1 City of Santa Clara
PROGRAM IN ETHICS & VALUES
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 1
INTRODUCTION
Ten years ago, the City of Santa Clara began its ethics and values program to foster public trust by promoting and maintaining the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. Since the adoption of the Code of Ethics & Values in 2000, the City Council has promised the people of Santa Clara that Council Members, all elected and appointed officials, candidates for public office, and City Staff will meet the most demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in practicing eight core values identified in the Code.
Those values, which are fundamental to public trust, were adopted to guide the decisions and actions of individual Council Members and the Council as a whole.
City Council and City Staff have worked hard to integrate these values into the everyday operating culture of City Hall. The City has conducted extensive outreach to residents encouraging them to hold public officials accountable at the ballot box for being credible role models for these values, in word and in deed, in public or in private.
To help the Council make these values real in their regular work with the City, the Code describes for each value a basic set of character traits and actions residents can expect to see Council Members meet and exceed.
This document translates these traits and actions into concrete behavioral standards for the City Council. These standards describe what impeccable leadership ethics looks like in the everyday work of the Council. They reflect commonly accepted “best practices,” rather than specific issues or problems the Council has faced. The list seeks to include enough positive behaviors to practice (and negative behaviors to avoid) that a reasonable person can assess how credible he or she is as a role model and ethical leader.
This information is presented in four columns. Columns 1 and 2 reproduce the approved Code of Ethics. Columns 3 and 4 list the behavioral standards.
1 This document is based on the Behavioral Standards for Commissioners, Boards, and Other Appointed Officials, developed during 2000-2002, and approved by the City Council in February 2003. A representative committee of Board Members and Commissioners, working with the City’s initial Ethics Ordinance Committee, drafted that document. It was then revised based on extensive feedback from all Board Members, Commissioners, and Staff Liaisons. In a working session in April, 2008, the Council used that docume t to develop the fi rst draft of its own standards. The City’s Ethics Consultant, Dr. Tom Shanks, and City Staff drafted the final version for City Council review on May 6. 2008. n
Approved by City Council on May 20, 2008.
2 City of Santa Clara
PROGRAM IN ETHICS & VALUES
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
As a Santa Clara representative, I will be:
Ethical I am trustworthy,
acting with the
utmost integrity
and moral courage
• Making careful decisions,
advancing the best long ‐
term interests of the
City, after considering all
available facts, City Staff
recommendations, and
public comment
• Making hasty, ill ‐
informed decisions based
on politics, bias, faulty
assumptions, prejudice,
self ‐interest, gossip, and
half ‐truths
• Voting my honest
conviction, explaining my
ethical reasoning,
respecting the minority,
and upholding the
majority as the decision
of the Council
• Promising my vote before
facts are known in order
to gain favor with a
crony, endorser, lobbyist,
or special interest
• Vigorously debating an
issue, listening carefully
to all sides, making my
best judgment call, even
if it’s not popular, and
taking responsibility for
my actions
• Saying whatever the vocal
public wants to hear,
dodging criticism of an
unpopular vote, shifting
the blame to the
majority, other members,
or City Staff
• Preparing to vote by
assessing how various
options advance or harm
the best interests of the
City as well as the City’s
Mission and Core Values,
working to minimize any
harm
• Always taking the short ‐
term view, representing
few stakeholders,
believing ethics and City
values have no bearing on
decisions
• Finding an imaginative
solution that is in the
best interests of the
City, is fair, respects
individual rights and the
Council’s duties, and
advances City values
• Saying and doing
whatever it takes, no
holds barred, to advance
one’s personal position,
power, influence or
political career
3 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Ethical
(continued)
I am truthful, do
what I say I will
do, and am
dependable
• Giving complete, factual,
unbiased information to
colleagues, public, and
the press
• Concealing, fabricating,
overstating, under ‐
stating, or denying the
truth; spinning the truth;
leaving out context
• Making promises to the
public, City Staff, and
Council members which
can be kept and do not
exceed the authority of
any individual Council
Member
• Promising more than can
be delivered, over ‐
extending oneself, or
taking sole credit for the
work of the Council and
others
I make impartial
decisions, free of
bribes, unlawful
gifts, narrow
political interests,
and financial and
other personal
interests that
impair my
independence of
judgment or action
• Seeking advice from the
City Attorney and City
Manager when
