Resolution No. 17-01 CITY OF TIGARD, OREGON
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 17-0 I
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE COUNCIL GROUNDRULES AND SUPERSEDING
RESOLUTION NO. 15-02.
WHEREAS, the Council Groundrules were reviewed and updated on January 13, 2015, with the adoption of
Resolution 15-02;and
WHEREAS, newly elected officials and mid-term elected officials reviewed the groundrules during a special
council meeting held November 29,2016;and
WHEREAS,the City Council determined at the November 29, 2016 meeting that updating of the groundrules
was desired.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Tigard City Council that:
SECTION 1: Council Groundrules as outlined in Exhibit A represent the agreement of the Mayor and City
Councilors and is hereby adopted.
SECTION This resolution is effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED: This .3 r� day of G,0 M24 4 f-11 2017.
Mao -City of Tigard
ATTEST:
City Recorder-City of Tigard Of
RESOLUTION NO. 17- O '
Page 1
Exhibit A — Resolution No. 17- 6 �
Tigard City Council Groundrules
The Tigard City Council hereby adopts the following rules for government of its members and
proceedings. (Tigard City Charter,Chapter N,Section 13).These rules will be reviewed and signed
off on by each councilor annually.
1. Mandates are not discretionary. Any council or councilor who fails to abide by these is at risk
of serious trouble and/or dysfunction.
2. Processes and Procedures are the rules the council sets to manage its own business.
3. Mutual Expectations reflect agreements and understandings among councilors to behave in
certain ways. Once agreements are made,councilors who do not abide by them are likely to be
mistrusted by their colleagues.
4. General Guidelines for Effective, Respectful Councils are basic rules of courtesy and respect
that should guide any Council...or any other group for that matter.
1. Mandates
■ In no case should councilors direct the work of staff.Take issues to the city manager first,giving
as much information as possible to ensure a thorough response.
■ Council members will not contact a board member to lobby on behalf of an individual,business
or developer. Council members may contact the board member in order to clarify a position
taken by the board. Council members may respond to inquiries from board members.
Communications should be for information only.
■ Board members do not report to individual council members. Individual councilors have no
authority to remove board members.
■ Be aware of the public nature of written notes, calendars-voicemail messages,and e-mail All
written or recorded materials including notes,voicemail, text messages and e-mail created as part
of one's official capacity will be treated as potentially "public" communication.
■ Respect the professional duties of city staff. Council members should refrain from disrupting
staff from the conduct of their jobs;participating in administrative functions including directing
staff assignments;attending staff meetings unless requested by staff;and impairing the ability of
staff to implement policy decisions.
■ ORS 244.025 prohibits any public official to solicit or receive any gift of$50 or more from
anyone reasonably known to have a legislative or administrative interest.
■ ORS Chapter 244 governs conflicts of interest among Councilors and requires disclosure of all
potential or actual conflicts of interest prior to that Councilor's participation in the
matter. Councilors with actual conflicts of interest shall not participate in the decision except
when allowed by law. Councilors with concerns or questions regarding conflicts of interest are
encouraged to contact the Oregon Government Ethics Commission or city attorney.
■ Protect confidential information concerning litigation,personnel,property,or other affairs of the
City.
■ Use public resources,such as staff time,equipment,supplies or facilities, only for city-related
business.
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Exhibit A — Resolution No. 17-01
■ A council member may be censured by the other council members for misconduct,
nonperformance of duty or failure to obey the laws of the federal, state, or local government.
2. Processes and Procedures
Ending Time for Council Meetings
■ The chair or other members if the chair fails to remember may call for a point of order at or
around 9 p.m. to review remaining agenda items. The council may reset or reschedule items,
which it feels may not be reached prior to the regular time of adjournment.
■ The council's goal is to adjourn prior to 9:30 p.m. unless extended by majority consent of
council members present. If not continued by majority consent, the meeting shall be adjourned
to the next scheduled meeting or the meeting shall be continued to another regular or special
meeting at another date and time.
"Citizen Communication"
■ The"Citizen Communication"portion of the agenda is a regular feature on the council business
meetings. To manage the agendas to allow council time to consider the remaining agenda items
scheduled for the business meeting,this agenda item will be allotted a maximum of 20 minutes.
This item will be placed near the beginning of the council agenda to give citizens a chance to
introduce a topic to the City Council. The mayor or the council president (if the mayor is
absent) may ask speakers to keep their remarks to about two to five minutes. If a large number
of speakers have signed up,the mayor might ask speakers to keep their comments closer to two
minutes.
