Chapter 6. Council Member Conduct
1. Council Members are committed to governing for all, and running our meetings with civility, decorum, and respect. With that spirit, San Mateo Council Members shall:
A. Govern as a body. If we work together well as a team, our City will excel.
B. Treat all with dignity, courtesy, and respect. This includes staff, each other, or members of the public, on and off the dais.
C. Keep confidential matters confidential.
D. Respect process and roles. This includes avoiding interruptions and distractions.
E. Agree to disagree in a respectful manner. We focus on the issue not the person.
F. Keep our comments clear, concise, and on‐topic. This respects our colleagues’, the public’s, and staffs’ time.
G. Give each other a chance to speak. Everyone gets to speak before another of us speaks for a second time. We refrain from dominating the discussion.
H. The Mayor normally speaks last. After other members of the Council have offered their opinions, the Mayor speaks. The Mayor can speak after each round of speaking by Council Members.
I. Be mindful of the impact of our words and tone. We consider this as we address each other, staff, and the public.
J. Promote discussion and resolution. We present problems and issues in that way.
K. Follow the agenda. We begin and end meetings on time.
L. Respect the City Charter, rule of law, and decisions once made. We do not attempt to undermine decisions.
M. Speak for the City only when specifically authorized.
N. Practice a “no surprises” rule. We give a heads up to the City Manager and City Attorney out of respect and teamwork.
O. Practice the principles of inclusivity and self-awareness to guard against implicit bias in our actions and decisions.
P. Adhere to all federal, state, and local laws in the performance of their public duties, including conflict-of-interest laws.
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2. Council Members shall not participate as a volunteer in any of the City’s operating departments.
3. Council Members are subject to all the provisions of the City’s Harassment, Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodations for Disabilities Policy (#301).
4. Enforcement.
A. Where a Council member is allegedly not following the rules set forth in this Chapter (“Code of Conduct”), any concerned Council member is encouraged to resolve the matter on an informal basis through direct conversations, or by referral to the Mayor (or the Deputy Mayor if the Mayor’s conduct is at issue) to privately counsel the subject Council member.
B. If the offense(s) continue, or if warranted due to the serious nature of an initial violation, two Council members may file a complaint regarding the conduct of another Council Member for an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct. The complaint shall be in writing and filed with the City Clerk, with a copy to the City Manager and City Attorney. A copy of the complaint shall be promptly provided to the Council. The City Clerk shall place the complaint on the next available City Council agenda for initial consideration. The Council member who is the subject of the complaint may include a written response to be included with the agenda packet or may verbally address the complaint at the Council meeting, or both.
C. At the meeting where the complaint is considered, a Council majority (3 votes) shall decide whether to reprimand the subject Council member, take no action, or schedule the matter for a future hearing to consider a formal resolution of censure. Alternatively, the Council may direct the City Manager or City Attorney to investigate the matter, or to engage a third party to do so, and bring it back to the Council following completion of the investigation.
D. If a Council majority (3 votes) directs the scheduling of a hearing, it should also appoint one or two Council members to draft a censure resolution to be included with the agenda packet. At the hearing, the Council member who is the subject of the complaint shall have the opportunity to rebut the allegations in the report either themselves or through a representative. The formal rules of evidence shall not apply, and the hearing shall be generally informal.
E. At the close of the hearing, a Council majority (3 votes) shall decide whether to adopt a censure resolution, issue a reprimand, or take no action. Any action taken by the Council is final and is not subject to appeal or reconsideration.