(A) Council members should obey all laws applicable to their official actions as members of the City Council. Council members should be guided by the spirit as well as the letter of the law in whatever they do.
(B) At the same time, Council members should feel free to assert policy positions and opinions without fear of reprisal from fellow Council members or citizens. To declare that a Council member is behaving unethically because one disagrees with that Council member on a question of policy (and not because of the Council member’s behavior) is unfair, dishonest, irresponsible and itself unethical.
(C) Council members should endeavor to keep up to date through the Council’s attorney and other sources, about new or ongoing legal or ethical issues they may face in their official positions. This educational function is in addition to the day-to-day legal advice the Council may receive concerning specific situations that arise.
(Ord. 10121, passed 12-13-2010)