CITY COUNCIL

Columbus City Codes tit. 1, ch. 111

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 111.01 Council meetings and hearings.

111.01 - Council meetings and hearings. (A) Regular Meetings. In accordance with Section 8 of the City Charter, or by ordinance or resolution, regular meetings of council shall be held virtually, in person in the usual place for holding meetings, or a combination of the two (2) on Monday of each week at 5:00 p.m. with zoning committee meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m. except when such meeting day falls on a holiday established by ordinance. The council president may establish an alternative date, time, manner, and location of the regular meetings of council on a case by case basis if the council president determines that it is necessary to designate an alternative meeting date, time, manner, or location so long as proper notice is given. When the council president determines that an alternative manner from the manner initially noticed for conducting a regular meeting is to be used, the city clerk shall be instructed to provide notice to the public and to the media that have requested notification of regular meetings, except in the event of an emergency requiring immediate official action. There shall be no restrictions placed upon the amount of time prior to the meeting that notice must be given to the public and the media, so long as the notice length is reasonable under the circumstances, with twenty-four (24) hours' notice conclusively considered proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice of less than twenty-four (24) hours may be given and considered proper should the circumstances reasonably warrant. Provisions of the general law seeking to prohibit the council from determining its own rules and order of business in accordance with Section 9 of the City Charter are hereby affirmatively rejected. (B) Special and Emergency Meetings or Hearings. In accordance with Section 8 of the City Charter, the mayor, the council president, or any three (3) members of council may call for special or emergency meetings or hearings of the council. Special or emergency meetings or hearings of the council shall be held virtually, in person in the usual place for holding meetings, or a combination of the two (2) as determined by the council president. The council president may establish an alternative date, time, manner, and location of a special meeting or hearing of council on a case by case basis if the council president determines that it is necessary to designate an alternative meeting or hearing date, time, manner, or location so long as proper notice is given. When the council president determines that an alternative manner from the manner initially noticed for conducting a special meeting or hearing is to be used, the city clerk shall be instructed to provide notice to the public, to the media that have requested notification of special meetings, and to the parties required to be notified of a hearing. There shall be no restrictions placed upon the amount of time prior to the meeting that notice must be given to the public and the media, so long as the notice length is reasonable under the circumstances, with twenty-four (24) hours' notice conclusively considered proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice of less than twenty-four (24) hours may be given and considered proper should the circumstances reasonably warrant. Provisions of the general law seeking to prohibit the council from determining its own rules and order of business in accordance with Section 9 of the City Charter are hereby affirmatively rejected. In the event of an emergency meeting or hearing, the official or officials who called for the emergency meeting or hearing shall instruct the city clerk to immediately notify the news media that have requested notification or the parties required to be notified of a hearing of the time, place, manner, and purpose of the meeting or hearing. (C) Committee Meetings and Hearings. The council president or chairperson of a standing committee may fix the time for regular, special, or emergency meetings or hearings of the standing committee. Regular, special, or emergency meetings or hearings of a standing committee shall be held virtually, in (A) person in the usual place for holding meetings, or a combination of the two (2) as determined by the council president or chairperson of the standing committee. The council president or committee chairperson may establish an alternative date, time, manner, and location of a regular or special meeting or hearing of the standing committee on a case by case basis if the council president or committee chairperson determines that it is necessary to designate an alternative meeting or hearing date, time, manner, or location so long as proper notice is given. When the council president or committee chairperson determines that