07-27-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 27, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 15. POLICY FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (continued) Levang stated the Mayor has the most power and has a responsibility to conduct the meetings, but that each Council Member has an individual responsibility to conduct him or herself with the highest level of ethics. Levang stated that level of respect has not been happening here, and that she disagrees that it is a personality conflict Levang noted one Council Member does not acknowledge her except when that Council Member decides to attack her. Levang stated she takes issue with Council Member Printup's statement that this is a personality conflict and that they are like water and vinegar. Levang stated this Council Member also said something very inappropriate to her during a closed work session and that Council Member Printup's response was to say that I tried to get you not to talk. Levang stated she is not the perpetrator here and that she was responding to an insult. Levang stated in her view incivility is rudeness, disrespect, and a whole host of behaviors that are not appropriate in Council Chambers and the traditions that they hold as a community. Levang stated Council Member Printup should call it what it is, which is disrespectful. Printup stated he tries not to take sides as it relates to individual Council Members and that having this conversation up here is demonstrating that there needs to be a lot more talked about. Levang stated that is why a policy on decorum is important, so there are some well-defined rules on how Council Members should conduct him or herself. McMillan stated she would suggest sending comments to Finance Director Olson about having a policy and that the Council can discuss it further at a City Council meeting or work session. McMillan stated in her view the Council should try to explore a one-page policy even if they end up not being in favor of formally adopting it because it would be worth it to go through the exercise. McMillan stated she is not really willing to go down the path of citizen behavior. Cornick stated there are two separate issues here and that they are talking about the Council and a decorum policy as well as the issue with how the Council deals with Staff. Walsh stated beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and one person's disrespect is another person's, I don't think you are right, and when people take that personally, it takes it to another level. Walsh asked if pointing a finger at him is incivility and how that would be defined. McMillan stated this is a public forum and that the Council needs to be very mindful about what they say at the meetings. McMillan noted the meetings are a public record and are being videotaped. McMillan stated if any Council Member has an issue with what goes on at the Council level or with Staff, they should call the City Administrator or call the City Attorney to discuss it, but that the Council needs to be very careful about how they conduct our business. McMillan stated the Council should be very professional, very cautious, and very concerned with how they come across with each other. Page 27 of 29