Council plans rewrite of code of conduct; will keep current document until replacement adopted

City Councilors discussed revisions to the mayor-and-council code of conduct and agreed to proceed deliberately, asking for a consolidated draft and a short special session to complete the rewrite.

Council members said the document that guides how members interact with each other and with staff should be clear, succinct and actionable. Several members said the current code (adopted by the previous council) should remain in effect while the council crafts a new version.

What council asked for

- Councilors asked colleagues to send suggested edits and examples of best practices to a designated compiler. One councilor volunteered to compile submissions into a single draft that would surface commonly proposed items (for example, expectations around communications with staff, meeting procedure hygiene such as timing for submitting questions, and protocols for raising personnel concerns through the city manager).

- Council asked staff to schedule a special work session soon (members suggested keeping it near‑term) to review the consolidated draft; several councilors recommended using established model documents (League of Oregon Cities model meeting procedures and other municipal examples) as a starting point.

Why it matters: The code of conduct defines council norms (how members interact with staff, the mayor’s role, and processes for addressing disagreements). Councilors emphasized that a clear, consolidated document helps the public understand expectations and helps members and staff operate efficiently.

Decisions and procedural notes

- Interim status: Council agreed to continue following the existing code of conduct (from the prior council) until the body adopts a revised document.

- Process: Councilors will forward suggested changes, the volunteer compiler will assemble a draft, staff will work on scheduling a near‑term dedicated work session, and the revised document will be considered for formal adoption at a future meeting.

Points raised in discussion

- Several councilors emphasized the need to separate “mechanical” meeting procedures (timing, agenda logistics) from behavioral norms (how members treat staff and each other).

- Councilors also discussed incorporating self‑evaluation or performance review elements into the code or an accompanying governance process so the council can periodically assess its conduct and adherence to norms.

Ending note: The council did not vote on any code language at the meeting but set an administrative path (collation of edits, scheduling of a special session) to produce a consolidated draft for review and adoption.