All city officials shall conduct themselves in accordance with the following ethical standards, as determined in accordance with applicable federal and state law:
(A) Conflicts of interest. ln addition to not violating applicable federal, state and local laws, in order to assure independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good and encourage compliance with conflict of interest laws, city officials shall use their best efforts to refrain from also creating even an appearance of impropriety in their actions and decisions. A city official shall not, in a manner which violates the Political Reform Act, Cal. Gov’t Code § 1090, or any other applicable provision of federal, state and local laws, regulations or policies, make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence a governmental decision in which the official knows, or has reason to know, he or she has a financial interest. Moreover, a city official shall not participate in any quasi-adjudicative decision in which they have exhibited an actual bias that would result in a common law conflict of interest and in the denial of due process under applicable federal or state law.
(B) Use of public resources and funds. A city official shall not use or expend public funds or resources which are not available to the public in general (e.g., city staff time, equipment, supplies, or facilities) for private purposes or personal economic gain, as opposed to for the general welfare of the public.
(C) Property disposition. A city official shall not dispose of public property except in accordance with applicable state law.
(D) Confidential information. A city official shall maintain the confidentiality of all written materials and verbal information marked or treated as confidential or privileged by appropriate city officials or employees. For example, a city official shall not disclose confidential or other information subject to a privilege or not made available to the general public under the Brown Act, the Public Records Act or other applicable law, unless directed to do so by an express vote of the City Council.
(E) Information used for personal gain. A city official shall not directly or indirectly make use of, or permit others to make use of, for personal gain, confidential or other information subject to a privilege or not made available to the general public under the Brown Act, the Public Records Act or other applicable law.
(F) Coercive use of position. A city official shall not use his or her city position in any way to coerce, or give the appearance of coercing, another person to provide any economic benefit that violates the Political Reform Act, Cal. Gov’t Code § 1090 or other applicable law.
(G) Acquisition of goods or services. A city official shall not order any goods and services for the city without proper prior authorization for such an expenditure. No city official shall attempt to obligate the city or give the impression of obligating the city without proper prior authorization.
(H) Travel reimbursement. A city official shall follow the Travel, Meeting and Reimbursement Regulations adopted by the City Council in Administrative Policy § 100.13 (most recently adopted on February 18, 2009).
(I) Influencing court, legislative or other proceedings. Without prior authorization by a majority vote of the City Council, no city official shall use his or her city position, or otherwise invoke the name of the city in any manner that could be perceived to be a representative capacity, to influence or attempt to influence the outcome of a case or other matter before a federal or state court, or other official legislative, administrative or legal body or officer.
(J) Local one-year ban. A city official shall not accept compensation for influencing city administrative, legislative or other actions for a period of one year after leaving office or employment, in accordance with Cal. Gov’t Code § 87406.3.
(K) Appointment of family members. City Council members shall not appoint or nominate for appointment members of their immediate family to positions on any city boards, commissions or committees.
(Ord. 3348 § 1, 2022; Ord. 3078 § 1 (part), 2011.)