Council Meetings

City Council Meetings are conducted at City Hall on
the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:00pm

OPENING PLEDGE TO THE FLAG AND PRAYERS AT MEETINGS

In recognition of our American heritage, and of our dependence upon almighty God for guidance, each regular and special meeting of Council shall be opened by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and an opening prayer, or by the observance of one (1) minute of silent prayer. Either the Pledge or the prayer or both shall be led by the Mayor, a member of Council, or by a guest of Council.

REGULAR MEETINGS

At 7:00 p.m. on January 2 of each even numbered year (or if such date be a Saturday or Sunday, then the following Monday), and on January 2, 1981, Council shall convene for the purpose of inducting each newly elected member thereof, and for the purpose of organizing the Council committees and the election of the Council officers herein before provided.

Thereafter, Council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by its rules, regulations, by-laws, or by resolution or ordinance, except that it shall hold regular meetings at least twice during each calendar month, except that Council may by Resolution omit one meeting during the months of July and/or August of each year.

All regular meetings of Council shall be held at the Council Chambers and all meetings of Council shall be open to the public. Any resident of Cortland shall be entitled to speak at such meetings of the Council. Such right shall not be unreasonably abridged by any rules and regulations which Council may adopt. An executive session may be held to consider certain items as permitted by Ohio laws. No official action may be taken in executive session. (Amended November 6, 1990)

SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of Council may be called as provided by its rules, regulations, by-laws, or by resolution or ordinance. In the absence of any such provisions, special meetings may be called by the Clerk of Council upon the written request of the Mayor, or the President of Council, or any three members of Council, and written notice of any such meeting shall be served personally upon each Councilman and the Mayor or left at his usual place of residence at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such meeting. Service of notice of any special meeting shall be deemed conclusively to have been waived by the Mayor or by any Councilman who shall be present at such meeting. All special meetings of Council shall be held at the Council Chambers and shall be open to the public, except an executive session may be held to consider certain items as permitted by Ohio laws. No official action may be taken in executive session. Council shall adopt a resolution or ordinance providing for reasonable public notice of all special meetings as required by Ohio law.

QUORUM

A simple majority of Council shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by resolution or ordinance.

In the absence of a contrary statute, provision of this Charter, ordinance or rule of Council, the majority of a quorum has the power to act for the entire Council. However, the affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to Council is required for the passage of an ordinance.