In the wake of some divisive events, Sumner City Council members are working to improve the code of conduct during their meetings.

At the Feb. 14 study session council discussed a policy called the Mayor and City Council Principles of Conduct.

Although the written document does not expressly state the updating of principles is in response to any particular incidents, the council experienced conflict during the 2010 campaign season and the turmoil led council to examine the decorum expected at meetings.

Chris Clifford spoke as a citizen during the public comment portion of the controversial council meetings in opposition of Councilmember Matt Richardson. Richardson was challenging Sen. Pam Roach for her Senate seat, which she retained in a massive win. Richardson objected to Cliffords’ comments on the grounds they were not germane to city business, but were unwarranted and unsubstantiated personal attacks. When Mayor Dave Enslow said Clifford could continue, the matter was put to a vote with council upholding the mayor’s decision.

Following the meetings in which Clifford spoke, the rules regarding public comment were read prior to the start of this portion of meetings.

An item in the principles of conduct pertaining to speaking from the public states, “To help ensure that everyone who wants to speak gets a chance to by limiting individual comments so as to not be repetitive, argumentative and off-topic.”

The principles of conduct includes four sections: Courtesy Norms, No Surprise Rule, Role of Mayor and Councilmembers, and Media Relations and Protocols.

Other items on the document include respecting a decision once it becomes official, the role of council in area events and enabling more people to speak at meetings by limiting comments so they are not redundant, argumentative or off-topic.