City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
April 20, 2026
To: City Council
From: City Manager’s Office
Heather Sumagaysay, Deputy City Manager
Subject: Approval of Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials and Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council review and approve the City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials and Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Background
The City Council adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials and Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Code of Ethics) on June 17, 2002. The Code establishes guiding principles intended to promote integrity, accountability, and professionalism in the conduct of public service.
The City Council most recently reviewed the Code of Ethics (Attachment A) on February 3, 2023. At that time, the City Council reaffirmed the City’s ethics framework. It continued the policy requiring appointed members of Boards, Commissions, and Committees to complete AB 1234 Ethics Training as part of their appointment to volunteer service.
The Code of Ethics is a values -based document focused on behaviors and principles rather than punitive enforcement provisions. Members of the City Council, Planning Commission, and those appointed to the City’s Boards, Commissions, and Committees are required to review the Code of Ethics and sign a Statement of Commitment acknowledging receipt and acceptance of the document upon election or appointment.
The Code is intended to be self -enforcing. The City Council is responsible for ensuring compliance with and addressing concerns regarding the ethical standards described in the document.
The Code of Ethics includes a Statement of Purpose and 18 guiding principles designed to reinforce ethical decision-making and maintain public confidence in local government.
The purpose states:
Agenda Item No.
9B
The citizens and businesses of Simi Valley are entitled to a fair, ethical, and accountable local government that has earned the public’s full confidence in its integrity.
The Code further affirms that:
• Public officials must comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws affecting government operations.
• Public officials must be independent, impartial, and fair in judgment and actions. • Public office must be used for the public good and not for personal gain. • Public deliberations must be conducted openly and respectfully unless legally confidential.
The Code includes the following 18 guiding principles:
• Act in the Public Interest
• Comply with the Law
• Conduct of Members
• Respect for Process
• Conduct of Public Meetings
• Decisions Based on Merit
• Communication
• Conflict of Interest
• Gifts and Favors
• Confidential Information
• Use of Public Resources
• Representation of Private Interests
• Advocacy
• Policy Role of Members
• Independence of Boards, Commissions, and Committees
• Positive Workplace Environment
• Implementation
• Compliance and Enforcement
These principles establish the ethical framework expected of the City’s elected officials and appointed advisory body members.
Discussion
The City Council periodically reviews the Code of Ethics to ensure that the City’s ethical standards continue to reflect the community's values and expectations.
Historically, the Code specified that it would be reviewed in November of even-numbered years. However, in practice, the City Council has reviewed the Code biennially, with the most recent review on February 3, 2023. Staff recommends a minor clarification to 2 Section 17 (See pg. 4, “ Implementation”) of the Code of Ethics and Conduct to remove the reference to a specific month and instead state that the Code will be reviewed on a biennial basis. This modification does not change the intent or frequency of the review .
Instead, it al igns the document with current practice and provides greater flexibility in scheduling future reviews.
Since the City Council’s last review of the Code in February 2023, State law governing training requirements for local agency officials has been updated.
California Government Code Section 53235 et seq., commonly known as AB 1234 Ethics Training, requires certain local agency officials to complete two (2) hours of ethics training at least once every two (2) years. Amendments effective January 1, 2026, clarify that officials commencing service after that date must complete the required ethics training within six months of assuming office or employment, and every two years thereafter.
In addition, SB 827 (2025) established a separate training requirement in fiscal and financial governance for certain local agency officials. This training must also be completed at least once every two (2) years, with existing covered officials required to complete the training before January 1, 2028, unless their term ends earlier.
While these training requirements apply to specified local officials under State law, the City Council has previously chosen to require ethics training for appointed members of boards, commissions, and committees as a matter of local policy.
The Code of Ethics remains a values-based document, and staff recommends continuing to address specific training requirements through administrative procedures, orientation materials, and training -tracking processes rather than incorporating detailed statutory requirements into the Code itself.
Other than the clarification to Section 17, staff does not recommend any additional changes to the Code of Ethics. The City Council may provide direction to staff if additional modifications are desired.
Financial Impact
There are no financial impacts.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Excellent City Government priority by reinforcing transparency, integrity, and accountability in public service.
