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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1973.01.18 - 15433Miscellaneous Resolution 6198 January 18, 1973 S • BY: COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION - Patrick M. Nowak, Chairman IN RE: PERMANENT RULES FOR OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS, the proposed permanent "Rules for Oakland County Board of Commissioners" have been reviewed and approved by the Committee on Organization and copies have been distributed to members of the Board at this meeting; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the said permanent "Rules for Oakland County Board of Commissioners", copy of which is attached hereto, be and they are hereby adopted. The Committee on Organization, by Patrick M. Nowak, Chairman, moves the adoption of the foregoing resolution. COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION RULES FOR OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS I. RULES OF ORDER Robert's Rules of Order Latest Edition shall be the parliamentary authority of the Board of Commissioners and shall govern proceedins of the Board. Rules adopted by the Board of Commissioners shall supersede any rules in the parliamentary authority with which they conflict. II. ORDER OF BUMCS For meetings of the Board of Commissioners, the following shall be the Order of -6usiness: 1. Cali meeting to order 2. Invocation 3. Roll Call 4. Approval of minutes 5. Communications 7. Reports of Special Committees 8. Special Order of Business 9. Unfinished Basiness 10. New and Miscellaneous Business 11. Fixed time for adjournvent 6. Reports of Standing Committees 12. Adjournment III. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OTT TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN A. A Temporary Chairman shall be elected as provided herein at the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners in each year and he shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Commis- sioners until the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners is elected. B. Any member of the Board of Commissioners may place the name of another member in nomination for Temporary Chairman. Nominations do not require a second. C. Election of the Temporary Chairman shall be by roll call vote in alphabetical order. The vote of fourteen members is re- quired to elect the Temporary Chairman. IV. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CO=SSIONERS A. There shall be elected a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the term of one year to perform the duties of such office as provided by state statute, these rules and resolutions of the Board of Commissioners. B. Any member of the Board of Commissioners may place the name of another member in nomination for Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Doard of Commissioners. C. The nomination and election of the Chairman and the nomination and election of the Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners shall be separate. D. Election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners shall be by roll call vote in alphabetical order. The vote of fourteen members is required to elect the Chairman and Vice Chairman. • V. WITHDRAWAL OF NOMINEE Any member nominated for Temporary Chairman, Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners may decline such nomination. VI. PRESIDING OFFICER A. The Chairman of the Board shall preside over all session of the Board of Commissioners and he shall be an ex officio member of all Committees. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall preside and be vested with all of the powerb of the Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall also be an ex officio member of all Committees, but shall attend as such only in the absence of the Chairman of the Board at such meetings. B. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board shall have the right to vote and be counted for the quorum only on the Committee on which they are permanent members. VII. CHAIRMAN TO PRESERVE ORDER A. The Chairman shall preserve and decide questions of order subject to an appeal of theBoard. B. No literature, other than official documents coming from County Departments, shall be permitted to come before the as- sembly or be placed on members' desks unless signed or endorsed by or attributable to a current member of the Board of Commissioners. C. Members of the Administrative Staff of the County shall be allowed to address the Board upon matters before the Board, if requested by a Board Member, unless otherwise decided by a majority of the Board present. . D. Upon invitation or request by a Board Member, any person may address the Board of Commissioners on a matter before it unless objection is upheld by a majority of the Board members present. VIII. APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEES A. Membership of all Standing Committees shall be recommended by a committee on organization composed of five (5) members of the majority party and three (3) members of the minority Party and one (1) of such members shall be the Chairman of the Board with the Vice Chairman of the Board acting as a member in the absence of the Chairman of the Board. The membershin of said committee on organization shall be approved by a majority of fourteen (14) members of the Board of Com- A27 committee appointments shall terminate o ,1 December 31 of each year. n=. 