confronting a real or
potential conflict of
interest, and making a
full public disclosure
when the Council
considers the agenda
item
• Helping a friend get a
project through the
Council in return for a
donation to a campaign
fund, school or charity, or
the gift of tickets or
another perk
• Having declared a
conflict, leaving the dais
and Council Chambers,
so other Council
members are free of any
undue influence
• Talking to fellow Council
Members prior to
declaring a conflict, and
asking them to take care
of the item in a way that
advances personal
interests
I am fair,
distributing
benefits and
burdens according
to consistent and
equitable criteria
• Listening attentively to
all sides, keeping an
open mind and avoiding
even the appearance of
bias, following
precedents consistently,
treating equals equally
• Paying more attention to
friends’ and supporters’
projects
• Making “back room”
deals and decisions
• Giving preferential
treatment to special
interests, consultants,
and former Council
Members
4 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Ethical
(continued)
I extend equal
opportunities and
due process to all
parties in matters
under
consideration. If I
engage in
unilateral meetings
and discussions, I
do so without
making voting
decisions
• Being available to
anyone who wants to
discuss an issue, keeping
an open mind and not
committing to vote for or
against an item until
after hearing the full
public discussion
• Promoting the interests
of the business
community without first
considering the interests
of all stakeholders
• Giving special treatment
to the companies that pay
the most in taxes and to
my largest campaign
donors
I show respect for
persons,
confidences, and
information
designated as
“confidential”
• Referring media
questions on Closed
Session or other
confidential matters to
the City Manager’s
Office, rather than
saying “No Comment”
• Telling others about
Closed Session
proceedings, especially
when it is an important
issue and I want input on
how to decide
• Confirming a rumor,
remaining silent,
communicating non ‐
verbally, or in other ways
providing information
that is confidential or
that the Council Member
has promised not to
reveal
• Treating the public and
City Staff, at all times,
the way I treat highly
regarded colleagues in
businesses or
professions
• Acting based on
stereotypes, rumors,
“ancient history,” and
prior negative
experiences with an
individual or groups
• Bringing to the attention
of the City Manager any
concern about the
actions or work of City
Staff, or any complaint
from the public
• Criticizing or
embarrassing the City
Manager or other City
Staff in public
• Failing to publicly
recognize extraordinary
City Staff work
5 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Ethical
(continued)
• Showing courtesy and
interest in word and
action to City Staff,
public, and elected and
appointed officials
• Complimenting the work
of a single City Staff
member when a staff
team actually did the
work
• Speaking and acting out
of the belief that City
Staff and all members of
the Council are on the
same team and
committed to doing their
best to serve residents
• Engaging publicly or
privately in personal
verbal attacks against
Council colleagues or City
Staff; interrupting while
they are speaking, rolling
eyes, demeaning them, or
in other ways treating
them inappropriately
Professional I use my title(s) only
when conducting
official City
business, for
information
purposes, or as an
indication of
background and
expertise, carefully
considering whether
I am exceeding or
appearing to exceed
my authority
• Using City titles for
identification at League
meetings or when on
other official City
business, or when
seeking information
directly related to a
Council matter from
appropriate sources
• Using a City title when
making dinner
reservations or making
purchases
• Referring friends to City
businesses and suggesting
they mention the name of
a Council Member to get
the best prices
I apply my know‐
ledge and expertise
to my assigned
activities and to the
interpersonal
relationships that
are part of my job in
a consistent,
confident,
competent, and
productive manner
• Preparing by reading the
agenda packet before
meetings
• Asking the City Manager
informational questions
ahead of time to assist in
being prepared
• Arriving on ‐time to
meetings, paying
attention and listening
actively
• Rushing into meetings
late and being obvious
about opening the
agenda packet for the
first time or speed‐
reading the packet while
City Staff or the public
are presenting
information
6 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Professional
(continued)
• Asking questions that
will advance the
discussion, contribute to
decision ‐making, and
have not been covered in
the agenda packet
• Taking no notes,
remembering little, if
any, of the information
in the agenda packet,
asking to have
information repeated
constantly
• Listening attentively to
the public, City Staff,
and other Council
members who may
speak at meetings
• Making little or no eye
contact with any speaker
during the meeting
• Leaving during public
comment and returning
only after it is over
• Making comments to
someone else while the
public is speaking
I approach my job
and work ‐related
relationships with a
positive attitude
• Approaching Council
work informed of issues,
