Law and Propriety
From the Municipal Code (City law)
Sec. 2-60. Propriety of conduct of council
members
Members of the council shall
preserve order and decorum during a meeting.
It shall be unlawful for any
member of the council to violate any of the following rules:
. . . Members of the council
shall not, by disorderly, insolent or disturbing action, speech, or otherwise,
substantially delay, interrupt or disturb the proceedings of the council. . .
(Code 1960, § 2223; Ord. No. 72-38, § 2,
10-16-72; Ord. No. 85-26, § 2, 10-21-85)
In
the past, the law listed above would have seemed superfluous; after all, folks
elected to conduct Costa Mesa’s business and to represent all of the citizens
of the City would be responsible and honorable people. We expect respect for government process from government officers even when they don't get their way.
Laws apply to the audience
Sec. 2-61. Propriety of conduct while addressing
the council.
It shall be unlawful for any
person while addressing the council at a council meeting to . .
. . . make any personal,
impertinent, profane, insolent, or slanderous remarks.
. . . yell at the council in a loud, disturbing
voice.
. . . speak without being recognized by the
presiding officer.
. . . continue to speak after being told by the
presiding officer that his allotted time for addressing the council has
expired. . .
(Code 1960, § 2224; Ord. No.
72-38, § 2, 10-16-72; Ord. No. 85-26, § 2, 10-21-85)
Sec. 2-64. Disorderliness by members of the
audience.
It shall be unlawful for any
person in the audience at a council meeting . . .
Engage in disorderly,
disruptive, disturbing, delaying or boisterous conduct, such as, but not
limited to, handclapping, stomping of feet, whistling, making noise, use of profane
language or obscene gestures, yelling or similar demonstrations, which conduct
substantially interrupts, delays, or disturbs the peace and good order of the
proceedings of the council.
Refuse to comply with a
lawful order or directive of the presiding officer of the council.
The sergeant-at-arms shall
have the authority to remove any such person from the council chamber and place
him or her under arrest, or both.
(Code 1960, § 2227; Ord. No.
72-38, § 2, 10-16-72)
Illegal and silly
So,
the behaviors we've observed during recent meetings – and during last year’s
City Council meetings -- are illegal, as well as foolish and embarrassing for
the City.
And
what if the sources of “profane language or obscene gestures” are city
employees or volunteers? Are City
employees exempt from City law? The employees who represent Costa Mesa to the
public should be people who obey the law and observe rules of decorum.
Fortunately,
the majority of the elected officials, and the great majority of the employees
and uniformed volunteers are law-abiding, courteous men and women.
The
number of rude, entitled brats is small; nevertheless Costa Mesa deserves
responsible behavior from all of those who would represent her to the public.
Personal animosity is never correct, legal, or even productive in government
operations.