2013-05-13 Regular City Council Session

Home Browse Search

along, pledge that was just mentioned, effort to establish blame at one point, mayor election a couple of years ago talking about how important it would be to have civil meetings, and citizens have streamed up asking why councilmembers do not get along. He stated that he has not seen much change. Mr. Carr suggested that an answer could come from a little more parliamentary procedure. He noted when the contentious issues come up; the Council falls apart. Mr. Carr noted that he observed name-calling, personal attacks, mocking behavior and other less respectful behavior. Robert’s Rules of Order, (Rule 5 of Council Rules), has a section on conduct of a meeting and a subsection of decorum of meetings. He noted Robert’s Rules of Order is set up to be an efficient way to conduct business, have a respectful meeting. Mr. Carr stated that under Robert’s Rules section on conduct of meetings and decorum included more specific information on how to keep the respect when in disagreement was noted. He said it identified things to do. Respect one another (look at ideas not personalities). “We do not talk to or about one another. We talk to the issue. Address the Chair.” as a concept so that one addresses the chair and not the person and do not use names. Mr. Carr said discussion should be to the issue; not use someone’s name; not address someone; not argue directly with someone in the meeting; and talk about the motives of someone sharing a different view. He stated that when someone’s name is used it makes the statement very personal and names and personal pronouns need to be left out. An example given was, you find fault and try to fix it or it was Bob’s fault – address just the issue. Mr. Carr stated that all of Council was responsible for carrying out the rules and laws that each has sworn to uphold. Gregory Pace, 7171 Westmoreland Mr. Pace stated that spending and revenue need to be separated and the grant was revenue and the spending limit did not apply. He said if the total spending was over $25,000 was what the Charter states. He referenced Mr. Crow’s statement on credibility and history but remembered when Ms. Carr was first seated on the Council, there was a vote taken on turning the lights on and that vote was not noted to the public, was not on the agenda. This was a very contentious issue and there was not an emergency where it could not have waited. Mr. Pace also noted that recently there was a 45- minute discussion about the Mayor disclosing a legal document, again not noticed, and again it could have waited till the next meeting. Mr. Pace referenced Mr. Price saying that he was rudely interrupted but when a citizen was giving a comment recently, Mr. Price rudely interrupted that citizen and noted that Council needed to think about everybody not just themselves. P. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Glickert spoke on the ADA compliance at the Community Center. He said the set up for each Board and Commission meeting was different and thought a regular set-up for all board and commissions, would stream line the meetings. Ms. Carr announced U City In Bloom in partnership with the Pershing School and Lowes stores; they received two grants that will fully fund the new community school vegetable gardens at Pershing elementary school. She stated that U City In Bloom was not only beautifying the City but also helping to educate the children. 15