 171 of the Local Government Code, ift the Council is contemplating taking action that may have a special economic effect on the business property. That affidavit must be filed ify you or a person related to youi in thet first degree by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage) has the interest. Please contact the City Secretary for ai form prior to the  conflicts of interest including Chapter 171 of the Local Government Code.  meeting for which you need to file an affidavit.  2.13 Presiding Officer.  The Mayor shall serve as the presiding officer for all meetings of the City Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem shall serve as the presiding officer. In the absence of the Mayor Pro Tem, the City Secretary shall call the meeting to order ifac quorum of the Council is present and thei first order of business shall bet for Council to elect by majority vote, a temporary presiding officer from the members then seated and in attendance. The temporary presiding officer shall serve in such capacity until the The Presiding Officer shall serve as the chair of all meetings and shall make final rulings on all questions pertaining to these rules. All decisions of the Presiding Officerare final unless overruled by the City  meetingi is adjourned.  Council through a Motion to Appeal. Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 17    The Presiding Officer is entitled to participate ini the discussion and debate, and is entitled to vote on all business before the City Council. The Presiding Officer of boards and commissions shall be the person selected by the board or commission as the chair, co-chair, or vice chair. Ift these persons are noti in attendance, the board or commission shall choose at temporary presiding officer from among the  members in attendance. 2.14 Minutes of Meetings.  The City Secretary shall keep an account of all proceedings of the City Council and they shall be open to  public inspection in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. 2.15 Suspension and Amendment of Rules.  Any provisions of these rules not governed by federal or state law or the City Charter may be temporarily suspended by a two-thirds super majority vote of the City Council and may be amended in a similar fashion if such amendment was introduced at the previous regular meeting oft the City Council and shall have received preliminary approval oft the City Council at such meeting. For the purpose of this section, preliminary approval shall mean a motion and a second with a majority vote to preliminary approve the  amendment.  ARTICLE 3. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE  3.1 Purpose.  The purpose of these rules of parliamentary procedure is to establish orderly conduct of the meetings. Simple rules lead to a wider understanding and participation. Complex rules create two classes: (1) those who understand the rules, and (2) those who do not fully understand and do not fully participate. The ultimate purpose oft these rules of parliamentary procedure is to encourage and facilitate decision-making by the City Council. In a democracy, the majority opinion carries the day. These rules enable the majority to express their opinion and fashion a result, while permitting the minority to also express itself (but not  dominate) and fully participate in the process.  3.2 Model Format for an Agenda Item Discussion.  The following ten steps may be used as a model or guidebook by the presiding officer. The meeting is governed by the agenda and the agenda constitutes the only items to be discussed. Each agenda item 1. Announce the Item. The Mayor should clearly announce the agenda item number and should clearly state what the subject matter of the agenda item is by reading the caption for the item 2. Receive a Report. The Mayor should invite the appropriate people to report on the item, 3. Ask Clarifying Questions. The Mayor should ask the Council Members if they have any technical  can be handled by the presiding officer (Mayor) int thei following basic format:  being considered.  including any recommendation they might have.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 18    questions for clarification. Att this point, members of the City Council may ask clarifying questions to the people who reported on thei item, and they should be given time to respond. 4. Seek Audience Input. The Mayor should invite audience comments - ori if a public hearing, open the public hearing aftera a motion, a second and a vote. Upon conclusion, the Mayor should announce that public input is closed, or ifi in a public hearing, request a motion to close the 5. Motion First. The Mayor should invite a motion from the City Council before debate is given on the merits oft the item. The Mayor should announce the name oft the member who makes the 6. Motion. Second. The Mayor should determine if any member oft the City Council wishes to second the motion. The Mayor should announce the name of the member who seconds the motion. Ifno member of the City Council wishes to second the motion, then the motion fails, 7. Repeat Motion. If the motion is made and seconded, the Mayor should make certain that everyone (including the audience) understands the motion. This is done in three ways:  hearing. motion.  