Columbia Agenda preparation ordinance (§ 2-47.1)

(a) The city manager shall prepare the agenda for council meetings in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and ordinance. He shall place such matters upon the agenda as may be requested by any council person and those which he presents as head of city administration.

(b) In the event that any matter requested by any council person to be presented to the council in the form of a report, ordinance or resolution requires the expenditures of significant staff time or of public monies over and above those costs inherent in the administration of city government, the city manager shall inform the council person. The council person shall present such request to the council in the form of a motion to instruct the city manager and staff to prepare such report, ordinance or resolution.

(c) Suggestions from city boards and commissions for staff reports, ordinances or resolutions shall be presented to the council in the form of a report. Neither staff time nor public monies shall be expended in the preparation of any staff report, ordinance or resolution until the council has by motion instructed the city manager and staff to prepare such document or, in the instance of an ordinance or resolution which does not require significant staff time, until a council person has requested such preparation. Any action which may be initiated by any board or commission pursuant to authority granted by the charter, ordinance or statute is specifically exempted from this requirement.