City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 2 October 13, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 3.3
DATE: September 8, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joan Malloy, City Manager
SUBJECT: Waive Full Reading and Introduce by Title Only an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Union City Amending Section 2.20.100 of the Union City Municipal Code to Align Ethics Training
Requirements with State Law
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Union City Municipal Code (“UCMC”) Section 2.20.100(A)(1) currently requires each Commissioner and alternate to complete at least two hours of ethics training no later than one year from the first day of service. Senate Bill 827 (Chapter 661, Statutes of 2025), effective January 1, 2026, amended Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1) to require a local agency official who commences service on or after January 1, 2026, to complete the initial training within six months. An official who commenced service before January 1, 2026, retains the one-year deadline.
The proposed ordinance amends UCMC Section 2.20.100(A)(1) to conform with state law. The proposed amendment also provides that if Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1), as amended from time to time, or a successor provision prescribes a different deadline applicable to a Commissioner or alternate for completing the initial ethics training, the deadline prescribed by state law will control. The ordinance does not change the biennial ethics-training requirement, harassment-prevention training, proofof-completion provisions, reminder language, automatic-vacancy provisions, or any other part of UCMC Section 2.20.100.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item does not directly advance a specific Strategic Plan priority. It supports effective and legally compliant City governance by keeping the Municipal Code consistent with applicable state law.
BACKGROUND
UCMC Section 2.20.100 establishes ethics and harassment-prevention training requirements for City Commissioners and alternates. The UCMC requires at least two hours of initial ethics training within one year after the first day of service and requires Agenda Item No. 3.3
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 2 October 13, 2026
recurring ethics training every two years.
When the local one-year deadline was adopted, it was consistent with Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1). Senate Bill 827 subsequently amended that state law. Beginning January 1, 2026, a local agency official who commences service on or after that date must complete the initial ethics training no later than six months from the first day of service. The amendment did not retroactively shorten the one-year period for an official who commenced service before January 1, 2026.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance amends UCMC Section 2.20.100(A)(1) to align the deadlines for initial ethics training as follows: one year for a Commissioner or alternate whose service commenced before January 1, 2026, and six months for a Commissioner or alternate whose service commences on or after January 1, 2026. The proposed ordinance further provides that if Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1), as amended from time to time, or a successor provision establishes a different deadline applicable to a Commissioner or alternate for completing the initial ethics training, the deadline prescribed by state law will control.
This is a narrow state-law alignment. The ordinance does not amend any other provisions of the UCMC. Accordingly, the existing two-year refresher cycle, harassment-prevention training requirements, proof-of-completion process, consequences for noncompliance, and City Clerk reminder provision remain unchanged.
If introduced on September 8, 2026, the ordinance is scheduled to return for adoption on September 22, 2026, and would take effect 30 days after adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no material fiscal impact. The training is already required by state and local law, and the ordinance changes only the initial completion deadline. Any administrative work will be absorbed within existing resources; no additional appropriation is requested.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce by title only the proposed ordinance amending Union City Municipal Code Section 2.20.100(A)(1) to align the initial ethicstraining deadline with Government Code Section 53235.1(b)(1) and maintain alignment with future amendments or a successor provision and waive full reading.
Prepared by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Submitted by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Attachments
1. Proposed Ordinance