enthusiastic, energized,
interested, ready to
participate, and focused
• Approaching Council
work half ‐heartedly,
coming to meetings eager
to leave
• Short ‐circuiting a
discussion; being
perceived as rude by
other Council Members,
City Staff, or the public
• Making guests feel
welcomed at meetings
• Treating new Council
Members as colleagues,
encouraging them to
express their opinions,
and offering them
positive feedback
• Acting in a superior
manner with newly
elected Council members
• Never making time to be
responsive to residents
who want to discuss
issues
I keep professional
knowledge and
skills current and
growing
• Making it a priority to
attend League meetings,
Electric Joint Powers
Agency meetings, and
committees
• Assuming there is nothing
new to learn
• Going to League meetings
and conferences to be
seen, but never attending
any training
7 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Professional
(continued)
• Reading background
materials for general
preparation including
professional journals,
books, and articles
• Skipping meetings with
the City Manager,
assuming you know as
much, if not more, than
she does on this issue
Service ‐Oriented
I provide friendly,
receptive,
courteous service
to everyone
• Not just answering
questions, but sharing
helpful knowledge of
Council or government
functions, even if the
person asking isn’t sure
what they need to know
• Acting like it’s a bother
anytime a resident asks a
question or when they
make inquiries about
Council/government
business
• Seeking the opinions of
those who are hesitant
or unwilling to come
forward with their ideas,
but trying not to force
anyone to speak in a
public forum if they are
uncomfortable or
unprepared
• Making guests or others
feel stupid, intimidated,
dismissed, manipulated,
or demeaned by reading
the newspaper, falling
asleep, laughing at a
private joke with another
Council Member, or
repeatedly leaving the
room during discussions
I am attuned to,
and care about,
the needs and
issues of
residents, public
officials, and city
workers
• Talking with residents
and actively listening at
City gatherings to be
aware of what is going
on in this community and
other communities
• Being arrogant or
uninterested when
responding to residents
outside of City Hall about
their concerns and
debating with them to
prove them wrong or
misinformed
• Attending City events
and interacting
effectively with the
public, aware that others
expect Council Members
to be role ‐models
• Showing up late to City
events, leaving early, and
spending most of the time
talking only to one or two
friends
8 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Service ‐Oriented
(continued)
• Relaying things heard or
provided to the Council
or the City Manager or
other appropriate parties
for follow‐ up
• Withholding important
information to use it for
narrow personal purposes
at a later time
In my interactions
with constituents, I
am interested,
engaged, and
responsive
• Acting in a pleasant and
friendly manner and
encouraging people to
speak their mind;
welcoming constructive
criticism as well as
compliments
• Through word and action,
discouraging people from
proposing what they
believe are solutions or
expressing their concerns
• Focusing on the speaker
and trying to see the
world as they do in order
to understand their
needs
• While seeming to be
engaged in one
conversation, scanning
the environment for
someone more interesting
or important to speak
with; abruptly stopping
the previous conversation
to speak with the more
important person
FiscallyResponsible I make decisions
after prudent
consideration of
their financial
impact, taking into
account the long ‐
term financial
needs of the City,
especially its
financial stability
• Before deciding how to
vote, reviewing
cost/benefit analysis and
all related studies, along
with City Staff
recommendations
• Allowing other Council
members who have more
expertise in budgeting to
take the lead in budget
discussions, trusting that
they know better, and
never improving personal
expertise
• Consider the City’s short
and long term financial
condition prior to
proposing new or
expanded City projects
• Ignoring the constraints
of the City budget when
making decisions
• Citing “budget
constraints” as the reason
for not supporting a
motion, when the real
reason is how it will look
in the next election
9 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Fiscally Responsible
(continued)
I demonstrate
concern for the
proper use of City
assets (e.g.,
personnel, time,
property,
equipment, funds)
and follow
established
procedures
• Allocating resources
according to the City’s
plan and in compliance
with the law and the
City’s goals to provide
residents with a better
environment in which to
live
• Taking advantage of any
opportunity to get
something “free” from
the City
• Seeking discounts from
the City’s vendors solely
because of my position
• Using City equipment
only for Council work,
not for personal use or
for my business
• Coming to City Hall
regularly and asking City
Staff to make just a few
copies for personal use
• Respecting City Staff
time and being especially
careful to ask the City
Manager to take on
special research or other
projects only if
convinced that this work
is critical and necessary
for the Council to better
serve the needs of
residents
• Asking a lot of questions
