SUBJECT
Title
Annual Review of City Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and Opportunity to Recommend Changes to the City Council
Report
BACKGROUND
This report provides the Housing and Human Services Commission with an annual opportunity to review and provide recommendations on the City’s Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials (Code) to the City Council.
The Code (Attachment 1) contains sections on ethical standards and conduct, outlining how officials interact with one another, City staff, constituents and others while representing the City.
Staff makes no recommendation.
EXISTING POLICY
2025 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Council appointed boards and commissions develop annual work plans that identify policy issues that a board/commission will be acting on during the year. Included in the work plans is an annual review of the Code.
During this review, boards and commissions have an opportunity to recommend revisions to the Code. These recommendations are submitted to the City Council for their consideration along with excerpts of the board or commission meeting minutes.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Receive the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials as presented in Attachment 1 to the report.
2. Recommend the City Council to Approve the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials with modifications.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation. This report is being presented to the Housing and Human Services Commission for review and to allow the Housing and Human Services Commission with an opportunity to provide the City Council with a recommendation if desired.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
__X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Janelle Resuello, Housing Programs Technician
Reviewed by: Amanda Sztoltz, Housing Officer
Approved by: Amanda Sztoltz, Housing Officer
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials