pg.320.001 As Adopted in City Council on January 7, 2020
As Amended in City Council on December 16, 2021 by 21.370
3 of 23
1. These Rules
1.1. ADOPTION. When adopted by the City Council, these Rules shall take effect at
the time of the first Council meeting following January 1, 20220.
1.2. REPEAL OR AMENDMENT. City Council Rules may only be repealed or
amended with a two-thirds majority vote of quorum present. The latest version of
these Rules shall be published online.
1.3. PRECEDENCE. The City Council Meetings shall conform to parliamentary
practices as set forth in the Rules of the City Council. The procedures defined in
the most current version of Robert’s Rules of Order will resolve questions not
addressed by the Council Rules.
1.4. SUSPENSION. Suspension of these rules or any part thereof shall require a two-
thirds majority of the quorum present. Nothing herein shall be construed to
authorize suspension of any provision of the Charter of the City of Northampton,
or any ordinance of the City of Northampton.
2. Organization
2.1. PRESIDING OFFICER
2.1.1. DUTIES. When present, the Council President shall be the presiding
officer of the City Council at every meeting. The duties as presiding
officer shall be only those set forth herein:
2.1.1.1. To open the meeting at the appointed time by taking the chair,
calling the meeting to order, and ascertaining that a quorum is
present.
2.1.1.2. To announce in proper sequence the business that comes before the
City Council.
2.1.1.3. To recognize members who are entitled to the floor.
2.1.1.4. To state and to put to vote all questions that legitimately come
before the City Council as motions or that otherwise arise in the
course of proceedings (except questions that relate to the presiding
officer as noted below), and to announce the result of each vote or,
if a motion that is not in order is made, to rule it out of order; or, to
refuse to recognize obviously frivolous or dilatory motions as
defined by Robert’s Rules;.
2.1.1.5. To expedite business in every way compatible with the rights of all
members of the body.