RULES FOR CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS IN UTOPIA
a resource for the Making Budget Choices activity

This Maine Municipal Association publication is presented for "Classroom Use Only."  Its intended use is to stimulate and aid in discussion and role playing within a classroom setting.

1. Anyone who wishes to speak during council meetings must be recognized by the mayor and get the mayor's permission to speak. Only council members and the city manager may ask the mayor for permission to speak during council meetings. Other people may speak at the meeting only if the mayor asks them to do so. All presentations must be directed to the mayor and council.

2. Any member of the council may introduce a motion. If the motion is seconded by another member of council, it becomes an official proposal and must be voted upon.

3. When a motion has been introduced and seconded, all discussion must concern that motion.

4. A motion may be amended if a member of council introduces an amendment, the amendment is seconded by another member of council, and the amendment is approved by a majority vote of the council members present. Amendments which are moved (introduced) and seconded must be voted on before discussion continues on the main motion.

5. A motion is adopted if it is approved by a majority of the council.

6. Only members of the council may vote, except that the mayor may also vote in case of a tie among the voting council members.