HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Res 6870 2018-10-22 RESOLUTION 6870
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL
ENDORSING STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT
PROMOTE CIVILITY AND UPDATING THE CITY
COUNCIL ON COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY FIND AND RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, a majority of Americans believe that our society is increasingly uncivil and
that this problem is particularly acute and particularly detrimental in national, state and
local political arenas, where it threatens government's ability to function democratically
and effectively; and
WHEREAS, across the nation, many groups have adopted policies and rules to
enhance civility at public meetings, including the United States Conference of Mayors,
which adopted a Civility Accord;
WHEREAS, in keeping with this national trend, many cities have approved policies to
promote civility at local, public meetings and in City facilities;
WHEREAS, at the September 12, 2018 Seal Beach City Council Strategic Planning
meeting, a new objective was established to "Promote civility and decorum through an
outreach campaign" as part of the three year goal to "Attract, Develop, Compensation,
and Retain Quality Staff;"
WHEREAS, the Seal Beach City Council, the City's boards and commissions, other
public bodies, and various community groups all convene public meetings to address
controversial issues that engender passionate and often conflicting opinions;
WHEREAS, an atmosphere of incivility and disrespect at these meetings can stifle
participation and debate, threaten the quality of decisions, and undermine the local
democratic process; and,
WHEREAS, adopting principles of civility applicable to all public meetings and within
City facilities will help ensure the civic engagement and local democracy continue to
flourish in Seal Beach.
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Seal Beach does resolve as follows:
SECTION 1 . Establish Council Policy 100-14 "City of Seal Beach Civility Policy"
incorporating civility principals, encourages positive communication and discourages
volatile, hostile or aggressive actions, and providing a written warning process for
misconduct.
SECTION 2. Acknowledges that in order to safeguard participatory democracy
in Seal Beach, all persons attending public meetings or engaged in business in a City
facility in Seal Beach should strive to:
1 . Treat everyone courteously;
2. Listen to others respectfully;
3. Exercise self-control;
4. Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints;
5. Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate; and,
6. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent
components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions.
SECTION 3. The program "Choose Civility – A wave of social change," further
embraces meaningful dialog between the City Council, staff and the community through
variety of outreach concepts with available resources.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a
regular meeting held on the 22nd day of October , 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members: Varipapa, Deaton, Massa-Lavitt, Moore, Sustarsic
NOES: Council Members: None
ABSENT: Council Members: None
ABSTAIN: Council Members: None
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"obin L. Roberts, City Clerk
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS
CITY OF SEAL BEACH }
I, Robin L. Roberts, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, do hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolution 6870 on file in the office of the
City Clerk, passed, approved, and adopted by the Seal Beach City Council at a regular
-ti•g dig./ e 22th day of October, 2018.
Robin L. Roberts, City Clerk
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