that focus on non
substantive details, being
unable to separate what’s
important from what’s
not
• Representing the public’s
interests to the best of
my ability
• Balancing long ‐term
impacts and short ‐term
goals
• Acting as if I “own” the
City or my seat on the
Council
I make good
financial decisions
that seek to
preserve programs
and services for City
residents
• Being fully aware of and
understanding the
approved City budget,
having solicited
explanations from the
City Manager, if
necessary
• Taking as many trips as
possible at the City’s
expense because of a
personal feeling that the
compensation is not
sufficient and some
reward for City work is
deserved
10 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Organized I act in an efficient
manner, making
decisions and
recommendations
based upon research
and facts, taking
into consideration
short and long ‐term
goals
• Being cognizant of the
importance of scarce
meeting time and
preparing accordingly,
with the result that the
Council spends time on
the important issues and
deals efficiently with
other issues
• Relying solely on prior
knowledge and spending a
great deal of the
Council’s time proving to
everyone how much I
know on all issues, large
and small
I follow through in a
responsible way,
keeping others
informed, and
responding in a
timely fashion
• Sharing my research and
experience with others
on the Council, making
worthwhile
contributions and
welcoming alternative
viewpoints
• Using hear ‐say from a
third party as the sole
basis for making a
decision
• Returning phone calls
and email promptly, if at
all possible; if unable,
letting the person know
when to expect a
response
• Failing to acknowledge
receipt of requests for
information
• Responding only to
people who can help with
personal political goals
• Eventually getting around
to sending information,
but never in a timely
manner
I am respectful of
established City
processes and
guidelines
• Participating fully in
orientation sessions and
other sessions in order
to understand how the
City’s policies and
procedures impact the
effectiveness of the
Council
• Criticizing City policies in
public without first
expressing concerns to
City Staff or gaining
knowledge necessary in
order to offer
constructive criticism
• Helping to establish
reasonable timetables
and then following them
• Being flexible in setting
meeting dates and times
• Ignoring deadlines, not
keeping people informed,
and making excuses which
damage public trust
11 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Organized
(continued)
• Being able to explain to
residents, businesses,
and visitors how the
City’s policies and
procedures are examples
of the City’s Core Values
in practice
• Being cynical about
policies and cavalier
about following
procedures because of a
failure to see how these
are related to fairness
and the common good
Communicative I convey the City’s
care for and
commitment to its
residents
• Being able to explain the
City’s goals to anyone
and describe personal
commitment to them
• Supporting superb,
affordable City services
and conveying that
commitment effectively
to residents
• Plotting and scheming to
accomplish personal
agendas
• Deciding how you will
vote and writing out
those reasons prior to any
public comment
• Becoming angry at a
resident who is critical of
the Council
I communicate in
various ways that I
am approachable,
open ‐minded and
willing to
participate in dialog
• Being available to the
public in person, at
events, and through
telephone and written
correspondence to
provide both answers to
questions and
dissemination of
important information
• Confusing residents,
spreading rumors and
gossip, or slandering
elected or appointed
officials, City Staff, or
anyone
• Interrupting someone
who has the floor
• Listening attentively,
being open to multiple
perspectives, and
allowing the possibility
of changing opinions and
points of view
• Listening solely to find
flaws, to spot differences,
and to counter arguments
• Going out of my way
during meetings to show
why I am always right and
others are not
• Making it a practice to
communicate equally
well to all stakeholders,
regardless of their
influence, power, or
campaign donations
• Dominating meetings and
asking many more
questions than time
allows, effectively
excluding the input of
others
12 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Communicative
(continued)
I engage in effective
two ‐way
communication, by
listening carefully,
asking questions,
and determining an
appropriate
response which adds
value to
conversations
• During meetings, giving
residents and others the
benefit of the doubt and
listening to identify
needs and interests
• Asking questions to
clarify, to understand,
and to augment, in order
to hear the truth as the
resident sees it
• Making the best decision
to advance the
community’s values and
goals
• Considering people on the
other side of issues as
enemies, rather than as
colleagues or fellow
residents
• Weakening public debate
by belittling or mocking
someone’s viewpoint
• Demonizing anyone who
disagrees with a personal
conviction or viewpoint
Collaborative I act in a
cooperative manner
with groups and
other individuals,
working together in
a spirit of tolerance
and understanding
• Submitting one’s best
thinking, respecting all
other participants and
