STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
March 24, 2026
CONSENT
17 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AMENDING THE APPENDIX OF DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
WITH FILING RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF
INTEREST CODE
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the Resolution titled “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE APPENDIX OF DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES” to update designated employee titles and positions of City personnel; and
2. Find that the proposed action does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(2) & (5) because the action involves administrative organizational activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the Appendix of Designated Employees in the City’s Conflict of Interest Code to reflect current City staff titles and positions.
On January 6, 1981, the City Council adopted the standard model Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act. The Conflict of Interest Code identifies City officials and employees who are required to file Statements of Economic Interests to publicly disclose financial interests and ensure transparency and unbiased governmental decision-making.
State law requires local agencies to review their Conflict of Interest Codes biennially (every even-numbered year) to ensure the list of designated employees accurately reflects current positions and responsibilities.
Updates may also occur outside of the biennial review when organizational changes occur, such as the creation of new positions, restructuring of duties, or changes in decision-making authority The proposed resolution updates the City’s Appendix of Designated Employees to reflect current organizational titles, and to add several positions that participate in governmental decision-making and therefore require financial disclosure.
The recommended action has no fiscal impact and is not considered a project under CEQA because it involves administrative organizational updates.
DISCUSSION
As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and ensuring sound governance, the City maintains a Conflict of Interest Code, which, among other things, lists those City officials and employees that must file financial disclosures. The City’s Conflict of Interest Code has two disclosure categories:
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE APPENDIX OF DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES WITH FILING
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE March 24, 2026
Category 1 – Full Disclosure:
Applies to high-level employees (City Manager, City Attorney, Department Heads, etc.) and City Councilmembers and requires broad financial disclosure.
Category 2 – Limited Disclosure:
Applies to other employees (Deputy Directors, certain Managers, public safety leadership, etc.) and Commission, Board and Committee members and requires financial disclosures related to job/assignment.
The City regularly reviews its Conflict of Interest Code to ensure it is updated to reflect changes in job positions/titles, job duties, the creation of new roles and decision-making authority The proposed Resolution (Attachment 1) would amended the Appendix of Designated Employees (Attachment 2) to reflect changes in job titles/duties and to add new positions since the City’s last update.
Proposed Updates
Title Updates:
• Remove “/CFO” from “Assistant City Manager/CFO”
• Remove “Audit Review” from “Audit Review/Investment Committee Members” New Designated Positions (Category 2 Disclosure):
• Accounting Manager
• Civilian Enforcement Officer
• Civilian Fire Marshal
• Deputy Director of Community Development
• Fire Battalion Chief
• Fire Captain
• Procurement Officer
• Project Director
These updates ensure that City employees who make or participate in governmental decisions are appropriately designated and subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the Political Reform Act.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact to the budget. The proposed amendments update administrative designations within the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and do not require additional City resources or budget appropriations.
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE APPENDIX OF DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES WITH FILING
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE March 24, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") and the CEQA Guidelines because this is a continuing personnel-related action and, constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. Accordingly, this action does not constitute a "project" that requires environmental review (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(b)(2)&(5)).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution (Pgs. 4-5)
2. Appendix of Designated Employees (Pgs. 6-8)
Submitted By: Ann Marie McKay Approved: .David A Kiff
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney Gavin Curran, Assistant City Manager