an alternative manner from the manner initially noticed for conducting a regular or special meeting or hearing is to be used, the city clerk shall be instructed to provide notice to the public, to the media that have requested notification or regular or special meetings, and to the parties required to be notified of a hearing. There shall be no restrictions placed upon the amount of time prior to the meeting that notice must be given to the public and the media, so long as the notice length is reasonable under the circumstances, with twenty-four (24) hours' notice conclusively considered proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice of less than twenty-four (24) hours may be given and considered proper should the circumstances reasonably warrant. Provisions of the general law seeking to prohibit the council from determining its own rules and order of business in accordance with Section 9 of the City Charter are hereby affirmatively rejected. In the event of an emergency meeting or hearing, the council president or committee chairperson who called for the emergency meeting or hearing shall instruct the city clerk to immediately notify the news media that have requested notification or the parties required to be notified of a hearing of the time, place, manner, and purpose of the meeting or hearing. (D) In accordance with Section 240 of the City Charter, Council and the standing committees of council may conduct virtual meetings and hearings by means of teleconference, video conference, or any other similar technology. Virtual meetings and hearings shall be conducted in such a way as to ensure that members of the public are able to observe and hear the public discussions and deliberations of all the members of Council, whether members are attending in-person or virtually. Member of the council shall have a sufficient internet or other electronic connection to allow the members to be seen and heard clearly, and shall be visible to the extent practicable with the technology in use. Each member attending virtually shall be considered present as if the member is in-person at the public meeting or hearing, shall be permitted to vote, and shall be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting or hearing. Any vote on a resolution, ordinance, motion, or formal action of any kind cast by a member attending virtually shall have the same effect as if the member were attending the public meeting or hearing in-person, and there shall be no restrictions placed upon the matters to be considered on an agenda due to the action being heard virtually. Provisions of the general law seeking to prohibit the council from determining its own rules and order of business in accordance with Section 9 of the City Charter are hereby affirmatively rejected. (E) Executive Session. Council and its standing committees may go into executive session as further described in RC 121.22 during regular or special meetings or hearings after a majority of a quorum of the council or committee determines, by a roll call vote, to hold an executive session and only at a regular or special meeting for the sole purpose of the consideration of any of the matters listed in RC 121.22(G). (F) A representative of the city attorney, auditor, city treasurer, and each department shall attend all council meetings and give necessary service and advice; provided, however, that the president of the council, may excuse any or all of said representatives from attending any council regular meeting when it appears from the agenda that the matters to be considered at a particular meeting will not require their services. (G) In accordance with Section 240 of the City Charter, any member of city council may attend any and all meetings of the city council, its standing committees created by the president, or the council itself, including all such meetings which may be conducted in executive session. Any member who intends to attend a meeting by means of video conference or other similar electronic technology shall notify the council president of that intent not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting, except in the case of an emergency. (H) The minutes of meetings or hearings of the Council or any of its standing committees shall be promptly prepared, filed, and maintained and shall be open to public inspection in accordance with the general laws of the state. The minutes need only reflect the general subject matter of discussions in executive sessions. Where a full video recording with audio of a meeting or hearing has been preserved as a public record, written meeting minutes are not required. (Ord. 276-89; Ord. 37-05 § 1; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 2265-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023; Ord. No. 1964-2025, § 1, 7-14-2025; Ord. No. 0064-2026, § 1, 1-26-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 111.02 Presiding officer.

