§ 2-48. Presiding officer.

(a)

The presiding officer of the common council, which is the president, or the vice-president or other designated councilmember, when the president is not available, shall take the chair precisely at the hour fixed for the opening of the meeting and shall call the council to order if a quorum is present.

(b)

The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum. He may speak on points of order in preference to councilmembers, and shall decide questions of order according to the rules adopted by the common council. If an appeal should be requested on his ruling, the question on appeal should be put: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the decision of the council?" An appeal from the presiding officer's decision shall be heard by and on the request of any two members of the common council. A simple majority vote shall prevail.

(c)

The presiding officer shall ask for a voice vote of the common council on any motion before it. If a vote is necessary, his question shall be: "All in favor of the question, say 'aye' or 'yes'; those opposed to the question say 'nay' or 'no.' " If the presiding officer cannot determine the vote, or if a division of the council is called for, the council shall be individually polled by the clerk and the votes recorded.

(d)

The presiding officer shall prohibit loud talking or any other disturbance within the council chamber.

(e)

The presiding officer shall sign all ordinances passed by the council before their presentation to the mayor. He shall sign all ordinances after enrollment as well as the journal of the proceedings.

(Code 1968, tit. 20, art. I, § 8; Code 1985, § 30.01; Ord. No. 300, 8-6-1906; Ord. No. 1534, 11-3-1969; Ord. No. 2493, 12-21-1981)

State law reference

President; vice-president, IC 36-4-6-8; requirements for adoption, IC 36-4-6-14.