1•••• 2 • • B. The Board Chairman may appoint Special Committees, subject to the approval of the Board. C. Any change in Committee structure or personnel, the filling of vacancies thereon or the abolition -of any Committee, shall require the vote of fourteen (14) members of the Board. IX. COMMITTEES A. The Standing Committees and membership thereon shall be. 1. Buildings and Grounds 7 Members 2. Committee on Organization, as set forth in Rule VIII 3. Equalization 7 Members 4. Finance 7 Members 5. Health 7 Members 6. Human Resources 7 Members 7. Legislative 7 Members 8. Local Affairs and Regional Affairs 7 Members 9. Personnel Practices 7 Members 10. Planning and Building 7 Members 11. Public Protection and Judiciary 7 Members 12. Public Works 7 Members 13. Transporation and Aviation- 7 Members B. Membership of all Standing Committees, except the Committee on Organization, shall consist of five (5) members of the majority party and two (2) members of the minority narty of the CounLy Board of Commissioners. C. The Chairmen of the Human Resources, Personnel Practices and Building and Grounds Committees shall not be appointed to the Finance Committee. D. The first named member of any Committee shall be the Chairman and the second named member shall be the Vice Chairman. In the temporary absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the member next in rank in the order named, and so on, as often as the case shall happen, shall act as Chairman. In case of a permanent vacancy in the Chairmanship of any Standing Com- mittee, the Committee on Organization shall appoint another Chairman, which appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners. In the apparent prolonged absence of a member of a Standing Committee, the Committee on Organization may recommend appointment, as defined in Rule VIII, until the absent Commissioner returns. E. A majority of each Committee shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of those 'present and voting at a Committee meeting shall be necessary to report any matter to the Board of Commissioners. The minutes of each Committee meeting -hall record the vote of each member on any matter to be reported to the Board of Commissioners. nn• 3 • • F. Committees shall meet at the time and place set by their Chairman or shall meet at such time and place as a majority of their members may decide. G. When a meeting time and place is fixed, the Chairman of a Committee may cancel or change the meeting. H. The Board of Commissioners, unless it shall discharge the Committee, shall not act upon any matter on which it has not received recommendation from the Committee. I. The vote of fourteen (14) members shall be required to dis- charge a committee from consideration of any matter, provided notice of intent to discharge the Committee is given at a previous regular meeting of the Board. If no such notice is given, the vote of eighteen (18) members shall be required to discharge a Committee. X. ST NDINq COMMITTEES RESPONSIBTLITI7S A. COM=TTEE ON ORGANIZATION Rules: To receive, review and recommend all proposed revisions of the Rules of the Board of Commissioners and report to the Board on said matters. Miscellaneous: To receive, investigate and report to the Board of Commis- sioners on any and all matters referred to it by the Chairman, to provide 2iaison between the Board of Commissioners and offices to which no Committee has been named. Receive and make recommendations to the full Board regarding membership and Chairmen of Standing Committees, and appointments requiring Board approval. To receive, review and approve or disapprove all memorial or recognitional resolutions to be presented to the Board of Commissioners and to determine the member or members to m:ke such presentations. B. EQUALIZATION Auditor General - Local Taxes 1. Shall prepare a form for township and city clerks to report to the County Clerk, all taxes to be raised for township, school, highway and all other purposes, as provided in Section 36 of the General Property Tax Law (M.S.A. 7.54) ^ 4 2. Shall receive and examine all certificates, statements, papers and records submitted to ic showing the moneys to be raised in the several townships and cities for school, highway, drain, township and all other purnoses, and if it shall appear to the Committee that any certi- ficate, statement, paper or record is not properly cer- tified or that the same is in anywise defective or that any proceeding to authorize the raising of any sucl -1 moneys has not been had or is in anywise imperfect and such certificate, statement, paper, record or proceeding can then be corrected, supplied or had, such Board may authorize and require such defects or omissions-of pro- ceedings to be corrected, supplied or had. (M.S.A. 7.55) 3. Shall (on or before the October Session) prepare a statement showing the taxes to be raised in each city or township for highway, drain and all purposes including special assessment rate taxes, which statement shall also show the amount of county taxes apportioned to each city or township to be raised and shall mail the same to each city assessor or township supervisor prior to the October Session of the Board of Commissioners, giving him notice that, at such meeting, the Board of Commis- sioners will hear and duly consider all objections made on the millages to be spread against the state equalized value of properties to be affected. After hearing all objections by any taxpayer, the Board will direct such millages be spread against the state equalized value of such nroperties listed in the assessment rolls of the proper townships and cities. 