HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2021 03. Council Code of Ethics and Principles of Conduct 14-4114\l',\
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 3.
For Meeting of: September 14, 2021
ITEM TITLE: Council Code of Ethics and Principles of Conduct
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Harrison, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the May 18, 2021 Council meeting, staff was directed to add this to the September 14,
2021 study session.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
Council Code of Ethics t/14/2021 Corer Memo
ID Principle of Conduct 9/7/2021 Corer Memo
Funk proposed ethics 9/9/2021 Corer Memo
ID Funk proposed conduct 9/9/2021 Corer Memo
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CODE of SEE I. HICS for'YAlIUWA CF[tYCOVWCIE W EWBE 12,5
CouncilWembers willfiereafier conduct themselves according to the following rules of conduct
as they pertain to work for, and on behalf of, tfie City of Yakima:
I. CouncilWembers snarl maintain decorum and set an example for conduct when
representing tfie City, and endeavor not to disgrace or embarrass tfie City while
acting in an official capacity.
II. CouncilWembers snarl represent tfiat opinions stated are tfie Wembers own and
do not necessarily represent those of the Council unless tfie Council has voted and
passed an ordinance, resolution or motion tfiat so states tfie eigressedpolicy.
III. CouncilWembers snarl not divulge information discussed in executive session.
IV CouncilWembers snarl make public any conflict of interest tfie Wember has with
respect to any issue under consideration by tfie Council Tae CouncilWember
shall not participate in discussions of the subject and sfiall not vote on it if the
Council Wender has a personal,financial or property involvement in the subject.
`v CouncilWembers snarl not use tfieir position or City resources for personal or
family gain, especially financial gain, including the acceptance ofgs and gratuities.
'ill. CouncilWembers snarl not fiord or acquire a financial interest in any contract voted on
by them for one year after leaving office.
vll. CouncilWembers snarl not assist or represent parties in official City matters they were
involved in while in office for one year after leaving office.
vlll. CouncilWembers snarl not make knowingly and intentionally false statements on
which the Council City staff or other agencies rely to establish policy or make
important decisions.
Dated the 7'h day of lanuaty , 2020
Patricia Byers, %ayor .7fol6 Cousens,Assistant%ayor
Eliana%acias, council-Wernher Jason White, CouncilWemher
Kay cFunk Council%emher Soneya Lund, Council%emher
Brad Wig Council%emher
3
PR/WC/TEES of COWD21C7for'YAlIUWA CITY COVWCIL 9l1Q*l ER5
Adopted January 7, 2020
rlhe Principles of Conduct is supplemental to the Yakima Municipal Code and the Code of Ethics and
applies to the City Council. sae Principles of Conduct describes now City of Yakima Council members
treat each other and worktogether for the common good of the community. Conducting the City's
business in an atmosphere of respect and civility is the underlying theme in this Code. City Council
members are responsible for holding themselves and each other accountable for displaying actions and
behaviors that consistently model the ideals eipressedin the Code.
As a City Council member, of the City of Yakima, I agree to these principles of conduct:
I. Consistently demonstrate the principles of professionalism, respect, and civility in
working for the greater good of Yakima.
II. Treat each other with trust, respect, honestly,fairness, sensitivity, and dignity.
III. Committed to acting and being seen as acting with integrity and impartiality that will
bear the closest scrutiny.
IV Committed to working with City officials and staff in a conscientious and respectful
manner.
V Support a positive and constructive environment for residents, businesses, and City
employees.
Cl. c!tefrain from abusive conduct,personal charges, or verbal attacks upon the character or
motives of other members of the City Council, boards, commission, committees, staff, or the
public.
CII. c!Cefrain from influencing any person in an improper way to try to obtain any advantages or
favors.
CIIL Avoid personal comments that could offendothers.
IX. Listen courteously and attentively to all pub Tic discussions and treat allpeople the way I wisfi
to be treated.
X. (Be aware that written notes, voicemadmessages, email and other communication that occurs
during the conduct of the City's business is subject to public disclosure. Even private
conversations can have a public presence.
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CODE of ETHICS for YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
IShould this list be confined to objective violations only?It is not an exhaustive list.Would it be useful to
write a compendium of proscribed behavior from our governing documents?E.R.:RCWs,City Charter,
and Roberts Rules]
Council Members will hereafter conduct themselves according to the following]rules of conduct
"ethics"and"conduct"are mixed together;if we are going to have 2 documents,let's create some
rational separation]as they pertain to work for,and on behalf of,the City of Yakima:
I. Council Members shall maintain decorum and set an example for conduct when
representing the City,and endeavor not to disgrace or embarrass the City while acting in an
official capacity.Jsubiective;does not belong herel
II. Council Members shall not represent Council policy,unless the Council has voted and - Deleted:that opinions stated are the Member's own
passed an ordinance,resolution or motion that so states the expressed policy. fit is and do not necessarily represent those of the Council
understood that individual speech represents individual opinion;this feels like an invitation
to fighting over nothing]
III. Council Members shall not divulge information discussed in executive session.JThis is law.1
IV. Council Members shall make public any conflict of interest the Member has with respect to
any issue under consideration by the Council.The Council Member shall not participate in
discussions of the subject and shall not vote on it if the Council Member has a personal,
financial or property involvement in the subjectjThis is Iaw.J . -- Deleted:
V. Council Members shall not use their position or City resources for personal or family gain,
especially financial gain,including the acceptance of gifts,meals,and gratuities.[This is law.
