04/22/2010 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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called upon to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Demonstrating respect fo each through words and actions is the touchstone that can help guide Councilmember and commission members to do the right thing in even the most difficult situations. 1. Elected and Appointed Officials' Conduct with One Another dual and "In life, courtesy and self-possession, and in the arts, style, are the sensible imp essions f the free mind, for both arise out of a deliberate shaping of all things and from neve being ept away, whatever the emotion, into confusion or dullness. " William Butler Yeats Elected and appointed officials are composed of individuals with a wide variety f back ounds, personalities, values, opinions, and goals. Despite this diversity, all have ch en to rve in public office in order to preserve and protect the present and the future of the mmuni . In all cases, this common goal should be acknowledged even though individuals may "a ree to disagree" on contentious issues. 1(a). In Public Meetings Use formal titles Elected and appointed officials should refer to one another formally during publi meetin , such as Mayor, Vice Mayor, Chair, Commissioner or Councilmember followed by the individu I's last name. Practice civility and decorum in discussions and debate Difficult questions, tough challenges to a particular point of view, and criticis of id s and information are legitimate elements of a free democracy in action. This does not allow, h wever, public officials to make belligerent, personal, impertinent, slanderous, threaten ng, abu ive, or disparaging comments. No shouting or physical actions that could be construe as thr tening 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 tra k durin public meetings. Members should honor efforts by the chair to focus discussion on current genda items. If there is disagreement about the agenda or the chair's actions, those o jection should be voiced politely and with reason, following procedures outlined in parliamentary procedu e. Avoid personal comments that could offend other members If a member is personally offended by the remarks of another member, the o ended ember should make notes of the actual words used and call for a"point of person I privile e" that challenges the other member to justify or apologize for the language used. The c air will aintain control of this discussion. Demonstrate effective problem-solving approaches Members have a public stage to show how individuals with disparate points view f n find common ground and seek a compromise that benefits the community as a wholei Outside of official board or commission meetings, individual board and commissi n mem rs are not authorized to represent the City or their board or commission unless specifi ally de gnated by the Council or the board or commission to do so for a particular purpose. In private ttings, board and commission members may communicate at any time and on a y subj t with individual members of the City Council, and may express to them individual viewpoi ts and opinions. In public, however, all members shall represent the official policies or ositions f their board or commission, with the following exception. During a Council public hea ing on y item addressed by the board or commission, any member may speak under standar time li its, but shall indicate whether their testimony represents an official position (majori opinio ) or a 1810