4. Shall present a recommendation in the form of a resolution to the Board of Commissioners at its final meeting during the month of October, recommending that such millages be spread against the state equalized value of properties In the proper cities and townships. 5. Shall, as provided in Section 41 (M.S.A. 7.82) of the General Property Tax Law, supply a form fdr the clerk of each city and incorporated village to report all -taxes levied in their respective cities or villages not in- cluded in the general (winter) tax levy, to the County Clerk. 6. Shall, after receiving such statements, cause to be pre- pared a statement, as provided in Section 41, for the County Clerk showing the aggregate valuation of all pro- perty as assessed in each assessing precinct within the County during the current year, also, a detail,of all taxes to be raised in the County for such year in all townships and cities and shall submit the same to the County Clerk for filing with the Auditor General within thirty days after the close of the October Session of the Board of Commissioners. 7. Shall cooperate with the office of the County Treasurer in preparing and presenting to the Board of Commissioners, the report on rejected taxes, cancelled taxes and/or the respread of the same. To examine each year, as required by statute, the assessed valuations of the taxing units, to equalize the units to the end that the County tax burden be fairly and justly apportioned to the lesser units than the County; to advise Civil Counsel if the state equalization should be challenged; to employ and equip, subject to the approval of the Board of Commis- sioners, the necessary technical and clerical help needed by the Committee in performing its functions. Liaison - Tax Allocation Board C. FINANCE To plan ways and means of financing the County activities, to recommend to the Board of Commissioners plans for the County activities each year, to the end that there may be sufficient moneys raised and available ',c) pay the current fixed operating expenses and all approved extraordinary and/or unanticipated expenses; to receive by reference from the Board, all reports from other Committees involving an appropri:tion of funds. The Finance Committee shall also recommend each year a revised five (5) year capital improve- ment program based upon review and recommendations with each of the pertinent committees of the Board and with the Board of Auditors and shall be responsible for the preparation and final recommendation of the annual County budget respecting all funds required and all expenditures anticipated for the ensuring year. D. HEALTH To provide liaison between the Health Officer and the County Board of Commissioners; to confer with, on request, the Board of Health; to provide liaison between the Board of Health, the Community Mental Health Services Board, the Board of Institutions, the Dog Warden, Drag Program and Alcohol Program; to consider all questions and problems related to health. E. HUMAN RESOURCES Social Services: To provide liaison between the Oakland County Social Services Board. To annually inspect the facilities under the admini- stration of these agencies for the purpose of recommending such alterations or changes as are deemed by the Committee to pe advisable. To inform the Board of Commissioners on all matters affecting the public welfare of the County and its citizens, to recommend social service program implementation and social service policy changes to meet the needs of the community. Juvenile: To provide liaison between the programs and the County Board of Commissioners; to advise and confer with the Juvenile Division of the Probate Court; to inspect and make recommenda- tions to the Board of Commissioners relative to the facilities for housing juveniles, combating juvenile delinquency and adopting the general approved methods of handling juveniles. Veterans Affairs: To nrovide liaison between the Oakland County Veterans Affairs Commission and the Board of Commissioners; to con- sult with the Chairman of the Commission and recommend to the Board such changes or additions to the staff or facilities as to them shall seem advisable; to receive and report to the Board on all matters referred to it; to familiarize itself with the obligations of the County to the Veterans and recom- mend to the Board such steps as will insure the Veterans their rights under laws extending rights to Veterans. Liaison with Human Relations F. LEGISLATIVE To recommend to the Board of Commissioners proposed legis- lation, to aid and assist in preparing and introducing bills to bring about the enactment of legislation desired; to be- come informed on pending legislation detrimental to the interests of the County and oppose the same; to prepare or review proposed County ordinances and make recommendations concerning the same; to keep contact durira; legislative sessions with the Civil Counsel's Office and advise with him on pending matters between meetings of the Board of Commissioners. To cooperate with all elected officials of Oakland County in determining the best interest of the County of Oakland relative to legislation pending or to be introduced and to avoid conflicting efforts relative to such litigation between County officials and offices. G. LOCAL