and should be sO stated by the Mayor.  a. The Mayor can ask the maker of the motion to repeat it; b. The Mayor can repeat the motion; or C. The Mayor can ask the City Secretary to repeat the motion. Secretary shall read the caption of the ordinance.  8. Ordinance Caption Read. When a motion on an ordinance has been made and seconded, the City 9. Discuss the Motion. The Mayor should now invite the members of the City Council to discuss the motion. If there is no desired discussion, the Mayor may call for a vote. If there has been no discussion or a brief discussion, then there is no need to repeat the motion before taking a vote. If the discussion has been lengthy, iti isa a good idea to repeat the motion before calling for the vote. 10. Vote. The Mayor calls for the vote. Unless a super-majority is required for passage of the motion, a simple majority vote determines whether the motion passes or fails. Unless a member of the Council seeks recusal from voting on any question where the vote would constitute a conflict ofi interest, all members of the Council, including the Mayor, shall vote upon every question, ordinance or resolution (Yea, Nea or Abstain). Any Council Member refusing to vote entered upon the minutes as voting in the affirmative. Action items require a vote. 11. Announce the Outcome. The Mayor announces the results oft the vote and should also state what action (if any) the Council has taken. The Mayor should announce the name of any  unless SO excused shall be  member who voted in the minority on the motion.  3.3 Types of Council Actions (3) Voted Council Actions. 1. Ordinances  The Council adopts standing policy for the City primarily in three forms: (1) Ordinances; (2). Resolutions; and  An ordinance adopted by the Council is al law of the City that may be enforced through the court system. The City Manager or any member oft the Council may offer an ordinance for consideration by the Council. Copies of proposed ordinances are furnished to members of the  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 19    Council in their agenda packets. Copies of proposed ordinances are made available at City offices and will bet furnished to residents upon request to the City Secretary.  2. Resolutions  Resolutions do not have the force of law. A resolution is adopted to state a policy or to define in writing the intent oft the Council when a lawi is not necessary. Examples would include a resolution to define the scope and purpose ofa Council committee, or a resolution to define the Council's policy on an issue. Resolutions are also used to document Council actions for reference. A list of  resolutions is also maintained by the City Secretary.  3. Council Actions  Ina addition to ordinances and resolutions, Council policy may also be set by Council action. Those actions are documented int the minutes of the meeting. Council policy is also supplemented by administrative orders issued by the City Manager and other duly authorized officers of the City, such as clarifications to the personnel manual, or general orders of the police department. All administrative orders must be in conformance with any policies set by the  Council.  3.4 The Basic Motions.  The basic motion is the one that puts forward a decision for consideration. A basic motion might be: "I move approval of the Ordinance as submitted," or "Imake a motion that we deny the Resolution."  3.5 The Motion to Amend.  Ifar member wants to change al basic motion, he or she would have to move to amend the original or previously amended motion. AI motion to amend might be: "Imove that we amend the motion to include the changes we discussed to the Ordinance." A motion to amend seeks to retain the basic motion ont the floor (a motion made and seconded), but to modify it in some way. A motion to amend requires the agreement oft the person making the basic motion. If the basic motion has already been seconded, the motion to amend must be acknowledged and accepted by the member who seconded the basic motion.  3.6 Discussion and Debate.  The basic rule of motions is that they are subject to discussion and debate. Accordingly, the basic motion and the motion to amend are all eligible, eachi int their turn for full discussion by and before the City Council. Discussion and debate can continue as long as the members wish to discuss it, or until the Mayor decides that it is time to move on or a Council Member make a motion to limit debate.  3.7 Other Motions.  There are exceptions to the general rule of free and open debate on motions. The exceptions all apply when there is a desire of the Council to move on. The following motions are NOT debatable, and the Mayor must immediately call a vote on the motion, ifseconded by another member.  Motion to Adjourn. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to immediately adjourn to its next regularly scheduled meeting. This motion requires a simple majority vote. Motion to Recess. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to immediately take a recess.