CARSTAIRS - Town council has approved a new policy designed to ensure Carstairs council meetings and other activities involving town facilities and properties are conducted without prohibited, threatening or harassing behaviour.
Mayor Lance Colby says while unacceptable behaviour has not been a problem during council meetings, council wanted to ensure such activities are not permitted in future.
“With the amount of stuff we are hearing from other places, we thought we needed a policy,” Colby told the Albertan. “We want people to know that we now have a policy in place and expect people who come to council to follow it.”
Threat Policy - Professional/Courteous Conduct Policy No. 11-027-24 was given final reading at the Sept. 23 council meeting.
The purpose of the policy to “establish guidelines to govern the conduct, activities, and behaviours of person who use or visit municipal facilities and properties.”
The policy states, in part, that, “The town is committed to creating a respected, supporting, healthy, secure, accessible, and inclusive workplace for all employees, who have the right to work free of violence, intimidation, and other disruptive behaviours.
“The town is also committed to creating a secure and respectful environment for everyone who uses its facilities and services. The goal of this policy is to prevent violence and, if required, respond to violent situations in a fast, fair and judicious manner.”
The policy includes a list of prohibited behaviours, including disruptive behaviours that are repetitive and prevent expression, unwanted sexual advances including threats or implicit promises, making rude, degrading or offensive remarks, unwelcome and disrespectful comments or gestures, stalking, possession of weapons on town property, and assaults in any form.
The policy applies to all town employees, including firefighters, support staff, professional staff, administrative staff, summer students, and council members.
Members of the public are also required to adhere to the policy when interaction with town staff.
The policy includes sections on cautions and corrective actions, warnings and notices, procedures for investigating incidents, responsibilities of the municipality, employees and management.
The cautions and corrective actions sections states, in part, that, “The mayor, chair or CAO has the authority to expel employees or members of the public for inappropriate behaviour at council, committee or bound meetings (and) may restrict the individual’s ability to ask questions or make presentations during future council meetings.”
The complete new policy is available for viewing on the town’s website.
