Meetings
Can A Motion Be Restated If No One Seconds It?
Question: At our last meeting a motion was made by a member of the council, after a long period of silence and no second, the question was raised whether the motion died due to the lack of a second. The motion was then made again and a member of the council seconded the motion. Was that legal?
Answer: By statute the Mayor is the facilitator of the meeting. As the facilitator/presider he/she is the one who declares whether a motion has died. There would be no ‘re-motion’ because the facilitator (mayor) did not declare the motion ‘dead.’ The motion was simply restated.
Statutes declaring the mayor presides over meetings
Title 11 O.S. Section § 9-105 Aldermanic Form of Government
Title 11 O.S. Section § 10-105 Council-Manager Form of Government
Title 11 O.S. Section § 11-105 Strong-Mayor Form of Government
Title 11 O.S. Section § 12-105 Town Form of Government
What are the rules concerning Recording Council Meetings?
Question;Last night a reporter came to their monthly council meeting. He put a tape recorder on the podium for the entire length of the meeting. Is there any way the council can request the reporter not to use that information that he taped for his news story? Does the council have any rights to prevent him from using the tape?
Answer;Any person attending a council meeting can record or video-tape the meeting, as long as they do not interfere with the conduct of the meeting. (Title 25 O.S. Sec 312 (C)) SECTION 312. WRITTEN MINUTES REQUIRED - OPEN TO PUBLIC A. The proceedings of a public body shall be kept by a person so designated by such public body in the form of written minutes which shall be an official summary of the proceedings showing clearly those members present and absent, all matters considered by the public body, and all actions taken by such public body. The minutes of each meeting shall be open to public inspection and shall reflect the manner and time of notice required by this act.B. In the written minutes of an emergency meeting, the nature of the emergency and the proceedings occurring at such meeting, including reasons for declaring such emergency meeting, shall be included.C. Any person attending a public meeting may record the proceedings of said meeting by videotape, audiotape or by any other method; providing, however, such recording shall not interfere with the conduct of the meeting.