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Agenda: Topics Discussed
The
agenda is used as an official working guide from
which the Council conducts its meetings. The agenda,
which is prepared by staff in consultation with the
Mayor, includes current legislative and policy
issues which must be reviewed by the Council.
While
items are usually placed on the agenda at the
request of the Council or staff members, citizens
who would like the Council to review a particular
item should send a formal written request to the
Office of the City Clerk, 5000 Austell-Powder
Springs Road, Suite 137, Austell, Georgia 30106. The
item will be reviewed to determine whether it should
be handled administratively, referred to a board or
commission, or added to an upcoming City Council
agenda.
The
agenda, staff reports, and other background material
may be reviewed at the City Clerk's Office
beginning on the Monday before a Council
meeting. Copies of the agenda are available at no
charge.
Addressing The City Council
Anyone
wishing to speak on an item listed on the agenda, or
to bring up an item not listed, will have the
opportunity to address those under the Citizens
report. Those wishing to be heard should
submit their request prior to the meeting to the
Office of City Clerk.
Speakers should speak directly to the City Council
and state their name and address for the record.
Presentations should be clear and concise. Groups
and organizations are asked to designate one
spokesperson whenever possible. Repetition of
ideas expressed by other speakers should be avoided.
Every
effort will be made to ensure that citizens have
ample opportunity to address the City Council.
Agenda Format
Consent Calendar:
Composed of those items which require only routine
review by the Council. Only one motion is needed for
the approval of all items listed on the Consent
Calendar. Any Council Member or staff member may
request that a specific item be removed from the
Consent Calendar for separate action.
Ceremonial Matters:
Special presentations or announcements at the
beginning of the meeting.
Public Hearings:
Hearings on matters of importance or legal
requirement, often referred by the Planning and
Zoning Board or another City Commission. Meetings
are generally held on dates announced at a
commission meeting or by mailed notice and/or
newspaper publication.
Unfinished Business:
Items continued from previous meetings.
New
Business:
Items to be reviewed and discussed by the City
Council.
Ordinances for Adoption:
Ordinances which have been introduced by the City
Council at a previous meeting. Public comment is
invited at this time.
Other Business:
An opportunity for citizens to bring up issues or
concerns not listed on the agenda. No formal Council
action will be taken.
In compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act, those requiring accommodations for
the meeting should notify the City Clerk's Office at
(770) 944-4326 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Council Actions
Motions:
The least formal of Council actions. May be used to
approve, deny, or continue items, accept reports, or
establish Council policy or procedures.
Resolutions:
Formalized Council actions which become effective
upon adoption.
Ordinance:
Legal instruments or laws used to affect general
health, safety, and welfare of the public. Most
become part of the Municipal Code. With the
exception of emergency ordinances, all Ordinances
are introduced at a previous meeting and become
effective thirty days after adoption.
Types of City Council Meetings
Regular Meetings:
Held on the 1st and Monday of each month at 7:00
p.m. at the Austell City Hall Council Chambers
located at 2716 Broad Street, SW.
Special Called Meetings:
Held as needed to provide the City Council vote on
emergency issues.
Pre-Agenda Sessions:
Held by the City Council the last Monday of each
month, beginning at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of
briefly reviewing the agenda. No formal action is
taken at this time. These sessions are open to the
public.
Closed Sessions:
Held for the specific purpose of addressing a
personnel or litigation matter. For reasons of
confidentiality, these sessions are closed to the
general public. |
