Addressing the Decline of Civility in City Governance
Explore the causes and consequences of the decline in civility in city government, with examples of uncivil behaviors like shouting matches, personal attacks, and vicious social media posts. Learn how lack of civility impacts council meetings, employee morale, and public perception of city officials, and discover strategies to promote respect and courtesy in governance.
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Presentation Transcript
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBIT How to be Civil in Uncivil Times Patrick Callahan, Callahan Municipal Consultants Mickey Shields, Iowa League of Cities HANDOUTS & PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE EVENT APP
Introduction Patrick Callahan City Experience 23 years Consulting Experience 25 years Personal Observations on Civility Civility defined Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior and speech. SIRI
Decline of Civility? Recent trend in city government? National politics early history National and state - current political scene Is it getting worse?
Examples of Lack of Civility Council meetings - shouting matches Personal attacks public meetings Angry outbursts city hall Vicious social media posts Gasoline on the fire
Causes of Decline in Civility Come to expect it More common all parts of life Best way to get your way ?
Causes of Decline in Civility (continued) Some people have no fear Lack of consequences Best way to intimidate your enemies
Impact on City Government Council meetings are a nightmare Relationships are damaged or destroyed Employee morale declines City s image is tarnished
Consequences Lack of Civility Loss of good employees Difficulty recruiting employees Impact on finding volunteers for boards and commissions
Consequences Lack of Civility (continued) Public perception of city declines Distrust of city officials Recruiting future council members hard sell Who fills the void
Consequences Lack of Civility (continued) Citizen morale declines Impact on economic development efforts Long term decline of property values
Suggestions to Reverse the Trend 1. Set a good personal example 1. Adopt council meeting procedures and rules 1. Develop and adopt a code of conduct
Suggestions to Reverse the Trend 4. Good Social Media Policy 4. Training Employees and Elected Officials 4. Watch the video of your council meetings 4. Conduct an impartial audit
1. Good Personal Example Self-Evaluation job, home, and city roles Consider actions, words, and tone Conduct at city council meetings Social media posts
2. Council Meetings Procedures & Rules Discuss the need and advantages Review the purpose and intent Seek examples other cities
Content Council meeting procedures & rules Set the tone for the meeting Agenda preparation Meeting basics date, time, etc.
Content Procedure & rules (continued) Role of the mayor critical job Rules of debate Order of business
Content Procedure & Rules (continued) Decorum during the meeting Addressing the Council Citizens Council actions and votes
Content Procedure & Rules (continued) Public hearings format Rules of parliamentary procedure Miscellaneous provisions
Examples or Models Institute of Public Affair s Old Model Cities Washington, Nevada, Strawberry Point, and Adel League Website Resources - Administration
3. City Code of Conduct Written policy Consistent theme respect & civility Mayor, Council, & Employees
Advantages of the Code Enhance the city s image Council meetings productive & orderly Improve employee morale
Advantages of the Code (continued) Increase citizen trust Enhance ability to recruit employees Economic development impact
Content of Code of Conduct Clarifications of all roles and duties Compliance with state laws open meetings law Professional conduct at public meetings
Content of Code of Conduct (continued) Conflicts of interest Gifts and favors State law Handling of confidential information
Content of Code of Conduct (continued) Proper use of public resources Positive work environment Civility and mutual respect overall theme Adhering to the chain of command
Compliance & Enforcement The more challenging task City employees compliance - Handbook Mayor and Council Members compliance
Compliance & Enforcement (continued) Clearly defined process Orientation new council members Violations public censure
When to Adopt? Controversy Tough time? Calm Time Best time? No time like the present!
Examples or Models Asbury North Liberty Sergeant Bluff West Branch
Getting Started on the Adoption Initial discussions Work session Council Goal Setting Team building portion Consult the city attorney Start with another city s model
4. Social Media Policy Primary focus on management of city-owned pages/accounts Purpose is to share information just the facts! Procedures for misuse by city officials Procedures for handling profanity, misinformation, threats by the public Consider policy that encourages city officials to conduct themselves in a positive manner on their own pages (this one is trickier!)
5. Training - Employees What is your city s onboarding process? All city employees need some basic training/onboarding/orientation City employment policies Standard operating procedures Duties/responsibilities/tasks/assignments What about training on civility? Customer service?
Training Elected Officials Does your city have an orientation process? Training should include how to conduct a council meeting, which must address civility What standards are set for council member decorum in city hall, or interacting with city staff, or when in public?
6. Video your Council Members Technology has become much more affordable to video and/or livestream a council meeting Do not forget Section 21.7 of the state code (public can record any open meeting) The tape doesn t lie! Do not use recordings as a gotcha training/improvement tool
7. Important Audit or Assessment How do you gauge civility? How do you measure improvement? An outside set of eyes and ears may be necessary
Resources and Publications League s Website Resources Administration Section + Publications Open Meetings Effective Elected Officials Council Meeting Procedures Municipal Policy Leaders Handbook Chapters 3, 4, and 5 Today s handout
Callahans Resources Cityscape Article What s in Your Code of Conduct Ten Habits of Highly Effective Councils The Ten Commandments for City Councils
Patrick Callahan, Municipal Consultant Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC callahan.cmc@gmail.com 563-599-3708
