§ 205.13. Rules of order.

Subdivision 1. Presiding officer. The Mayor shall preside at Council meetings, preserve order and decorum, and decide questions of order. The Mayor's duties under this subdivision shall be in addition to his duties, rights and privileges as a Council member.

Subd. 2. Special rules. The following special rules apply to Council procedure:

(a)

A member may be excused from voting on a matter properly before the Council only with the unanimous consent of the other members present, unless the member is required by law to abstain from voting; (Amended, Bill No. 1998-22)

(b)

A motion before the Council shall be reduced to writing by the Clerk at the request of any Council member; and

(c)

Such other special rules as may be adopted by ordinance or resolution as the Council from time to time deems necessary.

Subd. 3. General rules. Except as otherwise provided in this code or in rules of procedure adopted from time to time by resolution of the Council, Council parliamentary procedure is governed by the latest printed edition of "Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure." (Amended, Bill No. 1998-22)

Subd. 4. Suspension of rules. The operation and effect of a rule set forth in this subsection may be suspended upon the unanimous vote of the Council.