The Harrogate Municipal Code
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THE HARROGATE MUNICIPAL CODE Prepared by the February 2011 CITY OF HARROGATE, TENNESSEE MAYOR Bill Fultz ALDERMEN Lieven Cox Linda Fultz Allen Hurst Troy Poore RECORDER Rose Kiser ii PREFACE The Harrogate Municipal Code contains the codification and revision of the ordinances of the City of Harrogate, Tennessee. By referring to the historical citation appearing at the end of each section, the user can determine the origin of each particular section. The absence of a historical citation means that the section was added by the codifier. The word "modified" in the historical citation indicates significant modification of the original ordinance. The code is arranged into titles, chapters, and sections. Related matter is kept together, so far as possible, within the same title. Each section number is complete within itself, containing the title number, the chapter number, and the section of the chapter of which it is a part. Specifically, the first digit, followed by a hyphen, identifies the title number. The second digit identifies the chapter number, and the last two digits identify the section number. For example, title 2, chapter 1, section 6, is designated as section 2-106. By utilizing the table of contents and the analysis preceding each title and chapter of the code, together with the cross references and explanations included as footnotes, the user should locate all the provisions in the code relating to any question that might arise. However, the user should note that most of the administrative ordinances (e.g. Annual Budget, Zoning Map Amendments, Tax Assessments, etc...) do not appear in the code. Likewise, ordinances that have been passed since the last update of the code do not appear here. Therefore, the user should refer to the city's ordinance book or the city recorder for a comprehensive and up to date review of the city's ordinances. Following this preface is an outline of the ordinance adoption procedures, if any, prescribed by the city's charter. The code has been arranged and prepared in loose-leaf form to facilitate keeping it up to date. MTAS will provide updating service under the following conditions: (1) That all ordinances relating to subjects treated in the code or which should be added to the code are adopted as amending, adding, or deleting specific chapters or sections of the code (see section 7 of the adopting ordinance). (2) That one copy of every ordinance adopted by the city is kept in a separate ordinance book and forwarded to MTAS annually. iii (3) That the city agrees to pay the annual update fee as provided in the MTAS codification service charges policy in effect at the time of the update. When the foregoing conditions are met MTAS will reproduce replacement pages for the code to reflect the amendments and additions made by such ordinances. This service will be performed at least annually and more often if justified by the volume of amendments. Replacement pages will be supplied with detailed instructions for utilizing them so as again to make the code complete and up to date. The able assistance of the codes team, Emily Keyser, Linda Winstead, Nancy Gibson, and Doug Brown, is gratefully acknowledged. Stephanie Allen Codification Consultant iv ORDINANCE ADOPTION PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY CHARTER 1. An ordinance shall be considered and adopted on two (2) separate days; any other form of board action shall be considered and adopted on one (1) day. Any form of board action shall be passed by a majority of the members present, if there is a quorum. A quorum is a majority of the members to which the board is entitled. All ayes and nays on all votes on all forms of board action shall be recorded. (6-2-102) 2. Each ordinance, or the caption of each ordinance, shall be published after its final passage in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. No ordinance shall take effect until the ordinance or its caption is published. (6-2-101) v 1-1 TITLE 1 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION1 CHAPTER 1. BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN. 2. MAYOR. 3. RECORDER. 4. CODE OF ETHICS. 5. ELECTIONS. 1Charter references See the charter index, the charter itself and footnote references to the charter in the front of this code. Municipal code references Building, plumbing, electrical and gas inspectors: title 12. Fire department: title 7. Utilities: titles 18 and 19. Wastewater treatment: title 18. Zoning: title 14. 1-2 CHAPTER 1 BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN1 SECTION 1-101. Time of meetings. 1-102. Tape recording of all board meetings. 1-103. Rules of procedure. 