Referred to: The Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairman

Roberts and Legislators Belfiglio, Donaldson, R. Parete and Rodriguez)

Legislator Peter Loughran offers the following:

WHEREAS, Ulster County Legislators are considered part-time employees;

and

WHEREAS, many Legislators hold “day jobs” to provide a primary source of

income; and

WHEREAS, Standing Committee Meetings of the Ulster County Legislature

have historically been held in the evening hours to accommodate work schedules;

and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature strives to be a leader in

transparency and encourages maximum participation in the legislative process; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Ulster County Legislature to amend Rule 5

of the Rules of Order of the Ulster County Legislature to include a 6:00 PM or later

start time for all Standing Committee Meetings to encourage the broadest

participation from Legislators and the public alike; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Rule 5. STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF

THE LEGISLATURE AND CALENDARING OF THE LEGISLATIVE

SESSIONS, Section D. Meetings of the Committees, is hereby amended to include

additional language to read as follows:

D. Meetings of the Committees. Committees shall have Regular Committee

meetings throughout the year as specified in the Annual Legislative Calendar filed

with the Clerk by the Chairperson of the Legislature not later than twenty (20) days

after his/her election or appointment. In establishing such calendar, the Chairperson

of the Legislature shall coordinate the dates of Regular Committee meetings with the

Clerk of the Legislature to ensure that members of Committees are not scheduled to

be at more than one Committee at a time or at more than one physical location in one

night except upon the agreement of the affected Legislator(s). All Regular

Committee Meetings shall be called to order no earlier than 6:00 PM.

Committee Meetings shall be noticed to the Members of the Committee by the Clerk

of the Legislature or her designee at least 48 hours in advance by electronic, regular

mail or personal notice unless waived by such Member. The Chair with the consent

of the Deputy Chair of the Committee may change the Regularly scheduled meeting

date and the Clerk shall notify the Members and media of such change. Nothing 

shall preclude the calling of properly noticed Special Committee meeting(s) by the

Chair of the Committee to consider such matters as the Chair of such Committee

shall deem appropriate which are not otherwise inconsistent with these Rules; and, be

it further

RESOLVED, that pursuant to Rule 2, entitled “AMENDMENT OF RULES,”

of the Rules of Order of the Ulster County Legislature, this resolution and the

amendment proposed herein shall be read at two consecutive meetings of the Ulster

County Legislature, and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this rule change shall take effect upon an affirmative vote

of this body subsequent to two consecutive readings,

and moves its adoption.

FIRST READING:

SECOND READING:

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: NOES:

Postponed in Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on April 18, 2016

Passed Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on ____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE