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Ordered that Section 17 of the Malden City Council Rules be amended as follows:
Members to Observe Rules of Decorum of the Malden City Council rules as follows:
Strike Section 17 Members to Observe Rules of Decorum in its entirety and insert in its place:
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17.00 MEMBERS TO OBSERVE RULES OF DECORUM AND ETHICS
17.01 The City Council requires an atmosphere of professional conduct and civility among its members, and shall not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or offensive behavior based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, nor shall any member of the City Council use insulting, threatening, or abusive language in the course of public debate in the Council Chambers or in testimony before any City Agency, Board or Commission.
17.02 Furthermore, this code of ethics shall apply whenever a City Council member is in any public setting, or when any action or conduct becomes the subject of general public notice. This code also applies to the use of all forms of Social Media and electronic communication as defined by the City’s Human Resources Department, and any form of written or graphic communication.
17.03 These principles shall be enforced by public admonition through resolution, censure, and other action deemed appropriate by the Council. Jurisdiction rests with the Council as a whole, and therefore any member may motion a violation of this Rule. If a favorable recommendation is rendered and enforcement is deemed appropriate the Rules and Ordinance Committee may draft a Resolution of Censure (or any other lesser action deemed appropriate such as an apology etc.), for vote at the next full City Council Meeting.
17.04 When speaking, members shall address the chair and shall confine comments to the question under debate.
17.05 No member shall mention another member in debate except by title or surname.
17.06 No member shall speak without the consent of the presiding officer or vote out of order.
17.07 No member shall interrupt another, except for a point of order (to correct a procedural mistake), or a point of information (to correct a factual error.)
17.08 Members shall not converse among themselves while a question is being stated, while a member is speaking or while a paper is being read.
17.09 When a member is called to order, they shall immediately come to order, unless the full Council is appealed to. Upon appeal, the question shall be decided without debate; and if the decision is against the member, they shall not be permitted to speak.