At the first meeting after town council elections are final and all members are sworn in, the town council members shall annually elect a mayor pro tem and a deputy mayor pro tem from among its members. The mayor pro tem shall act in the absence or illness of the mayor or failure or refusal of the mayor to act. In the event both the mayor and mayor pro tem are absent or otherwise not in attendance at a meeting, or fail or refuse to act, the deputy mayor pro tem shall perform their duties.
(Ordinance 21-010 adopted 6/14/21)
(a) 
The town council adopts a place system for the election of councilmembers to the town council. For those two (2) councilmembers whose terms expire in 2011, their seats shall be designated as places 2 and 4. For those three (3) councilmembers whose terms expire in 2012, their seats shall be designated as places 1, 3 and 5. This place system shall remain in effect for all succeeding elections for councilmembers to the town council.
(b) 
The town council shall assign place numbers to each councilmember’s office by random drawing.
(c) 
When incumbent councilmembers’ terms of office expire, any candidate for the office of town councilmember shall file an application for a specific place on the town council, such as “councilmember, place no. 1,” “councilmember, place no. 2,” “councilmember, place no. 3,” “councilmember, place no. 4,” and “councilmember, place no. 5.”
(d) 
Beginning with the election of town councilmembers in 2011, and for all succeeding elections for councilmembers to the town council, the ballot for an election under the place system shall show each office of councilmember as a separate office designated by place number.
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17)
(a) 
Regular meetings; executive sessions.
Regular meetings shall be held the second Monday and may be held the fourth Monday of each month. Regular sessions shall be convened in the council chambers at town hall at 7:00 p.m. Executive sessions shall be convened when needed. Notice of such meetings shall be given in accordance with law.
(b) 
Special meetings.
Special meetings may be called by the mayor or three (3) members of the town council upon written notice. Notice of special meetings shall be given by the town secretary personally to each member of the council including the mayor and the town administrator, by one of the four following methods: text to personal cell phone; email to personal address used by the town; notice left at such person’s residence; or voice mail message. At least one method should be verified by each recipient. The time, place and purpose of such meetings shall be stated in each instance in accordance with law.
(c) 
Workshop meetings.
Workshop meetings may be called by the mayor or three (3) members of the town council upon written notice. The time, place and purpose of such meetings shall be stated in each instance in accordance with law. Workshop meetings shall be to discuss in detail, or explore in depth, matters of particular interest to the town or town council. No formal council action shall be taken at a workshop meeting.
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17; Ordinance 21-012 adopted 6/14/21)
(a) 
The mayor, in conjunction with the town administrator, shall establish the agenda for each town council meeting. The final agenda, and supporting documentation for all agenda items, shall be emailed to the town council by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding a town council meeting.
(b) 
Any councilmember may request an item to be placed on the council agenda. He/she shall contact the town secretary with the request at least 10 days prior to the regular council meeting upon which the councilmember wants the item to be placed on the agenda. The town secretary shall provide the request to the mayor. The mayor shall place the item on the next agenda. The councilmember(s) requesting the agenda item shall be responsible for the agenda briefing or presentation of the item at the meeting. Any staff assistance should be requested through the town administrator's office. Any supplementary documentation for the agenda item, must be delivered to the town secretary's office at town hall no later than seven days before the town council meeting upon which the agenda item is to be considered or discussed.
(c) 
Any member of the town staff desiring to have an item placed on the agenda shall submit it to the town administrator in accordance with the policies and procedures for approval.
(Ordinance 19-015 adopted 10/14/19; Ordinance 22-008 adopted 6/13/22; Ordinance 25-008 adopted 8/11/2025)
(a) 
Authority of council.
All councilmembers should:
(1) 
Fully participate in town council meetings and other public forums while demonstrating respect, kindness, consideration, and courtesy to constituents and to persons who appear before the town council.
(2) 
Prepare in advance of council meetings and be familiar with issues on the agenda.
(3) 
Represent the town at ceremonial functions at the request of the mayor.
(4) 
Be respectful of other people's time. Stay focused and act efficiently during public meeting. Serve as a model of leadership and civility to the community.
(5) 
Inspire public confidence in the town government.
(6) 
Provide contact information with the town secretary in case an emergency or urgent situation arises while the councilmember is out of town.
(7) 
Demonstrate honesty and integrity in every action and statement.
(8) 
Participate in scheduled activities to increase team effectiveness and review council procedures, such as this code of conduct.