111.02 - Presiding officer. At the first meeting in January following a regular municipal election, the council shall elect one (1) of its members president, who shall preside at meetings of the council and perform such duties as presiding officer as may be imposed upon the member by the council, and shall elect one (1) of its members permanent president pro tempore, who shall preside at said meetings and perform such duties as presiding officer as may be imposed upon the member by the council in the absence of the president. The president shall preserve order and decorum. The President may call to order any member of council who shall violate any of the rules, and, when in the chair, the President shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the council on the demand of two (2) members of council, on which appeal there shall be no debate, but the member of council making the appeal may briefly state the member's reasons for the same and the president may so state briefly the President's reasons for the ruling. All questions shall be stated and put by the president and The President shall declare all votes. In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct, the president may cause the same to be cleared. The President shall have authority to see that all officers and employees perform their respective duties. (Ord. 1-84; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.03 Opening proceedings.

111.03 - Opening proceedings. The president shall take the chair at the hour appointed for the meeting of council and shall call the members of council to order and direct the clerk to call the roll. He shall then cause the journal of the preceding session to be read and disposed of, unless otherwise ordered by the council. In the absence of the president, the permanent president pro tempore shall call the council to order and direct the clerk to call the roll. In the absence of the president and the permanent president pro tempore, the clerk shall call the council to order and call the roll. If a quorum shall be present the council shall appoint one (1) of its members president pro tempore for that meeting or until the appearance of the president or president pro tempore. If at any time a quorum be not present, the members of council may, by a majority vote recess for a period of time certain. (A) Standing Committees. (1) All Standing Committees and the Chairperson thereof shall be appointed by the President of City Council unless the motion creating the Committee provides for a different method of appointment. (2) Standing Committees shall be as follows and each shall be composed of all members: Finance & Governance Committee Health, Human Services, and Equity Committee Workforce, Education, & Labor Committee Housing, Homelessness, & Building Committee Public Service & Transportation Committee Neighborhoods, Recreation, & Parks Committee Rules & Policy Committee Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee Economic Development & Small and Minority Business Committee Zoning Committee (B) Ad Hoc Committees. (1) All Ad Hoc Committees and the Chairperson thereof shall be appointed by the President of City Council unless the motion creating the Committee provides for a different method of appointment. (2) Ad Hoc Committees shall be as follows and shall each be composed of the members herein designated: Columbus City Council-Columbus City Schools Joint Committee: all members of City Council and Board President and Board Vice President of the Columbus City School Board. (C) Committees shall meet at times fixed by the President of City Council or the Chairperson of the Committee. (D) All appointments and removals made by the Mayor which are subject to the confirmation or approval by the City Council shall be referred to the Rules & Policy Committee. (Ord. 91-82.) (Ord. 57-93; Ord. 35-97 § 1; Ord. 9-98 § 1; Ord. 1-00 § 1; Ord. 2073-00 § 1; Ord. 1-02 § 1: Ord. 1672-04 § 1; Ord. 0130-2007 § 1; Ord. 0072-2008 § 1; Ord. No. 0320-2011, § 1, 2-28-2011; Ord. No. 1315-2011, § 1, 9-12-2011; Ord. No. 0044-2012, § 1, 1-9-2012; Ord. No. 0150-2014, § 1, 1-13-2014; Ord. No. 0316-2015, § 1, 1-26-2015; Ord. No. 0143-2016, § 1, 1-11-2016; Ord. No. 1479-2016, §§ 1, 2, 6-6-2016; Ord. No. 0308-2018, §§ 1, 1-22-2018; Ord. No. 0838-2019, § 1, 3-18-2019; Ord. No. 0280-2021, § 1, 2-22-2021; Ord. No. 0097-2022, § 1, 1-3-2022; Ord. No. 0287-2023, § 1, 1-30-2023; Ord. No. 0096-2024, § 1, 1-8-2024; Ord. No. 1477-2026, § 1, 5-18-2026)

Columbus City Codes § 111.05 Reports of committees.

111.05 - Reports of committees. Any matter having been referred to any committee of the council or city officer shall be reported upon by such committee or officer, and at least a majority of any committee to which a subject has been referred shall report thereon, and such report in every instance, shall be accompanied by the original papers upon which said report is based.

Columbus City Codes § 111.06 Quorum.

111.06 - Quorum. Four (4) members of council shall constitute a quorum. (Ord. 91-82.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.07 Leaving chamber.

111.07 - Leaving chamber. No member of council shall leave the chamber while council is in session without permission being granted by the presiding officer. (Ord. 91-82.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.08 Privilege of the floor.

111.08 - Privilege of the floor. No person except members of council, city officials, ex-members of council, reporters for the press and persons especially invited, shall be admitted on the floor of the council chamber. It shall be the duty of the president to enforce this rule. (Ord. 91-82.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.09 Order of business.

111.09 - Order of business. The business at all regular meetings of the council shall be transacted in the following order: 1. Roll call. 2. Reading and disposal of the journal. 3. Reports, petitions, communications and notices received by the city clerk. 4. Reports of special committees, city officials and members. 5. Miscellaneous business by call of the members and of city officials. 6. Introduction and first reading of ordinances and resolutions. 7. Consent actions. 8. Reports of standing committees and second reading of ordinances. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 1.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.10 Suspension of preceding rule.

111.10 - Suspension of preceding rule. After reading and disposing of the journal, it shall be the duty of the president to proceed with the order of business at item last reached at the preceding regular meeting. The president may, at any time, permit a member to introduce an ordinance, motion or resolution out of the regular order for the same, provided, there is no objection on the part of a majority of council. (Ord. 91-82.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.11 Voting.

111.11 - Voting. In case any member of council present declines to vote on any question pending, upon which a yea and nay vote is being taken, the councilmember shall be obliged to record the councilmember's vote if the council requires the councilmember so to do unless excused by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the council; and, if not being so excused, the councilmember refuses to vote, the councilmember shall be deemed guilty of contempt of the council and may be censured by a majority vote. No member or other person shall remain at the clerk's desk while the yeas and nays are being called or ballots counted. Except where the president or councilmember presiding directs the roll to be called by means of the electronic voting device, the roll call of the council shall be taken orally in alphabetical order, beginning at the right of the president's seat. (Ord. 1-84; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.12 Speaking before council.

