Council Rules

City Council Rules are adopted by the City Council and provide guidelines and procedures for City Council meetings. The Council Rules provide for the order of agenda items at a Council meeting, public comment, council voting at meetings, and procedures for public hearings. Other helpful resources you can access include the functions and roles of City Council and ways you can participate in a City Council meeting.

1. The Mayor. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Council and shall be the recognized head of the City for all ceremonial purposes. The Mayor shall have all duties and privileges of any Councilor, and shall not be denied any right or privilege by reason of the Mayor's position as Presiding Officer.
2. Council President. At the first meeting of each calendar year, the Council shall elect a president from its membership. In the event of the Mayor's absence from any Council meeting, the Council President shall act as the Presiding Officer. Whenever the Mayor is unable, on account of absence, illness or other cause, to perform the functions of the office, the Council President shall act as Mayor Pro Tem.
3. Temporary Chairman. In event of the absence of the Mayor and Council President, the City Attorney shall call the Council to order and call the roll of the members. If a quorum is present, those Councilors present shall elect, by majority vote, a Temporary Chairman for that meeting. Should the Mayor or Council President arrive, the Temporary Chairman shall relinquish the chair immediately upon the conclusion of the item of business then in consideration before the Council.
4. Privileges Not Affected by Status. The Presiding Officer may move, second and debate from the chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all members, and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Council member by reason of acting as the Presiding Officer.

1. Regular Council Meetings. The Council shall hold two regular meetings per month. All meetings shall be evening meetings, beginning at 6:00 p.m., or immediately after a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem or Housing Authority of the City of Salem, to be held on the second and fourth Monday of each month; provided, however, during the month of December, the regular meetings shall be held on the first and second Monday; and provided, further, that any regular meeting may be moved to another Monday in the month by majority vote of the Council. Meetings may be called to order before or after meetings of the Urban Renewal Agency for the City of Salem and the Salem Housing Authority, but shall adjourn no later than 10:00 p.m. In the event a regularly scheduled meeting falls on an official holiday, the meeting shall be held at the same hour on the next following day which is not a holiday. In the event there are a lack of agenda items for the second required monthly meeting, Council may, upon majority vote, schedule the second meeting of a month to the same date as the first meeting of that month. Notice of each meeting shall be required as set forth in subsection (e) of this section.
2. Special Meetings and Work Sessions. Special meetings and work sessions may be called by the Presiding Officer, by request of any five Councilors, or by the City Manager. Notice shall be given to each Councilor, the City Manager, and the business office of each local newspaper and radio and television station which has on file a written request for notice of special meetings, and may be delivered by mail, by electronic facsimile (FAX), or by personal delivery. To the greatest extent practicable, special meetings should be held on the third Monday in the month. Work sessions should be scheduled on the second and fourth Mondays in the month. Work sessions are a form of special meeting, and Council has the authority, under the Charter and Oregon public meetings law to act on motions and make final decisions at work sessions. Council may, by motion, direct staff to take certain actions at a work session, but shall defer final action or decision on substantive policy issues to a Council meeting other than a work session.
3. Executive Sessions. Executive sessions may be called by the Presiding Officer, by the request of five Councilors, the City Manager or the City Attorney. Only Council members, the City Manager, and persons specifically invited by the Council or the City Manager shall be allowed to attend executive sessions. Representatives of recognized news media may attend executive sessions, other than those sessions during which the Council conducts deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations. No matter discussed during executive session may be disclosed by any person present during such session.
4. Location of Meetings. Council meetings shall be held within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City. Work sessions may be held outside the City limits, if no deliberations toward a decision are made. Inter-jurisdictional meetings may be held outside City limits, but should be as close to Salem as practical. No Council meeting shall be held at any place where discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, source of income or disability, is practiced. For this purpose, meetings do not include visitations or attendance at any national, regional, or state association to which the Councilor belongs.
5. Notice of Regular Meetings, Special Meetings, Work Sessions, and Emergency Meetings. Advance notice of at least 24 hours shall be provided for all regular and special meetings, work sessions, and executive sessions. In the case of emergency meeting or when a state of emergency has been declared, notice appropriate to the circumstances shall be provided and reasons justifying the lack of 24 hour notice shall be included in the minutes of such meeting. Notice for all meetings shall include written notice to all news media which requested notice.
6. Public Attendance. Except for properly called executive sessions, all meetings and work sessions shall be open to public attendance, including the ability to view and listen to meetings and work sessions electronically.  (Resolutions 87-29; 92-41; 93-137; 94-43; 98-206; 99-44; 2000-61; 2009-35; 2021-33)

