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sneering, the bored inspection of your nails, the walls, ceiling, pens and paper before you, and the <br />obvious checking of your watches, being done while your public is speaking to you. It is always <br />embarrassing to know that the media and people from other jurisdictions are in attendance. That this <br />occurred tonight after the Mayor had scolded the audience for their rather controlled audible <br />responses simply affirms the views of many, that you are arrogant, disrespectful and deem <br />yourselves above reproach. This is surely not the case. Mr. Kraft and Mr. Crow told us tonight that <br />you were all professionals and can behave and govern as such. This seems an increasingly <br />optimistic goal, but I look forward to seeing the evidence. I would appreciate efforts to regain the <br /> <br />high ground. “ <br /> Mr. Crow stated that as this City moves forward he thinks that it would be kind of interesting to go <br />back to Resolution 2011-5, which was a resolution to reprimand Councilmember Price. Mr. Crow <br />stated his thoughts were if he and his colleagues would have had the opportunity to talk about the <br />issues on tonight’s agenda they would have realized that they were the ones who established these <br />standards back in 2011. He stated that when the resolution for the censure of Mr. Price came out, it <br />was backed by the Mayor, introduced by Mr. Kraft and seconded by Mr. Glickert. <br /> Mr. Crow noted Mayor Welsch had stated this Council was facing an unpleasant task of debating <br />a resolution that if passed would formally reprimand one of its members. She noted that it was not <br />an action to be taken lightly, but believed that it was an action that was needed to make clear what <br />types of behavior are acceptable by members of Council as they meet to do the business of the <br />people of this community. She stated that the resolution was about rules and acceptable behavior, <br />not about free speech. Mr. Crow stated that the Mayor then went on to say that it was her <br />determination that the decorum of the Councils’ debate at the February 14, 2011 meeting was not <br />appropriate, and that she had conveyed her concerns by letter to Councilmember Price. The Mayor <br />said only people who were in attendance at that February meeting would know what happened and <br />understands that each person may perceive the proceedings differently. Mr. Crow pointed out that a <br />large portion of citizens have seen what happened during the meeting two weeks ago and he does <br />not think that anyone has disputed what happened, what was said or the denial. As one speaker put <br />it, “We’ve had more people view the video than those who voted in the last election”. Mr. Crow <br />stated that the Mayor then goes on to say that she acted out of her concern about behavior that she <br />saw as disorderly, and believed it negatively impacted the work and the deliberation of this Council. <br />The Mayo said, “Council must be able to discuss these issues openly, and can disagree agreeably <br />without being hostile or disorderly. This is not about free speech, but rather trying to ensure that <br />there is some form of respect of different opinions without name calling and disorderly behavior. <br />This is a difficult step to make it clear to this community that the Council will only accept behavior <br />from the elected members of this body that is worthy of the people who put them on this Council. <br />This Resolution is about all members of Council living within their own rules. The Council cannot do <br />the business of the people if each member of the Council does not follow the Council’s rules and <br />respect the rights of other members of Council, staff and the public to have a different point of view.” <br /> Mr. Crow stated Councilmember Glickert said that he was in support of the resolution to <br />reprimand Councilmember Price after much reading and thought. Mr. Glickert felt that something <br />needed to be done now or it would just continue saying “We must communicate in an open and <br />transparent way. “ <br /> Next, he read the comments of Mr. Kraft. “This is not a reprimand of a person, position or issue, <br />but rather a reprimand of actions, actions that break the rules, actions that discredit this Council. <br />Actions counter to the functioning of a democratic elected legislative body. Threatening actions, <br />actions designed to intimidate, bullying actions. Bullying is not free speech, but rather inhibits it. <br />Staff, citizens and Council members should not have to come to Council meetings in fear of this <br />bullying behavior. In order to function it is the Council’s obligation to enforce an atmosphere free of <br />such behavior. As a Councilmember it is his obligation to support this reprimand.” <br /> Mr. Crow said now we have the standards elicited by the three members of this body who voted <br />to move tonight’s resolution off of the agenda, Mr. Crow stated that you might have to ask yourself <br />these questions: <br />1. What type of behavior is acceptable? <br />2. Was the decorum of profanity and lying acceptable? <br />3. Was the behavior disorderly and did it negatively impact the workings of Council? <br />4. Was the action hostile? <br />5. Did the action respect the opinions of others without name calling? <br /> <br />