The Baldwin City Council will discuss becoming designated as a City of Ethics and City of Civility at their work session on Tuesday, December 5.
City of Ethics
The city council will discuss the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) recommendation for the City of Ethics Certification as a demonstration of a city’s commitment to the highest ethical standards in governance.
The city council will discuss the two-step process: adopting a resolution outlining five core principles and adopting an ordinance with clear definitions, activity guidelines, due process procedures, and punishment provisions.
Upon certification, the city council will be required to commit to strict adherence to those guidelines, signifying dedication to transparent and accountable leadership to improve the city’s reputation for ethical conduct and foster community trust. Both, the resolution and the ordinance, must be adopted by a majority of the city council to receive the certification.
City of Civility
The council desires to discuss the possibility of becoming a City of Civility. This designation comes from GMA when cities take a proactive approach to combat incivility and polarization by introducing the “9 Pillars of Civility” and the Civility Pledge recommended by GMA. Recognizing that civility transcends politeness, the initiative encourages considerate behavior, active listening, and respectful engagement.
The city council will be required to pledge to practice and promote civility in a resolution passed by a majority of the city council, emphasizing open communication, courtesy, and mutual respect. The commitment extends to elected officials, staff, and the public, aiming to foster a healthier and more prosperous community through constructive discussion and understanding. This commitment includes in-person, written, and online communication activities.
In other business
The city council has two other items on their agenda to discuss during their work session on Tuesday evening.
Those two items are a policy for the revocation of cemetery plots and the Mayor’s reading club. An email was sent Friday morning December 1 to Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster requesting further information on those two items. She has not responded to that request.
The Baldwin City Council will hold their work session at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.