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 110    Normally the Mayor will determine the length of the recess which could last for at few minutes Motion to Fix the Time to Adjourn. This motion, if passed, requires the Council to adjourn the meeting at the specific time set in the motion. Fore example, "Imove we adjourn this meeting at Motion to Table. This motion, if passed, requires discussion of the agenda item to be halted immediately, and the agenda to be placed on hold. The motion may contain a specific time to bring thei item up again, or it may not specify a time. If no time is specified, the item shall be Motion to Remove from Table. This motion, if passed, allows the Council to remove an item previously placed on hold. A vote in favor ofr removing an item from the table must be made before the Council can take action on ani item that was tabled. It requires a simple majority  to several hours. It requires a simple majority vote. Midnight." It requires a simple majority vote.  placed on the agenda at the following Council meeting.  vote.  3.8 Motions Requiring: a Two-Thirds or Supermajorityl Vote to Pass. Normally a super majority vote requires a larger number of affirmative votes than  as simple majority. For purposes of these rules, and where applicable state law does not dictate a contrary result, a super majority vote shall require a minimum oft five votes fora at two-thirds majority vote. The number of affirmative votes required for a super majority is not reduced by the sickness or absence of one or more Council Members. In circumstances where the number of Council Members available to vote ona particular matter is reduced by death, resignation orl legal disqualification of one or more of said Members, the total number of Members voting shall be reduced by a like number and the number of affirmative votes required for adoption re-calculated accordingly. The following table provides an example of the calculation for a super majority vote ini instances where the number of Council Members is  reduced by death, resignation or legal disqualification:  Number of Council Members Minimum Number of Votes  After Reducing by Death, Resignation,etc. 7 6 5 4  For Two-Thirds Super Maiority 5 4 4 3  Motion to Limit Debate. This motion is sometimes referred to as, 'moving the question" or, "calling the question. When a member of the Council makes such a motion, the memberis saying, "Thave had enough discussion, let'svote on the issue." When such a motion is made, the Mayor should ask for a second, stop the discussion and vote on the motion to limit debate. The Motion to Object to the Consideration of an Item. This motion, if passed, precludes the City Council from even considering the item on the agenda. It does not preclude the item from appearing on a future agenda. The motion requires two-thirds, or super majority vote to pass. (Normally, this motion is unnecessary, because the objectionable item can be defeated outright  motion requires at two-thirds super majority vote to pass.  or tabled.)  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 111    Motion to Suspend the Rules. This motion is not debatable, and requires a two-thirds or super majority vote to pass. This motion allows the Council to suspend its own rules for a particular purpose. For example, the Council may desire to give a particular speaker more time than normally allowed. A "motion to suspend the rules and give the speaker ten additional minutes,"  accomplishes this desire. 3.9 Motion to Reconsider.  There is as special motion that requires al bit of explanation all byi itself: the motion to reconsider. A1 tenet of parliamentary procedure is finality. After vigorous discussion, debate and a vote, there must be some closure to the issue. As such, after a vote ist taken, the matter is deemed closed, subject only to reopening An motion to reconsider requires a simple majority vote to pass, but there are two special rules that apply The first issue involves timing. A motion to reconsider must be made at the meeting where the item was first voted upon or at the very next meeting (if properly noticed and on the posted agenda).A motion to reconsider made at al later time is considered untimely and it may not be considered  ifaproperr motion to reconsider is made.  only to the motion to reconsider.  unless the Council suspends the rules to consider it.  Secondly, the motion to reconsider can only be made by a member of the Council who voted in the majority on the original motion. The motion to reconsider may be seconded by any member of the City Council regardless of how they voted on the original motion. Ifa member of the Council who votedi in the minority on the original motion seeks to make a motion to reconsider, it MUST be ruled out of order by the Mayor. The purpose of this rule is finality. Ifai member of the minority could make a motion to reconsider, then the item could be brought back again and again, which would defeat the purpose of Ifamotion to reconsider passes, then the original matter is back before the Council, and a new original motion is in order. The matter may be discussed as ifi it were on the floor fort the first time.  finality.  3.10 Courtesy, Decorum and Order.  