Censuring Council Member Michael Finnerty for committing eight separate violations of the Rules of Council and Robert’s Rules of Order during the course of the March 26, 2014 meeting of the Committee on Budget and Finance, which, in the judgment of Council, undermine the ability of Council to function as an effective legislative body while simultaneously reducing the transparency of Council’s proceedings, jeopardizing the public’s faith in the impartiality and independence of Council and violating the standards established by the Allegheny County Ethics Code, and additionally requiring the Executive Committee to conduct a public meeting to determine Mr. Finnerty’s fitness to continue in the role of Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, and authorizing the delivery of a formal written apology for Mr. Finnerty’s conduct to the Allegheny County Controller.
WHEREAS, the Rules of Council regarding Decorum in Meetings, Article II, Rule M., governs council members’ behavior in the course of Council proceedings and expressly establishes Robert’s Rules of Order as supplementing the Rules of Council as a determinant of proper decorum in all meetings; and
WHEREAS, Article II, Rule M.9. of Council’s Rules make available a censure motion for violation of the Rules regarding Decorum and other ethical or legal standards of behavior that are applicable to the Council Members in the course of conducting County business; and
WHEREAS, at the March 26 meeting of the Committee on Budget and Finance, the Chair began discussion of Bill No. 8151-14 by asserting its illegality based upon an opinion that the chair obtained via direct request to Council’s solicitor, then refused to permit any discussion of Bill No. 8151-14 beyond his bare assertion; and
WHEREAS, the Chair then refused to recognize a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance for the purpose of offering an amendment to Bill No. 8151-14 in order to cure the alleged illegality; and
WHEREAS, when another member ...
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