Suggested Motion
I move to reaffirm the City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials and Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees. 3 Summary
The City Council adopted the Code of Ethics and Conduct on June 17, 2002, to establish guiding principles for ethical conduct by elected officials and members of appointed boards, commissions, and committees. The City Council most recently reviewed the Code on February 3, 2023. The Code continues to serve as a values -based framework promoting integrity, transparency, and professionalism in local government. State law governing training requirements for local officials has been updated since the last review; however, these changes do not require modifications to the Code of Ethics itself. Staff recommends that the City Council review the Code of Ethics and provide direction regarding any desired updates.
Prepared by: Heather Sumagaysay, Deputy City Manager
Attachment
Attachment A- Code of Ethics Document
4 City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct
for Elected Officials and Members of
Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
1 Adopted 9/9/19; Rev. 3/30/20
S
tatement of Purpose
T
he citizens and businesses of Simi Valley are entitled to have fair, ethical and accountable local government which has earned the public’s full confidence for integrity.
The City of Simi Valley’s strong desire to fulfill this mission therefore requires that:
• publ
ic officials, both elected and appointed, comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting the operations of government; • public officials be independent, impartial and fair in their judgment and actions; • public office be used for the public good, not for personal gain; and • public deliberations and processes be conducted openly, unless legally confidential, in an atmosphere of respect and civility.
T
o this end, the Simi Valley City Council has adopted this Code of Ethics and Conduct for elected officials and members of appointed boards, commissions, and committees to assure public confidence in the integrity of local government and its effective and fair operation.
1. A
ct in the Public Interest
R
ecognizing that stewardship of the public interest must be their primary concern, members will work for the common good of the people of Simi Valley and not for any private or personal interest, and they will assure fair and equal treatment of all persons , claims and transactions coming before the Simi Valley City Council, boards, commissions, and committees.
2. C
omply with the Law
M
embers shall comply with the laws of the nation, the State of California, and the City of Simi Valley in the performance of their public duties. These laws include, but are not limited to: the United States and California constitutions; laws pertaining to conflicts of interest, election campaigns, financial disclosures, employer responsibilities, and open processes of government; and City ordinances and policies.
3. C
onduct of Members
T
he professional and personal conduct of members must be above reproach and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of Council, boards, commissions, and committees, the staff or public. 5 Attachment A
City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct
for Elected Officials and Members of
Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
2 Adopted 9/9/19; Rev. 3/30/20
4. Respect for Process
Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order established by the City Council and boards, commissions, and committees governing the deliberation of public policy issues, meaningful involvement of the public, and implementation of policy decisions of the City Council by City staff.
5. Conduct of Public Meetings
Members shall prepare themselves for public issues; listen courteously and attentively to all public discussions before the body; and focus on the business at hand. They shall refrain from interrupting other speakers, making personal comments not germane t o the business of the body, or otherwise interfering with the orderly conduct of meetings.
6. Decisions Based on Merit
Members shall base their decisions on the merits and substance of the matter at hand.
7. Communication
Members shall publicly share substantive information that is relevant to a matter under consideration by the Council or boards, commissions, and committees which they may have received from sources outside the public decision-making process.
8. Conflict of Interest
In order to assure their independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good, members shall not use their official positions to influence government decisions in which they have a material financial interest or personal relationship which may give t he appearance of a conflict of interest. In accordance with the law, members shall disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income, and gifts; and they shall abstain from participating in deliberations and decision-making where conflicts may exist.
9. Gifts and Favors
Members shall comply with the requirements of the Political Reform Act relating to the acceptance and reporting of gifts.
6 City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct
for Elected Officials and Members of
Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
3 Adopted 9/9/19; Rev. 3/30/20
10. Confidential Information
Members shall respect the confidentiality of information concerning City property, personnel or proceedings of the City. They shall neither disclose confidential information without proper legal authorization, nor use such information to advance their pers onal interests.
11. Use of Public Resources
Members shall not use public resources not available to the public in general, such as City staff time, equipment, supplies or facilities, for private gain or personal purposes.