1. Order of Business. The order of business for all regular meetings of the Council shall be as follows; provided, however, that when it appears to be in the best interest of the public, the order of business may be changed for any single meeting by two-thirds vote:
1. Opening exercises (includes call to order, roll call, pledge of allegiance, announcements, approval of additions and deletions to the agenda, proclamations, ceremonial presentations, and Council and City Manager comment);
2. Public comment (agenda items);
3. Consent calendar (includes approval of minutes, adoption of routine resolutions, and items of business requiring Council action);
4. Public hearings (includes deliberations, and deliberations from hearings held over from previous meetings);
5. Special orders of business (includes consideration of items deferred from the consent calendar; any action item which requires a selection among options; unfinished business from another meeting consideration of matters of special importance to the Council; Mayor or Councilor items properly included on the agenda as provided by these rules; management reports; formal presentations by city boards, city commissions, city committees; and formal presentations by outside agencies providing services or engaged in other activities with the City);
6. Information reports (items that require no Council action);
7. Ordinances;
8. Public comment (other than agenda items); and
9. Adjournment.
2. Agendas. The Clerk of the Council shall prepare an agenda for every regular and special meeting. Agendas and informational material for regular meetings shall be distributed to the Council no later than the Friday preceding the meeting. No Council approval shall be required for an agenda of any regular meeting; agendas for special meetings shall be approved by majority vote of the Council.
3. Placement of Items on the Agenda.
1. The City Manager may place routine items and items referred by staff on the agenda without Council action.
2. Any item placed on the consent calendar or matter raised during public comment may be
   placed on a subsequent agenda as a “special order of business” upon majority vote of the
   Council.
4. Removal of Items from the Agenda. The City Manager may remove any item on the consent agenda, any item of old business, any resolution, or any ordinance placed for first reading from the agenda at any time prior to the time the meeting is convened.
5. Postponement of Consideration Prior to the Meeting. Any Councilor may request that consideration of an agenda item be postponed to a subsequent meeting, if the Councilor is unable to attend the meeting during which the item has been scheduled for consideration. Any Councilor requesting postponement of consideration shall submit a request to the City Manager in writing as early as possible. The request to postpone should be honored unless the matter must be acted upon at that meeting due to deadlines or other matters of timing.
6. Proclamations and Awards. Special recognition, awards given to or by the City of Salem, and proclamations which serve to encourage and educate the community may be placed on the agenda at the discretion of the Mayor, and, if placed on the agenda, may be included under opening exercises, items of special consideration, or information reports. Requests for proclamations should be submitted in writing to the Mayor.
7. Council and City Manager Comment. The Mayor, each Councilor and the City Manager shall have the opportunity to make comment on any item of public interest during the opening exercises. The Mayor shall have a maximum of five minutes, and each Councilor and the City Manager shall have a maximum of two minutes for Council comment. Members of the public in attendance at the meeting may be recognized by Council, but may not speak during Council and City Manager Comment.
8. Consent Calendar. In order to expedite the Council’s business, the approval of minutes, and other routine agenda items shall be placed on the Consent Calendar. All items on the Consent Calendar will be approved by a single motion, unless the item is pulled for further consideration. Any item on the Consent Calendar may be removed for separate consideration by any member of the Council. For the purposes of this rule, separate consideration means any proposal to adopt a different course of action than that recommended in the staff report, or a determination that debate on a proposed course of action is deemed desirable, any questions to staff on any item, and any item where a Councilor must declare a conflict of interest.
9. Council Notification of Land Use Decisions. For purposes of Council review under SRC 300.1050, notification of land use decisions shall be made by posting on the City’s website, and by notification by listserve. Any member of the public may request to be placed on the listserve. Land use chairs of neighborhood associations shall be placed on the listserve. Posting shall occur no later than the time the meeting agenda where the items appears is published on the City's website preceding the meeting where an abstract of the decision is placed on the agenda. Call-up of a decision shall be made on the first regular Council meeting following Council notification of the land use decision pursuant to this subsection.
10. Special Orders of Business. Agenda items that are deferred from the Consent Calendar; business that requires the selection from among options or that are of special importance to the Council; Mayor or Councilor items; any business held over from a previous meeting, other than public hearings and ordinances; management reports of special importance as determined by the City Manager; formal presentations by city boards, city commissions, city committees, neighborhood associations; and formal presentations by outside agencies providing services to or for, or engaged in other activities with the City, will be placed under Special Orders of Business. Items removed from the Consent Calendar shall have priority over any other Special Order of Business.
    
    Mayor and Councilor Items. New Business brought by the Mayor or Councilor shall appear on the agenda as a special order of business. Any member of Council requesting that an item of new business be placed on the agenda should submit the request to the City Manager, in writing, not later than 9:30 a.m. the Tuesday preceding the Council meeting. Any item of new business provided after this deadline may be added to the agenda as an addition, but shall not be acted upon at the meeting where first presented.
11. Public Hearings. Public Hearings shall begin no later than 7:30 p.m. Unless otherwise required by law or Council motion, public hearings shall be scheduled by the City Manager, and may be rescheduled without further action by the Council

1. Written testimony may be submitted electronically to [email protected], by mail or in-person to City Recorder, 555 Liberty St, SE. Room 205, Salem, OR 97301. To be included in the agenda packet, communications to the Mayor and Council concerning matters on the agenda must be submitted to the City Recorder no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the date of the Council meeting where the matter will be considered. Written testimony submitted after 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the date of the Council meeting where the matter will be considered will be distributed to Council in electronic format only, and will be added to the applicable agenda item as practical. Written testimony submitted after 5:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting, including written testimony submitted in-person at a council meeting, shall also be submitted via email to [email protected] and [email protected] Testimony submitted after 5:00 pm on the date of the meeting will be provided to Council as soon as practical, but may not occur until after the meeting. Any Councilor may, by motion, have a communication concerning a matter on the agenda that does not meet the timelines in this subsection included in the record of the applicable proceeding. (Resolutions 2018-75; 2021-33)
2. Anonymous and unsigned communications shall not be introduced in Council meetings.
3. Unsolicited communications to the Mayor and Council concerning matters not on the agenda shall be provided to the Mayor and Council upon receipt. A member of council may present any unsolicited communication which raises a matter of general interest to the City under new business and placed on a subsequent agenda for further action pursuant to Rule 5(1).
4. The City Manager may bring any matter raised by an unsolicited communication to the attention of the Council as an agenda item, provided that such communication is accompanied by a staff report setting forth the reason the matter should be considered by the Council, and making a recommendation for Council action. (Resolutions 87-29; 97-125; 98-206; 2001-19; 2012-2)

