The live blog from the council meeting is available here. It includes a minute-by-minute account of what happened.
Video #1: Council and mayor disagree about how to change the agenda during a council meeting. The Mayor believes that Mayor Pro Tem Witts' request to move the vote of confidence in attorney Tony Powell to the top of the agenda is out of order because it should wait until new business is being discussed.
Video #2: George Anderson dismisses his ethics complaint against Witts. Anderson is from Rome, Ga. For an open letter from Anderson to council and mayor, published on Patch, click here. This was published the morning of the council meeting.
Video #3: Members of the audience speak during the public comments regarding the vote of confidence in attorney Tony Powell. George Anderson speaks first, comparing the council to dog-catchers, followed by Kurt Schulz. (Editor's note: the clip does not include everyone who spoke.)
Dave Emanuel
11:41 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
For the sake of clarity, and to help people understand the basis for some of the divisiveness on the Council-- in broad terms, a city charter essentially defines what a city government can and cannot do. The Code of Ordinances defines the manner in which provisions of the charter are put into effect. In the event of a conflict between these two documents, the charter trumps the code. With respect to the way meetings are conducted, the same relationship holds between the code and Roberts Rules of Order. In Video 1, I called for a point of order in accordance with section 2-89 of the code, which classifies a point of order as an incidental motion which may be introduced at any time during a meeting. As such, my point of order was not Out of Order. On the other hand, I believe Ms. Kautz's "Out of Order" call was a violation, not only. of the code, but of my rights as a member of the council (as stated in the code).
The above probably includes more information than most people want about parliamentary procedure, however, after reading them, I believe it's apparent that Ms. Kautz was again attempting to use her position as meeting chair to bully council members and to turn a procedural matter into an opportunity for political posturing.
Crystal Huskey
2:56 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Dave, why don't you write a primer on parliamentary procedure? Most people aren't familiar with it.
Dave Emanuel
5:47 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Good idea Crystal. The subject matter can be a little dry, but I think it's important for anyone who attends meeting of any type to understand the way parliamentary procedure is designed to enable all participants to voice their opinions.
Brenda Lee
12:17 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Kautz is almost obsessed with using the phrase "Out of Order". It makes you wonder if she has been called "Out of Order" a lot in the courtroom when representing a client. Just wondering out loud.