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RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE 2.78 -
CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
ANNUAL REVIEW
PRESENTATION
GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 18, 2025
RiversideCA.gov
BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under “RMC 2.78.040.F, insert “including vendors and
contractors” after work to read:
F. Only those who live, work (including vendors and
contractors), or attend school in Riverside may bring a complaint, unless the alleged violation took place
outside of the boundaries of the City of Riverside and
the complaining party must have personally
witnessed or observed the alleged violation.
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RiversideCA.gov
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BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under “RMC 2.78.050 - Core Values”, add “I”
regarding digital communications to read:
I. Digital communication must reflect the City’s
c
ommitment to impartiality, fairness, and integrity.
Online activity, messages or actions should not
create, or appear to create, bias, partisanship, a
c
onflict of interest, or predisposition on pending
City matters.
RiversideCA.gov
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BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under “RMC 2.78.060 - Prohibited conduct”, add “O”
regarding digital misconduct prohibited to read:
O. Digital misconduct prohibited. Those subject to this code are prohibited from engaging in digital misconduct. Online activity or messages that create, or appear to create, bias, partisanship, a conflict of interest, or predisposition on p
ending City matters are strictly prohibited. Any violation of p
rohibited conduct under this code shall encompass online activity while representing your appointed or elected
position.
BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under “RMC 2.78.070.A – Written complaint procedures”, add language regarding “whistleblower” complaints to read:
A. Only alleged violations of the prohibited conduct section of t
his chapter shall be grounds for a complaint against any public official pursuant to this chapter. Complainants are covered by whistleblower policies and the City will not r
etaliate nor tolerate retaliation against those who, in good faith, report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, or participate in an investigation of a suspected violation.
•
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BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under RMC sections 2.78.070.5 and 2.78.075.1.c”, correct clerical error replacing “2.78.070(M)” with “2.78.060(M)” and remove “including when the policy of the City of Riverside was established” for alleged violations of Local Law Prohibited to read:
…For alleged violations of RMC Section 2.78.060(M), the complaining party must identify the specific section(s) of the Charter of the City of Riverside or the Riverside Municipal Code, or the policy of the City of Riverside, including when the policy of the City of Riverside was established, that is alleged to have been violated…
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BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Under RMC 2.78.070 Section E, revise the statute of
limitations from 1 year to 2 years from the alleged
violation date:
E. Complaints shall be filed with the City Clerk no later than one year two years from the date of the
alleged violation.
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BOARD OF ETHICS RECOMMENDATIONS
Lastly, under RMC 2. 78.110, update “Inclusiveness,
Community Engagement, and Governmental
Processes Committee” to “Governmental Processes
Committee” to reflect the name change that took
place January 16, 2024.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Governmental Processes Committee:
1. Perform the annual review of the Code of Ethics
and Conduct for its effectiveness;
2. Consider the Board of Ethics recommendations for
revisions; and
3. Submit its recommendations to the City Council as
required by the Riverside Municipal Code.
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