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Mayor & City Council

Council Meeting Rules

Regular meetings are video and audio taped. Minutes of all meetings are available at the City Secretary Department.

Purpose of City Council Meetings
The City Council’s regular meeting is a vital part to set policy for the governance of the City. A council meeting hears public expressions, conducts open debate and at all times informs the public of the City’s work. It is here at Council meeting that laws, policies and basic decisions are made for the City of Edinburg. All meetings are open to the public with the exception of executive sessions. Here at City of Edinburg, all citizens are encouraged to attend Council meetings to learn more about the City of Edinburg. No Council is infallible; therefore, it is proper that public opinion be sought, but no Council member can permit judgment to become subservient to criticism for person attending the meeting.

Conversely, Council members should remember that they are servants of the people, not free agents, in administering the affairs of the City. The responsibility of making decisions is not easy nor without problems, but is the responsibility of the Council to vote and decide issues, regardless of personal feelings. There will always be segments of the Community dissatisfied with decisions. The purpose of government is to balance-legally and fairly-the limitations, restrictions or losses that are placed upon an individual or individuals against the welfare of the Community as a whole.

City Council Meeting Defined
Regular Meetings
All City Council meetings are open to the public except for the executive sessions. Meetings of the city committees thereof are also open to the public. The rules of the City Council provide that citizens of the city shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard at any such meeting in regard to any matter considered thereat. The Edinburg City Council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held regularly at the Council Chamber at the City Hall. Meeting notices are posted 72 hours prior to the regular meeting and made accessible to the public during this time.

Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the City Secretary upon request of the City Council or the Mayor. Any notice of a special meeting must state the subject(s) to be considered. No subject(s) other than the ones posted may be considered during the meeting. [City Charter Article III, Sec. 1]

Consent Agenda
All matters listed under Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Governing Body and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Ref: Code of Ordinance Section 31.01 Rule 3” Routine non-controversial items.”

Executive Session
The City Council by a majority vote may adjourn to a closed meeting. After the Executive Session the Council will convene in open meeting and will take legislative action if necessary these meetings are tape recorded and are closed records.

Procedures in Addressing the Government Body
Agendas are provided to the general public to facilitate their participation in the order of business.

Format of Speaking
Comments are made before the Council, the public, and any member of the press who may be in attendance. The speaker must stand, approach the podium to face the Council, ask the Mayor to be recognized, and state your name. The speaker will then present his comment or concern. A time limitation may be set by the presiding officer. Any member of the City Council may respond to the speaker.

When can I address the City Council?

  • You can address the City Council during Public Comments for an issue not posted in
    the Agenda by completing the public comment card before the meeting and submit
    to City Secretary.
  • During a Public Hearing the Mayor will ask for public comments.
  • Any interested party may address the Council on a specific agenda item if
    recognized by the Mayor.

Rules of Orders
Formal parliamentary procedures are observed to expedite business, maintain order, ensure justice and equality at all meetings of the Governing Body. Procedures provide equal time for all participants while protecting the individual's rights to participate.

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