(b) 
Duties of mayor.
The mayor, or any other presiding officer, shall preserve order and decorum, may speak upon all questions, and shall decide all questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal to the town council by any councilmember.
(1) 
Mayor.
(A) 
Acts as the official head of the town for all ceremonials purposes.
(B) 
Chairs council meetings.
(C) 
Calls for special meetings.
(D) 
Recognized as spokesperson for the town.
(E) 
Selects substitute for town representation when mayor cannot attend.
(F) 
Makes judgment calls on proclamations, special orders of the day, etc.
(G) 
Recommends subcommittees as appropriate for council approval.
(H) 
Leads the council into an effective, cohesive working team.
(I) 
Serves as official delegate of the town.
(2) 
Mayor pro-tem.
(A) 
Performs the duties of the mayor if the mayor is absent or disabled.
(B) 
Chairs council meetings at the request of the mayor.
(C) 
Represents the town at ceremonial functions at the request of the mayor.
(c) 
Meeting chair.
The mayor will chair official meetings of the town council, unless the mayor pro-tem or another councilmember is designated as chair of a specific meeting in accordance with state law.
(1) 
Maintains order, decorum, fair and equitable treatment of all speakers or those addressing town council.
(2) 
Keeps discussion and questions focused on specific agenda item under consideration.
(3) 
Makes parliamentary rulings with advice, if requested, from the town attorney who acts as an advisory parliamentarian. Chair rulings may be overturned if a councilmember makes a motion as an individual and the majority of the council votes to overrule the chair in accordance with subsection (g).
(d) 
Participation in meetings.
(1) 
Any person desiring to address the town council (visitor) during a regular or special meeting either shall fill out a visitor’s sheet, provided by the town, prior to the meeting, or, if no visitor’s sheets are available, simply state the visitor’s name and address prior to addressing the town council. The sheet shall contain, at a minimum, their name, address, and the topic on which they wish to speak. Visitors shall give their completed sheets to the town secretary. Visitors shall observe the rules of decorum and courtesy and shall speak only upon recognition of the mayor. No formal action shall be taken on any issue not listed on the agenda.
(2) 
Visitors who speak to the town council at the beginning of a town council meeting shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes. Further, a visitor may represent others by proxy, but may not aggregate three (3) minute blocks for each person represented. A visitor is limited to three (3) minutes irrespective of the number of individuals represented by the visitor. A visitor will be called in the order the visitor’s sheets are received.
(3) 
The public may not participate in discussions during a town council meeting or workshop meeting unless invited to do so by the mayor or a councilmember.
(4) 
The public may not address or be present during any executive sessions.
(5) 
No one, except councilmembers and officers and employees of the town in the discharge of their official duties or other persons authorized by law, shall be permitted to participate in the deliberations of the town council concerning agenda items.
(6) 
Public hearings may be held as called by the mayor, or as required by the laws of the state. Citizens shall be given the opportunity to speak for or against an item after being recognized by the mayor.
(e) 
Order of business.
The current agenda format shall remain in force and effect. Upon objection by any councilmember, any matter on the agenda shall be considered out of its regular order only upon a majority vote of the councilmembers present.
(f) 
Voting.
The ayes and nays may be demanded on any question, by any member, and in all cases of calling the ayes and nays, every member shall vote, unless a member of the town council abstains. The mayor shall vote only in the event of a tie.
(g) 
Parliamentary rules.
Robert’s Rules of Order (Revised Edition) shall be followed except when overridden by this division.
(1) 
Motions and resolutions may be disposed of by the favorable vote of not less than a majority of the council present unless otherwise provided by state law.
(2) 
While a subject is under consideration, no motion shall be entertained, except a motion (A) to adjourn; (B) to lay on table; (C) to previous questions (close debate); (D) to postpone to a certain time; (E) to refer; (F) to amend; (G) to postpone indefinitely. These several motions shall have precedence in the order named. A motion to lay on the table cuts off all pending amendments and brings the town council to a direct vote on the question.
(3) 
Any question of privilege takes precedence over all other motions except to adjourn and to set the time of the next meeting, and may interrupt a speaker if immediate action is required. The mayor shall decide on the question subject to town council appeal, and [the question] may be disposed of by any subsidiary motion.
(4) 
Inquiries as to points of order by members may be brought forth at any time to the mayor.
(5) 
No motion shall be entertained while a member is speaking or while the town council members are voting.
