r-10642City Council Meeting: December 13, 2011 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER 10642 (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ENDORSING STANDARDS OF
BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS
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; and
WHEREAS, in keeping with this national trend, many cities have
approved policies to promote civility at local, public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the defining characteristics of the City of Santa Monica
include its commitment to the democratic process, individual rights of
expression, robust debate and tolerance for disparate views; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica 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;
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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 will
help ensure that civic engagement and local democracy continue to flourish in Santa
Monica.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
In order to safeguard participatory democracy in Santa Monica, all persons
attending public meetings in Santa Monica 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;
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6. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights,
inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound
decisions.
Be It Further Resolved, that the City Council, all City Boards and Commissions,
and City staff shall promote the use of and adherence to these guidelines for behavior
at all public meetings within the City.
SECTION 1. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Adopted and approved this 13th day of December, 2011.
Richard Bloom, Mayor
I, Denise Anderson- Warren, Acting City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 10642 (CCS) was duly adopted at a
meeting of the Santa Monica City Council held on the 13th day of December, 2011, by
the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers:
Noes: Councilmembers:
Holbrook, McKeown, O'Connor, Shriver
Mayor Pro Tern Davis, Mayor Bloom
None
Absent: Councilmembers: O'Day
ATTEST:
Denise Anderson - Warren, Acting City Clerk