A. Decorum in Debate. When any assembly member is about to speak in debate or deliver any matter to the assembly, he shall address himself to the chair and, being recognized, confine himself to the question under debate. No assembly member shall impugn the motive of any assembly member’s vote or argument and shall avoid personalities. An assembly member who is speaking may not be interrupted to make a motion, even one with high priority like the motion to adjourn.

B. Order of Speaking.

C. Point of Order. If any assembly member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the assembly, the chair shall call him to order, or any other assembly member may rise to a point of order. The assembly member called to order shall immediately cease speaking and cease the action to which he was called to order. The chair or assembly member rising to point of order shall state the offense committed and the assembly member called to order shall then be heard in explanation or justification. The chair shall then rule on the point of order. Any assembly member may challenge a ruling of the chair and, if duly seconded, the chair’s ruling shall not stand unless affirmed by a majority vote of the assembly.

D. Private Conversations. When an assembly member is speaking, the assembly shall be in order and no private conversations shall be carried on.

E. Recognition to Speak. No assembly member shall be recognized to speak on the same question a second time until every assembly member choosing to speak has spoken except the mover of the question, who may open and close the debate. The chair may take part in the discussion of any matter before the assembly.

The chair may recognize a citizen to address the assembly upon request of an assembly member, unless objected to by two or more assembly members. Remarks by a citizen so recognized may relate only to a question before the body. [Ord. FY2015-05 §2, 2014; Ord. FY2014-20 §2, 2014; Ord. 98-02 §4, 1998; Ord. 86-13-O(A) §3, 1986; Ord. 79-11-O, 1979. Formerly §2.17.080].