These rules of order are meant to promote an atmosphere of courtesy and decorum appropriate for the efficient discussion of business. Iti is the responsibility of the Mayor (and the members of the City Council) to maintain that atmosphere of courtesy and decorum. The Mayor should always ensure that debate and discussion focus on the item and the policy in question, not on the personalities of the participants of the discussion. Debate on policy is healthy; debate on personalities is not. In order to assist in the creation and maintenance oft that atmosphere the following rules shall govern all meetings: 1. Request to. Speak. Before a Council Member, staff member or an audience member may speak, they must first be recognized by the Mayor. Upon recognition the person requesting to speak shall hold thet floor and shall make their point clearly and succinctly. Public comments must be kept relevant to the subject before the Council. The Mayor shall rule on the relevance of comments.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 112    Persons making irrelevant, personal, impertinent, overly redundant or slanderous remarks may be barred by the Mayor from further comment before the Council during the meeting. Audience members who wish to speak during an agenda must first complete a Citizen Comment Request Form and submit it to the City Secretary. The Mayor has the right to cut a speaker offi if the discussion becomes too personal, too loud, too crude, irrelevant, impertinent, redundant, or 2. Order. Ifa person fails to request to speak before speaking, the Mayor shall rule them Out of Order and remind them that they do not have the floor. While the Council is in session, all Council Members must preserve order and decorum. A person shall neither, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the meeting, nor disturb any other person while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Mayor. Members of the City Council should not leave their seats during a meeting without first obtaining permission oft the Mayor, or making al Motion 3. Improper References Prohibited. Every person desiring to speak shall address the entire Council and shall not single out a member of the Council, the audience or a staff member. Speakers shall confine themselves to the question under debate, avoiding all personal attacks and indecorous 4. Interruptions. A Council Member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to call him or her to order, or other such interruption expressed below. If the Council Member, while speaking, is called to order, he or she shall cease speaking until the question of order is determined, andi if the Council Member is found to be in order, he or she shall be permitted to proceed speaking. Allowable interruptions or, points of order are as follows: a. Point of Privilege. The proper interruption would be: "Point of Privilege." The Mayor would then ask the interrupter to, "state your point." Appropriate points of privilege relate to anything that would interfere with the normal comfort of the meeting. For example, the room might be too hot or cold, or a fan motor might interfere witha b. Point of Order. The proper interruption would be: "Point of Order." The Mayor would then ask the interruptert to, "state your point." Appropriate points of order relate to anything that would not be considered appropriate conduct of the meeting. For example, if the Mayor called for a vote on a motion that permits debate without Motion to Appeal. If the Mayor makes a ruling that a member of the body disagrees with, that member may appeal the ruling of the Mayor by stating, "motion to appeal." If the motion is seconded and after debate ifit passes by a simple majority vote, the ruling of d. Callj for orders of the day. This is simply another way ofs saying, "let's return to the agenda." Ifa Council Member believes the discussion has strayed from the agenda. The motion does not require ay vote. If the Mayor discovers that the discussion has strayed from the agenda, he or she simply returns to the business oft the day. e. Withdraw al Motion. During the debate and discussion of a motion, the original maker of the motion on the floor, at any time, mayi interrupt the speaker to withdraw his or her  slanderous.  to Recess.  language.  Council Members ability to hear.  allowing any discussion.  the Mayor is reversed.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 113    motion. The motion isi immediately deemed withdrawn and discussion on the motion shall cease. Council Members are free to make the same motion or another motion.  3.11 Enforcement of Rules and Procedures.  The following provisions may be used to enforce the good order and decorum of the meeting. The action may be taken by the Mayor under his or her own action, or upon a Motion to Enforce by any 1. Warning. The Mayor may order any person (Council Member, staff member or audience 2. Removal. If, after receiving a warning from the Mayor, the person continues to disturb the meeting or breach the peace and good order oft the meeting, the Mayor may order the person to leave the meeting. Ift the person does not leave the room, the Mayor may order the Sergeant- 3. Sergeant-at-Arms. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be the highest ranking police officer in attendance at the Council Meeting, or such other officer designated by the Chief of Police for that purpose. Upon instruction of the Mayor, it shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove from the meeting any person who intentionally disturbs the proceedings of the City Council. A violation of these rules may be deemed an attempt to disrupt, obstruct, and/or interfere with al lawful meeting and subject the violator to prosecution under state law for 4. Resisting Removal. Any person who resists removal by the Sergeant-at-Arms may be charged 5. Motion to Enforce. Any Council Member may move to require the Mayor to enforce these rules and the affirmative vote ofa a simple majority oft the Council shall require the Mayor to do SO.A  Council Member.  member) in violation oft these rules to be silent.  at-Arms to remove the person.  disrupting al lawful meeting. (Section 42.05, Texas Penal Code) with violating Section 42.05 oft the Texas Penal Code.  motion to enforce is an allowable interruption and is not debatable.  3.12 Council May Discipline its Own Members. supermajority vote may discipline the offending member.  Int the event a Council Member violates the Charter, these rules or any ordinance of the City, or acts in a manner that causes embarrassment or disgrace to the City of Ranger, the City Council on at two-thirds Such action may only take place after an Executive Session is held to discuss the offense. The offending member shall be present at the Executive Session to answer any questions asked by members of the City Council or make other statements as he or she may desire to make in his or her defense. If the offending member refuses to attend the Executive Session, the remaining members of the City Council may proceed The outcome of the Executive Session may be as follows and shall be made publicly in Open Session in  in his or her absence.  accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act:  1. No Action. The City Council chooses to take no action.  2. Private Censure. The City Council may choose to privately censure the offending member, leaving their comments to the offending member lefti in the confines of the Executive Session.  Ranger City Council- - Rules of Procedure  Page 114    3. Public Censure. The City Council may choose to publicly censure the offending memberthrougha  resolution passed by supermajority vote and entered into the public record.  ARTICLE 4. AGENDA ORDER  The City Secretary shall prepare an agenda and cause the same to be posted a minimum of 96 hours prior tot the meeting. Agendas shall be delivered to the City Council, in the format requested by each Council Member, on or before 5:30 PM of the day of the posting, or within such other times as established by the City Council from time to time. Int the event of an emergency meeting of the City Council, this provision shall be suspended when not inconsistent with the provisions of federal or state law or the City Charter. Council Members may request an item to be included on aj future agenda. For an item to bei included, requests must be made by at least two members of Council and submitted: to the City Manager's Office at City Halll by 12:00 noon on the seventh (7th) calendar day preceding the date oft the regular meeting.  4.1 Call to Order.  The Mayor shall call the meeting to order, at which time council members shall cease use of a mobile  device until the completion of the meeting. 4.2 Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance  All meetings oft the City Council shall begin with ani invocation and the Pledge of Allegiançe to the United  States flag.  4.3 Presentations and Proclamations.  The Mayor shall make any presentation or deliver any proclamation as may be required from time to time. Outside entities and organizations granted permission to make a presentation shall be placed in  this section.  4.4 Approval of the Minutes.  The Council shall consider the Minutes of any meeting presented for their review since the last Regular  Meeting.  4.5 Consent Agenda Items.  There is hereby established, as a part of every agenda for Regular and/or Special Called Meetings of the City Council, a portion of said agenda that shall be labeled "Consent Agenda." Said Consent Agenda may Alli items set outi in the Consent Agenda shall be deemed passed upon passage of an affirmative motion, by a vote of the majority of the members oft the City Council then seated, that the Consent Agenda be adopted. No further action shall be deemed necessary, and all such items appearing on the Consent  consist ofa any and all business regularly coming before the City Council.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 115    Agenda, upon passage ofs such motion, shall be deemed adopted as ifvoted upon separately and asi ift the Any member of the City Council may request during the Consider Approval of the Agenda segment, that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. Such request shall be honored as ifithad been passed by majority vote. Ifany item was removed from the Consent Agenda, it will be considered immediately following approval of the remainder of the Consent Agenda.  