1. Minutes of all regular, special meetings and emergency meetings shall be comprised of a "final action agenda" and a recording of the meeting in electronic form. Minutes of all executive sessions and work sessions shall be comprised of a recording of the meeting in electronic form. Minutes shall be maintained in the office of the City Recorder.
2. The "final action agenda" shall contain the following information:
1. The date, time and place of the meeting or session;
2. The names of the members recorded as either present or absent;
3. Any motions, and amendments thereto, a record of all votes taken, and general description of all matters considered during the meeting.
3. Approval of the minutes shall not require review of the electronic recording of the meeting or reading of the final action agenda in open meeting prior to approval. The final action agenda may be revised at any time by the City Recorder to correct spelling, numbering and other technical defects. Prior to approval, any member may request the amendment or correction of the final action agenda to accurately reflect the substance of any motion, amendment or matter considered during the prior meeting. If objection is made by any Council member to such amendment or correction, the amendment or correction shall only be made upon majority vote of the Council.

1. Presiding Officer. The Presiding Officer shall preserve decorum and decide all points of order, subject to appeal to the Council.
2. Councilors. Councilors shall preserve order and decorum during Council meetings, and shall not, by conversation or other action, delay or interrupt the proceedings or refuse to obey the orders of the Presiding Officer or these Rules. Councilors shall, when addressing staff or members of the public, confine themselves to questions or issues then under discussion, shall not engage in personal attacks, shall not impugn the motives of any speaker, and shall at all times, while in session or otherwise, conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the dignity of their office.
3. Staff and Public. Members of the administrative staff, employees of the City and other persons attending Council meetings shall observe the same rules of procedure, decorum and good conduct applicable to the members of the Council.
4. Removal of Any Person. Any person who disrupts a Council meeting by making personal, impertinent, slanderous or unauthorized remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing
   the Council or attending a Council meeting shall first be warned by the Presiding Officer that they are “out of order,” and that further disruptions shall be cause to remove the person from the meeting. If the person continues to cause a disruption after being warned, the Presiding Officer shall direct the Sergeant at Arms to remove the person. In case the Presiding Officer should fail to act, any member of the Council may obtain the floor and move to require enforcement of this rule; upon affirmative vote of the majority of the Council present, the Sergeant-at-Arms shall be authorized to remove the person or persons, as if the Presiding Officer so directed. Nothing in these Rules shall prevent the immediate removal of a person who poses an immediate threat to the public, members of the Board or staff.
5. Enforcement of Decorum. The City Manager, or such member or members of the Salem Police Department as the City Manager shall designate, shall serve as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Council meetings and shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the Presiding Officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum.

1. Every member desiring to speak shall address the Chair, and, upon recognition by the Presiding Officer, shall confine himself or herself to the question under debate, avoiding all personalities and indecorous language.
2. A member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to be called to order, or as herein otherwise provided. If a member, while speaking, be called to order, he shall cease speaking until the question of order be determined, and, if in order, he shall be permitted to proceed.
3. The Council member moving the adoption of an ordinance or resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate.
4. Any Councilor may call for the question at any time. The Presiding Officer shall then ask whether any Councilor has further comments, and, if no Councilor requests the floor, vote shall be immediately taken.

1. Quorum. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum to do business. A lesser number may meet and adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members.
2. Voting. Upon demand by any member of the Council, a roll call vote shall be made upon any question before the Council. No Councilor may explain the reasons for his or her vote during the roll call. The order in which roll call votes is taken shall rotate by ward from one roll call vote to the next, with the Presiding Officer voting last in each roll call vote.
3. Procedure Generally. When the question has been called for, the Presiding Officer shall first ask for the Ayes followed by the Nays. After a vote has been taken, the Presiding Officer shall announce the results of the vote, and, unless the vote is unanimous, the vote of the members by name.
4. Voting Required. Every member present when a question is called shall vote either Aye or Nay, unless the Council, by unanimous consent, excuses a member for a special reason or unless a member has a conflict of interest under applicable law, in which case no consent is required. There shall be no debate on such a request. Unless excused pursuant to this rule, if any member refuses or fails to vote, and the result of such refusal creates a tie, that member's vote shall be counted as an aye; in all other situations, that member's vote shall be counted with the majority. If a member is excused from voting as provided by this rule, that member may be counted toward making up a quorum, but shall not be counted toward the minimum number of votes required to pass or reject a motion.
5. Minimum Votes Required in Certain Situations. The passage of any ordinance shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the whole membership of the Council.
6. Ayes and Nays. The results of every vote, and the vote of each member by name, shall be entered upon the record.
7. Tie Vote. In case of a tie in votes on any proposal, the proposal shall be considered lost. If a tie vote occurs in the appeal of any quasi-judicial matter, the decision by the lower level decision maker shall be affirmed.