(6) 
Every ordinance and resolution must be in writing, and every motion reduced to writing, if the mayor or any members require it. If in writing, it shall be read by the town secretary or town attorney; if not, it shall be distinctly stated by the mayor before being debated; and when so read or stated, shall be considered as in possession of the town council, but may be withdrawn before a vote by leave of the town council.
(7) 
An amendment, if adopted, takes the place of the original, and is subject to amendment in like manner.
(8) 
No member may vote on any question in the event or determination of which he/she has a financial interest in accordance with applicable state law.
(9) 
Any member who voted with the majority may move a reconsideration of the vote at the same or next succeeding meeting, and such motion, when seconded, shall take precedence over all other motions, except the privilege motions specified herein.
(10) 
Any matter which pertains to or affects the character, reputation or official conduct of a member is a question of privilege and may, by him/her or other members for him/her, be brought to the attention of the town council at any time, without regard to the order of business.
(11) 
Any of these rules may be temporarily suspended for a particular motion or object by a majority vote.
(h) 
Public meeting hearing protocol.
(1) 
The applicant or opponent shall have the right to speak first. The chair will determine the length of time allowed for this presentation. Speakers representing either in favor or against an item will be allowed to follow. The chair will determine how much time will be allowed for each speaker, with 3 minutes the standard time granted. The applicant or opponent will be allowed to make closing comments. The chair has the responsibility to run an efficient public meeting and has the discretion to modify the public hearing process to make the meeting run smoothly.
(2) 
Councilmembers shall refrain from directly arguing or debating with the public during public hearing and shall always show respect for different points of view.
(3) 
Main motions may be followed by amendments, followed by substitute motions. Any councilmember can call for a point of order. Only councilmembers who voted on the prevailing side may make motions to reconsider. Councilmembers who desire to make the first motion on issues which they feel strongly about should discuss their intention with the chair in advance of the council meeting. See subsection (g).
(i) 
Travel expenses.
The policies and procedures related to the reimbursement of travel expenses for official town business by councilmembers are outlined in the town policy. All council travel in excess of the allowed budget, in which the councilmember expects to officially represent the town and/or be reimbursed by the town for travel costs, must be approved in advance by the council. The travel policy and budget for council shall be reviewed at each annual budget cycle.
(j) 
Council conduct with one another.
(1) 
Councils are composed of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds, personalities, values, opinions, and goals. Despite this diversity, all have chosen to serve in public office in order to preserve and protect the present and the future of the community. In all cases, this common goal should be acknowledged even as council may "agree to disagree" on contentious issues.
(2) 
In public meetings.
(A) 
Practice civility and decorum in discussions and debate.
Difficult questions, tough challenges to a particular point of view, and criticism of ideas and information are legitimate elements of a free democracy in action. This does not allow, however, councilmembers to make belligerent, personal, impertinent, slanderous, threatening, abusive, or disparaging comments. No shouting or physical actions that could be construed as threatening will be tolerated.
(B) 
Honor the role of the chair in maintaining order.
It is the responsibility of the chair to keep the command of councilmembers on track during public meetings. Councilmembers should honor efforts by the chair to focus discussion on current agenda items. If there is disagreement about the agenda or the chair's actions, those objections should be voiced politely and with reason, following procedures outlined in parliamentary procedure.
(C) 
Avoid personal comments that could offend other councilmembers.
If a councilmember is personally offended by the remarks of another councilmember, the offended councilmember should make notes of the actual words used and call for a "point of personal privilege" that challenges the other councilmember to justify or apologize for the language used. The chair will maintain control of this discussion.
(D) 
Demonstrate effective problem-solving approaches.
Councilmembers have a public stage to show how individuals with disparate points of view can find common ground and seek a compromise that benefits the community.
(3) 
In private encounters.
(A) 
Be aware of the insecurity of written notes, voicemail messages, and e-mail.
Technology allows words written or said without much forethought to be distributing wide and far. Would you feel comfortable to have this note faxed to others? How would you feel if this voicemail message was played on a speaker phone in a full office? What would happen if this e-mail message was forwarded to others? Written notes, voicemail messages and e-mail should be treated as potentially "public" communication.
(B) 
Even private conversations can have a public presence.
Elected officials are always on display - people monitor their actions, mannerisms, and language around them that they may not know. Lunch table conversations will be eavesdropped upon, parking lot debates will be watched, and casual comments between individuals before and after public meetings noted.