am told that Tony O'Rourke wooed Council Members with meals.That is inappropriate,]
VI. Council Members shall not hold or acquire a financial interest in any contract voted on by
them for one year after leaving office.,IThis is law.City Charter,I think?! Deleted:.
VII. Council Members shall not assist or represent parties in official City matters they were
_ involved in while in office for one year after leaving office.JThis is law.l. _
VIII. Council Members shall not make knowingly and intentionally false statements on which the
Council,City staff or other agencies rely to establish policy or make important decisions.
Council Members recognize that strong personal opinions may still be false.Controversial
beliefs should be openly debated with supporting evidence.
IX. With the exception of Council Censure_procedure the City Council will not be used as a
court.Serious accusations are to be pursued through the Police Department or civil suit.
!When the Council is used as a court in passing judgment on Council Members,it must
follow the rules of a court!
X. Statement regarding OPMA?
Xl. Statement regarding,Open Public Records?
XII. Council Members will not commit the City to actions that will attract lawsuits or are not
defensible in court.
XIII.
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. Formatted 1,.[1
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Formatted [, 121
Deleted:common
Deleted:agree
PRINCIPLES of CONDUCT for YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Formatted
—l31
Adopted January 7.2020 Deleted: to
Formatted 1... 4
]This is an aspiretional statement which is not objective and not Taw.Can reference psychology,research
on group process.or other authoritative Souroea.I changed the sentence structure around Lust to create ' Deleted:Consistently
consistency,that could be done in different ways.] • ; Formatted
The Principles of Conduct is supplemental to the Yakima Municipal Code and the Code of Ethics and ;; ;r 1—applies to the City Council_ The Principles of Conduct describes how City of Yakima Council members , y;;, Deleted:the principles of
treat each other and work together for the,good of the community. Conducting the City's business in an r ' Formatted
atmosphere of respect and civility is the underlying theme in this Code. City Council members are 1•• J""[
61
responsible for holding themselves and each other accountable for displaying actions and behaviors that y_ Deleted:T
consistently model the ideals expressed in the Code. II;:,: Formatted
As a City Council member,of the City of Yakima,I Lwill strive to uphold?ithese principles of conduct: Deleted:each
I wilt.demonstrate professlonalisrn,leaped,and civility . Deleted:trust,
working in _ -
working for the greater good of Yakima. • Formatted (—RI(
Formatted�I.• I will yeatothe with�respect,honestly,fairness,sensltivity,and dignity. Ej
F ▪ Formatted 10
ill. I wiEli pc mmkto actrwith_integrity-and impartiality that will _ ••• Deleted:C
bear the closest scrutiny
Formatted I •[itl
IV. I will Rworkwith City officials and staff inaOonsciehtiOus and respectful Deleted:ted...to acting and being seen as acli t
manner- s: " -•[.21
Formatted L.031
V I will sppporta positive and constructive environment for residents,businesses,and City Deleted:Committed to
employees.Ji.—V.are subjective,nonspecific,and rather trite.Should we consider substituting -
stronger and more specific language}, • Formatted
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J• l. I will rr frain from abusive conduct,personal charges,or verbal attacks upon thepf other • Deleted:ing
members of the City Council,boards,commission,committees,staff,or the public.I will not +- •. Formatted I...[15k
speculate on the motives of others,but will confine debate to their actions, (Deleted:S
yll. 1 will refrain from influencing any person in an improper way to try to obtain any advantages or • [Formatted 16 1
favors. • ' . (Formatted „.NI
l• li......1 wllk49.id personal comments that could offend others.[This is a bit redundant], Formatted I...[-{gl
IX, I will listen courteously and attentively to all public discussions and treat all people the way I wish _Deleted:R
to be treated. • Formatted I...[E0i
i�;'•: Deleted:character or motives
X ,(This is law,so not appropriate for this document.j ;1;,,,.
._ . . ..... . ... .. 1r.. Formatted [.,rig
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Deleted:Be aware that written notes,voicemail I,,,13oll
Formatted I,..1311
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Be aware that written notes, voicemail messages, email, and other communication that occurs during the
conduct of the City's business is subject to public disclosure. Even private conversations can have a
public presence.
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