City officials are asking city council to approve a proposed “civility policy” that would address people’s conduct during council meetings.
More residents – called “delegates” – are appearing at council meetings to bring issues to members’ attention.
Administration has advised council that a civility policy can both meet the needs of the public and create a better environment during meetings.
“Members of the public are regularly interested in bringing items to the attention of the city council in a public forum,” said Valerie Braga, the city’s corporate services director.
“However, meetings of council are formal, and the format and behavioral expectations of these meetings are not necessarily familiar to participants.”
The Municipal Act requires the council to adopt a procedure bylaw to establish rules for council proceedings. The bylaw is currently under council review, and it is expected to come forward in the next month.
At the same time, council has required that administration prepare a complementary policy for a safe, healthy, respectful and positive environment at meetings.
The proposed policy addresses acceptable attire, scents and guidelines for both participants and written materials. There’s also a section on enforcement that can be used as a tool for the presiding officer in responding in case things go sideways.
During Monday’s discussion, one thing that caught Coun. Michelle Friesen’s attention was that a decision made by a presiding officer could potentially create an unequal environment during a meeting, depending on who is chairing it. She wondered whether there will be an appeal process for other council members or citizens to have a say in any decision.
Braga said there is no provision for an appeal. As the meeting would have to continue even if a decision is challenged, there would not be time for an appeal to be heard.
That worried Friesen, who said a decision made by a presiding officer or council member can be affected by the mood of the day.
She was also concerned about the dress code outlined in the policy. Since council is following such a dress code on a daily basis, Friesen said, the public could find themselves unfamiliar with such requirements.
Those rules could dissuade certain groups from showing up and trigger “inclusive” problems, she said.
Braga said administration isn’t out to create a barrier, but is trying to include as much detail as it can for the presiding officer. For instance, the policy would not be appropriate if it contained statements or imagery that is detrimental, discriminatory, or offensive.
“This is the most detailed policy of most policies that we have written,” she said.
Coun. Mellisa Murray suggested removing the attire references from the policy for further study.
The policy also gives council the power to have a peace officer on standby if it’s believed certain groups could potentially disrupt a meeting.
Council’s discussion of the issue will continue.