(k) 
Council conduct with town staff.
Governance of a town relies on the cooperative efforts of elected officials, who set policy, and town staff, who implement and administer the council's policies. Therefore, every effort should be made to be cooperative and show mutual respect for the contributions made by everyone for the good of the community.
(1) 
Treat all staff as professionals.
Clear, honest communication that respects the abilities, experience, and dignity of everyone is expected. Poor behavior towards staff is not acceptable.
(2) 
Limit contact to specific town staff.
(A) 
Inquiry of town staff and/or requests for additional background information should be directed only to the town administrator or town secretary. The office of the town administrator should be copied on any request.
(B) 
Requests for follow-up or directions to staff should be made only through the town administrator when appropriate. When in doubt about what staff contact is appropriate, councilmembers should ask the town administrator for direction. Materials supplied to a councilmember in response to a request will be made available to all members of the council so that all have equal access to information.
(3) 
Do not disrupt town staff from their job.
Councilmembers should not disrupt town staff while they are in meetings, on the phone, or engrossed in performing their job functions to have their individual needs met.
(4) 
Never publicly criticize an individual employee.
Council should never express concerns about the performance of a town employee in public, to the employee directly, or to the employee's manager. Comments about staff performance should only be made to the town administrator through private correspondence or conversation.
(5) 
Do not get involved in administrative functions.
Councilmembers must not attempt to influence town staff on the making of appointments, awarding of contracts, selecting of consultants, processing of development applications, or granting of town licenses and permits.
(6) 
Check with town staff on correspondence before taking action.
Before sending correspondence, councilmembers should check with the town staff to see if an official town response has already been sent or is in progress.
(7) 
Do not attend meetings with town staff unless requested by staff.
Even if the councilmember does not say anything, the councilmember's presence implies support, shows partiality, intimidates staff, and hampers staff's ability to do their job objectively.
(8) 
Limit requests for staff support.
Requests for additional staff support - even in high priority or emergency situations - should be made to the town administrator who is responsible for allocating town resources to maintain a professional, well-run town government.
(9) 
Do not solicit political support from staff.
Councilmembers should not solicit any type of political support (financial contributions, display of posters or lawn signs, name on support list, etc.) from town staff. Town staff may, as private citizens with constitutional rights, support political candidates but all such activities must be done away from the workplace.
(l) 
Council conduct with the public.
(1) 
In public meetings.
Making the public feel welcome is an important part of the democratic process.
(A) 
Be fair and equitable in allocating public hearing time to individual speakers.
(i) 
The chair will determine and announce limits on speakers at the start of the public hearing process. Each speaker will be allocated three minutes with applicants and appellants, or their designated representatives allowed more time. If many speakers are anticipated, the chair may shorten the time limit and/or ask speakers to limit themselves to new information and points of view not already covered by previous speakers.
(ii) 
No speaker will be turned away unless he or she exhibits inappropriate behavior. Each speaker may only speak once during the public hearing unless the council requests additional clarification later in the process. After the close of the public hearing, no more public testimony will be accepted unless the chair reopens the public hearing for a limited and specific purpose.
(B) 
Ask for clarification, but avoid debate and argument with the public.
Only the chair - not individual councilmembers - can interrupt a speaker during a presentation. However, a councilmember can ask the chair for a point of order if the speaker is off the topic or exhibiting behavior or language the councilmember finds disturbing.
(C) 
Follow parliamentary procedure in conducting public meetings.
The town attorney serves as advisory parliamentarian for the town and is available to answer questions or interpret situations according to parliamentary procedures. Final rulings on parliamentary procedure are made by the chair, subject to the appeal of the full council.
(2) 
In unofficial settings.
(A) 
Make no promises on behalf of the council.
Councilmembers will frequently be asked to explain a council action or to give their opinion about an issue as they meet and talk with constituents in the community. It is appropriate to give a brief overview of town policy and to refer to town staff for further information. It is inappropriate to overtly or implicitly promise council action, or to promise town staff will do something specific (fix a pothole, remove a library book, plant fresh flowers in the median, etc.).
(B) 
Remember that copper canyon is a small town.
Councilmembers are constantly being observed by the community. Councilmember behaviors and comments serve as models for proper deportment in the town.
(m) 
Council conduct with boards and committees.
The town has established several boards and committees as a means of gathering more community input. Citizens who serve on boards and committees become more involved in government and serve as advisors to the town council. They are a valuable resource to the town's leadership and should be treated with appreciation and respect.
