Docket 0156

City Council Discusses and Changes Council Rules for the Year, Including Committee Power.

The City's own summary of the docket.

The amendment did not pass: yeas 4, nays 9: (Councilors Arroyo, Jackson, Pressley and Yancey) Rule 3 Councilor Ross wants to Amend Rule 3 by striking the sentences “No City Council President shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Councilor Murphy offered the following: Order that the City Council adopt the Rules of the City Council for the 2013 Municipal Year. Councilor LaMattina in the Chair. Councilor Yancey offered the following amendment to Rule 24 of Docket No. 0156: Councilor Ross seconded. Rule 24 shall be amended by adding after the third paragraph the following provision: If after ninety (90) days after a matter is referred to a committee (unless referred under Rule 5), it may be called by three (3) members of the council. President Murphy in the Chair. The amendment passed; yeas 8, nays 5: (Councilors Ciommo, Consalvo, LaMattina, Linehan and Murphy). Councilor Yancey offered the following amendment to Rule 40 of Docket No. 0156: Councilor Baker seconded. Rule 40 shall be amended by adding at the end thereof the following: The Supreme Judicial Court has adjudicated that the Boston City Council does not have the authority to remove any member. The amendment did not pass: yeas 4, nays 9: (Councilors Arroyo, Jackson, Pressley and Yancey) Rule 3 Councilor Ross wants to Amend Rule 3 by striking the sentences “No City Council President shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. A member, after serving two (2) consecutive terms as president, may again serve as president after one (1) year has passed.” Councilor President agrees. Councilor Yancey does not agree that the City Charter allows for these amendments. President Murphy disagreed. Charles Yancey doubted the ruling of the Chair regarding annual election of president. Ross says it is not binding itself to anything this year that cannot be undone next year. Councilor O’Malley point of inquiry. Adopt two year term; is the legislation active or does it die after the year? Clerk read from the City Charter in Section 17. Election of City Council President. Clerk said it does not speak to a yearly election. Speaks for intent of the body only. Pressley: Shall we refer this Committee of the Whole? Councilor Yancey doubts ruling of Chair. President wanted to reject Councilor Yancey’s opinion. Yancey makes motion to change Rule 3 or actually doubting ruling of the chair. No second on motion, the ruling of the Chair stands. On motion of President Murphy, Docket #0156, as amended, was passed.