HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-07 Adopting an Oath of Civility to be administered to elected and appointed Village OfficialsRESOLUTION NO. 2017-7
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING AN
OATH OF CIVILITY TO BE ADMINISTERED TO ELECTED
AND APPOINTED VILLAGE OFFICIALS; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the establishment of ethics in government and the practice of ethical conduct
by public officials requires that those who hold the public trust practice and maintain respect for the
human dignity of their peers, subordinates, political allies and adversaries, as well as members of
the general public; and
WHEREAS, the level of respect or disrespect for human dignity is most often on display in
personal interactions between and among those who engage in public service, as well as those who
aspire to public office in political campaigns; and
WHEREAS, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "It is the manners and spirit of a people
which preserve a republic in vigour...a degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the hearts
of its laws and constitution;" and
WHEREAS, through our common experience and the observed behavior of public officials,
either personally or through the media, it has become apparent that there has occurred a degeneracy
in the level of civility shown by too many of those who participate in government, including public
servants, those who aspire to be public servants, and those who interact with public servants; and
WHEREAS, it has reached a point where uncivil, rude, and insulting behavior, which
demeans both the perpetrators as well as those subjected to such behavior, has become too prevalent
and too accepted in government and in political campaigns at all levels; and
WHEREAS, this lack of civility threatens the integrity and proper functioning of government
and politics, not only in Miami -Dade County, but throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, the practice of civility in government may be maintained at no cost to the
taxpayers and without impeding the free flow of ideas or the vigorous debate of important public
issues; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the Florida Supreme Court amended the Oath of Admission to The
Florida Bar, which is sworn to by every newly -admitted attorney, requiring civility by attorneys to
opposing parties and their counsel in court and in all written and oral communications; and
WHEREAS, the same requirement and expectation of civility and integrity ought to apply
to all of those sworn to serve in government; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the Miami -Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust adopted a
resolution recommending the adoption by the Miami -Dade County Commission and the governing
bodies of all municipalities within the County of an oath of civility; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida (the "Village") is committed to the
practice of civility in government; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council wishes to adopt an oath of civility to be administered to
all elected and appointed public officials of the Village upon taking office; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council finds that this Resolution is in the best interest and welfare
of the residents of the Village.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals Adopted. Each of the above stated recitals are hereby adopted,
confirmed and incorporated herein.
Section 2. Adopting Oath of Civility. The Village hereby adopts the following oath of
civility that shall be administered to all elected and appointed public officials of the Village upon
taking office: "To my colleagues and to all those whom I represent and serve, I pledge fairness,
integrity and civility, in all actions taken and all communications made by me as a public servant."
Section 3. Implementation. The Village Manager, Clerk, and Attorney are authorized
to take any action that may be needed to implement this Resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon
adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of February, 2017.
MAY AYRA PENA LINDS Y
ATT T:
4#11(a0A11'
NCHITA H. ALVAREZ, MMC, VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
VILLAGE ATTORNEY
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