HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR 060 - Rosenberg's Rules of Order
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: January 30, 2009 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Richard Taylor, City Attorney DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
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SUBJECT: Rules of Parliamentary Procedure for City Council and Commission
Meetings
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RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss changing the rules of parliamentary procedure for
City Council and Commission meetings from Roberts Rules of Order to a simplified
structure based on the California League of Cities’ “Rosenberg’s Rules of Order.”
REPORT SUMMARY:
The City Code currently provides that the City follows Robert’s Rules of Order in matters of
parliamentary procedure. Robert’s Rules was first published in 1876 by General Henry Martyn
Robert. It has been revised and updated and, since expiration of the copyright, republished in a
number of different editions. At just over 700 pages, Robert’s Rules seeks to address a wide
range of potential parliamentary circumstances. The vast majority of the rules and procedures
are geared towards legislative bodies and committees considerably larger than the City Council
and City commissions. In staff’s experience the complexity of Roberts Rules can at times
frustrate, rather than facilitate, local government deliberations.
In response to concerns regarding the suitability of Robert’s Rules the California League of
Cities has published greatly simplified rules of procedure developed by the State court judge and
Yolo County elected official, Dave Rosenberg. In 8 pages (attached) the pamphlet presents a
workable set of rules and procedures tailored to local government in California. If the City
Council is interested in an alternative to Robert’s Rules it could consider use of Rosenberg’s
Rules of Order. Alternatively it could adopt rules based on Rosenberg’s Rules of Order but
tailored to Saratoga.
Changing the City’s rules of procedure would require a minor amendment to the Saratoga Code
and the City Council Norms of Operation and Procedure in addition to drafting any
modifications to Rosenberg’s Rules that the Council feels are appropriate for Saratoga. This is
not expected to lead to significant costs.
ATTACHMENTS:
Rosenberg’s Rules of Order
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