1. Two periods for public comment will be reserved for every regular meeting of the Council. Each period shall not exceed a maximum of thirty minutes, unless a majority of Councilors present vote to extend the time. Subject to the limitations contained in subsection (e) of this section, the first period for public comment shall be limited to items placed on the agenda other than public hearings, and the second period of public comment shall be used to comment on any issue of City business, other than agenda items.  The Presiding Officer may, unless a member of council objects, allow a person who desires to make comment on an item not on the agenda, to speak during the first comment period.  (Resolution 2016-44) 
2. Persons wishing to speak in-person during public comment must sign the "Speaker's Roster" with the person's name and address or ward and the topic upon which the person wishes to speak, not later than the end of the opening exercises. (Resolution 2021-33)

3. Persons wishing to speak remotely during public comment may, consistent with the requirements and procedures established by the City Manager, register to speak online via a link provided by the City.

   Members of the public may speak about any topic not on the agenda during the last period for public comment[AJ1] , except as provided in subsection (d) of this rule.(Resolution 2021-33)

4. If a member of the public wishes to speak on an item that is scheduled for a public hearing at that same meeting or a future meeting, the speaker shall wait until that public hearing. Public comment shall not be used to testify about a quasi-judicial land use matter, to testify on an item that is not a public matter, to testify on a matter which has been or is scheduled to be heard by a hearings official, or to provide or gather additional testimony or information on any matter after the official record has been closed on any matter which has been the subject of a public hearing. (Resolution 2021-33)

5. Speakers are limited to three minutes.  Generally, the speakers will be called upon in the order in which they have signed in on the Speaker's Roster, and the order in which they registered to speak remotely.  Speakers shall identify themselves by their names and their address or ward.  The Presiding Officer may allow additional persons to speak if they have not signed the Speaker's Roster if sufficient time is left in the thirty-minute period. Speakers appearing remotely must turn on their video and audio when providing comment. (Resolution 2021-33)

6. Should there be more speakers than can be heard for three minutes each during either of the thirty-minute periods provided for public comment, the Presiding Officer may sort the requests to speak in order to afford the greatest opportunity for each topic to be heard.

7. Councilors may, after obtaining the floor, ask questions of speakers during public comment. Members of council shall use restraint when exercising this option, and shall attempt to limit questioning to no more than three minutes. The Presiding Officer may intervene if a member of council is violating the spirit of this rule. (Resolution 2021-33)

8. Speakers may play electronic audio or visual material during the time permitted for their comment. Speakers appearing in-person may utilize City provided audio or visual equipment located in the Council Chambers as a part of their comment, but must provide the materials in a readable format to City staff prior to the meeting so that it may be installed on the City's equipment to avoid a delay or disruption of the meeting. Speakers appearing remotely must submit their media materials to the City prior to the meeting in accordance with requirements established by the City Manager. (Resolutions 2004-77; 2009-35; 2021-33)

1. A public hearing may be held on any matter upon majority vote of the Council. Public hearings may be held to consider legislative, quasi-judicial or administrative matters.
2. Persons wishing to speak shall sign the “Hearing Roster” with the person’s name and address prior to the commencement of the public hearing at which the person wishes to speak.
3. The City Recorder shall announce at the commencement of any public hearing the subject of the hearing as it is set forth on the agenda. The Presiding Officer shall then declare the hearing open.
4. Each person shall, prior to giving testimony, give his or her name, shall indicate whether they are a resident of the City of Salem, and may give their address or identify the ward in which they reside. All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any member thereof.
5. Speakers at hearings on legislative or administrative matters, other than legislative land use matters, will be limited to three minutes. Speakers at a hearing on a quasi-judicial matter, other than a quasi-judicial land use matter, shall be subject to the following time limits:
1. Staff presentation. (15 minutes total)
2. Applicant or Affected party. (15 minutes). Quasi-Judicial Hearing Only.
3. Appellant, if other than applicant. (10 minutes). Quasi-Judicial Hearing Only.
4. Neighborhood Associations. Appearance by a representative from any officially recognized neighborhood association which includes the affected area to present the association's position on the matter. (5 minutes total).
5. Other interested persons. (3 minutes per person).
6. Questions of Staff. (No time limit).
7. Rebuttal by Applicant or Affected Party. The scope of rebuttal is limited to matters which were introduced during the hearing. (7 minutes total).
6. Councilors may, after recognition by the Presiding Officer, ask clarifying or follow up questions of individuals providing testimony after that individual has completed his or her testimony. Questions posed by Councilors should be to provide clarification or additional information on testimony provided. Questions should not be used as an attempt to lengthen or expand the testimony of the individual. Councilors shall be expected to use restraint and be considerate of the meeting time of the Council when exercising this option. The Presiding Officer may intervene if a Councilor is violating the spirit of this guideline.
7. Councilors may, after the presentation of testimony of all interested persons, ask clarifying or follow-up questions of staff. Questions posed by City Councilors should be to provide clarification or additional information on testimony provided.
8. The Presiding Officer may exclude or limit cumulative, repetitious, or immaterial matter. The Presiding Officer may order the testimony, alternating those speaking in favor and those in opposition, or having all speaking in favor testifying, followed by all those in opposition. The Presiding Officer, with the approval of Council, may further limit the time and/or number of speakers at any public hearing; provided that the Presiding Officer shall announce any such restrictions prior to the commencement of the testimony. In the event of large numbers of interested persons appearing to testify, the Presiding Officer, to expedite the hearing, may in lieu of testimony call for those in favor of the pending proposal or those in opposition to rise and direct the Clerk of the Council to note the numbers in the minutes.
9. At the end of Public Testimony and Questions of Staff, Council shall initiate deliberations by introducing a motion on the matter; continue the hearing, or; keep the record open for additional written testimony. During deliberations, each member of the Council shall have the opportunity to comment on or discuss testimony given during the Public Hearing.
10. A copy of any written testimony or physical evidence, which a party desires to have introduced into the record of the hearing, shall be submitted to the City Recorder in the manner provided in Council Rule 6(a). Communications concerning quasi-judicial matters are ex parte contacts, and a Councilor receiving any such communication that does not comply with Council Rule 6(a) must disclose the fact that such a communication has been received, and the content of the communication, unless the communication is included in the record in the manner provided by Council Rule 6(a).
11. Documents submitted to the City as evidence or written testimony during a public hearing are public records. If such a document contains the name, address, including e-mail address, and telephone number of the person, then it will be included in the record of the proceeding. Because the name, address, including e-mail address, and telephone number is part of a public record, this information will be generally disseminated to the public, and must be disclosed if a public records request is submitted for the documents. A person who believes such disclosure would present a danger to his or her personal safety, and who wishes to exempt his or her address, including e-mail address, and telephone number from disclosure must submit a written request for non-disclosure to the City Recorder consistent with Oregon public records law. Any such request must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. the Wednesday preceding the meeting when the document will be entered into the record, and shall conform to OAR 137-004-0800, which requires the submission of documentary evidence that a danger to the person’s public safety would exist if the information is disclosed. Upon a determination by the City that the criteria under OAR 137-004-0800 have been met, then the person’s address, including e-mail address, and telephone number will be redacted from the record submitted for the hearing. (Resolutions 87-29; 94-43; 2004-77; 2009-35; 2012-2; 2021-33)

1. Except for the Urban Renewal Agency Board, the Housing Authority Commission, or Salem Hospital Facility Authority Board, no member of Council may serve on a City, Urban Renewal Agency, or Housing Authority board or commission. Members of Council may serve on Council, Agency Board, or Housing Authority Commission committees that are advisory to staff or the Council, Board or Commission.

1. The Boards and Commissions Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for filling Council vacancies, as provided by Section 20 of the Salem City Charter, and vacancies on the City’s boards and commissions, as provided by Section 22 of the Salem City Charter, SRC 2.530-2.655, and any ordinance or resolution establishing a board or commission.
2. When a Council vacancy occurs under Section 20(1) of the City of Salem Charter, or when a vacancy occurs on a City board or commission, the City Manager shall ensure that adequate public notice of the vacancy is disseminated. The notice shall inform interested persons that they may submit an application setting forth their qualifications and background and a statement of the reasons they wish to be considered to fill the vacancy; that the application materials shall be filed with the City Manager; and the deadline for submission of the materials. Any person who makes a timely submission and meets the qualifications shall be considered to fill the vacancy.
3. After the deadline for the filing of application materials, the Boards and Commissions Committee shall review the application materials and determine whether the applicants have established they are qualified and otherwise eligible to serve. After such review, the Appointments Committee shall forward its recommendations to the Mayor, if the Mayor makes the appointment, or to the Council, if the Council makes the appointment. If the Council makes the appointment, the Council shall determine whether the recommended applicant or applicants should be interviewed, or appointed without interviews. If the Council determines that the applicant or applicants should be interviewed, then interviews will be scheduled at a date convenient to the Council. Any Councilor may review all applications submitted, and move that an applicant not otherwise recommended by the Appointments Committee be considered for appointment.
4. If an incumbent seeks reappointment, the Boards and Commissions Committee shall review the incumbent's record and either recommend to the Council that the incumbent be reappointed or the position declared open. If reappointment is recommended and a majority of the Council concurs, the incumbent will be reappointed without interviews with the other applicants; if a majority of the Council does not concur, the position will be declared open. If the Boards and Commissions Committee recommends opening the position, the Council may, in its discretion, declare the position open or reappoint the incumbent without interviews with the other applicants. A decision to open the position does not exclude the incumbent from consideration for reappointment, but the incumbent must participate in the interview process.
5. In the event additional vacancies on a board or commission occur within one year of the date a vacancy on the board or commission is filled, the Boards and Commissions Committee may, in its discretion, recommend that the vacancy be filled from the pool of applications submitted to fill the original vacancy.
6. If the Council makes the appointment, the Council shall review the qualifications of the recommended applicant or applicants, including any interviews, the Presiding Officer shall call for a vote. If more than three or more applicants are recommended, those persons receiving the two largest number of votes shall be designated as finalists on the final ballot; provided, any applicant that receives a majority of all votes cast in the original vote shall be deemed appointed to fill the vacancy. The person receiving the largest number of votes in the final ballot shall be appointed to fill the position. In the event no applicant receives a majority of all votes cast, additional ballots shall be taken until one of the applicants receives the required majority. If only one person is recommended, and the Council does not direct that the vacancy be reopened, upon motion by the City Council, the City Recorder shall enter a vote by acclamation for the applicant in the minutes. If the Mayor makes the appointment, the Mayor shall announce the appointments as a Mayor’s item on the agenda.
7. All ballots shall be in writing, and signed by the Councilor casting the vote. The City Attorney shall tally the vote and announce the results.
8. When a Council vacancy occurs under Section 20(1) of the City of Salem Charter, and only one candidate has been nominated at the primary election or the candidate has been elected at the general election, as the case may be, it is the Council policy to appoint that person to fill the Council vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
9. In order to maintain geographic balance, the appointive members of the Budget Committee shall consist of one elector from each ward and one elector from the City at large.

1. General Conduct of Hearings.
1. Any party may speak in person, through an attorney, or elect to have a representative from an officially recognized neighborhood association present the party's case.
2. A copy of any written testimony or physical evidence, which a party desires to have introduced into the record of the hearing, shall be submitted to the City Recorder in the manner provided in Council Rule 6(a). Communications concerning quasi-judicial land use matters are ex parte contacts, and a Councilor receiving any such communication that does not comply with Council Rule 6(a) must disclose the fact that such a communication has been received, and the content of the communication, unless the communication is included in the record in the manner provided by Council Rule 6(a).
3. No person may speak more than once without obtaining permission from the Presiding Officer.
4. Upon being recognized by the Presiding Officer, any member of the Council, the City Manager, City staff or the City Attorney may question any person who testifies.
5. Testimony shall be directed towards the applicable standards and criteria which apply to the proposal.
6. The Presiding Officer may exclude or limit cumulative, repetitious, or immaterial testimony. To expedite hearings, the Presiding Officer may call for those in favor and those in opposition to rise, and the City Recorder shall note the numbers of such persons for the record in the minutes.
2. Quasi-Judicial Land Use Matters.
1. Scope of Review. All appeals and Council-initiated review in quasi-judicial land use
   proceedings are de novo.
2. Conflicts of Interest; Ex Parte Contacts.
1. A Councilor shall not participate in the discussion or vote in a quasi-judicial land use matter if:
1. The Councilor has an actual conflict of interest as defined by SRC 12.015(1), ORS 244.020(1), or ORS 244.120 or is prohibited from participating under Section 62 of the Salem City Charter;
2. The Councilor was not present during the public hearing; provided, however, the Councilor may participate if the Councilor has reviewed the evidence, including recordings of the hearing, and declares such fact for the record.
2. Councilors shall reveal any ex parte contacts with regard to the proceeding at the commencement of any quasi-judicial land use matter. If such contacts impair the Councilor's impartiality, the Councilor shall state this fact, and abstain from participation in the matter.
3. Burden of Proof; Standards and Criteria.
1. The applicant has the burden of proof on all elements of the proposal, and the proposal must be supported by proof that it conforms to all applicable standards and criteria.
2. The decision shall be based on the applicable standards and criteria set forth in the Salem Revised Code, the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan, and, if applicable, any other land use standards imposed by state law or administrative rule.
3. The applicant and any opponents may submit to the hearing body a set of written findings or statements of factual information which are intended to demonstrate that the proposal complies or fails to comply with any or all applicable standards and criteria.
4. Hearings Procedure. The order of hearings in quasi-judicial land use matters shall be:
1. Land Use Hearing Disclosure Statement. The City Recorder shall read the land use disclosure statement, which shall include:
1. A list of the applicable criteria;
2. A statement that testimony, arguments and evidence must be directed toward the applicable criteria or other criteria in the plan or land use regulation which the person believes to apply to the decision;
3. A statement that failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision maker and the parties an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals based on that issue; and
4. A statement that a failure to raise constitutional issues relating to proposed conditions of approval precludes an action for damages in circuit court.
2. Call for Ex Parte Contacts. The presiding officer shall inquire whether any member has had ex parte contacts. Any Councilor announcing an ex parte contact shall state for the record the nature and content of the contact.
3. Call for Abstentions. The presiding officer shall inquire whether any member must abstain from participation in the hearing due to conflicts of interest. Any Councilor announcing a conflict of interest shall state the nature of the conflict, and shall not participate in the proceeding, unless the vote is necessary to meet a requirement of a minimum number of votes necessary to take official action; provided, however, that the Councilor shall not participate in any discussion or debate on the issue out of which the conflict arises.
4. Presentation of the Case.
1. Staff Presentation. (10 minutes total).
2. Applicant's Presentation. (10 minutes total).
3. Appellant's Presentation, if other than the applicant. (10 minutes total).
4. Neighborhood Associations. Appearance by a representative from any officially recognized neighborhood association which includes the affected area to present the association's position on the proposal. (5 minutes total).
5. Other interested persons. (3 minutes per person).
6. Questions of Staff. (No time limit).
7. Applicant's Rebuttal. (5 minutes). Rebuttal may be presented by the applicant. The scope of rebuttal is limited to matters which were introduced during the hearing.
5. Close of hearing. No further information shall be received after the close of the hearing, except for specific questions directed to staff. If the response to any such questions requires the introduction of additional factual evidence, all parties shall be afforded an opportunity for rebuttal.
6. Deliberations and Decision. Deliberations shall immediately follow the hearing. The Council may delay deliberations by closing the record and continuing the hearing to a date and time certain for the purpose of deliberations.
5. Findings and Order. The Council may affirm, modify, reverse, or remand the decision of the lower Review Authority. In the event the decision is modified or reversed, the Council shall adopt findings to support its decision. The Council may incorporate findings proposed by the proponent, the opponent, staff, the hearings officer or the planning commission in its decision, or may direct the prevailing party to prepare draft findings for consideration by the Council.
6. Reopened hearings. The hearing may be reopened by the Council, upon majority vote, prior to decision, to receive additional testimony, evidence or argument. Notice shall be provided to the same persons who received notice of the original hearing.
7. Continuances/Holding the Record Open.
1. Procedure When Hearing Does Not Constitute the First Evidentiary Hearing. If additional evidence or documents are provided by any party after the date the staff report is made available to the public, the Council may allow a continuance or leave the record open to allow the parties a reasonable opportunity to respond. Any continuance or extension of the date for closing the record requested by an applicant shall result in a corresponding extension of the 120-day time limitations set forth under ORS 227.178-227.179.
2. Procedure When Hearing Constitutes the First Evidentiary Hearing. Prior to the conclusion of a quasi-judicial proceeding which constitutes the first evidentiary hearing on the matter, any party may request an opportunity to present additional evidence, arguments or testimony regarding the proposal. Upon such request, the Council shall either continue the hearing or hold the record open as provided in this subsection.
3. Continuances.
1. If the Council grants a continuance, the hearing shall be continued to a time certain at least seven days after the date of the hearing. The continued hearing shall provide an opportunity for persons to present and rebut new evidence, arguments and testimony.
2. If new written evidence is submitted at the continued hearing, any person may request, prior to the conclusion of the continued hearing that the record be left open for at least seven days to submit additional written evidence, arguments or testimony for the purpose of responding to the new written evidence.
3. Only one continuance is available of right under this subsection; provided, however, nothing in this subsection shall restrict the Council, in its discretion, from granting additional continuances.
4. Holding the Record Open.
1. If the Council holds the record open for additional written evidence, arguments or testimony, the record shall be left open for at least seven days after the close of the hearing for new evidence, and an additional seven days for rebuttal of the new evidence.
5. Reopening the Record or Hearing.
   1. If the record or hearing is reopened, any person may submit additional evidence, arguments or testimony to respond to the new evidence or new testimony submitted during the period the record was left open, or raise new issues or make new arguments which relate to the new evidence, new arguments or new testimony.
   2. The order of proceedings when a hearing is reopened shall be as follows:
   1. Applicant. (3 minutes).
   2. Other Persons. (3 minutes per person).
   3. Applicant's rebuttal. (5 minutes).
8. Presentation of Final Written Argument. Unless waived by the applicant, the applicant shall have at least seven days after the record is closed to all other parties to submit final written argument in support of the proposal. The applicant's final submittal shall be considered part of the record, but shall not include any new evidence.
9. Effect on 120-Day Rule. Any continuance of the hearing or extension of the date for closing the record which is agreed to or requested by the applicant shall result in a corresponding extension of the 120-day time limitations imposed by ORS 227.178-227.179. A seven-day period for submittal of final written argument provided to the applicant shall likewise result in a corresponding extension of the 120-day time limitations. Any other continuance or extension shall be subject to the 120-day time limitations.
10. As used in this subsection:
1. "Argument" means assertions and analysis regarding the satisfaction or violation of legal standards or policy believed relevant by the proponent of a decision. "Argument" does not include facts.
2. "Evidence" means facts, documents, data or other information offered to demonstrate compliance or noncompliance with the standards and criteria believed by the proponent to be relevant to the proposal.
3. Conduct of Hearings on Legislative Land Use Matters
1. Hearings Procedure. The order of proceedings for hearings on legislative land use matters shall be:
1. Call for abstentions. Inquire whether any member of the Council wishes to abstain from participation in the hearing. Any Councilor announcing an abstention shall identify the reason therefor and shall not participate in the proceedings.
2. Staff summary. Staff shall present a statement of the applicable criteria, and a summary and recommendation concerning the proposal.
3. Officially recognized neighborhood association within the affected area. (5 minutes).
4. Interested persons. (3 minutes per person).
5. Response. The Council, upon majority vote, may allow any person testifying in
   favor, to respond to any testimony by a person opposed to the proposed change. (3
   minutes per person).
6. Close of hearing. No further information shall be received after the close of the
   hearing, except for responses to specific questions directed to staff.
7. Deliberations and Decision. Deliberations shall immediately follow the hearing.
   The Council may delay deliberations to a subsequent time certain.
2. Reopening Hearing. Prior to second reading of an ordinance relating to a legislative land use matter, and upon majority vote of the Council, a hearing may be reopened to receive additional testimony, evidence or argument. The same notice requirements shall be met for the reopened hearing as were required for the original hearing.

