Rule 10. Procedure during debate.

(a) Withdrawal. The maker of a motion may withdraw the motion at any time before a vote is taken unless another member objects.

(b) Written motions. Before a vote is taken, any Councilmember may direct the Council Clerk to state the motion in writing and distribute it to the Council.

(c) Committee recommendations. A recommendation from a Council committee that received the affirmative votes of 2 or more members of that committee, or a recommendation that received the affirmative votes of a majority of the members of any joint committee, is a main motion that does not require a second.

(d) Motion to table; taking from the table. A motion to table is not in order at a meeting of a Council Committee, including a joint Committee meeting. A Councilmember may move to take a bill or resolution from the table if the Councilmember voted to lay the bill or resolution on the table, or was absent and not merely abstaining from the vote. A bill may be taken from the table at any time until it expires. A resolution may be taken from the table until the next August 31 after it is laid on the table.

(e) Reconsideration. A Councilmember may move to reconsider a matter already decided if:

(1) the matter is still in the possession of the Council;

(2) the motion to reconsider is made:

(A) at the same meeting; or

(B) at the later of:

(i) the next similar Council meeting; or

(ii) any similar Council meeting held within the next 7 days; and

(3) the Councilmember voted with the prevailing side or was absent, and not merely abstaining from the vote.

The Council may postpone a vote on a motion to reconsider to a time certain, but not indefinitely.

(f) Effect of Motion to Reconsider. A motion to reconsider, properly made, suspends the action that is the subject of the motion until the motion is adopted or rejected. A motion to reconsider, properly adopted, voids the action that is the subject of the motion.

(g) Reconsideration of enactment. A motion to reconsider the enactment of any law, zoning text amendment, or subdivision regulation amendment, requires 5 votes for adoption. (Res. No. 11-54; Res. No. 12-83; Res. No. 13-49; Res. No. 14-53; Res. No. 17-40; Res. No. 18-49.)