Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: BIANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE REVIEW
Date: September 8, 2026
Written by: Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution re-approving the City of Cotati’s Conflict of Interest Code.
Background
The Political Reform Act, California Government Code §81000-91014, declares in part that “Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them” §81001(b). To this end the Political Reform Act (“Act”) requires many state and local public officials and employees to disclose certain personal financial holdings so that they and members of the public are made aware of potential areas of conflict in relation to their official duties. This information is disclosed on the Fair Political Practices Commission’s (FPPC) Form 700 (sometimes informally referred to as “SEIs” “Form 700s” or “conflict of interest statements”).
The Act also requires every government agency to establish and subsequently conduct a biennial review of its conflict of interest code to revise it as necessary to adapt to changed circumstances.
At its regular meeting of September 24, 2024, the Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-58, rescinding previous code amendments and approving the biennial code amendment for 2024.
Analysis/Discussion
Accurate disclosure is essential to monitor whether officials have conflicts of interest and to help ensure public trust in government. The City’s present conflict of interest code has been reviewed and it has been determined that there are no updates needed for this cycle. There have been no additional employee job classifications added since the last update, and the City finds that the current disclosure categories are appropriate for the named positions.
Financial Considerations
None.
Environmental Issues
The action of updating the City’s Conflict of Interest Code does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.