inviting their thoughts in
order to develop better
solutions
• Seeing value in working
with other agencies to
develop consistent
policies, where
appropriate
• Describing people who
hold different viewpoints
as “them”
• Failing to recognize
personal biases,
prejudices, stereotypes,
and their influence on
language and attitudes
toward residents and
others
I work towards
consensus building
and gain value
from diverse
opinions
• Approaching meetings
and discussions assuming
that many people have
pieces of answers and
that cooperation will
lead to workable
solutions for the most
difficult problems
• Approaching discussions
as if there’s already a
single right answer that
needs to be defended
against opposing
viewpoints
I accomplish the
goals and
responsibilities of
my individual
position, while
respecting my role
as a member of a
team
• Understanding that what
I do speaks more loudly
than what I say
• Showing respect for
Council Members, Staff,
and residents by giving
priority to my City
commitment, doing my
homework
• Focusing first on
satisfying a personal or
hidden agenda
• Actively weakening the
team that the Council and
City Staff have devoted
efforts to build
13 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Collaborative
(continued)
• Understanding that each
Council decision either
builds public trust or
detracts from it
• Dismissing any idea
proposed by a Council
colleague who supported
someone else in the last
election
• Working hard to develop
among Council Members,
other officials, City Staff,
and the public a kindred
spirit of cooperation
when working toward
implementing City values
• Reaching conclusions
based on satisfying
personal or special
interests and refusing to
change one’s position
despite good reasons to
reconsider
• Holding grudges and
considering some people
as permanent enemies
I consider the
broader regional
and State ‐wide
implications of the
City’s decisions and
issues
• While serving on County ‐
wide committees, acting
in a professional manner
and approaching the
tasks responsibly
• Making derogatory
remarks about other
cities, feeling that Santa
Clara is superior
• Serving on County or
State‐ wide panels, freely
sharing information and
resources so everyone
may benefit from the
City’s experience
• Having tunnel vision and
ignoring anything beyond
the City, depriving the
City of the benefit of a
broader, regional
perspective
14 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Progressive
I exhibit a
proactive,
innovative approach
to setting goals and
conducting the
City’s business
• Contributing personal
experiences and
expertise to advance the
goals of the Council and
the City as a whole
• Anticipating future
problems or
opportunities, raising
the issues at the
appropriate time for City
Staff to investigate and
for Council to consider
• Being dogmatic in
approaching decision ‐
making and only doing
things the way they’ve
always been done
• Never taking a forward
looking, principled or
values ‐centered stand,
but preferring to solve
issues in an ad hoc
manner
• Focusing on the short
term, being concerned
only about meeting
minimum requirements of
law, politics, or efficiency
I display a style
that maintains
consistent
standards, but is
also sensitive to
the need for
compromise,
“thinking outside
the box,” and
improving existing
paradigms when
necessary
• Being able to explain
how a decision is
consistent with ethical
standards and the City’s
Core Values
• Committing to ongoing
improvement,
progressive government,
and moral imagination in
solving problems
• Lying about personal
mistakes and downplaying
their importance
• Manipulating discussions
and decisions to advance
personal, political
aspirations
• Speaking and listening
only to one’s friends on
the Council
• Taking responsibility for
actions, making
appropriate apologies or
restitution when a
mistake is made, and
implementing a plan to
develop practical skills
to avoid such mistakes in
the future
• Actively listening, asking
clarifying questions, and
giving careful
consideration to all
• Holding on to opinions
and viewpoints so
stubbornly that mistakes
are made, impacting
public trust
• Letting personal
limitations impede
progress or the work of
the Council
• Playing the role of
pessimist whenever a new
idea is presented, trying
to bulldoze personal ideas
15 The Code of Ethics & Values Behavioral Standards 1 City
Core Value
2 Basic Actions and
Character Traits
3 Council Members Engage
in Positive Behaviors Like
4 Council Members Avoid
Negative Behaviors Like
Progressive
(continued)
comments and
viewpoints, even if they
are expressed by people
who think differently,
have different beliefs,
and have different
groups of supporters
despite budget
limitations, prior
agreement, or consensus,
and undermining new
ideas by gossiping with
others before the idea
has a chance to be
explored
I promote
intelligent and
thoughtful
innovation in order
to forward the
City’s policy
agenda and City
services
• Encouraging talented
and diverse individuals
to become involved in
City service, as well as
recognizing and
celebrating talent and
new ideas that help the
City reach its goals,
improve City services,
and implement City Core
Values in best practice
• Pushing change in the
City without ample
thought, and causing
change only for the sake
of change, or only to
fulfill a campaign promise