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Orting council ad hoc committee proposes code of conduct, debates signatories and staff return
Summary
Deputy Mayor Melody Koenig and an ad hoc council committee presented a council-authored letter and resolution proposing a code of conduct and asking that staff be restored to council meetings.
Deputy Mayor Melody Koenig and members of the ad hoc committee (Council members Gunther and Hogan) presented a draft council letter, a resolution and appendices proposing a council code of conduct and a joint statement intended to restore staff access to council meetings.
The ad hoc committee’s letter asks the council to "commit to professional conduct and work constructively for the people of Orting" and requests that staff be restored so "the city's business may continue safely and respectfully." Council member Jeff Tracy said he could not sign a council letter that he perceived as an admission of fault without a corresponding administration signatory. "If I'm going to sign a document, I want to see a signature from somebody in the administration that says we will abide by it also," Tracy said at 00:10:11.
Council members debated whether to describe staff restoration as "temporary" while the joint statement and appendices are finalized or to request restoration without qualification. Council member Sprow argued for striking the word "temporarily," saying "I want it to be that staff is restored permanently, not temporary" (00:18:20). Other members said the ad hoc letter is intentionally council-authored and that any formal joint commitment would follow in appendices or a separate joint statement that the mayor could also sign.
Discussion also addressed presentation and signature logistics: some council members suggested only the council sign the initial letter to the mayor, with a later joint statement executed by both branches. Council member Moore said he viewed the draft letter as redundant with existing codes and ethics policies and declined to sign as written; others supported the ad hoc's approach and minor edits. The ad hoc committee and staff will incorporate council edits and route the documents for further review and possible placement on the Oct. 29 regular meeting agenda.
The council did not take a vote on the letter or resolution during the study session.
