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Removing Items from Consent Agenda

Step-by-step procedure for handling "pulled" items.

The Procedure
1

Member Request

Any voting member may request to remove an item from the Consent Agenda. This is often called "pulling" an item. No vote is required to grant this request. It is a right of the member.

Member: "Mr./Madam Chair, I wish to remove [Item Name] from the Consent Agenda."
2

Chair Activates Removal

The Chair acknowledges the request immediately. The member who pulled the item may simultaneously suggest where it should be placed on the agenda.

Member: "...and I request that it be dealt with under Item 5."

Chair: "[Item Name] is removed from Consent. It will be added to the Main Agenda under [Section 5]."
3

Vote on Remaining Items

The Chair proceeds to vote on the rest of the Consent Agenda as a single block.

Chair: "Is there any objection to adopting the remaining items on the Consent Agenda? ...[Pause]... Hearing none, the remaining items are adopted."
4

Address Pulled Item

If the item wasn't assigned to a specific agenda section during Step 2, the pulled item must be addressed immediately after the Consent Agenda vote is finalized. If the Chair neglects to do this, any member should speak up so the item doesn't disappear. It is then handled as a standard, standalone motion: moved, seconded, debated, and voted on individually.

Why Remove an Item?

Items should be removed if a member wants to vote against it, amend it, or discuss it extensively. Simple questions for information can often be asked before the meeting without removing the item.