111.12 - Speaking before council. In all cases the member of council who shall first address the chair shall speak first; but when two (2) or more members of council address the chair at the same time, the president shall name the member of council who is to speak first. No member of council shall be allowed to speak except from the council member's own desk. No member of council shall speak more than twice upon the same subject, nor longer than five (5) minutes at one time without leave. No member of council shall speak a second time upon the same motion before opportunity has been given each member of council to speak on that motion. Any member of council, while discussing a question, may read from books, papers or documents, any matter pertinent to the subject under consideration without asking for leave. No member of council shall pass before another member of council while speaking, or the clerk while reading, or otherwise interrupt, except to call a member of council to order. (A) The following rules shall apply to the general public when they wish to speak before council at a scheduled council meeting: 1. Speakers slips must be filled out completely including name, address, organization represented and the ordinance number of the item to be addressed, if the individual will be speaking for or against the item, the subject if non-agenda and filed with the city clerk electronically via the Council website prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day the speaker wishes to speak before the council. The council encourages individuals to submit written testimony to the city clerk, on a form provided by the clerk, electronically via the Council website prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting and/or contact the appropriate committee chairperson to discuss their concerns. The council will not entertain incomplete speaker slips. 2. For regular business meetings, individuals are permitted to submit a total of two (2) speaker slips. Of the two (2) slips, one may be used to address a non-agenda matter. a) For agenda items that are not council variances speakers must only speak to the ordinance indicated on the speaker slip submitted to the clerk. Council will entertain three (3) speakers for and three (3) speakers against any ordinance, recognizing speakers in the order the slips are received by the clerk. Each speaker will be given three (3) minutes to speak. b) For non-agenda items there will be a limit of six (6) speakers taken in order of receipt of speaker slips with no more than three (3) speakers on any subject. Each speaker will be given three (3) minutes to speak. If the subject does not concern the legislative or administrative responsibilities of city government, the president of council may refer the speaker to another public forum and/or deny the request. 3. Speakers' subject matter will not contain obscenity, defamation or slander nor shall speakers conduct themselves in violation of the disorderly conduct or disturbing a lawful meeting provisions of Chapter 2317 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959. If the council president determines that these rules are not being followed one warning will be given. Speaker's conduct shall be subject to the right of the council president to preserve the order and decorum of the forum. If the rules continue to be violated after one warning, the council president may revoke the individual's speaking privileges. 4. Speaker slips shall be presented to the president of council by the city clerk in the order received. 5. Any variance or waiver of these rules shall be by a majority vote of council. (B) Notwithstanding the provisions in division (A), the following rules shall apply to parties who wish to testify at a hearing before the Council zoning committee on a Council Variance during a regular meeting: 1. Owners of record of property within one-hundred and twenty-five (125) feet of the exterior boundaries of the property identified in the title of the ordinance whose property may be directly impacted by an application before Council on a request for a Council Variance who wish to testify before the Council zoning committee either for or against the request for a variance shall fill out a speaker slip on a form provided by the City Clerk. Speaker slips on Council Variance hearings must be filled out completely including name, address, the ordinance number of the item to be addressed, if the individual will be speaking for or against the item, and a written indication of how the property owner may be an impacted party. The slip shall be filed with the city clerk electronically via the Council website prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day the impacted party wishes to testify before the council. 2. Those testifying before the Council zoning committee on a Council Variance will not engage in the use of obscenity, defamation or slander nor shall those testifying conduct themselves in violation of the disorderly conduct or disturbing a lawful meeting provisions of Chapter 2317 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959. If the zoning committee chair determines that these rules are not being followed one warning will be given. The party's conduct shall be subject to the right of the zoning committee chair to preserve the order and decorum of the forum. If the rules continue to be violated after one warning, the zoning committee chair may revoke the individual's speaking privileges before the zoning committee. 3. Impacted parties testifying on a Council variance shall be afforded sufficient time to present their case to the body. The Chair of the Zoning Committee may, at their discretion, request the speaker to conclude their comments after the speaker has been given the opportunity to address Council regarding the variance. If the impacted party does not conclude their remarks after the request of the Chair to do so, and the speaker is not providing new evidence to the Council regarding the variance, the Chair may revoke the individuals' speaking privileges before the Zoning Committee on the variance at issue. 4. Speaker slips shall be presented to the zoning committee chair by the city clerk in the order received. 5. Any variance or waiver of these rules shall be by a majority vote of the zoning committee. (Ord. 2465-93; Ord. 0054-04 § 1; Ord. No. 1936-2021, § 1, 7-12-2021; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 1471-2022, § 1, 5-23-2022)

