Resolution No. 27 for 1998 - Adopting City Council Code of Ethics & Conduct for All City Council Meetings

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING CITY COUNCIL CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Councilors shall conduct themselves so as to bring credit upon the City as a whole, and to set an example of good ethical conduct for all citizens of the community. Councilors should constantly bear in mind these responsibilities to the entire electorate, and refrain from actions benefitting any individual or special interest group at the expense of the City as a whole. Councilors should likewise do everything in their power to ensure impartial application of the law to all citizens, and equal treatment of each citizen before the law, without regard to race, national origin, sex, social station or economic position.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Councilors shall preserve order and decorum during Council meetings, and shall not, by conversation or other action, delay or interrupt the proceedings or refuse to obey the orders of the Presiding Officer or these rules. Councilors shall, when addressing staff or members of the public, confine themselves to questions or issues then under discussion, shall not engage in personal attacks, shall not impugn the motives of any speaker, and shall at all times, while in session or otherwise, conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the dignity of their office.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT every Councilor desiring to speak shall first address the chair, and await recognition to obtain the floor. No persons other than members of the Council and the person having the floor shall enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the Council without the permission of the Presiding Officer.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT DURING DEBATE

1. Any Councilor who has the floor shall confine himself or herself to the question under debate, avoid personalities and refrain from impugning the motives of any member argument or vote. No member shall address the chair or demand the floor while any vote is being taken.

2. Councilors shall limit their remarks on a subject to five minutes unless granted additional time by the majority of the Council. No Councilor shall be allowed to speak more than once upon any one subject, until every other member choosing to speak thereon has spoken.

3. A Councilor once recognized shall not be interrupted while speaking, unless called to order by the Presiding Officer, or unless a point of order is raised by any Councilor while he or she is speaking, in which case he or she shall cease speaking immediately until the point is determined. If ruled to be in order, he or she shall be permitted to proceed; if ruled to be out of order, he or she shall remain silent or shall alter his or her remarks as to comply with the ruling.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT DURING MEETINGS Citizens desiring to address the Council shall first be recognized by the chair and shall limit remarks to the question then under discussion. All remarks and questions shall be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to any individual councilor thereof. Any remarks and questions regarding administration of the City shall be referred to the City Manager by the Presiding Officer.

PASSED by the Council and approved by the Mayor this 10th day of November, 1998.