1961-05-09 Special CC Minutes348
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING - MAY 9 1981
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President Collischonn presiding.
The Call and Notice of Special Meeting had been properly delivered to each Councilman and acknow-
ledgement of receipt had been indicated by the signatures of the respective Councilmen.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Dungan, Godfrey, McCall, Schacht and President Collischonn,
(5), were noted present. Absent: None.
President Collischonn stated the purpose of the meeting was to informally discuss Council procedures
and asked for comments from the Councilmen. It was suggested the Council meetings should be conducted
under Roberts Rules of Order.
Upon request, Mr. Weller pointed out the most time-consuming matters at Council meetings came under
the agenda headings of (1) "Oral Communications", (2) "Hearings" and (3) "Unfinished and New
Business".
Item No. 1 - Mr. Annibale stated the Presiding Officer has every right to limit any speaker to a
certain length of time and also to prohibit him from bringing up side issues to the subject involved.
After considerable discussion, it was agreed the total time allowed for Oral Communications and the
allocation of time for each speaker would be at the discretion of the President.
Item No. 2 - Mr. Weller suggested a statement be prepared by the City Attorney, which could be read
or attached to the agenda, setting forth the purpose of public hearings in general for the informa-
tion of those in the audience.
**During the course of much discussion on this subject in an effort to achieve results more quickly,
the following procedure was determined upon: (1) City Attorney to state issues before Council for
its consideration, (2) Planning Director to give factual, objective statement of circumstances, (3)
Proponents to speak, (4) Opponents to speak, (5) Motion and Second, then Council questions and
discussion.
Item No. 3 - Mr. Weller stated that many matters now unexpectedly brought up at Council meetings
should actually be handled administratively. It was agreed that, henceforth, the Councilmen will
check with Mr. Weller on a specific question or complaint and in cases where they can be taken care
of by the Staff, such will be done. The complainant will be notified, and copies of such letters or
reports on inquiries of general interest will be sent to all Councilmen for their information, when
necessary.
@r° Weller also referred to the present policy of putting all letters addressed to the "Council" on
the agenda and questioned the necessity of this in such instances as "junk" mail, administrative
matters and scurrilous letters. He explained that copies will be made Of all such letters and sent
to the Councilmen "just for their information".
A discussion was then entered into with regard to holding an informal pre-Council session merely
for clarification of any question a Councilman might have concerning an agenda item.
Mr. Weller felt ten or fifteen minutes would be sufficient time to allow for said meeting. Mr.
Annibale explained such a session would be held under the special-meeting procedure.
It was emphasized that the Press and any interested citizens would be welcome as spectators. It was
finally determined said Council gatherings would begin on Tuesday, May 18, 1961, at 7:15 o'clock p.m.,
in Room 303.
President Collischonn stated the objective of the Council is to conduct its business with dispatch in
order that more citizens will become interested in attending the meetings.
There being no further items to discuss at this time, the Council adjourned at 11:25 o'clock p.m.
Respectfully submittedi
4 te
°
City Clerk
�
�
** Paragraph corrected to read as follows:
During the course of much discussion on this subject in an effort to achieve results more quickly,
the following procedure was determined upon: (1) Planning Director to give factual, objective
statement of circumstances, (2) City Attorney to state issues before Council for its consideration,
(3) Proponents to speak, (4) Opponents to speak, (5) Motion and Second, then Council questions
and discussion.