MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — City council moved forward on a proposal Tuesday night to move the Robert’s Rules of Order method to run meetings from a requirement to a guideline.
“The intent of this, as council knows, is simply to apply the Robert’s Rules of Order as guidelines rather than real detailed orders of how you conduct business,” Morgantown City Manager Kim Haws told councilors.
Deputy Mayor Danielle Trumble pointed out rules previously passed by council are largely unknown by current council members. Trumble preferred to search city codes with the help of a Kay, Casto & Chaney attorney representing the city, Ryan Simonton to learn what the rules are before making the change.
“It’s my understanding those rules are not adequately available, they’re done in various resolutions and not all in one place,” Trumble said. “Even the city attorney told me today he has had trouble in the past getting those put into one location.”
During the debate resident, Todd Stainbrook interjected from the gallery and said that without Robert’s Rules of Order anyone could address council at their pleasure. A heated exchange followed with Mayor Jenny Selin threatening to have Stainbrook removed from the chamber as she slammed the gavel down.
Second Ward Councilor Bill Kawecki said moving away from Robert’s Rules of Order would allow more thoughtful and open debate.
“I’d rather have them as guidelines and really devote our attentions to the issues as opposed to the presentation of those issues,” Kawecki said. “Rather than mire ourselves up in procedure, I’d rather deal with the substance.”
Council passed the measure on a 4-3 vote. Councilors Ixya Vega, Brian Butcher and Danielle Trumble voted against the ordinance while Joe Abu-Ghannam, Bill Kawecki, Dave Harshbarger and Mayor Jenny Selin voted in favor.