Amending Article II of the Rules of Council for Allegheny County Council through the creation of a new Section F.5., in order to encourage committee meeting participation by adjusting the rule governing quorums at committee meetings.
Whereas, the Rules of Allegheny County Council, as currently drafted, establish that a quorum exists for all committees except the Committee on Appointment Review when the Chair and one committee member are present, and for the Committee on Appointment Review when the Chair alone is present, see Article II, Rule F.5.; and
Whereas, the committee process was established and has functioned to enable thorough, in-depth discussion and evaluation of bills pending before the Council; and
Whereas, although the various committee chairs consistently endeavor to encourage participation in committee meetings by all Members of Council, the current quorum rule indirectly and unintentionally operates in opposition to these efforts, insofar as it permits bills to be released by the committees with as few as one or two committee members present; and
Whereas, it is the desire of Council to render the quorum rule consistent with the chairs' efforts to encourage participation in the committee process by redefining a quorum for the committees;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY,
That this Council hereby amends the Rules of Council as follows:
Article II. Meetings
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F. Committee Meetings
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5. A quorum shall be deemed to be present for any committee meeting to proceed when both the Chair and at least one a majority of the seated committee members are present, with the exception of the Appointment Review Committee, for which the Chair alone may constitute a quorum. In any committee, an affirmative vote by a majority of the seated members present is necessary for the committee to enact any amendment to legislation.
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PRIMARY SPONSOR: COUNCIL MEMBER HEIDELBAUGH
CO-SPONSORS: