A ninth committee, Steering and Rules , consisting of the Common Council president and the chairs of the eight standing committees, formulates policies and rules for the Common Council. The Common Council chooses the City Clerk after the general aldermanic election. The City Clerk in turn appoints the Deputy City Clerk. Together, they direct the office which serves as the support staff for the Council. Parliamentary procedure governs the order of business at Council meetings.
Members next consider any unfinished business.
The meeting proceeds with reports and recommendations from standing committees. A vote is taken after each full committee report. But individual roll call votes are taken on items considered under separate action. Usually, a simple majority vote suffices to adopt proposals. However, specific provisions of state statutes, the City Charter, the Code of Ordinances or Council rules may require a larger majority in certain instances.