1-101. Time of meetings. (1) The regular meetings of the board of mayor and aldermen (the "board") shall be held at 6:00 P.M. the fourth Monday of each month. Provided, however, that the board may, in its discretion, reschedule any regular meetings by the majority vote of its entire membership. Any such rescheduling shall be accomplished at the regular meeting proceeding the meeting to be rescheduled. (Ord. #1, Jan. 1993, modified) 1-102. Tape recording of all board meetings. All official council meetings shall be recorded, properly identified and filed in the city recorder's office. (Ord. #1, Jan. 1993, modified) 1-103. Rules of procedure. The following is adopted as the rules and procedures for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Harrogate (the "board"). Rule 1: General rules of order. The rules of order and parliamentary procedure contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the transaction of business by and before the board of mayor and aldermen at its 1Charter references For charter provisions related to the board of mayor and aldermen, see Tennessee Code Annotated, title 6, chapter 3. For specific charter provisions related to the board of mayor and aldermen, see the following sections: City Administrator: § 6-4-101. Compensation: § 6-3-109. Duties of Mayor: § 6-3-106. Election of the board: § 6-3-101. Oath: § 6-3-105. Ordinance procedure Publication: § 6-2-101. Readings: § 6-2-102. Residence requirements: § 6-3-103. Vacancies in office: § 6-3-107. Vice-Mayor: § 6-3-107. 1-3 meetings in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with provisions of the charter or this code. Rule 2: Order of business. The regular order of business shall be as follows: (1) Call to order by the mayor. (2) Invocation. (3) Pledge of allegiance. (4) Roll call by the recorder. (5) Approval of minutes of the previous meeting. (6) Communications from the mayor. (7) Reports from committees, members of the board of mayor and aldermen, and other officers. (8) Old business. (9) New business. (10) Comments from citizens; public forum. (11) Adjournment. Rule 3: Vice mayor. The board at the first regular scheduled meeting following the regular bi-annual elections of the city shall elect a vice-mayor. The vice-mayor's term shall be for a two (2) year period. Rule 4: Broadcast television media. Rules for the radio and television broadcasting of meetings of the board shall be as follows: all licensed radio and television stations shall be eligible to broadcast or telecast meetings of the board subject to compliance with the following rules: (a) Authority to broadcast or telecast shall be obtained by applying in writing to the mayor. No exclusive authority broadcast or telecast shall be granted to any station or stations. (b) Sufficient equipment shall be provided by the broadcasting or telecasting station so as to insure that all board members will be heard from their respective seats. Neither personnel or equipment shall interfere with the orderly procedure of the board meetings. Rule 5: Introduction and reading of ordinance by title and abbreviated reading. The mayor is hereby authorized and permitted at a regular or special meeting of council to introduce and read ordinances and resolutions for the board's consideration by an abbreviated reading or reference to the caption or number of such ordinance or resolution. Rule 6: Notice of special called meetings. (a) The mayor1 may call special meetings of the board upon adequate notice to the board and adequate public notice. The notice shall state the matters to be considered and the action of the board shall be limited to those matters submitted; 1Charter reference Special meetings: § 6-3-106(4) 1-4 (b) The city recorder shall post notice and make available to local media the date, hour, purpose, and place of the special meeting at least two (2) days prior to the meeting when possible. (Ord. #1, Jan. 1993, as amended by Ord. #64, April 2008, modified) 1-5 CHAPTER 2 MAYOR1 SECTION 1-201. Duties of mayor. 1-201. Duties of mayor. (1) The mayor: (a) Shall be the chief executive officer of the municipality and shall preside at meetings of the board; (b) Shall communicate any information needed, and recommend measures the mayor deems expedient to the board; (c) (i) Shall make temporary appointments of any officer or department head in case of sickness, absence or other temporary disability. (ii) The board may confirm the mayor's appointment or otherwise appoint a person to fill the vacant office unless this duty has been delegated as authorized in this charter. (d) (i) May call special meetings of the board upon adequate notice to the board and adequate public notice; (ii) Shall state the matters to be considered at the special meeting and the action of the board shall be limited to those matters submitted; (e) Shall countersign checks and drafts drawn upon the treasury by the treasurer and sign all contracts to which the municipality is a party; (f) As a member of the board, may make motions and shall have a vote on all matters coming before the board; (g) Shall make appointments to boards and commissions as authorized by law.