Holyoke council rules would require open meetings and three ordinance votes

The measure would replace Section 13 of the City of Holyoke Charter with rules for the city council. The rules would apply to the Holyoke City Council, its committees, council members, and council proceedings. The council would set its own procedure and decide questions about its members' elections and qualifications. The vice president would preside when the president is absent. If both are absent, the council would choose a temporary president by plurality vote. The council would retain the powers and legal responsibilities provided to city councils under state law. The replacement would take effect upon approval of the act.

The council would meet with open doors, keep a journal available for public inspection, and use roll-call voting when at least three members request it. These requirements would apply to the city council and its committees, including committee-of-the-whole meetings. A majority of all council members would be needed for a quorum. A smaller number could adjourn from day to day. Council votes requiring a majority would need a majority of all council members. Committee majority votes would need a majority of members present. Votes requiring a two-thirds or larger supermajority would require that level of support from all council members. These rules would take effect upon approval of the act.

The council would have to approve every ordinance through three recorded steps before final adoption. The process would apply to every ordinance considered for final action by the Holyoke City Council. The first reading would require approval by a majority of all council members. The second reading would require approval by a majority of all council members. The final motion approving the ordinance's legal form would require a majority of members voting in a recorded roll call. This ordinance process would apply upon approval of the act.