In addition to other very important matters affecting the future of Montpelier, the proposed rules of conduct that are on the agenda could have a profound effect on our present and future. As a way of getting started to think about this, you are encouraged to read Tom McKone’s thoughtful and succinct Commentary Whose free speech is threatened? - VTDigger
What Tom has written is actually germane to two agenda items (“Code of Conduct" and "Group Norms”) that will be taken up toward the end of this Wednesday’s (3/22) City Council (CC) meeting.
Why both of these items and not just the Code of Conduct (governing the behavior of the public)?
A Code of Conduct certainly seems appropriate, if only because the outrageous, bullying behavior of one person cannot be allowed to infringe on the freedom of speech for the rest of us, which it may well do if the City Council adopts rigid and arbitrary rules like the “2 minute rule.”
However, it is hoped that as the City Council and City Manager consider such a Code of Conduct (for members of the public attending meetings), that they also look in the mirror and consider the ways in which existing City Council procedures and behaviors (especially during public comment) and the entire set-up of the Council Chamber may work against many people exercising that right because they do not feel truly welcome at CC meetings or comfortable speaking there; e.g. ask yourselves (especially if you are a woman): "how do I feel when I speak to someone (especially a man in authority) who appears not to be actually listening to what I am saying or feeling and is just patronizing me?”)
So, as the City Council re-adopts its aspirational Group Norms for itself, it might want to think about extending them to include attending members of the public, not just the members of "the group” sitting up on the dais looking down on the rest of us.
In other words, if City Council members aspire to treat each other with caring and respect and they wish the public to treat them similarly, then why not complete the circle and have City Council members treat members of the public more similarly?
What might this look like?
- Start by tearing down the dais!
….and finding other ways to make the City Council Chambers more inviting and comfortable for a broad range of members of the public. (A child care area somewhere in City Hall, perhaps?)
- When a member of the public is speaking, look at their faces with genuine interest in what they are saying; do this consistently and try not to glance impatiently at your computers or cell phones or watches.
- Respond to people’s comments and questions a bit more thoughtfully than just the rote “Thank you for your comments.”
- Develop a helpful protocol for someone who has a multi-part question or perhaps several related questions. (A good teacher knows how to do this with students.)
- In the rare case that the Mayor or City Manager or a Council member actually responds to a speaker, allow that speaker a reasonable follow-up question, as long as it is not purely argumentative.
- Really encourage the public to submit written comments to the City Council and City Manager and provide them with appropriate and timely written responses.
In fact, how about asking the Social and Economic Justice Advisory Committee (SEJAC) and/or the Community Justice Center to work with the City Council and City Manager's Office on these and other possible ways to show people that the City Council members and City staff truly value their input, not just tell them they can “contact us anytime they have a question,” an all too familiar refrain from the dais.
Calendar, Agenda, and Zoom Invitation
March 22 City Council Meeting
6:30 PM City Hall, City Council Chambers and via Zoom
Join Zoom invitation link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82048636899?pwd=WUdNbTZ0QVFSeDV1TjJOb09NOGhldz09
Meeting ID: 820 4863 6899 Passcode: 411837 One tap mobile: (312)-626-6799
The agenda for this City Council meeting is jam-packed with important issues and reports; see link to Agenda Items and Files. Note especially the Country Club Road Site Winter Stage Close Out and Spring Stage Launch and the Homelessness Needs Assessment and Action Plan Report
If you can’t attend in person or hang on via Zoom to the end of the meeting when the proposed rules of conduct will be discussed, you can always view the proceedings on Zoom through ORCA Media.
PEN Tips: How to participate in Meetings of the Montpelier City Council and City Committees
Consistent with the State of Vermont Open Meeting Law, members of the public in Montpelier are afforded basically two kinds of opportunity to speak at any and all such meetings:
- During an Agenda item (often called “General Business and Appearances”) that usually occurs near the start of the meeting and is often used by members of the public to speak about matters that are not otherwise on the agenda for that meeting.
- During discussion of a matter that is on the agenda
The way both of these opportunities are generally managed in Montpelier is that members of the public who wish to speak on either of these occasions, must raise their hands (in person or via Zoom), be recognized by the chair, and make their comments completely and concisely; i.e. If they have more than one question or comment to make, they are supposed to do so at that time; they generally will not be allowed follow-up questions or comments even under the rare circumstances that they get a response from the chair or other member of the body.
This is how “public participation” is managed in Montpelier “open meetings,” so prepare yourself. We recommend that ahead of the meeting, you write out your comments, time yourself reading them at an understandable rate, and edit them so you get it down to roughly two minutes. If you feel that what you have to say simply cannot be handled in that time frame, you should consider presenting a brief oral version of your statement at the meeting and emailing your full statement ahead of time to the appropriate committee staff to include in the agenda packet for members to read before the meeting and/or bring printed copies to be distributed at the meeting. Anyone choosing to go this route is free to email us for some further coaching on how to meet agenda packet deadlines.
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