Dublin City Council Meeting Process
City Council generally meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the City Council Chambers of the Dublin Municipal Building, 5200 Emerald Parkway. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. with staff comments. Official holidays can affect dates so residents are advised to call 614-410-4436 to verify dates and times.
The Agenda
The legislation to be considered at the Council meeting is listed numerically and by the title of legislation. Interested parties who would like to see legislation in its entirety can contact the Clerk of Council at 614-410-4436. Copies of the agenda are available online, to the public at Council meetings and it is published in the local Dublin newspapers.
Order of Business
Pledge of Allegiance
Community organizations are encouraged to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
The Clerk of Council takes roll call. If a quorum (four Council members) is present, the meeting continues.
Approval of Minutes From Previous Meeting
Council votes on approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and makes any changes necessary.
Correspondence
The Clerk acknowledges the receipt of correspondence to Council requiring Council action.
Comments From Visitors
An opportunity for citizens or other interested parties to bring matters of interest to Council. Comments are limited to items not on the agenda for the meeting. The forum is not designed to be a question and answer session and each participant has up to five minutes on the floor. Council may refer the matter to a committee or to staff.
Council Roundtable
An opportunity for Council members to bring matters of interest to the floor for discussion.
Legislation Readings: Introduction, First Reading, and Public Hearing
Ordinances require two readings at Council meetings unless a vote of at least two thirds of Council suspends this rule. Resolutions require only one reading at a Council meeting.
Other Business
Council considers other matters at this time including approval of plats, concept plans and various discussion items.
Council Committee Reports
Council committee chairs update Council on matters referred to them. The Standing Council committees are: Administrative Committee, Community Development Committee, Finance Committee and Public Services Committee.
Executive Session
An Executive Session (as provided by Ohio Revised Code) must be announced when City Council wishes to adjourn to discuss personnel, legal or land acquisition matters.
Adjournment
Legislative Procedure
Legislative action of Council is undertaken by resolution or ordinance. Non-legislative action of Council is by motion.
Introduction of Legislation - Legislation may be introduced by any Council member at any regular or special meeting of Council. Prior to its introduction, the Clerk of Council distributes copies of the legislation to each Council member and the City Manager, files copies in the Office of the Clerk of Council and other public places determined by Council, and publish the title of the legislation with a meeting date notice.
Form of Legislation - Legislation can only contain one subject, clearly expressed by its title.
Public Hearings of Legislation - The procedure for public hearings of legislation is determined by the Council Rules of Order. The public hearing of any legislation takes place no less than seven days following its publication. It can be held separately or in conjunction with a regular or special Council meeting. The public hearing of a resolution is conducted at the time of its introduction. The public hearing of an ordinance is conducted at the next designated meeting following its introduction.
Voting on Legislation - Following the public hearing and discussion by Council, Council may adopt the legislation with or without amendments, reject it or table it. Every City Council member present votes or requests to be excused from voting on proposed legislation. All non-emergency legislation requires four "yes" votes to pass.
Motions - A motion is used to determine policy and procedural matters, conduct elections among and make appointments by Council members.
Resolutions - A resolution is used for any legislation of a temporary, informal or ceremonial nature where practicable. Resolutions are effective upon passage.
Ordinances - An ordinance is used for legislation of a general or permanent nature. Ordinances take effect 30 days following passage.
Emergency Ordinances - The emergency clause waives the 30-day period prior to the legislation taking effect. Emergency legislation requires five "yes" votes to pass.
Effective Dates of Legislation - Unless otherwise provided in the Revised Charter, ordinances become effective thirty days after their adoption or at a later date specified by Council.