4.
City Council Combined Special Meeting/Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 12/28/2021
- From:
- Sterling Solomon, City Attorney
TITLE:
Discussion only of Potential City Council Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion only.
Executive Summary:
In consideration of possible options for a potential Flagstaff City Council code of conduct and ethics policy, the City Council requested the opportunity to review codes of conduct and ethics policies used by other cities and towns, several of which have been included with this agenda item. These examples from other cities and towns are not necessarily suggested or recommended by city staff, nor by any specific members of City Council, but are merely included for discussion purposes only. Even so, portions of these examples may be considered by City Council as a good fit for the City of Flagstaff which will be for the City Council to determine.
Many of the samples and examples included with this item are all-inclusuive with specific state laws on conflicts of interest, gifts, etc., while other samples and examples are more general in nature which also include boards and commissions. There is no "one size fits all" code of conduct or ethics policy that is best, and whatever the City Council considers will ultimately need to be tailored to what the City Council believes will work best in the City of Flagstaff.
City Council may choose to explore any of these examples as options for the City of Flagstaff. It should be noted that each of the examples contains procedures which place enforcement obligations upon the Council itself, or upon an independent third-party mediator/committee or commission. Whatever is ultimately considered by Council it is not recommended that enforcement be placed on any one member of city staff, or group of city staff.
Finally, what is anticipated for this agenda item is discussion only. If City Council wishes to give direction for further development of a code or policy related to conduct and ethics, staff will take such direction.
Many of the samples and examples included with this item are all-inclusuive with specific state laws on conflicts of interest, gifts, etc., while other samples and examples are more general in nature which also include boards and commissions. There is no "one size fits all" code of conduct or ethics policy that is best, and whatever the City Council considers will ultimately need to be tailored to what the City Council believes will work best in the City of Flagstaff.
City Council may choose to explore any of these examples as options for the City of Flagstaff. It should be noted that each of the examples contains procedures which place enforcement obligations upon the Council itself, or upon an independent third-party mediator/committee or commission. Whatever is ultimately considered by Council it is not recommended that enforcement be placed on any one member of city staff, or group of city staff.
Finally, what is anticipated for this agenda item is discussion only. If City Council wishes to give direction for further development of a code or policy related to conduct and ethics, staff will take such direction.
Financial Impact:
None.
Policy Impact:
Currently no code of conduct or ethic policy for City Council exists.
Connection to PBB Key Community Priorities/Objectives & Regional Plan:
None.
Previous Council Decision on This:
City Council already operates under the City of Flagstaff City Council Rules of Procedure (Rules of Procedure) which contain specific rules on the order and decorum of City Council meetings and aspects of Council conduct. The Rules of Procedure are regularly amended and updated, which occurred as recently as August, 2021.
If City Council gives direction to continue toward adoption of a code of conduct and/or ethics policy, it will likely be recommended as a stand-alone document, separate from, yet referenced in the Rules of Procedure.
If City Council gives direction to continue toward adoption of a code of conduct and/or ethics policy, it will likely be recommended as a stand-alone document, separate from, yet referenced in the Rules of Procedure.