11. Resolution 5180 - Principles for Civil DialogueCity of Kalispell
Charles A. Harball office of City Attorney
City Attorney 312 First Avenue East
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Pamela B. Kennedy
and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Charles Harb all, City Attorney
James H. Patrick, City Manager
Tel 406.758.7708
Fax 406.758.7771
charball@kalispell.com
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 5 180 — Adoption of Principles for Civil
Dialogue
MEETING BATE: Monday, February 5, 2007 — Regular Meeting
BACKGROUND: The Montana State Constitution and its statutes require the
local governments of the state to accommodate and promote public participation in
the function of government. Flathead on the Move, an organization made up of
Flathead community leaders, has developed and adopted Prin.c*1 es for Civil
Dialogue and it is encouraging organizations and individuals to adopt and practice
those principles. Council is regularly engaged in and encouraging civil dialogue in
all matters in which it is involved.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council consider adopting the Principles of Civil
Dialogue propounded by Flathead on the Move and thereby adopt Resolution No.
5180.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None.
Respectfully submitted,
}
f r �
Charles Hrlball, eity Attorney CJ4aes H. Patrick, City Manager
RESOLUTION NO.51S0
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT A SET OF PRINCIPLES FOR CIVIL DIALOGUE FOR
THE PURPOSE TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN
THE FUNCTION OF CITY GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, the Montana State Constitution and its statutes require the local governments of
the state to accommodate and promote public participation in the function of
government; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council believes that dialogue among people who are interested
in and wish to participate in the discussion of the many issues for which local
governmental entities are responsible should be conducted with dignity and
civility; and
WHEREAS, Flathead on the Move, an organization made up of Flathead community leaders,
has developed and adopted Principles for Civil Dialogue and encourages
organizations and individuals to adopt and practice those principles; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that it should engage in and encourage civil
dialogue in all matters in which it is involved and further finds that the Principles
for Civil Dialogue proposed by Flathead on the Move meets the purposes of
Montana law and is appropriate for use by the City of Kalispell.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. the following Principles For Civil Dialogue are adopted for use by this
Council and to encourage other citizens of City of Kalispell to also abide
by them:
o We provide a safe environment where individual perspectives are
respected, heard, and acknowledged.
o We are responsible for respectful and courteous dialogue and
participation.
o We respect diverse opinions as a means to find solutions based on
common ground.
o We encourage and value broad community participation.
o We encourage creative approaches to engage in public participation.
o We value informed decision -making and take personal responsibility to
educate and be educated.
o We believe that respectful public dialogue fosters healthy community
relationships, understanding, and problem solving.
o We acknowledge, consider and respect the natural tensions created by
collaboration, change, and transition.
o We follow the rules & guidelines established for each meeting.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KA.LISPELL, THIS 5th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2007.
Pamela B. Kennedy
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
Principles for Civil D*aI09Ue
Turning Strangers into Neighbors
A project of Flathead on the Move
This document is the outcome of a collaborative effort of approximately 80 community leaders who gathered on June 1,
2006, as part of Flathead on the Move's Turning Strangers into Neighbors Project. The nine principles listed below were
arrived at through the study and experience of a Collaborative Change Model, which enabled participants to engage in
dialogue about ways of improving and encouraging civil discourse in the Flathead valley. These principles were
negotiated and approved by consensus by the group.
It is the expectation of this group, and the project, that this document be formally adopted, posted in prominent places,
incorporated into important community documents and plans, and regularly read aloud by public and private organizations
throughout our region as a way of encouraging and shaping the character of our public interactions. whether adopted in
whole, or in part.,, we hope that this document will serve as a catalyst for all organizations and individuals to reflect upon the
importance of civil dialogue to the fabric of our community_
This is a "living" document and it is the intention of this project to further define over the coming months "how" these
broad principles might be applied. we hope that organizations who adopt these principles will engage in the same process
of defining the specific ways that these principles might apply within the culture of your organization. The (pronoun) "we"
which begins each principle is intended to communicate the broadest inclusively; that civil dialogue is the work and
responsibility of everyone.
1. We provide a safe environment where individual perspectives are respected, heard, and
acknowledged.
2. We are responsible for respectful and courteous dialogue and participation.
3. We respect diverse opimons as a means to find solutions based on common ground.
4. We encourage and value broad community participation.
S. We encourage creative approaches to engage public participation.
6. We value informed decision -making and take personal responsibility to educate and be educated.
7. We believe that respectful public dialogue fosters healthy community relationships, understanding,
and problem -solving,
8. We acknowledge, consider and respect the natural tensions created by collaboration, change, and
transition.
9. We follow the rules & guidelines established for each meeting.
RESOLUTION NO. 2003
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Commissioners of Flathead County, Montana,
believe that dialogue among people who are interested in and discussing the many issues that are
dealt with by local governmental entities should be carried on with dignity and civility;
WHEREAS, Flathead on the Move, an organization made up of Flathead community
leaders, has developed and adopted Principals for Civil Dialogue and encourages organizations
and individuals to adopt and practice those principles; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has concluded that it should engage in and
encourage civil dialogue in all matters in which it is involved.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of
Flathead County, that the following PRINCIPLES FOR CIVIL DIALOGUE are adopted for
use by this Board and to encourage other citizens of Flathead County to also abide by them:
■ We provide a safe environment where individual perspectives are respected, heard, and
acknowledged.
■ We are responsible for respectful and courteous dialogue and participation.
• We respect diverse opinions as a means to find solutions based on common ground.
• We encourage and value broad community participation.
• We encourage creative approaches to engage public participation.
* We value informed decision -making and take personal responsibility to educate and be
educated.
We believe that respectful public dialogue fosters healthy community relationships,
understanding, and problem -solving.
• We acknowledge consider and respect the natural tensions created by collaboration,
change, and transition.
• We follow the rules & guidelines established for each meeting.
Dated this 23rd day of January, 2007.
ATTEST:
Paula Robinson, Clerk
Deputy
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FlatheacJ.County, Montana
LODY'A
JoAph D,ljkeriireman, Chairman
By Ll
Gary D. Hall, i4mer
Dale W. Lauman ember