City Council and Board of Ethics Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 1, 2022
AND BOARD OF ETHICS
FROM: CITY CLERK WARDS: ALL
CITY MANAGER
CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT: ETHICS WORKSHOP – REVIEW OF CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT (RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.78 and 2.80) ISSUE:
Conduct a joint workshop to review the Code of Ethics and Conduct and discuss further recommendations by the City Council, the Board of Ethics, and staff to revise the Code including, but not limited to, the complaint procedure, streamlining the process for clarity and understanding for the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The City Council and Board of Ethics:
Receive and file a presentation from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Review and Discuss the Code of Ethics and Conduct; and
Direct staff to amend the Code of Ethics and Conduct as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
On December 14, 2021, the City Council held a public hearing for the annual review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for its effectiveness pursuant to the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Chapters 2.78 and 2.80.
The Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee presented recommendations for the Code of Ethics changes. City Council approved the revisions submitted by the Board of Ethics and directed staff to schedule a special meeting for a Joint Workshop with the Board of Ethics to review the Code of Ethics and Conduct further.
DISCUSSION:
In anticipation of the joint workshop, the Board of Ethics Chair referred staff to John Cogan, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, at the Stanford Institute for Policy Research. Through this connection, staff learned about an online toolkit provided by the Institute for Local Government: Https://www.ca-ilg.org/promoting-ethics-and-transparency. In addition, staff has been in communication with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and invited Professor John Pelisserro to present to the joint meeting body a presentation on applied ethics in local government and to facilitate a discussion on best practices.
The intent of the workshop is to achieve a shared understanding of the process and the implementation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct with an opportunity to address specific changes and modifications to the Code.
Additional related material will be provided before the date of the Joint Special Meeting Workshop that was not available at the time of publishing the special meeting notice, in accord with Riverside Municipal Code 4.05.060(C) and (G); and 4.05.050(C).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The joint ethics workshop and review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct contributes to the following City Council’s Envision 2025 Strategic Plan Priorities and Goals:
Community Well-Being – Ensuring safe and inclusive neighborhoods where everyone can thrive with the following:
Goal 2.4 Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust: and, High Performing Government – Providing world-class public service that is efficient, accessible, and responsible to all, with the following goal:
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
The City Council and the Board of Ethics joint review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct align with the Envision 2025 Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Ethics for review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct is transparent. The involvement of the City Boards and Commissions and public input creates sound policy, and inclusive community engagement builds community trust.
Equity – The community is encouraged to provide input at the open meeting accessible in person and virtually to provide recommendations for consideration, allowing for a fair and unbiased revision process.
Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all. The City Clerk’s Office annual budget includes funding to support the annual code review and outreach efforts.
Innovation –. This review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct through the collaboration of the City Council and the Board of Ethics reflects an adaptive process to bring new perspectives and ideas, helping to meet the Board of Ethics ever-changing needs for implementing the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the present needs without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during fluctuating times alike. The Code of Ethics and Conduct review ensures the city maintains a sustainable and resilient process and promotes innovation for a more sustainable future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Al Zelinka, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment:
RMC Code of Ethics and Conduct
Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics Laws
Code of Ethics and Conduct Review – Page 2