AFFAIRS AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS Boundaries of Cities and Villages: To examine all petitions filed with the County Clerk which involve the jurisdictionof the Board of Commissioners relative to a change of boundaries of townships, cities or villages and report to the Board of Commissioners on the sufficiency or insufficiency thereof with recommendations as to action thereon and dates for elections, if involved; to determine the priority of presentation of petitions to the Board of Commissioners, when conflicting petitions are filed, with recommendations on the date of submission to the electors of the question involved and, if there is no conflict, the filing date shall control. • Cooperative Extension Service - Markets To provide liaison between the Cooperative Extension Service of Michigan State University and the Board of Commissioners. To guide and encourage the educational programs of the Extension Service to gain major benefits for the people of Oakland County. To have general supervision and control of the Oakland County 4-H activities. To assist in coor- dinating the efforts of the State or federal government designed to aid the agricultural interests of the County and in the conservation of natural resources. To inspect yearly and report to the Board of Commissioners on the market facilities in which the County is interested, with recommenda- tions as to improvement of the oepration or other pertinent suggestions. Regional Affairs: Liaison with municipal and township governments and Library Board. Provide liaison with Inter-County Boards, Authorities and Commissioners, i.e. Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Council of Governments. H. PERSONNEL PRACTICES Personnel Policies: To become informed on salaries and wages paid in industry to skilled and unskilled labor, professional and non-professional services and yearly review the salaries and wages paid for comparable service by the County, to advise with the Board of Auditors upon request as to classification or reclassification of employees; to yearly advise the Finance Committee as to the gross amount of money recommended to be raised for salaries; to study the basic living standards and, as far as practicable, anticipate economic trends to the end that salaries and wages may be flexible enought to meet existing conditions; to report to the Board of Commissioners on the adequacy or excess of personnel in the several departments; to prepare and enforce specific rules and regulations and to carry out the provisions and intent of policies established pursuant to the Oakland County Merit System and to recommend to the Board of Commis- sioners the provisions of all employee fringe benefit programs. Retirement: To meet with the Oakland County Retirement Commission and pro- vide liaison between that Commission and the Board of Commissioners concerning all matters contemplated in Section 12-a of Act 156 of the Public Acts of 1851, as amended, prescribing the duties and defining the powers of Board, of Commissioners. I. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS To annually, between the fifteenth day of April and the fourth Monday in June, inspect all county-owned buildings and grounds and file with the Board of Commissioners, a detailed written report with recommendations as to the necessary improvement, repair or upkeep needed to place the Luildings in a reasonably sufficient state of repair and the lands in a reasonably sufficient condition con- sidering the aesthetic surroundinr.s; to biennially surve excess lands owned by the County or acquired by any of its subsidiary corporations and recommend either retention of the same or disposal, and, if disposal is recommended, the report shall show the concurrence of the departmental com- mittee assigned to the department which was instrumental in acquiring said lands; to conduct the sale of lands, the sale of which has been approved by the Board of Commissioners and, in the conduct of such sale the following procedures shall be involved and followed. If there are no statutory regulations or restrictions on the sale, it may be conducted as follows: 1. The Board of Auditors, with the concurrence of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, shall employ two real estate appraisers, one of whom shall be approved by the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or senior member of the Society of Residential Appraisers, and pay the standard fee therefor, or, as an alternative, the appraisal staff of the Equalization Committee may be used by the Auditors, if authorized by the Board of Commissioners for the Buildings and Grounds Committee. No land shall be sold at less than the lowest appraisal price unless such appraisal price shall be waived by the Board of Commissioners. 