In accordance with section 2-74 of the City's Code of Ordinances, City Council appointed the Independent Ethics Review Board as the Independent Ethics Task Force and charged them with conducting the required 5 year comprehensive review of the Code of Ethics.

To accomplish this charge, the Independent Ethics Task Force conducted 11 meetings, all of which were open to the public. Upon completing their review, on March 4, 2025, the Independent Ethics Task Force (through their attorney) presented their proposed changes to City Council.  After a brief discussion regarding the proposed revisions, City Council directed staff to bring the revisions to City Council for action.

This item is the first reading of the revised Code of Ethical Conduct and incorporates all of the changes discussed at the City Council Workshop on March 4, 2025.

These changes include four substantial changes and eight minor revisions.

The substantial changes are:

(1) Addition of provision prohibiting ex parte communication

(2) Addition of provision prohibiting retaliation 

(3) Addition of provision allowing reconsideration of a complaint

(4) Re-write of the Name Clearing process

The minor changes are:

(1) Additional language in 2-72 - Ethical Values

(2) Additional definition for de minimis

(3) Additional language in 2-77 Conflict of Interest

(4) Additional language in 2-78 Gifts

(5) Additional language in 2-79 Abstention

(6) Additional language in 2-85 Application to former officials

(7) Additional language in 2-95 Campaign activity

(8) Additional language 2-100 Independent Ethics Review board procedures