Under the non-binding “safe council meeting” resolution approved Wednesday evening, any council member can request an officer’s presence during executive sessions if they believe they fear for their safety. Councilwoman Sandi Brady introduced the motion, a little over a month after decrying alleged bullying from Councilman Mike Ruttle in a public statement (for more on that, read “Yardley Borough Councilwoman Cites "Pervasive Bullying Mentality" on Council”).
Yardley council now allows its members to request a borough police officer attend closed-door executive sessions, following what multiple officials have described as repeated problematic behavior from Councilman Mike Ruttle.
The remaining six council members unanimously approved the “safe council meeting” resolution Wednesday night. The non-binding motion states “council desires to provide a safe and bully-free environment” and that council can authorize the required expenditures for an officer to attend council, executive or committee meetings at any member’s request.
Borough police Chief Joseph Kelly, who already attends council meetings, said he most likely would be the officer to attend executive sessions if asked, and would do so for free.
Councilwoman Sandi Brady introduced the resolution, after bringing attention to what she described as a “pervasive bullying mentality” stemming from Ruttle in a public statement Oct. 2.