02-25-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RELEVANT LINKS: LMC's Ethics Advisory Panel Model Statement of Values. LMC's Ethics Advisory Panel "template Code of Conduct. 1. Model Statement of Values The Model Statement of Values is an aspirational document, intended to provide a framework for ethical decision-making. The values it promotes can only be self -enforced, primarily by providing an ethical anchor, raising the quality of discussion and expectations among city officials and those in the community, and by appealing to the conscience of the individual. It would be difficult and likely counterproductive to suggest that such values could be subject to formal review or enforcement action. Cities may choose to use the Model Statement of Values in a variety of ways, including: • Providing a copy to all elected officials, advisory commission members, and even city staff members for their reference. • Using it as the basis for a local workshop or just a discussion to encourage more city and community dialogue about what ethics means in your city. • Formally adopting it as a statement of the way in which city officials and the community would like to see public business conducted. 2. Template Code of Conduct The Template Code of Conduct is a law -based document, incorporating very specific standards of behavior that are already written into state statute or that have been handed down by court rulings. The Code of Conduct also offers legal methods for dealing with infractions. By adopting this code at the municipal level, a city council can take self - initiated action to see that these standards are upheld in the community, rather than having to wait on civil litigation initiated by citizens or criminal prosecution by the county attorney. The Template Code of Conduct should be considered for formal adoption as a city ordinance. The template can locally codify existing and relatively well articulated standards of conduct already required by state law, so enforcement through quasi-judicial review is feasible. When adopting the code, cities need to consider to whom the code applies. Cities also need to formulate a hearing procedure. This document has been carefully reviewed by LMC legal counsel, and it is recommended that any modifications be considered only after careful review by the city attorney. Cities that choose not to formally adopt the template may still find the document to be a useful and concise reference piece for individual city officials. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 10/17/2014 Official Conflict of Interest Page 28