caption and/or body ofa any ordinance therein set out shall have been read ini full.  4.6 Public Hearings.  This section is only used when a statutorily required public hearing is part oft the order of business. The Mayor shall first request staff comments. The Mayor shall open the public hearing and receive citizen input. While the public hearing is open, the City Council may ask questions of the speakers, but may not deliberate or argue with the public ont the matter at hand. Those speaking at a public hearing are required to follow the rules established herein for resident comments. Upon conclusion of resident comments, the Mayor shall close the public hearing. The Council may deliberate or take action on the matter at hand upon the closing of the public hearing. The authority of the Mayor to open and close public hearings shall not be without limitation and may be subject to other Council Actions as set forth int these rules.  4.7 Regular Agenda Items.  Items fori individual consideration shall be considered by the City Council individually and approved by  either as simple majority vote ora a super majority vote as the case may be. 4.8 Resident Comments on Non-Agenda Items.  All persons desiring to speak to the City Council on a non-agenda item must submit a Citizen Comment Request Form to the City Secretary at least five (5) minutes before the meeting starts.  4.9 City Manager's Report.  This section is used for routine reports and announcements provided by the City Manager to the Council. It also is an opportunity for Council to ask questions of the City Manager related to project status and  clarifications.  4.10 Future Agenda Items.  The Council may request future items to be placed on a future agenda at this time. An additional member of Council must concur with a request for an item to be placed on ai future agenda. No  discussion or deliberation of the items may take place.  4.11 Executive Session Items.  This section is only used when it is necessary for the Council to convene in Executive Session. Executive Sessions are sessions closed to the public. They are only permitted for the purpose of discussing matters  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page I1 16    enumerated in Chapter 551, Open Meetings Act oft the Texas Government Code. Notice of topics to be discussed shall be made to the publici in accordance with the requirements of the Open! Meetings Act.  4.12 Action on Executive Session Items.  This section is only used ifs section 4.11 is used. Action on Executive Session Items must be taken during public/open session of the Council. Action may include the taking of no action at all.  4.13 Adjournment.  When the meeting has completed its work, the Mayor shall adjourn the meeting. ARTICLE 5. WORK SESSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES  5.1 Purpose.  City Council may call and hold Work Sessions for the purpose of conducting a detailed and thorough exploration of matters that may properly come before the City Council. The following rules shall prevail  for the call and conduct of Work Session meetings.  5.2 Agenda.  Only al limited number of matters shall be considered by the City Council during a Work Session, and sufficient time for consideration of such matters shall be provided. An abbreviated agenda order shall be  used for all. Work Session agendas. 5.3 Technical Questions.  All questions of at technical nature, which require a detailed explanation for understanding, may be considered in a Work Session. Council may, through the City Manager, request the attendance ofs such  staff members or outside experts as may be required to answer such questions.  5.4 Prohibitions Against Formal Actions.  Not formal actions may be taken at a Work Session. Council may provide staff direction on the matter being considered and ask that the item be placed on a Regular or Special Called Meeting agenda for  formal action.  5.5 Audience Comments or Questions.  Audience comments or questions will not be considered at a Work Session.  Ranger City Council- - Rules of Procedure  Page 117    ARTICLE 6. RULES GOVERNING AUDIENCE COMMENTS  6.1 Purpose.  Itis the desire of the City Council to hear from the residents of Ranger and to stimulate discussion and offer a forum for a cordial and meaningful public debate on matters that are properly a concern of the  City Council. Thet following rules shall control and govern audience comments. 6.2 Mayor to State Rules for Audience Comments.  Immediately preceding the opening of a public hearing, or resident input on an agenda item, or to receive comments on non-agenda items, the Mayor shall summarize the rules governing comments from the audience. The Mayor may direct the City Secretary to read the rules and publish the same in the Council  Chambers.  6.3 Rules Governing Resident Comments.  1. Amaximum of 30 minutes will be devoted to receiving comments from the public on each agenda item. Each speaker is limited to one presentation per meeting and a maximum timed limit of three 2. No individual may address the Council without submitting a Citizen Comment Request Form. The form must clearly state the subject or issue on which the resident wishes to speak. If the subject matter does not pertain to city business the Mayor shall advise the individual and/or make 3. Residents speaking on agenda items shall restricttheir comments to the subject matter listed. 