§ 2-34.1. Prefiling of resolutions.

(a)

Resolutions requiring the expenditure of funds or authorizing the execution of contracts or amendments to contracts shall be prefiled on the council's agenda. Such resolutions not prefiled cannot be considered. This section shall not be applicable to resolutions which require the expenditure of funds or the execution of a contract for the examination or review of any item which has been prefiled on the council's agenda. Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the council may adopt a resolution extending an existing contract for no more than thirty (30) days without first having the resolution prefiled on the council's agenda; and, with a majority of five (5) votes, the council may approve a resolution not prefiled which authorizes the execution of any type of an amendment to an existing contract.

(b)

All resolutions approving change orders to contracts with the parish shall be prefiled on the council's agenda and shall disclose the percentage by which the change order, together with any previously approved change orders for the same contract, cumulatively increases or decreases the original contract amount.

(c)

All resolutions not included in sections 2-34.1(a) or 2-34.1(b) herein should, if possible, be filed on either the regular or addendum agenda for the council meeting at which the resolution is to be considered. However, any such resolution not prefiled on the agenda for a council meeting may be considered for adoption at such meeting provided that the following procedures are followed:

(1)

The resolution shall be written in full in the format set forth in section 2-34 herein.

(2)

An original copy of the resolution shall be given to the parish clerk, and copies of the proposed resolution, stamped as received by the parish clerk, shall be distributed to each council member prior to the council's vote on the matter.

(3)

A summary of the resolution expressing the full scope, intent, and effect of the resolution shall be read aloud at the meeting, either by the council member introducing the resolution or by the parish clerk.

(4)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2-34.1(c)(1), (2) and (3) herein, any council member may introduce a resolution verbally from the floor to address emergency or exigent circumstances or in response to discussions held in executive session, and the council may consider such resolution provided that:

a.

The resolution is not one which must be prefiled under the provisions of section 2-34.1(a) or (b) herein;

b.

The full scope, intent, and effect of the resolution is expressed aloud publically at the meeting, either by the council member introducing the resolution or by the parish clerk; and

c.

At least two-thirds ( 2/3 ) of the council members present at the meeting vote to amend the agenda to include consideration of the resolution.

(5)

The chairman or vice-chairman conducting the meeting shall call for a vote of the council to amend the agenda to consider the resolution.

(6)

Prior to the vote of the council on the motion to amend the agenda to include consideration of a resolution not prefiled on the agenda, the chairman or vice-chairman conducting the meeting shall open the floor to the public for comment upon the proposed amendment. At that time, any member of the public in attendance at the meeting shall be allowed to comment upon the proposed amendment to the agenda and/or upon the contents of the resolution itself.

(7)

Following the comment period, the council shall vote on the motion to amend the agenda to consider the resolution.

(8)

If the council votes favorably on the motion to amend the agenda in accordance with the provisions of this section, the council shall then vote to adopt, amend, defer or cancel the proposed resolution that has been added to the agenda.

(Ord. No. 17756, § 1, 6-21-89; 18551, § 1, 7-1-92; Ord. No. 19737, § 1, 6-19-96; Ord. No. 24531, § 1, 7-24-13)

Cross reference

Finances, contracts, purchases and sales, § 2-876 et seq.