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The following protocols were developed at an Albany City Council training session held on January 16, 2018. They are intended to set expectations for members of the Albany council and provide a model to guide the conduct and working relationships of council members. While some protocols relate specifically to council meetings, others are meant to apply broadly to the full scope of council members’ official interactions. The list is not intended to be exhaustive, and may be augmented or amended by future action of the council.

Respect

Council members agree to use respectful speech and positive body language when interacting with each other, staff, and the public, and will follow meeting procedures/protocols as established by the council.

Civility

Council members agree to demonstrate civility in their professional interactions, both within and outside of the City organization. Comments during meetings will remain thoughtful and measured, avoiding exaggerated, provocative, or personal remarks.

Compromise

Open-mindedness and active listening will be practiced by council members during deliberations in an effort to pursue compromise whenever possible.

Tolerance

Council members will endeavor to respectfully ‘agree to disagree’ in the event compromise is not possible.

Brevity

Council members will ensure their comments during meetings are succinct and relevant to the topic at hand.

Public unity

Out of respect for the institution and the process through which policy is made, council members will refrain from publicly denigrating council decisions once they are made.

Mayor’s role

Council members recognize that the mayor’s position requires balancing the important roles of facilitating meetings and contributing policy perspectives.

Liaison role

Council members serving as City liaisons to external boards, commissions, committees, and organizations will be responsible for sharing important news and pertinent developments with the council at regular meetings.

Communications with staff

Council members will keep the city manager informed of communications they may have with staff, including copying the city manager on any emails to staff.

About City Council

The City Council is the legislative branch of our local government. It is composed of a mayor and six councilors with two councilors elected from each ward. The councilors serve for a term of four years, and the mayor serves for a term of two years. The Council adopts laws called ordinances, passes resolutions, sets policies, adopts the budget, levies taxes, and conducts public meetings.

The current Albany City Charter became effective on January 1, 1957. By Charter, the City of Albany adopted a council-manager form of government. The Charter provides that the City Manager is the administrative head of the City, and the manager serves at the pleasure of the Council.

Council Member Manual

The manual includes protocols that were developed at an Albany City Council training session held on January 19, 2018, and endorsed by council on February 26, 2018. They are intended to set expectations for the conduct and working relationships of council members.

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