1. Numbering. Proposed ordinances shall be known as ordinance bills. The City Recorder shall number all ordinance bills with a consecutive identification number during each calendar year, in the order of their introduction. Each number shall be followed by the last two digits of the year in which the ordinance was introduced.
2. All ordinance bills shall, before presentation to the Council, have been approved by the City Attorney or the City Attorney’s designee.
3. Each ordinance shall contain a relating clause that identifies the subject of the ordinance, which shall be clearly expressed in its title. Ordinances that are being amended or repealed should contain the title of the ordinance or section number amended or repealed.
4. An ordinance is introduced for consideration by the Council by presentation for first reading. After introduction, the Council may direct that a public hearing on the ordinance be held, refer the ordinance to committee for review and recommendation, refer the ordinance to the City Manager for further revision, pass the ordinance to second reading, or reject the ordinance in whole or in part. Notwithstanding this subsection, a public hearing may be conducted on subject matter before an ordinance on that subject is introduced at first reading.
5. When an ordinance is placed before the Council for final passage, the Clerk of the Council shall call the roll and enter the ayes and nays in the record of the Council proceedings.
6. All proposed amendments to an ordinance bill shall be in writing, and may be made by interlineation upon the bill.
7. No second reading of any ordinance shall occur at the meeting where it is introduced, except by suspension of this rule, and no ordinance shall be passed at a single meeting, except by unanimous vote for passage by all Councilors present.
8. An affirmative vote of at least five members of the Council shall be necessary to pass an ordinance.
9. When an ordinance is rejected by the Council, and is not reconsidered as provided by these rules, neither the ordinance, nor any other ordinance which contains substantially the same provisions, shall be considered by the Council for a period of not less than six months, unless at least five members of the Council petition for earlier consideration.

