21-Deliberate and possibly act on adoption of a code of ethics for City Council, boards, commissions and committees

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called upon to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Demonstrating respect for each individual through words and actions is the touchstone that can help guide Councilmembers and board and commission members to do the right thing in even the most difficult situations. 1 Elected and Appointed Officials' Conduct with One Another "In life, courtesy and self-possession, and in the arts, style, are the sensible impressions of the free mind, for both arise out of a deliberate shaping of all things and from never being swept away, whatever the emotion, into confusion or dullness. " William Butler Yeats Elected and appointed officials are composed of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds, personalities, values, opinions, and goals. Despite this diversity, all have chosen to serve in public office in order to preserve and protect the present and the future of the community. In all cases, this common goal should be acknowledged even though individuals may "agree to disagree" on contentious issues. 1(a). In Public Meetings Use formal titles Elected and appointed officials should refer to one another formally during public meetings, such as Mayor, Vice Mayor, Chair, Commissioner or Councilmember followed by the individual's last name. Practice civility and decorum in discussions and debate Difficult questions, tough challenges to a particular point of view, and criticism of ideas and information are legitimate elements of a free democracy in action. This does not allow, however, public officials to make belligerent, personal, impertinent, slanderous, threatening, abusive, or disparaging comments. No shouting or physical actions that could be construed as threatening will be tolerated. Honor the role of the chair in maintaining order It is the responsibility of the chair to keep the comments of inembers on track during public meetings. Members should honor efforts by the chair to focus discussion on current agenda items. If there is disagreement about the agenda or the chair's actions, those objections should be voiced politely and with reason, following procedures outlined in parliamentary procedure. Avoid personal comments that could offend other members If a member is personally offended by the remarks of another member, the offended member should make notes of the actual words used and call for a"point of personal privilege" that challenges the other member to justify or apologize for the language used. The chair will maintain control of this discussion. Demonstrate effective problem-solving approaches Members have a public stage to show how individuals with disparate points of view can find common ground and seek a compromise that benefits the community as a whole. Outside of official board or commission meetings, individual board and commission members are not authorized to represent the City or their board or commission unless specifically designated by the Council or the board or commission to do so for a particular purpose. In private settings, board and commission members may communicate at any time and on any subject with individual members of the City Council, and may express to them individual viewpoints and opinions. In public, however, all members shall represent the official policies or positions of their board or commission, with the following exception. During a Council public hearing on any item addressed by the board or commission, any member may speak under standard time limits, but shall indicate whether their testimony represents an official position (majority opinion) or a