The Aberdeen City Council has decided to draft something it has never had before, a council and procedures document.

Sydney Swor, Aberdeen’s City Council president, broached the idea publicly on Wednesday night. Swor explained why such a document was needed for the city council.

“Concerns were raised regarding decorum and behavior in the council chambers and outside of them, which led to an in-depth review of what already existed.”

Swor said the idea had been a “brainchild” for a while.

“Truthfully, I’ve had concerns related to this since January,” said Swor, who won her Ward 6 seat in November and then took office in January. “I can’t speak for my peers who volunteered to serve on the committee, but I imagine they’ve had similar concerns.”

Swor listed off several of the elements included in the document:

• General policies

• Meeting regulations

• How to fill vacant positions

• Procedures for voting

• Policies for suspending any of these rules

“Ideally, it will become the template we operate from,” Swor said.

When Swor brought up the subject on Wednesday night, she received a quick and positive response from a few of her council colleagues. Swor was looking for a four to five member group of volunteers from the city council to draft the document.

Without hesitation, city councilors David Gakin, Liz Ellis, Stan Sidor and Scott Prato all volunteered to be part of the group.

Swor shared her thoughts on the quick response from her colleagues.

“I am very pleased with the enthusiastic response from council members,” Swor said. “Ellis, Prato, Sidor and Gakin. Each of them have shared the same goal I do: a more unified council.”

The early, public support could be a sign this document passes quickly. Swor’s hope is it rolls out “ideally before the end of the year.” But, Swor doesn’t make that decision.

Sidor explained why he joined the group.

“With respect to the committee the council approved last night, I decided to volunteer given my extensive experience both as a professional business leader and my involvement with a wide variety of community and governmental groups,” Sidor said. “I have interacted with a wide variety of community members and leaders, and I do a lot of writing for my work, so it is my hope I can assist with crafting a well-written and relevant/appropriate code.”

Sidor said he “believes” the intent of the document isn’t to stop certain conduct, but rather, “it will be to codify a guide for council members of that, which is considered appropriate and respectful conduct.”

While Roberts Rules of Order guides how meetings should be run, Sidor said it only covers “procedural aspects of meetings and not necessarily the conduct of our members.”

“I believe the committee will strive to provide a good baseline from which all members can ensure everyone is heard and responds in a respectful manner.” Swor said, adding “the biggest piece” of the document is “trying to encourage open communication, free of assumption, despite differences of opinion.”

Swor has been consistent throughout the last eight months in wanting fluid communication. It’s one major reason why she is now the city council’s president.

As for how to follow through when the procedures document is approved, Swor said that will be outlined in the document.

Swor realizes it’s possible there could be some dissent when this document is drafted and then discussed.

“However, when working with one of the only 12-person councils left in the state, compromise is to be expected, if not mandatory,” Swor said.

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.