1. Each councilor shall be allowed to designate a person as guest councilor to fill the seat of the councilor at a meeting, other than an executive session, in the event of his or her absence. In the event of an extended absence or a vacancy in a council seat, the Council as a whole may designate persons to serve in the capacity of guest councilor until such time as the successor takes office. A person designated as guest councilor must be an elector and a resident of the ward of the councilor whose seat is being filled and can serve as guest councilor only once each year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person designated to serve as a guest councilor, who is the councilor-nominee or councilor-elect for the applicable seat, may serve as guest councilor for multiple meeting dates as indicated by the councilor or council in the designation. Employees of the City of Salem and the spouses and immediate family members of city employees are not eligible for designation as guest councilors.
2. A councilor shall make such designation by giving notice of the name and address of the person so designated, and the council meeting date or dates that the person shall serve as guest councilor to the Presiding Officer and the City Manager. If the designation arises because of an extended absence or a vacancy, the recommendation for designation shall be forwarded to the Council as a whole as a Mayor's Item or Councilor's Item, as the case may be. If approved by consensus, the person so recommended shall serve at the next council meeting, or, if more than one person is designated, the City Manager shall schedule the persons for council meetings at mutually acceptable times. Upon designation, the City Manager shall have the agenda packet delivered to the person for the council meeting at which the person will serve.
3. No person filling the seat of a councilor pursuant to this rule may make or second any motion or vote on any matter coming before the Council. Guest councilors shall not attend executive sessions of Council. At any meeting where a guest councilor is filling the seat of a councilor, the Presiding Officer shall, at the beginning of the meeting, introduce the person to the other councilors and to the public. At any one meeting, no more than two guest councilors may attend.

​Rule 22: Reserved

Members of the City Council may attend council meetings remotely via a virtual format provided by the City provided that all the following conditions are met: (Resolution 2021-33)

a. The member of council notifies the City Manager not less than 24 hours prior to the meeting that the member would like to attend the meeting through electronic means. (Resolution 2021-33)

b.  At the commencement of the meeting, the Council notes into the record the circumstances which are the basis of the Councilor's request to attend the meeting through electronic means. 

c. To avoid confusion and promote efficiency, if the Mayor will attend a meeting remotely, the Council President shall act as the Presiding Officer for the meeting; if the Council President will attend a meeting through electronic means, the Mayor may select at Pro Tem Council President for the meeting. (Resolution 2021-33)

d. Persons, including members of council, wishing to participate remotely must have an adequate internet connection and computer or other device with adequate video and audio capabilities to participate remotely at a council meeting. (Resolution 2021-33)

e.  Except for an executive session, City Council meetings shall be broadcast simultaneously via public access television or online.  (Resolution 2021-33)

f. Members of the public shall be given an opportunity to remotely observe, and to participate in, city council meetings through the internet. The opportunity to observe council meetings is satisfied by the simultaneous broadcast of the meetings. The opportunity to participate is satisfied by making online registration for public comment and hearings available. The City is not required to provide or ensure that members of the public have access to a computer or other device in order to access the internet and participate in a council meeting.

g. Members of council and staff participating in a council meeting remotely shall enable their video feeds during the meeting, except that they may disable their video when temporarily leaving the meeting. Members of the public participating in a council meeting remotely shall enable their video while making public comment or testimony. (Resolution 2021-33)

1. Except as otherwise provided by the Salem City Charter, any provision of these rules may be temporarily suspended by a vote of two-thirds of the Councilors present. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by ayes and nays and entered upon the record.
2. These rules may be amended, or new rules adopted, by a vote of two-thirds of the Councilors present, provided that the proposed amendments or new rules have been introduced into the record at a prior Council meeting not less than ten days prior to Council action on the proposed amendment or adoption.

​Additional information