06-27-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 27, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYORICOUNCIL REPORT Mayor McMillan stated she would like to comment on some of the civil discourse that has been going on among the City Council Members. McMillan stated it seems that the Council has been struggling for the past 18 months on some issues and that she has been hoping as the mayor that the Council could self - correct or have some self-awareness of what is going on but that has not been happening. McMillan stated since that has not occurred, she will be taking a more active role to make sure the discourse among the Council Members is civil and that personal attacks are stopped. McMillan stated she will be trying to anticipate this happening and that she will apologize ahead of time if she cuts anybody off. McMillan stated she will only cut somebody off if she thinks the speech is turning uncivil. McMillan stated some of the helpful guidelines that she will be looking for is limited cross talk between Council Members and being well-intentioned and respectful when you address a fellow Council Member. McMillan stated some examples are, Mayor McMillan, could you explain what you mean by this or that or, Mayor McMillan, what did prior Councils do and what is the history of that issue. McMillan requested that everyone say what they want to say in a nice tone and respectfully rather than attempting to find something to trip someone up on. McMillan stated another guideline is to do not judge or criticize fellow Council Members and speak only about your own personal decisions. McMillan requested the Council not reference other Council Members' opinions. An example of what not to say would be, I do not agree with Mayor McMillan's flawed decision making. McMillan stated while her decision may be different from someone else's that does not necessarily mean it is flawed. McMillan requested the Council also not infer or inject what other Council Members might be thinking in their decision. McMillan stated an example of that would be saying that Mayor McMillan does not want this or she might be fearful_ McMillan stated the citizens of Orono can decide for themselves on how the Council voted and that she wants every Council Member to be able to say that they believe in this or that or apply the Code in a certain way. McMillan requested the Council also refrain from making inappropriate or sideway comments to disrespect fellow Council Members. McMillan noted all Council Members are volunteering their time as well as spending'time away from their families and that the last thing they need is for someone to make a sideways jab. McMillan stated that is not appropriate and Orono citizens do not want their Council Members behaving like that. McMillan stated all of these things apply to interactions with Staff and public. McMillan stated she will be trying to error on the side of anticipating, and that if she cuts someone off, it is because she does not want to go down the path that the Council has been going down recently. McMillan encouraged the Council to set their personal ambitions aside to serve the citizens of Orono. McMillan stated if a Council Members needs to temporarily leave the dais in the middle of a meeting, she would ask that the person publicly say that they would like to be excused. McMillan requested any Council Member that would like a break or leave the meeting to formally state that instead of getting up. and walking out. McMillan stated if the meetings go long or past 9:00, she will try to schedule a recess and that she would like everyone to get back to their seats right away. Page 17