■ At the conclusion of the Citizen Communication period,the mayor,a council member or staff
member will comment what,if any, follow-up action will be taken to respond to each issue. At
the beginning of Citizen Communication at the next business meeting, staff will update the
council and community on the review of the issue(s), the action taken to address the issue,and a
statement of what additional action is planned. Council may decide to refer an issue to staff
and/or schedule the topic for a later council meeting.
Budget Decisions
■ Budget cuts or increases are policy decisions. Budgets will not be cut"piece meal" or"across
the board,"but rather should be made in service or program areas,giving staff full opportunity
to provide data clearly defining the anticipated impact of the action.
Council Liaisons
■ Council liaison assignments are determined by consensus of City Council. The goal is to have
assignments evenly divided between council members. When making assignments consideration
should be given to continuity and the background, experience and expertise of individual
councilors. Should two or more Council members seek appointment to a position,preference of
the longest serving Council member may be a consideration.
■ The role of the council liaison is to periodically attend board meetings,listen to the board
discussion, set context for the board regarding council decisions/goals/policies and city
priorities, answer questions and carry concerns and information to report back to the full
council. Council liaisons may attend board meetings more frequently if attendance is requested
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Exhibit A —Resolution No. 17- 01
by the board. Councilors should make their role clear to the board when attending a meeting as a
council liaison.
■ Council liaisons are not to direct the business or decision-making process of the board and do
not vote of matters before the board.
■ Council liaisons do not initiate,propose or advocate for their personal position on a matter
before the board.
■ Council liaisons at times may advocate council actions on behalf of their assigned board. Great
care must be taken to avoid the appearance of unfairness, conflict of interest or circumstances
where such possibilities may exist (e.g.,Planning Commission quasi-judicial matters).
■ Council liaisons are expected to represent the city positively and promote constructive
relationships with community volunteers and city partners. Failure to maintain positive
relationships can result in the removal of a Councilor from committee assignments.
City Council Compensation
Section 2.44.020 of the Tigard Municipal Code provides for compensation for attendance at Council
meetings and meetings for an intergovernmental board, committee or agency. The amount of the
compensation for Council members may be reviewed and set annually by resolution of the City
Council as part of the budget cycle. As part of the annual review,Council may elect to enter into an
agreement with the Mayor or one City Councilor to assume additional responsibilities for additional
compensation. The additional duties shall relate to representing the city on regional, state or federal
issues and committees or task forces. The responsibilities and compensation shall be set by
agreement between the Mayor or Councilor and the Council members. (Mayor Cook will serve as
provided in Resolution No. 10-36: "The annual stipend for the Mayor shall be no more than
$42,000. It is the expectation of the City Council that the assignments given to the Mayor, over and
above usual and customary assignments... (Described in Section 6 of Res. 10-36...will require an
average of twenty (20) hours each week during business hours.")
3. Mutual Expectations
Communication among Councilors
■ Information received by a council member that affects the council should be shared with the
whole council. The city manager is to decide on"gray areas,"but too much information is
preferable to too little.
■ Councilors and the city manager agree to report and discuss any contact that might affect labor
relations with the entire council in Executive Session.
■ No surprises or ambushes.
■ Bounce ideas off each other by phone or informal conversation,always mindful not to form a
quorum.
■ Share substantive information that is relevant to a matter under consideration from sources
outside the public decision-making process with my fellow council members and staff.
■ It is the council's job to govern itself. If a discussion is going overly long or if a discussion
becomes heated or tense,a council member may consider calling for a point of order to suggest
taking a break or deferring the discussion to a future meeting.
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Exhibit A— Resolution No. 17- D
■ The presiding officer should invite each councilor to express his or her opinion.
Communication with Staff
■ Councilors are encouraged to avoid substantive contact with staff below the department head to
avoid possible disruption of work, confusion on priorities and limited scope of responses.
■ City manager shares information equally with councilors.
Communication with Boards and Commissions
■ Council members may attend any board meeting,which is open to any member of the public.
However, council members should be sensitive to the way their participation could be viewed as
unfairly affecting the process.
Communication with Other Public Agencies
■ Council members will be clear about representing the city or personal interests. If a council
member appears before another governmental agency or organization to give a statement on an
issue,the council member must clearly state whether the statement reflects personal opinion or
is the official position of the city.
■ If a council member is representing the city on a board, committee or at a public meeting, that
council member will consistently support and advocate the city's official position on an issue and
cannot foster or further a personal viewpoint that is inconsistent with the official city position.