4. Residents speaking on non-agenda items shall only speak on matters pertaining to city business or issues which the Council would have the authority to act upon if brought forth as an agenda item. 5. Council may not act upon or discuss any issue brought forth as a non-agenda item; except to: a. Make a statement of specific factual information given in response to the inquiry, or Any deliberation of or decision about the subject of the inquiry shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the agenda for a subsequent meeting, or direct staff to review. 6. Proper respect, decorum, and conduct shall prevail at all times. Impertinent, slanderous, or personal attacks are strictly prohibited and violators may be removed from the Council Chambers. 7. No placards, banners or signs may be displayed in the Council Chambers or City Hall. Exhibits 8. Arguing, intimidation or other disruptive behavior is prohibited. Discussion and/or debate are 9. Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stomping of feet, applauding, whistles, yells, or any type of disruptive behavior is prohibited. Applause of appreciation may be acceptable when 10. Council meetings are the workplace to carry out the business of the City of Ranger; therefore, any conduct that could constitute harassment in the workplace is prohibited. 11. In all cases, the Mayor shall preside over the Council meeting and ensure that proper conduct and  minutes.  recommendations as to how they may get the issue addressed.  b. Make a recitation of existing policy in response to the inquiry.  relating to a presentation are acceptable.  acceptable only on items specifically listed ont the agenda. recognizing a significant event or achievement.  decorum is adhered to.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 118    6.4 Preservation of Order.  The Mayor shall preserve order and decorum and, if necessary, shall cause to be silenced or removed from the Council Chambers any person speaking out of order or disrupting the order oft the meeting.  ARTICLE7. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS  7.1 General.  All boards and commissions are detailed under Article' VIII, Boards and Commissions, oft the City Charter.  7.2 Meeting Times and Agenda Order.  Boards, commissions, and committees shall set their own meeting times. All boards, commissions, and committees shall be subject to these rules. Each board, commission, and committee shall set their own  agenda, sO long asi itisi in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.  7.3 Boards with Regulatory Authority.  The Architectural Review Board, Board of Adjustments, Building Standards Commission, Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, Economic Development Corporation, Kaufman County Appraisal District Board and Planning and Zoning Commission, all have egulatoryautnority.  7.4 Boards without Regulatory Authority.  The Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Library Board and Parks and Recreation Board, do not have  regulatoryauthority. 7.5 Appointments. and commissions. 7.6 Board Members.  The City Council will review applications and or interview eligible applicants for open positions on boards  Members appointed to boards or commissions serve at the will of the Council and may be removed, replaced, or not reappointed at the discretion of the Council, by majority vote, with or without cause. When conducting the business oft the City, appointed members of alll boards or commissions shall follow  the rules of procedure set forth for the City Council. 7.7 Open Government Training.  Upon initial appointment, within 90 days of taking the oath of office or assuming duties, all board, commission, and committee members shall be required to watch the training videos pertaining to the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act, as provided by the City Secretary.  Ranger City Council - Rules of Procedure  Page 119    TABLE OF MOTIONS AND POINTS OF ORDER  REQUIRES SECOND Yes * Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes  VOTE TYPE Simple N/A Simple Simple Simple Simple Super Super Super Simple N/A N/A Simple N/A N/A Simple  MOTION/ORDER Basic Motion Motion to Amend Motion to Adjourn Motion to Recess Motion to Fix the Time to Adjourn Motion to Table Motion to Limit Debate Motion to Object to the Consideration of an Item Motion to Suspend Rules Motion to Reconsider Point of Privilege Point of Order Motion to Appeal  DEBATABLE AMENDABLE  Yes No No No No No No No No Yes No No Yes No No No  Yes Yes No Yes No No. No No No Yes No No No No No No  Call for Orders of the Day No Withdraw a Motion Motion to Enforce  No Yes  * For the purposes of these rules, Amendments are not debatable and only require the approval of the member who made the original motion. An amendment to an amendment, requires first the approval oft the member who made the original amendment and secondly the approval oft the  member who made the original motion.  Ranger City Council- - Rules of Procedure  Page I 20