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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 27-18 Civil Discourse PolicyRESOLUTION NO. 27-18 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA, PLEDGING TO FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES OF CIVILITY AND CIVIL DISCOURSE IN ALL OF ITS MEETINGS THE CITY COUNCIL City of Morro Bay, California WHEREAS, on November 10, 2015, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 70-15 pledging to follow best practices of civility and civil discourse in all of its meetings, principals developed by the League of Women Voters; and WHEREAS, a healthy democracy respects the people's right to debate issues with passion; and not only tolerates disagreement but welcomes it; and WHEREAS, Honest debate helps refine ideas and create policies that benefit the greater good; WHEREAS, we, the Mayor, City Council Members, Commissioners, Appointees, and Staff of the City of Morro Bay, in order to ensure civility and civil discourse in all of our meetings, reaffirm and pledge our commitment to the following best practices of civility and civil discourse; and, WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to listen first, making an honest effort to understand views and reasoning of others by listening to understand, not listening to find fault, allowing thoughtful discussion to lead to the best possible outcomes; and WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to respect different opinions, by inviting and considering different perspectives, allowing space for ideas to be expressed, opposed and clarified in a constructive manner; and WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to show courtesy, a professional and courteous manner whether in person, disagree; and by treating all colleagues, staff and members of the public in o nline, or in written communication, especially when we WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate, malign, or question the motivation of those whose opinions are different from ours in all our meetings; and WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to speak truthfully without accusation, and avoid distortion in all our meetings; and WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment to debate the policy not the person, focusing on the issue, and not personalizing the debate or using other tactics that divert attention from the issue; and WHEREAS, we pledge our commitment against violence and incivility in all their forms whenever and wherever they occur in all our meetings; and WHEREAS, we commit ourselves to build a civil political community in which each person is respected and spirited public and political debate is aimed at the betterment of the City of Morro Bay and its people and not the disparagement of those with whom we disagree. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, City of Morro Bay, California, that the Mayor, City Council Members, Commissioners, Appointees, and Staff of the City of Morro Bay shall promote the use of and adherence to the principles of civility and civil discourse in conducting business with appointed and elected officials, staff, and citizens. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular meeting thereof held on the 8th day of May 2018 on the following vote: AYES: Irons, Davis, Headding, Makowetski, McPherson NOES: None ABSENT: None JA E L. IRONS, May r A SV ANSON, City Clerk