Columbus City Codes § 111.13 Motions—When debatable.

111.13 - Motions—When debatable. Any member of council making a motion or a second shall address the president. When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the president before any debate shall be in order. Every such motion and any amendments thereto may be withdrawn by the movers thereof at any time before decision, if a majority of the members of council then present shall agree thereto. (Ord. 91-82.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.14 Ordinances and resolutions.

111.14 - Ordinances and resolutions. The city clerk is authorized and directed to make, modify, change and promulgate such rules as in the city clerk's discretion are deemed necessary for the orderly and efficient submission of all ordinances and resolutions to be acted upon by Columbus city council. After review by the city clerk's office as to proper format, clerical errors, certification, etc., said ordinances and resolutions shall be assigned by the city clerk to the proper committee no later than the Tuesday preceding the next city council meeting. The city clerk shall prepare an agenda listing the ordinances and resolutions so assigned in accordance with section 111.15. No council member will be permitted to introduce an ordinance or resolution from the floor unless it is germane to the standing committee which they chair and same day action is necessary. No legislation to enter a contract shall be authorized by the council until the same has been submitted to the city attorney for approval as to form and legality. If the city attorney questions the legality of any proposed contract or portion thereof, the city attorney shall express that opinion thereon, in writing, to the council if same is submitted to council. All programs which award loans or grants of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) must submit legislation for approval to city council. After reference of any ordinance or resolution to a committee and the report thereof to the council, or any time before its passage, it may be recommitted, but after any ordinance has been read the second time and put upon its passage it shall not be recommitted for the purpose of amendment, except under instructions from the council, which instructions shall embody substantially the amendment or amendments proposed. (Ord. 1-88; Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 0096-2024, § 4, 1-8-2024)

Columbus City Codes § 111.15 The city council agenda.

111.15 - The city council agenda. The purpose of the city council agenda is to provide an outline for the orderly and efficient conduct of their weekly business meetings. The agenda sets forth the specific items of business and the order in which city council will consider them. A consent action creates a procedure, which when incorporated as part of the regular city council agenda, is designed to facilitate operational and noncontroversial matters on the agenda swiftly and efficiently. In accordance with Section 111.14 of the Columbus City Codes, and in consultation with the president of council, ordinances and resolutions to be identified as consent actions will be presented to council on the agenda. Consent action shall be taken only upon emergency legislation or second readings of thirty (30) day legislation. Rules and regulations for its implementation and operation will be published in the City Bulletin in accordance with Section 121.05 of the Columbus City Codes. Items identified as consent actions shall be read together as a group and approved with one (1) motion and one (1) roll call vote. The motion to approve or adopt shall be by reference to the assigned number of each ordinance or resolution so designated. Any legislation approved as a consent action will appear in the minutes of council and it shall be noted that it was approved as a consent action. A request by a member of council to remove legislation from consent action shall automatically be deemed granted without the need for a motion and vote of the entire council. (Ord. 2301-00 § 2 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.16 Reading of legislation.

111.16 - Reading of legislation. In accordance with Section 20 of the Columbus City Charter the reading of legislation at a city council meeting shall be defined as follows: (a) First Reading of Thirty (30)-Day Legislation. Ordinances and resolutions that are to be listed in the Agenda as "First Reading of Thirty (30)-Day Legislation" shall be published by number and title only on the city council agenda no less than forty-eight (48) hours before their consideration by council. When the order of business, First Reading of Thirty (30)-Day Legislation, is called, the city clerk, or designee, shall read by number only those ordinances and resolutions. (b) Consent action reading shall mean written publication on the city council agenda of each ordinance and resolution to be considered as a consent action no less than forty-eight (48) hours before its consideration by city council. (c) The requirement of a second reading shall be dispensed with by a vote of no fewer than five (5) members of council. (d) Emergency Legislation and Second Readings of Thirty (30) Day Legislation. The chair of the standing committee under whose purview the legislation is assigned, shall read aloud the assigned number and title of the legislation. (Ord. 2301-00 § 2 (part); Ord. 1778-05 § 1.)

