Laserfiche WebLink
<br />N. NEW BUSINESS <br />RESOLUTIONS <br />1. <br />Resolution 2010 – A resolution for Council’s pledge that Council had agreed upon at <br />their retreat. <br />Mayor Welsch stated that at the Council’s Retreat in May of this year, there was a <br />decision made that the Council would write a pledge on how we would treat each <br />other in meetings with the idea it would be presented to Council when the Council <br />would finalize their rules, which was done at this meeting. Mayor Welsch read the <br />pledge and it is attached at the end of these minutes. <br /> <br />Ms. Ricci moved to accept Resolution 2010 – 21 and was seconded by Mr. Glickert. <br /> <br />Mr. Price did not remember if he was present at the Council Retreat when the pledge <br />was created, due to other obligations he had at the time. He stated, “For me the <br />concept sounds fine but I took the oath of office when I was sworn in. In that oath, I <br />agreed to execute my duties as a City Councilmember. I took that oath in the <br />beginning, so I can’t take a pledge. I don’t know how a Councilmember will be <br />coached because you represent the constituency base that sent you to office. I was <br />not elected at-large, I was elected by the Third Ward. I have to represent those <br />individuals who voted for me and that may run counter-culture to what the body may <br />want to do. So I cannot pledge that I will always agree, when it could be detrimental <br />to the people you serve. So I can’t make a pledge because I made a pledge when I <br />was sworn in, what I was duty bound to do when I was elected. So I don’t need to <br />give an oath that I am going to be courteous or I am going to agree. So my pledge <br />was done two years ago in April and I did it on four different occasions. So I am clear <br />with that pledge and I don’t need to make a second pledge.” <br /> <br />Ms. Ricci stated “Good government is a team sport. You are part of the team. It <br />engenders respect and listening. There is nothing in this pledge that says one must, <br />any of us must make a decision that is counter to our constituents whether it is at <br />large or in a ward. What it says is that we will listen, we will foster respect, and that <br />we will listen to you and you will listen to us and we will treat one another in a <br />respectful manner. Given the comments that some of you have brought forth to us <br />today, I think that this is a very timely and apt way for us to conduct our business in <br />this team sport. To that end I would ask the Mayor to read this pledge again so that <br />you all would clearly hear it and understand it and know that by doing so, none of us <br />are agreeing to vote by this collegial group, not in the interest of you all.” <br /> <br />Mr. Crow stated, “I found it ironic when people, who have not always been good team <br />members, talk about it being a team sport. What I would say is that I find it more than <br />ironic that I am ask to vote on Resolution 2010 – 21 the same week our police <br />officers delivered to me by hand a letter from the Mayor, signed by the Mayor, talking <br />about harassing methods, disorderly behavior and the tone by one of our <br />Councilmembers. I believe the information that is at issue, since I left that meeting <br />early, is available on the internet through Ms. Carr, to make their own conclusions. I <br />also find it ironic that I am asked to take this pledge the same week the City Manager <br />entered the political fray by openly criticizing a member of the City Council. I find it <br />also ironic that we are talking about questions that were asked during a Council <br />meeting, that everyone seems to be up in arms about, yet assessing personnel <br />information seems to go unabated but it is okay, it is a team sport and we should all <br /> <br /> 8 <br /> <br />