Members shall not utilize the City’s name or logo for the purpose of endorsing any political candidate or business.
12. Representation of Private Interests
In keeping with their role as stewards of the public interest, members of Council shall not appear on behalf of the private interests of third parties before the Council or any board, commission, committee, or proceeding of the City, nor shall members of boards, commissions, and committees appear before their own bodies or before the Council on behalf of the private interests of third parties on matters related to the areas of service of their bodies.
13. Advocacy
Members shall represent the official policies or positions of the City Council, board, commission, or committee to the best of their ability when designated as delegates for this purpose. When presenting their individual opinions and positions, members shall explicitly state they do not represent their body or the City of Simi Valley, nor will they allow the inference that they do.
14. Policy Role of Members
Members shall respect and adhere to the council -manager structure of Simi Valley city government as outlined in the City’s policies and procedures and follow Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 2-6.208 with respect to the City Manager’s relationship with the City Council. In this structure, the City Council determines the policies of the City with the advice, information and analysis provided by the public, boards, commissions, and committees and City staff. Except as provided by the City ordinance, members therefore shall not interfere with the administrative functions of the City or the professional duties of City staff; nor shall they impair the ability of staff to implement Council policy decisions.
7 City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct
for Elected Officials and Members of
Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
4 Adopted 9/9/19; Rev. 3/30/20
15. Independence of Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Because of the value of the independent advice of boards, commissions, and committees to the public decision-making process, members of Council shall refrain from using their position to influence unduly the deliberations or outcomes of board, commission, and committee proceedings.
16. Positive Work Place Environment
Members shall support the maintenance of a positive and constructive work place environment for City employees and for citizens and businesses dealing with the City.
Members shall recognize their special role in dealings with City employees and refrain from creating the perception of inappropriate direction to staff.
17. Implementation
As an expression of the standards of conduct for members expected by the City, the Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct is intended to be self-enforcing. It therefore becomes most effective when members are thoroughly familiar with it and embrace its provisions.
For this reason, ethical standards shall be included in the regular orientations for candidates for City Council, applicants to boards, commissions, and committees and newly elected and appointed officials. Members entering office shall sign a statement affirming they have read and understood the City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct. In addition, the Code of Ethics and Conduct shall be reviewed biennially by the City Council, boards, commissions, and committees, and the City Council shall consider recommendations from boards, commissions, and committees and updated as necessary. .
18. Compliance and Enforcement
The Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct expresses standards of ethical conduct expected for members of the Simi Valley City Council, boards, commissions, and committees. Members themselves have the primary responsibility to assure that ethical standards are understood and met, and that the public can continue to have full confidence in the integrity of government. The chairs of boards, commissions, and committees and the Mayor have the additional responsibility to intervene when members’ actions appear to be in violation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct are brought to their attention. The City Council may impose sanctions on members whose conduct does not comply with the City’s ethical standards, such as reprimand, formal censure, loss of seniority or committee assignment. The City Council also may act to remove members of boards, commissions, and committees from office.
8 Term:
C
ity of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct
for Elected Officials and Members of
Appointed Boards, Commissions, and Committees
5 Adopted 9/9/19; Rev. 3/30/20
S
TATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
A
s a member of the Simi Valley City Council or of a Simi Valley board, commission, or committee, I agree to uphold the Code of Ethics and Conduct for elected and appointed officials adopted by the City Council and conduct myself by the following model of behavior. I will:
• R
ecognize the worth of individual members and appreciate their individual talents, perspectives and contributions;
• Help create an atmosphere of respect and civility where individual members, City staff and the public are free to express their ideas and work to their full potential; • Conduct my personal and public affairs with honesty, integrity, fairness and respect for others;
• Respect the dignity and privacy of individuals and organizations; • Keep the common good as my highest purpose and focus on achieving constructive solutions for the public benefit;
• Avoid and discourage conduct which is divisive or harmful to the best interests of Simi Valley;
• Treat all people with whom I come in contact in the way I wish to be treated.
I
affirm that I have read and that I understand, accept and support the City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct.
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Board, Commission, Committee
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Position
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(Print Name)
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Signature Date
9