The City of Shakopee has annually outlined the accepted city council norms of behavior since 2016. The following are the current Norms of Behavior for the operation of the City Council and its members. Upon review, no changes are recommended. 

• Speak only for yourself, not on behalf of another councilmember unless specifically tasked by your colleagues to speak for the group.
• Don't question motives. Assume others have positive intentions even if you disagree. 
• Always be respectful of one another, the public process and of staff. Do not criticize staff or others in public.
• Aim for consensus but accept the decisions of the majority once it has been made.
• Stay focused on the role of an elected official - policy, prioritization and resident representation. 
• Work through the city administrator and never through the line staff. Do not attend staff meetings, training, or group functions unless specifically invited or scheduled through Administration. Do not loiter in work areas. 
• Respect staff and the fact that they work for the City Council as a whole - not for you as an individual. Do not expect them to: 1) engage in the fray (secrets, gossip or triangulation), 2) make your individual case (take sides), or 3) be your "insider" (informant). Such activity by individual councilmembers undermines the leadership of the Council, individual departments, and the organization as a whole.  

• Members should come to meetings prepared and willing to take part in discussions with their ideas and viewpoints as part of the process to make the best decisions. This also helps to build consensus and strengthens the Council's actions as a body.