STUDY SESSION City Council
July 14, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jeff Boynton, City Manager
ORIGINATED BY: Anne Haraksin, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT & COUNCIL PROCEDURES
BACKGROUND
Providing ethical governance is among the City's highest values. The City Council has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct to assure public confidence in the integrity of local government and its effective operation. The Code establishes standards of conduct for members of the City team and articulates that members are expected to approach their position with the highest ideals of honor and integrity. Members of the City Council, the City's commissions and other advisory bodies, employees, and volunteers are required to sign the Code of Ethical Conduct prior to commencing their duties with the City.
FINDINGS
The Code of Ethical Conduct is reviewed annually by the City Council to consider any updates. At the City Council's Retreat meeting on April 17, the City Council discussed revisions to the Code of Ethical Conduct. The Code of Ethical Conduct that was presented included a change to the placement of the "Your Mission" provision. This item is now listed first rather than last, as was suggested at last year's Retreat meeting.
During this year's Retreat meeting, the City Council expressed support for combining Sections 1 and 2 related to the Mission and Conduct of Members and for adding a new section to address public communication and the use of social media. These recommendations were incorporated into the version of the Code of Ethical Conduct presented this evening.
It is recommended the City Council review and discuss the updated version of the Code of Ethical Conduct and approve the final agreed upon version at a future regular meeting.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended the City Council review and discuss the Code of Ethical Conduct.
CITY OF LA MIRADA
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Policy 0-02 CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
PREAMBLE
The citizens and businesses of La Mirada are entitled to have fair, ethical and accountable local government, which has earned the public's full confidence for integrity. In keeping with the City of La Mirada's commitment to excellence, the effective functioning of government requires that:
• Public officials, both elected and appointed, comply with both the letter and spirit of all laws, regulations and policies;
• Public officials be independent, impartial and fair in their judgment and actions; • Public office be used for the public good, not for personal gain; Public deliberations
confidential, in an atmosphere of respect and civility.
To this end, the La Mirada City Council has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for members of the City Council, the City's commissions, councils and committees, employees, volunteers and all elected and appointed public officials to assure public confidence in the integrity of local government and its effective and fair operation.
1. Your MissionConduct of Members
Ethical leadership begins with you. Trustworthy leaders have strong commitments to their organizations, their team, and the collective goals of that team. member of the La Mirada team, you are held to the highest ethical standards of Conduct of Members
City Council Adoption: Jeff Boynton City Manager
CITY OF LA MIRADA
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
2. -Conflict of Interest
In order to assure their independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good, members shall not use their official positions to influence government decisions in which they have a material financial interest or where they have an organizational responsibility or personal relationship, which may give appearance of a conflict of interest.
In accordance with the law, members shall disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income, and gifts. They shall abstain from participating in deliberations and decision-making where conflicts may exist.
Confidential Information
Members shall take care not to disclose to others, or use to further personal interests, confidential information acquired in the course of official duties.
Representation of Private Interests
Members shall not represent themselves as a City official to any outside interest, before any agency, whether public or private, except with the authorization of or at the direction of the City. In addition, members shall not authorize the use of or use for the benefit or advantage of any person, the name, emblem, endorsement, or property of the City.
5. Members shall not take any special advantage of services or opportunities for personal gain by virtue of their public office that is not available to the public in They shall refrain from accepting any gifts, favors or promises of future benefits that might compromise their independent judgment or action or give the appearance of being compromised
Personal Favors
Members shall seek no favor; personal profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.
7. -Use of Public Resources
Members shall not use public resources not available to the public in general, such as City staff time, equipment, supplies or facilities for private gain or personal
8. Members shal use discretion when endorsing candidates for public office and shall -Advocacy not use any City affiliation in taking action on issues against the official position of the City or in violation of the Code of Ethical Conduct 2 CITY OF LA MIRADA
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
9. -Respect for Others
Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of members of the City Council, advisory bodies, staff or public.
Professionalism
Members shall always strive for personal professional excellence and encourage the professional development of team members.
11. -Improper Influence
Members shall not advocate the hiring of a relative for employment with the City.
12. 3. Comply with the Law
Members shall never falsify any City report or record, or any report or record required to be filed.
13. Respect for Process
Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order established by the City Council governing the deliberation of public policy issues and encourage meaningful involvement of the public.
Policy Role of Members
Members shall respect and adhere to the council-manager structure of La Mirada City government. In this structure, the City Council determines the policies of the City with the advice, information and analysis provided by the public, advisory bodies and City staff. Members shall not interfere with the administrative functions of the City or the professional duties of City staff, nor shall they impair the ability of staff to implement Council policy decisions.
15. 6- Conduct at Public Meetings
Members shall prepare themselves for public issues,
attentively to all public discussions before the body and focus on the business at hand.
comments not germane to the business of the body or otherwise interfering with the orderly conduct of meetings. Members shall base their decisions on the merits and substance of the matter at hand, rather than on unrelated considerations
16. 7. Open Communication
Members shall publicly share substantive information that is relevant to a matter under consideration by the City Council, commissions, councils and committees that they may have received from sources outside of the public decision-making process.
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17. Positive Work Environment
lembers shall support the maintenance of a positive and constructive workplace environment for City employees and for citizens and businesses dealing with the City. Members shall recognize their special role in dealings with City employees and in no way create the perception of inappropriate direction to staff.
18. Public Communication and Use of Social Media
Members are expected to follow the same standards of conduct online as they would in person. Members shall avoid statements that misrepresent the community and shall communicate in a respectful and professional manner. Members shall maintain a professional tone in all communications and avoid engaging in heated discussions or personal attacks online.
Members shall be in compliance with the Brown Act as it pertains to social media communication. City officials shall not respond to, like, share, re-tweet, or otherwise participate in any published postings, or use the site to post, blog, engage in serial meetings, or otherwise discuss, deliberate, or express opinion on any issue within the subject matter of the jurisdiction of the body.
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19. Compliance and Enforcement
As an expression of the standards of conduct for members expected by the City, the La Mirada Code of Ethical Conduct is intended to be self-enforcing. It therefore becomes most effective when members are thoroughly familiar with it and embrace its provisions.
For this reason, ethical standards shall be included in the regular orientations for candidates for City Council, applicants to commissions and other advisory bodies, and newly elected and appointed officials. Members entering office shall sign a statement affirming they read and understood the City of La Mirada Code of Ethical Conduct, included as Attachment "A." In addition, the Code of Ethical Conduct shall be annually reviewed and the City Council shall consider recommendations and update it as necessary.
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ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Attachment "A"
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT POLICY 0-02
I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the City of La Mirada Code of Ethical Conduct Policy ("Policy"), and that I have read the Policy and understand my rights and obligations under this Policy. My signature below further signifies that I have read this Policy and that I accept and will abide by all its provisions Print Name Position
Signature Date