(1) 
If attending a board or committee meeting, be careful to only express personal opinions.
Councilmembers may attend any board or committee meeting, which are always open to any member of the public. However, they should be sensitive to the way their participation - especially if it is on behalf of an individual, business, or developer - could be viewed as unfairly affecting the process. Any public comments by a councilmember at a board or committee meeting should be clearly made as individual opinion and not a representation of the feelings of the entire town council.
(2) 
Limit contact with board and committee members to questions of clarification.
It is inappropriate for a councilmember to contact a board or committee Member to lobby on behalf of an individual, business, or developer. It is acceptable for councilmembers to contact board or committee members to clarify a position taken by the board or commission.
(3) 
Remember that boards and committees serve the community, not individual councilmembers.
The town council appoints individuals to serve on boards and committees, and it is the responsibility of boards and committees to follow policy established by the council. But board and committee members do not report to individual councilmembers, nor should councilmembers feel they have the power or right to threaten board and committee members with removal if they disagree about an issue. Appointment and re-appointment to a board or committee should be based on such criteria as expertise, ability to work with staff and the public, and commitment to fulfilling official duties. A board or committee appointment should not be used as a political "reward."
(4) 
Be respectful of diverse opinions.
A primary role of boards and committees is to represent many points of view in the community and to provide the council with advice based on a full spectrum of concerns and perspectives. Councilmembers may have a closer working relationship with some individuals serving on boards and committees but must be fair and respectful of all citizens serving on boards and committees.
(5) 
Inappropriate behavior can lead to removal.
Inappropriate behavior by a board or committee member should be noted to the mayor, and the mayor should counsel the offending member.
(n) 
Council conduct with media.
Councilmembers are frequently contacted by the media for background and quotes.
(1) 
The best advice for dealing with the media is to never go "off the record.
Most members of the media represent the highest levels of journalistic integrity and ethics and can be trusted to keep their word. But one unpleasant experience can be catastrophic. Words that are not said cannot be quoted.
(2) 
The mayor is the official spokesperson for the representative on town position.
The mayor is the designated representative of the council to present and speak on the official town position. If an individual councilmember is contacted by the media, the councilmember should be clear about whether their comments represent the official town position or a personal viewpoint.
(3) 
Choose words carefully and cautiously.
Comments taken out of context can cause problems. Be especially cautious about humor, sardonic asides, sarcasm, or word play. It is never appropriate to use personal slurs or swear words when talking with the media.
(o) 
Sanctions.
(1) 
Public disruption.
Members of the public who do not follow proper conduct after a warning in a public hearing may be barred from further testimony at that meeting or removed from the council chambers.
(2) 
Staff behavior.
Councilmembers should refer to the town administrator, or to the town attorney, staff who do not follow proper conduct in their dealings with councilmembers, other town staff, concerning complaints or the public. These employees may be disciplined in accordance with standard town personnel policy. (Please refer to the section on council conduct with town staff for more details on interaction with staff.)
(3) 
Councilmembers behavior and conduct.
Town council members who repeatedly do not follow proper conduct may be reprimanded or formally censured by the council, lose seniority or committee assignments (both within the town or with intergovernment agencies) or have travel restricted. Serious infractions of the code of conduct could lead to other sanctions as deemed appropriate by council.
(A) 
Councilmembers should point out to the offending councilmember infractions of the code of conduct. If the offenses continue, then the matter should be referred to the mayor in private. If the mayor is the individual whose actions are being challenged, then the matter should be referred to the mayor pro-tem.
(B) 
It is the responsibility of the mayor to initiate action if a councilmember's behavior may warrant sanction. If no action is taken by the mayor, the alleged violation(s) can be brought up with the full council in a public meeting.
(C) 
If violation of the code of conduct is outside of the observed behaviors by the mayor or councilmembers, the alleged violation should be referred to the mayor. The mayor should ask the town administrator and/or the town attorney to investigate the allegation and report the findings to the mayor. It is the mayor's responsibility to take the next appropriate action. These actions can include but are not limited to discussing and counseling the individual on the violations; recommending sanction to the full council to consider in a public meeting; or forming a council ad hoc subcommittee to review the allegation; the investigation and its findings, as well as to recommend sanction options for council consideration. Videotaping of the complaint hearing should be used for a council ad hoc subcommittee.
(p) 
Principles of proper conduct
(1) 
Proper conduct is:
(A) 
Keeping promises.
