§ 2-07. Council Meetings and Rules.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    The Council shall meet regularly at least twice a month at intervals of at least two (2) weeks at such times and places as the Council may prescribe. Special meetings may be held on the call of the presiding officer of the Council or a majority of the authorized membership of the Council with such notice as may be required by state law. To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or public safety, the Council may meet upon call of the President, the presiding officer of the Council or a majority of the authorized membership of the Council at whatever notice it shall be convenient to give. The call convening a special or emergency meeting of the Council shall state the objects of the meeting. The power of the Council to act at a special or emergency meeting shall be limited, under penalty of nullity, to the objects specifically enumerated in the call.

    B.

    All meetings of the Council and its committees shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of general state law.

    C.

    The Council shall determine by resolution its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping a record of its minutes and proceedings. All official actions of the Council shall be published in the official journal within thirty (30) days of the action taken.

    D.

    At all regular meetings of the Council, the Council shall operate from an agenda which shall have been published at least two (2) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the meeting. The agenda for special or emergency meetings shall be made available to the public as soon as practical prior to the meeting.

    E.

    The Council shall provide by resolution a procedure whereby interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard at Council meetings on any matter relating to City-Parish Government.

    F.

    At the first regular meeting of a newly elected Council and annually thereafter, a chair and vice chair shall be elected by the Council from among the Council Members. The chair shall preside at meetings of the Council, supervise or delegate supervision of Council employees, and carry out such other duties as the Council may authorize.

    G.

    In the absence or disqualification of the chair, the vice chair shall preside. In the absence or disqualification of both the chair and vice chair, the Council shall designate one of its other members as temporary presiding officer. The chair, vice chair and temporary presiding officer shall be voting members of the Council.

    H.

    All voting shall be by roll call, and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the minutes of the Council by the individual vote of each Council member. Not less than a majority of the authorized membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but if a quorum is lost during a meeting, a smaller number may recess from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by Council rules.

(Reprint of January 2010)