General Terms and Definitions

Agenda - list of items to be discussed at the City Council meeting. Items are considered one at a time in the order in which they are listed.

Consent Agenda - items that are enacted by one motion with no separate discussion of each item. An item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the regular agenda at the request of any Council Member.

Resolution - a resolution is a method of formally expressing the opinion or policy of the City Council. The resolution goes into effect immediately but carries no legal authority.

Ordinance - law or rule made by a government or authority. If the ordinance deals with matters of a general and permanent nature, it becomes part of the Chesapeake City Code. If the ordinance deals with matters of a special nature, it is a non-coded ordinance. The ordinance is effective 30 days after City Council's action, unless it is adopted as an emergency ordinance, which goes into effect immediately.

Motion - a verbal, or written suggestion made by a City Council Member taking action on an issue that is discussed and voted on at a meeting. A motion must be seconded, voted upon and approved by a majority of the members present to accomplish the action desired.

New Business - an opportunity for Council Members, and at times the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney, to present additional items for discussion and/or action by City Council.