2. All sales of lands shall be made in one of the following ways: (a) Private Sale: The Board of Auditors, with concur- rence of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, may sell at private sale for not less than the lowest current appraisal price placed upon the property in accordance with (1) above. (b) Public Sale: The Board of Auditors, with the con- currence of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, may advertise once each week for two successive weeks (unless otherwise prescribed by statute) and either a public auction held or sealed bids received up to but not later than the time fixed for opening of the same, which shall be in full view of the interested public. The Committee shall fix a minimum accentable price at which said lands can be sold which minimum price shall not, unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Commissioners, be less than the lowest ap- praisal under (1) above. (c) Whenever the requirements of (a) or (b) above have been fulfilled and no sale made wihtin thirty days thereafter, the Buildings aid Grounds Committee may authorize the Board of Auditors to notify the licensed brokers in the area that the lands are for sale at not less than the lowest appraisal or highest bid received ana the Auditors shall be authorixed to pay from the proceeds of such sale the customary broker's fee therefor, or less. 3. The Buildings and Groudns Committee shall be vested with the authority to determine the amount and type of adver- tising to be doen, the time and place of sale, provide for such terns as it deems reasonable, the manner in which it is to be conducted and make reasonable rules and regu- lations pertaining to the same not in conflict with the requirement of the By-Laws. 4 • In all cases, the Committee may withdraw any lands authorized for sale up to the time the Auditors shall have received a commitment thereon, and shall, at any public sale, reserve the right to reject any or all bids received. 5. All new construction and all alteration of existing structures beyond what would normally fall in the cate- gory of maintenance shall be under the general jurisdiction of the Buildings and (rounds Committee. Such Committee shall be charged with, subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners, establishing location of buildings, employment of architects, preparation of plans and specifications. 6. The Board of Auditors shall advertise for and receive bids. The Board of Auditors shall tabulate and report the bids to either a joint meeting, or separate meetings of the Finance and Buildings and Grounds Committees. The Chairman of the Finance Committee shall report to the Board of Commissioners on the bids received with the joint recommendation of the Board of Auditors, the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Finance Committee as to the disposition thereof and appropriate action to be taken thereon. The Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Board of Auditors shall make necessary inspections. No payment shall be made to the contractor or architect until the Buildings and Grounds Committee or the Board of Commissioners approve the same. Liaison - Building Authority and Parks and Recreation Commission - 10 - J. PLANNING AND ZONING To coordinate zoning ordinances submitted by the townships under Act 18 4 of the Public Acts of 1943; to notify the clerk of the interested township with reasons for approval or disapproval; to work and cooperate with the County Planning Commission in furtherance of the plan of county development; to ajvise the Towriship Zoning Boards to the end that highways, streets, parks, sewers, drains and general land use may fit into overall planning for the area affected. Liaison - Planning Commission K. PUBLIC PROTECTION AND JUDICIARY 1. Law Enforcement: To provide liaison between the Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Local Law Enforcement Agencies in the County and the Board of Commissioners and to investigate and report to the Board of Commissioners on matters involving the advancement and improvement of Law Enforcement in the County and all Law Enforcement Agencies therein. 2. Judiciary: To provide liaison between the Circuit and Probate Courts and Courts of Limited Jurisdiction and the Board of Commissioners; to confer with Circuit and Probate Courts on matters pertaining to Courts; and to make recommenda- tions and presentations to the Board of Commissioners on matters requiring the attention of such Board. 3. Disaster Control and Civil Defense: To recommend the appointment of a County Director of Civil Defense to the Board, of Commissioners, to provide liaison between the Director of Civil Defense and the County Board of Commissioners, to confer with and advise the Director of Civil Defense relative to the functioning of the Department on request, the adequacy of staff and personnel and to present to the Board of Commis- sioners all matters requiring the approval or action of the Board. L. PUBLIC WORKS Drain: To provide liaison between the Drain Commissioner and the County Board of Commissioners; to confer from time to time with the County Drain Commissioner and advise with him relative to the functioning of the department, the adequacy of staff and personnel and presentation to the Board of Commissioners on matters reauiring the approval of the Board of Commissioners and to coordinate functions between the Drain Commission and the Office of the County Treasurer. - 11 - Public Works: To provide liaison between the Department of Public Works and the Board of Commissioners and presentation to the Board of Commissioners of matters requiring the approval of the Board of Commistioners. M. TRANS7ORTATION AND AVIATION To provide liaison between the County Airport Committee and the County Board of Commissioners; to confer from time to time with the County Airport Committee and advise them relative to the functions of the department and Committee, adequacy of staff and requirement of facilities and to report to the County Board of Commissioners and to coordinate the County aviation and transportation activities with other County departments and activities. Roads: To provide liaison between the Road Commission and the Board of Commissioners; to confer and advise with the County Road Commission on all matters wherein the discretion or arTroval of the Board of Commissioners iS involved and, if necessary, present the matters formally to the Board of Commissioners by appropriate resolution. XI. PROCEDURE TO BEING MATTERS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Any member desiring to bring a matter before the Board ma rise and, when recognized by the Chairman, present by way of motion or resolution, the matter desired to be brought before the Board. he Chairman of the Board shall refer all matters subject to 4 Committee consideration, to the appropriate committee or 0,X4 committees. If an objection is raised, then the question referral shall be determined by vote of fourteen members. Every resolution appropriating funds when reported favorably to the Board by a Committee other than the Finance Committee shall, together with all amendments thereto, and prior to adoption of the resolution, be referred to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall report on the availability of the funds to make thenecessary appropriations and the means of providing financing if such funds are found to be available and may suggest what reasonable alternatives if tot ia funding means are not found to be available. A fiscal note reporting such determination shall be attached to each resolution re- quiring such review. C. • • D. When a Committee is considering a resolution which will require the appropriation of uncommitted funds, the Chairman it of such Committee may request the Finance Committee to deter- mine the preliminary financial feasibility of such appropriation. E. Any matter referred to the Board of Commissioners for action which rhad'not been considered by a Committee at least 5 days prior to such Board meeting may be included for consideration by the Board of Commissioners at such meeting by a vote of fourteen (14) members. XII. TEMPORARY PRESIDING OFFICER In the absence of both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Board, by a vote of fourteen members, shall appoint a member to act as presiding officer until the Chairman or Vice Chairman shall appear. XIII. PREVIOUS QUESTION The previous question shall be called upon the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the mcmbers present and voting, as modified by Rule XXII. XIV. SUSPENSION OF RULES These rules and any Rules in the parliamentary authority shall be suspended upon the affirmative vote of sixteen members. XV. CHANGES IN AGENDA OR ORDER OF BUSINESS Changes in the agenda or order of business shall be made upon the affirmative vote of fourteen members. XVI. AMENDMENT OF RULES Amendments to the Rules shall be adopted upon the affirmative vote of sixteen members provided that written notice of any proposed amendment is given to all members at least five days prior to the vote thereon. XVII. APPEAL FROM DECISION OF THE CHAIR The vote of fourteen members shall be required to reverse a de- cision of the Chair. XVIII. ROLL CALL VOTE Ayes and Nays by roll call shall be ordered when demanded by any member prior to the announcement of the vote. 13 4 • • XIX. RECESS In addition to the procedure for a recess set forth in the parliamentary authority, a meeting of the Board of Commissioners may be recessed for a fixed time by the Chair. Such recess shall not exceed 1 hour unless approved by majority of those present. XX. MEETINGS Ote THE BOARD OF COMMISSIOAL.RS Regular meetings of Board shall be held the first and third Thursday of each month at 9:30 A.M. except as otherwise provided by law. A special meeting between meetings adjourned to a fixed date shall be held on written petition of eleven of the members of the Board, which petition shall be filed with the County Clerk at least ten days before the meeting, or by the Chairman of the Board by written notice delivered to each Commissioner's mailing address twenty-four hours in advance of such meeting. XXI. REFERRAL BY CHAIRn4N OF THE 30ARD OF COMMISSIONERS The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners may refer any matter arising between meetings of the Board to the appropriate Committee dr 'Committees for recommendation thereon and he shall report all such referrals to the Board at its next meeting as a matter of new and miscellaneous business. Such referrals shall be valid unless altered by a vote of fourteen (14) members at the meeting to which they are so reported by the Chairman. XXII. LIMITATION OF DEBATE If the previous question is called according to Rule XIII hereof and a 2/3 affirmative vote is not acquired, an affirmative vote of fourteen (14) members may invoke a limitation on debate of such resolution, all motions being considred temporarily limited additional debate on said subject to a total of fifty-four (54) minutes at the end of which time period the previous question may be moved by any member and a v te of fourteen (14) members will carry the motion. The fifty-four (54) minute time period shall be equally divided among all members present. Any member may yield an allocated time to another member. The said fifty- four (54) minute period shall include debate on all amendments, points of order and other<asc-ssionas long as said original resolution or motion is still before the Board.