HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 49-25 Reaffirming Civil Discourse Policy - signed
RESOLUTION NO. 49-25
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
PLEDGING TO FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES OF CIVILITY AND CIVIL DISCOURSE
T H E C I T Y C O U N C I L
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, a healthy democracy respects the people’s right to debate issues with passion; and not only tolerates
disagreement but welcomes it in order to refine ideas and create policies that benefit the greater good; and
WHEREAS, Civility isn’t passive politeness; it is characterized by actively listening, seeking areas of commonality,
bridging divides, and respecting differences with dignity when they cannot be resolved; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative to cultivate an environment of mutual respect and cooperation within our city, to ensure
the well-being of all its inhabitants and the efficacy of our governance; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, 2018 and 2019, the Morro Bay City Council adopted resolutions pledging to follow best
practices of civility and civil discourse in conducting business with appointed and elected officials, staff and citizens; and
WHEREAS, as elected officials entrusted with the responsibility of representing all our constituents, we have a duty
to lead by example in promoting civility and fostering an atmosphere conducive to respectful dialogue and collaboration .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, City of Morro Bay, California, that we, along with the
Appointed Officials and Staff of the City of Morro Bay, establish this Code of Civility as a promise to each other, and to the
residents and institutions we serve, that we will conduct our debates in ways that allow for the widest range of opinions on
ideas and policies, yet also respect the dignity, integrity and rights of those with whom we might disagree.
In our deliberations, we pledge to:
➢ Listen first, making an honest effort to understand views and reasoning of others by listening to understand, not
listening to find fault, allowing thoughtful discussion to lead to the best possible outcomes; and
➢ Respect different opinions, by inviting and considering different perspectives, allowing space for ideas to be
expressed, opposed and clarified in a constructive manner; and
➢ Show courtesy, by treating all colleagues, staff and members of the public in a professional and courteous manner
whether in person, online, or in written communication, especially when we disagree; and
➢ Disagree constructively, striving to advance solutions to community issues; when faced with disagreement, we
do more than simply share our concerns with differing positions, we work to propose a course of action for mutual
benefit; and
➢ Speak truthfully without accusation, and avoid distortion in all our meetings; and
➢ Debate the policy not the person, focusing on the issues, and not personalizing the debate or using other tactics
that divert attention from the issue.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular meeting thereof held on the 23rd
day of September 2025, on the following vote:
AYES: Wixom, Eckles, Edwards, Landrum, Luffee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
_____________________________
CARLA WIXOM, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
Carla Wixom (Sep 24, 2025 11:14:10 PDT)
Carla Wixom
Reso 49-25 Reaffirming Civil Discourse Policy
Final Audit Report 2025-09-24
Created:2025-09-24
By:Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA7PfAcNsJwSZB6t1ubtNmIpIMUk46ZCbE
"Reso 49-25 Reaffirming Civil Discourse Policy" History
Document created by Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
2025-09-24 - 6:04:52 PM GMT
Document emailed to cwixom@morrobayca.gov for signature
2025-09-24 - 6:05:40 PM GMT
Email viewed by cwixom@morrobayca.gov
2025-09-24 - 6:13:40 PM GMT
Signer cwixom@morrobayca.gov entered name at signing as Carla Wixom
2025-09-24 - 6:14:08 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Carla Wixom (cwixom@morrobayca.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-09-24 - 6:14:10 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov) for signature
2025-09-24 - 6:14:12 PM GMT
Email viewed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
2025-09-24 - 8:06:13 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-09-24 - 8:06:25 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2025-09-24 - 8:06:25 PM GMT