Agenda Text
title
City Clerk responding to #197019 re: means of Aldermanic communications in the absence of an Order or Resolution.
body
Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
This is pursuant to your Order #197019, approved by the BOA on May 22, 2014, in which Alderman Rossetti requested what methods would be available in the event she or other members of the Board wished to communicate information to a third party in the absence of a Board-approved resolution or other Board formal action.
With respect to items for which there has been no formal Board action or resolution, individual members of the Board may generally contact third parties and express their opinions in their official capacity at any time. If the matter is not pending before the Board, and is not reasonably expected to come before the Board, a quorum of members may generally discuss the matter with each other and sign a joint communication on the matter. Even if the matter is pending before the Board, or reasonably expected to come before the Board, less than a quorum of members may generally discuss the matter with each other and sign a joint communication.
The above actions would be taken by the Board members individually and not on behalf of the Board as a body. Questions on specific issues should be directed to the City Solicitor.
For your additional information, the only method to obtain a Board-approved resolution or action is for the Board to meet and take such an action. If time is of the essence, then the President, or any six Aldermen, may call for a Special Meeting in order to conduct that vote. The Open Meeting Law requires at least 48 hours’ notice before a meeting may be conducted, and there are no exceptions short of an emergency.
Please contact me if you require further information.
Respectfully Submitted,
John J. Long, City Clerk