(a) A city council member should perform the duties of the office diligently.
(b) City council members should, while performing the duties of the office as prescribed by law, give precedence to these duties over other activities. In the performance of these duties, the following standards should apply.
(1) City council members should actively pursue policy goals they believe to be in the best interests of their constituents within the parameters of orderly decision-making, rules of the city council and open government.
(2) City council members should respect the legitimacy of the goals and interests of other city council members and should respect the rights of others to pursue goals and policies different from their own.
(3) City council members should be faithful to the general and local laws pertaining to the office and strive for professional competence in them. They should be unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism.
(4) City council members should demand and contribute to the maintenance of order and decorum in proceedings before the city council.
(5) City council members should be honest, patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom they deal in their official capacity, and should require similar conduct of their staff and others subject to their direction and control.
(6) City council members should accord to every person who is legally interested in a proceeding before the city council full right to be heard according to law.
(7) City council members should dispose promptly of the business of the city for which they are responsible.
(8) City council members should diligently discharge their legislative responsibilities.
(9) City council members should exercise their powers of advice and consent diligently. The council should not recommend the appointment of unnecessary employees and should exercise the power of advice and consent on the basis of merit, avoid favoritism and refrain from illegal discrimination and nepotism. They should not approve compensation of employees beyond the fair value of services rendered.
(1992 Code, App. E) (Ord. 34-00, passed 4-11-2000)