Columbus City Codes § 111.17 To refer—Precedence.

111.17 - To refer—Precedence. When a motion is made for reference of any subject to a standing committee and it is moved to substitute therefor a select committee the question of reference to a standing committee shall be put first. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.18 To adjourn.

111.18 - To adjourn. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order unless the council is engaged in voting; but, being decided in the negative, shall not be again entertained until some motion, call or order shall intervene. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.19 Call of the house.

111.19 - Call of the house. Any member of council shall have the right to demand a call of the council, and a majority of those present may require absent members of council to be sent for; but a call of the council cannot be made after voting has commenced. The call of the council being ordered and absentees noted, the door shall be closed and no member of council permitted to leave the room until the report of the clerk be received and acted upon or further proceedings under the call be suspended. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.20 Order of precedence.

111.20 - Order of precedence. When a question or proposition is before the council, or under debate, no motion shall be received except the following: First - to adjourn Second - order of the day Third - to lay on the table Fourth - for the previous Fifth - to postpone to a day certain Sixth - to commit Seventh - to amend Eighth - to postpone indefinitely Which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.21 To take from the table.

111.21 - To take from the table. A motion to take from the table shall be in order when that order of business is being transacted in which such matter to be taken up was laid upon the table, and such motion shall be decided without debate; provided the mover may be permitted briefly to state the reason for the motion. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.22 Reconsideration.

111.22 - Reconsideration. Any member of council who voted with the prevailing side may move a reconsideration of any action of the council; provided that the motion be made not later than the next regular meeting after such action was taken, and further provided, in regard to ordinances and resolutions, that the original document to be reconsidered is in the actual physical possession of council and the mayor has not affixed the mayor's official signature thereto. A motion to reconsider shall be in order at any time, except when a motion on some other subject is pending. A motion to reconsider being laid upon the table may be taken up and acted upon at any time. No motion to reconsider shall be made more than once on any subject or matter. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.23 Vetoed legislation.

111.23 - Vetoed legislation. When an ordinance or resolution, or part thereof, has been vetoed by the mayor, the mayor shall within ten (10) days return it, together with the mayor's objections, to the city clerk, who shall transmit the same to the council at the next regular meeting. The council shall, after the expiration of one (1) week and/or one (1) regular meeting after receiving the objections from the mayor, but no more than sixty (60) days after the clerk has transmitted said veto to council, proceed to reconsider the legislation and either sustain the mayor's veto, or override it. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.24 Withdrawn legislation.

111.24 - Withdrawn legislation. No legislation shall be withdrawn by a director of department or division head once the legislation has appeared on the agenda. Council will consider the matter and vote on the request to withdraw or defeat. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.25 The previous question.

111.25 - The previous question. When the previous question shall be moved and seconded, it shall be put in these words: "Shall the main question now be put?" And, until decided, shall preclude all further debate, and all amendments and motions except one (1) motion to adjourn, and one (1) motion to lay on the table; but no call shall be in order after the previous question has been sustained and before the main question has been put. On a motion for the previous question and prior to voting on the same, a call of the council shall be in order; but after the previous question shall be sustained, no call shall be in order. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.26 Demand for yeas and nays.

111.26 - Demand for yeas and nays. When demanded by any member of council, and seconded by another, the yeas and nays shall be taken on the adoption of any resolution or ordinance or any question or proposition submitted to the council; and in taking the yeas and nays, the clerk shall call the names of the members of council in alphabetical order, except the name of the president shall be called last; and before the result is announced, upon demand of any member of council, the clerk shall read the votes so taken. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.27 Appeal.

111.27 - Appeal. An appeal to the council from the decision of the chair may be taken by any member of council if duly seconded, and the question then shall be, "Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?" (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.28 Motions not debatable.

111.28 - Motions not debatable. To adjourn, To lay on the table, To take from the table, For the previous question. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.29 Violation of rules.

111.29 - Violation of rules. If any member of council is speaking or otherwise shall violate any rule of this council, the president shall call the councilmember to order; if such member of council shall be called to order while speaking, the councilmember shall immediately stop unless permitted to explain. The question of order shall be decided without debate, and if the decision shall be in favor of the member of council called to order while speaking, the councilmember shall be at liberty to proceed with the councilmember's speech without leave of the council. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 111.30 To amend or suspend.

111.30 - To amend or suspend. These rules, or any of them, may be amended or temporarily suspended at any meeting of the council by an affirmative vote of four (4) members thereof. These rules are for the efficient and orderly conduction of the business of council only, and no violation of such rules shall invalidate any action of the council when approved by the majority votes required in the charter. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.31 Sergeant-at-arms.

111.31 - Sergeant-at-arms. Under the direction of the presiding officer of the council, the sergeant-at-arms shall preserve order and decorum. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.32 Rules.

111.32 - Rules. Questions of parliamentary procedure, not covered by these rules, shall be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order. (Ord. 91-82; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.33 Notice of zoning committee hearing.

111.33 - Notice of zoning committee hearing. (a) Unless otherwise directed by council or its zoning committee, with respect to any proposed ordinance to rezone, redistrict, or grant a variance to the zoning for one (1) or more parcels of land as listed on the tax duplicate, the city clerk shall give notice, as required in city codes 3307.12 and 3310.07 of the time and place thereof in the legal publication of the city of Columbus, the City Bulletin, and shall mail written notices of the time and place of public hearing thereon before council or its zoning committee, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such public hearing, to all owners of such parcel or parcels and to all the owners of property abutting and directly across the street from such parcel or parcels, to the addresses of such owners appearing on the affidavit submitted with the application for rezoning or zoning variance pursuant to city codes 3310.05 and 3307.12, respectively, and to such other list or lists as may be specified by council or its zoning committee, provided that in the event the address of any owner on such list or lists is shown to be in care of a bank or mortgage company, the notice shall be mailed to such owner at the address of the premises involved. (b) In the event the applicant secures permission from city council or the zoning committee chairperson to reschedule the public hearing after notices have already been mailed by the city clerk, applicant shall pay a service fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) to cover the cost of handling and mailing up to fifty (50) copies of a subsequent notice plus one dollar ($1.00) for each copy handled and mailed in excess of fifty (50). The city clerk shall assess such fee which shall be payable to the city treasurer. (c) The city clerk shall notify persons identified in subsection (a) of this section of the hearing on any proposed ordinance to amend the zoning map or grant a variance which is rescheduled or tabled unless said ordinance was tabled or rescheduled during the original hearing to a specific date for hearing before council. (Ord. 184-94; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.34 Legislative research office.

111.34 - Legislative research office. There is established under city council a legislative research office, staffed by such employees as are authorized by council. (Ord. 203-85; Ord. 2301-00 § 3 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 111.35 Procedure to fill vacancy on city council.

111.35 - Procedure to fill vacancy on city council. (a) Applications. If a vacancy occurs on city council, the council shall accept applications to fill the vacancy. Applications shall be filed with the city clerk in a form prescribed by the clerk. After determining whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements for office under Section 6 of the Columbus City Charter, the clerk shall publish a list of qualified applicants to fill the vacancy. (b) Interviews. Members of city council may, at their discretion and individually, interview any of the applicants qualified under division (a) of this section. (c) Finalists. After any interviews performed by individual members of city council, each member of city council shall forward up to three names to the city clerk as finalists for appointment. The clerk shall compile a list of the names of the finalists and publish the same. (d) Public Hearing. Council shall hold, at a minimum, one public hearing at which a quorum of members must be present and at which public comment on candidates shall be accepted. Testimony shall be limited to the qualifications of, and support or opposition to, candidates for the vacancy and shall comply with the requirements of Section 111.12. (e) Appointment. Subsequent to the public hearing required in division (d) of this section, city council shall vote to fill the vacancy. (f) Multiple vacancies. Should more than one vacancy occur on the council, the council may follow the procedures herein to fill all vacancies, subject to a separate public hearing under division (d) for each appointment, or may follow the procedures herein for each separate vacancy. (Ord. No. 2546-2018, § 1, 10-1-2018)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT1ADCO_CH111CICOFetched: 10/27/2026