Communication on Behalf of the City or the Council
■ Do not provide the official response to communications directed to the full council. The city
manager or mayor will coordinate the response on behalf of the city. It is appropriate for
councilors to acknowledge receipt of communication and thank the sender.
■ It is the policy of the council that if councilors are contacted regarding labor relations during
labor negotiations or conflict resolution proceedings,then councilors have no comment.
■ Communication that represents the city's position on an issue should come through city hall and
be provided by the city manager. Direct submittals or inquiries to the council or individual
councilors should be referred to the city manager,or councilors may ask the city manager to
look into an issue.
■ Make no promises on behalf of the council in unofficial settings. Council members will
frequently be asked to explain a council action or to give their opinion about an issue as they
meet and talk with citizens. It is appropriate to give a brief overview. Overt or implicit
promises of specific action or promises that city staff will take a specific action are to be
avoided.
Use of Electronic Communications Devices During Council Meetings
■ Councilors shall not use electronic communication devices to review or access information
regarding matters not in consideration before the council during a council meeting.
4. General Guidelines for Effective, Respectful Councils
■ Recognize that you are seen as a councilor at all times,no matter how you see yourself at any
particular time. Thus, councilors are always treated by administration as council members.
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Exhibit A —Resolution No. 17- 6
■ Whenever you put anything in writing,assume that everyone in the city is looking over your
shoulder.
■ If a communication is directed to an individual councilor,you may choose to respond as an
individual or refer to the city manager.
■ Councilors are encouraged to maintain open communications with the city manager,both as a
group and individually.
■ Councilors are encouraged to take issues to the city manager first,giving as much information as
possible to ensure a thorough response. In the absence of the city manager,councilors are
encouraged to contact the assistant city manager. In the absence of both the city manager and
the assistant city manager,councilors are encouraged to contact the department head,realizing
that the department head will discuss any such inquiries with the city manager.
■ Communicate clearly,directly and respectfully. Focus on problems and solutions,not people.
■ Our goal is mutual confidence and respect with staff. Compliment staff members when they
make good presentations. Be friendly. Attend staff occasions when you can.
■ Be courteous.
■ Honestly share concerns and opinions with each other.
■ Don't blurt it out on TV.
■ If you hold back in a meeting, follow up later with fellow councilors or the city Manager.
■ Spend some casual time together.
■ Practice civility,professionalism and decorum in discussions and debate. Difficult questions,
tough challenges to a particular point of view,and criticism of ideas and information are
legitimate elements of democratic governance. This does not allow,however, council members
to make belligerent,personal, slanderous,threatening, abusive, or disparaging comments.
■ Avoid personal comments that are intended to, or could reasonably be construed to, offend
other members or citizens. If a council member is offended by the conduct or remarks of
another member, the offended member is encouraged to address the matter early with the
offending member.
■ Continue respectful behavior in private. The same level of respect and consideration of
differing points of view deemed appropriate for public discussion should be maintained in
private conversations.
■ Even private conversations can have a public presence. Council members should be aware that
they are the focus of the public's attention. Even casual conversation about city business,other
public officials or staff may draw attention and be repeated.
■ Understand proper political involvement. Council members,as private citizens,may support
political candidates or issues but such activities must be done separate from their role as a
council member.
■ Be welcoming to speakers and treat them with respect by giving them full attention
demonstrated by eye contact and active listening;avoid interrupting them with questions or
comments. For many citizens, speaking in front of the council is a new and difficult experience.
■ Council members should commit full attention to the speaker. Comments,questions,and non-
verbal expressions should be appropriate,respectful and professional.
■ Be honest with fellow council members, the public and others.
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Exhibit A —Resolution No. 17-AL
■ Credit others' contributions to moving our community's interests forward.
■ Make independent,objective,fair and impartial judgments by avoiding relationships and
transactions that give the appearance of compromising objectivity,independence,and
honesty.
■ Review materials provided in advance of the meeting.
■ Make every effort to attend meetings.
■ Be prepared to make difficult decisions when necessary.
■ Contribute to a strong organization that exemplifies transparency.
■ Make decisions after prudent consideration of their financial impact, taking into account the
long-term financial needs of the city.
■ Promote meaningful public involvement in decision-making processes.
■ Treat council members,board members, staff and the public with patience,courtesy and civility,
even when we disagree on what is best for the community.
■ Conduct myself in a courteous and respectful manner at all times.
■ Encourage participation of all persons and groups.
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