(B) 
Being dependable.
(C) 
Building a solid reputation.
(D) 
Participating and being available.
(E) 
Demonstrating patience.
(F) 
Showing empathy.
(G) 
Holding onto ethical principles under stress.
(H) 
Listening attentively.
(I) 
Studying thoroughly.
(J) 
Keeping integrity intact.
(K) 
Modeling a professional manner.
(2) 
Proper conduct is not:
(A) 
Showing antagonism or hostility.
(B) 
Deliberately lying or misleading.
(C) 
Speaking recklessly.
(D) 
Spreading rumors.
(E) 
Stirring up divisiveness.
(F) 
Engaging in enforcement of ordinances with residents, business, or developers.
(q) 
It all comes down to respect.
(1) 
Respect for one another as individuals.
(2) 
Respect for the validity of different opinions.
(3) 
Respect for the democratic process.
(4) 
Respect for the community that we serve.
(r) 
Checklist for monitoring conduct.
(1) 
Will my decision/statement/action violate the trust, rights, or good will of others?
(2) 
How would my conduct be evaluated by people whose integrity and character I respect?
(3) 
Am I willing to take an ethical stand when it is called for? Am I willing to make my ethical beliefs public in a way that makes it clear what I stand for?
(4) 
Do I listen and understand the views of others?
(5) 
Do I question and confront different points of view in a constructive manner?
(6) 
Do I work to resolve differences and come to mutual agreement?
(7) 
Do I support others and show respect for their ideas?
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17; Ordinance 21-010 adopted 6/14/21; Ordinance 22-014 adopted 10/10/2022)
(a) 
The town administrator is responsible for seeing that all newly elected councilmembers are provided with an orientation of municipal facilities, staff procedures and other information of interest to municipal officials.
(b) 
The town council shall have the authority to initiate investigations into any town business and councilmembers may make inquiries into items and issues before the town council in accordance with state law.
(c) 
The mayor is responsible for informing all councilmembers of any and all issues related to the town.
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17)
(a) 
Members of the town council and mayor should avoid conference call meetings not posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, and no councilmember shall poll other councilmembers regarding matters of public concern.
(b) 
Should complaints come to the attention of a councilmember regarding the conduct of an employee, the councilmember should request that an item be placed on the agenda for discussion in executive session. The councilmember should also contact the town attorney for instruction concerning a report to law enforcement authority if the complaint is of a criminal nature.
(c) 
Upon a written request of a citizen, public records shall be copied and distributed according to state law. Fees will be charged in accordance with the fee schedule promulgated by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, however denominated. A form will be provided at the town’s offices.
(d) 
The town council is required to investigate allegations of ethical wrongdoing by employees or officers.
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17)
Minutes may be a combination of verbatim quotes and/or summaries, but shall only include what was actually discussed at the town council meeting.
(Ordinance 17-006 adopted 12/11/17)
Requests for a town representative at ceremonial events will be overseen by town staff. The mayor will serve as the designated town representative. If the mayor is unavailable, then town staff will determine if event organizers would like another representative from the council. If yes, then the mayor will recommend which councilmember should be asked to serve as a substitute. Invitations received at town hall are presumed to be for official town representative. Invitations addressed to councilmembers at their homes are presumed to be for unofficial, personal consideration.
(Ordinance 22-014 adopted 10/10/2022)
(a) 
Councilmembers do not need to acknowledge the receipt of correspondence, or copies of correspondence during council meetings. Town staff will prepare official letters in response to public inquiries and concerns. These letters will carry the signature of the mayor unless the mayor requests that they be signed by another councilmember or town staff.
(b) 
If correspondence is addressed only to one councilmember, that councilmember should check with staff on the best way to respond to the sender.
(Ordinance 22-014 adopted 10/10/2022)
Councilmembers have the right to endorse candidates in their individual capacity as citizens. It is inappropriate to mention endorsements during council meetings or other official town meetings or to use your title or position with the town in any such endorsement.
(Ordinance 22-014 adopted 10/10/2022)
Councilmembers who want to speak first during the public portion of the council meeting should notify the chair in advance. Otherwise, councilmembers will be recognized when the chair acknowledges them. Councilmembers, like members of the public who use this portion of the agenda to recognize achievements or promote an event, will be limited to 3 minutes each and should keep the focus on matters of community-wide interest.
(Ordinance 22-014 adopted 10/10/2022)