HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/21/2002 - RESOLUTION 2002-056 ADOPTING LANGUAGE FOR THE OATH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 33
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: May 21, 2002FROM:
Wanda Krajicek
SUBJECT :
Resolution 2002-056 Adopting Language for the Oath of Office Administered to Certain Officers
and Employees of the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff and the Council Governance Committee recommend adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This Resolution formally adopts language for the oath of office administered to the City Council,
City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Municipal Judge, and Service Area Directors.
BACKGROUND:
The language of the oath of office has recently come into question with regard to its meaning and
enforceability. The oath currently contains language that is not prescribed by the City Charter, and
it is that language that has created confusion and uncertainty.
The Council Governance Committee has reviewed the current language of the Oath, the origin of
which is unclear, as well as the oaths used by other municipalities and the requirements of the
Charter and Colorado Constitution. The Governance Committee recommends that Council formally
adopt language for the oath of office that is consistent with, and limited to,the language prescribed
by the Charter and the Colorado Constitution.
RESOLUTION 2002-056
. OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING LANGUAGE FOR THE OATH OF OFFICE
ADMINISTERED TO CERTAIN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 4 of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins (the "Charter")
requires each member of Council,the City Manager, the City Attorney,the City Clerk, the Judge of
Municipal Court, and each director of a service area to take,subscribe before, and file with the City
Clerk an oath or affirmation (the "Oath") that he or she will support the Constitution of the United
States, the Constitution of the State of Colorado,the Charter, and the ordinances of the City of Fort
Collins, and that he or she will faithfully perform the duties of the office or position; and
WHEREAS, a similar requirement is contained in Article XII, Section 8 of the Colorado
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the language of the Oath currently used by the City of Fort Collins has never
been formally adopted by the City Council, and its origin is unclear; and
WHEREAS,the Oath currently contains language not prescribed by Article IV,Section 4 of
the Charter; and
WHEREAS, such extraneous language has created confusion and uncertainty about its
• meaning and enforceability; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes it would be in the best interests of the City and the
citizens of Fort Collins to formally adopt language for the Oath which is consistent with,and limited
to, the language prescribed by the Charter and the Constitution of the State of Colorado.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the language of the Oath, as shown in Exhibit"A" attached hereto and
incorporated herein, is hereby adopted by the Council. _
Section 2. That the language of the Oath adopted herein shall become effective
immediately and shall be used by the City until such time as the Council may deem it necessary to
revise the same.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this
21 st day of May, A.D. 2002.
Mayor
ATTEST:
•
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
STATE OF COLORADO )
COUNTY OF LARIMER ) ss.
CITY OF FORT COLLINS )
OATH OF (Insert name of Officer or Employee)
AS (Insert Office or Title)
I, (insert name of officer of employee), do solemnly swear that I will support
the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the State of Colorado and the
Charter and Ordinances of Fort Collins; and that I will faithfully perform the duties
of my office or employment, so help me God.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of A.D. .
City Clerk