Powerpoint Rules of Procedures Governing Council Meetings

1. ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
Presented by:
Phil Laney
Assistant City Manager
COUNCIL MEETINGS RULES OF
PROCEDURE
ITEM # 3
JULY 26, 2021

2. OVERVIEW
 All public meetings governed by Texas Open
Meeting Act
 Establishes legal requirements
 City Council may determine own rules of
procedure
 City Charter Article VI Section 3
 City Council may adopt public testimony policy
 House Bill 2840 (2019)

3. BACKGROUND
 Rules of Procedure Purpose
 Ensure meetings:
 Conduct business of City effectively
 Members of public heard in fair, impartial & respectful
manner
 Open to all viewpoints yet free from abusive, distracting or
intimidating behavior
 Decorum understood by attendees

4. BACKGROUND
 2006 - Rules of Procedure Governing Meetings
adopted
 2007-Aug. 2010 – 2 updates
 Dec. 2010 – Latest update
 Resolution # 2010R - 022

5. POLICY ANALYSIS
 Emergency meeting notification
requirements
 Senate Bill 494 (2019) amended Tex Gov’t Code
 Public’s right to address Council defined to:
 Alamo Heights citizens & business owners
 Guests of Council members – special privilege
acknowledgement

6. POLICY ANALYSIS
 Formalize current process
 Agenda packet posted on City website
 Appropriate etiquette of audio/visual
recording devices
 Designated location for larger devices

7. COORDINATION
 City Attorney & City Manager reviewed
proposed changes

8. FISCAL IMPACT
 No fiscal impact