AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. — Avondale Estates officials are nearing a vote on a proposed civility pledge, but commissioners remain divided over whether the resolution should explicitly address what happens when a city official violates it. The city commission agreed during an Aug. 12 work session to consider two versions of the resolution at its Aug. 26 meeting. Both establish standards for professional and respectful conduct, but one would include additional language proposed by Commissioner Lyda Steadman acknowledging the commission’s existing authority to respond to misconduct. Steadman’s proposed language states that the commission “retains the authority to address conduct inconsistent with these principles through any lawful means available to it.” The language also references the city’s charter, ordinances, policies, contracts and applicable law. The provision would not establish a new penalty, complaint process or enforcement mechanism. Instead, Steadman said she wanted the resolution to make clear that existing avenues for addressing misconduct remain available. “The only thing we’re talking about at this point is we have the right to address the conduct through our already existing laws and policies,” Steadman said. “That’s all it says.” City Attorney Stephen Quinn said the provision would not give commissioners any authority they do not already possess. “The board can’t amend a contract by this resolution, and the board can’t create new authority,” Quinn said. Quinn…
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