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Lino Lakes City Council <br />CODE OF CONDUCT <br /> <br />Purpose <br />To establish a code of conduct and associated remedies that council members agree to abide by in carrying out <br />their duties as elected officials. This code of conduct does not supersede any existing or futur e statutory or <br />constitutional rights, but simply outlines appropriate council expectations, behavior and interactions with each <br />other, city staff, citizens and all other groups encountered as a result of city business, so as to efficiently and <br />effectively develop and carry out the mission, vision, goals and established policies of the city. <br />Roles/Responsibilities <br />Meetings – By Charter, the mayor presides over meetings of the city council. Speakers, including council <br />members, do not speak until recognized b y the mayor. <br />Act in the Public Interest – Recognizing that service to our citizens must be our primary concern, council <br />members shall work for the common good of the people of Lino Lakes and not for any private or personal <br />interest. Council members will treat all persons, claims and transactions in a fair and equitable manner. <br />Preparation – Council members are expected to be prepared for city council meetings and work sessions. <br />Agenda Preparation – The city administrator directs preparation of draft meeting agendas. The final agenda is <br />determined by the city council prior to the meeting. At the council meeting, agenda items may be added or <br />deleted by council members per procedures established in the city code. <br />Conduct of Members <br />Staff Direction – The mayor and city council members direct city staff, contract employees and consultants <br />only through the city administrator, as determined by majority vote. At work sessions, the mayor will st ate the <br />concerns of the council or specific directions provided by the council to the staff. The city administrator will <br />request further clarification if he feels it is required so that there is a clear understanding of what the council’s <br />expectations are in terms of the actions to be taken by staff. <br />Respect for Staff Time – If a council member is utilizing an inordinate amount of staff time, the city <br />administrator is required to bring this to the attention of the city council for resolution. <br />Interactions – Council members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the <br />character or motives of other members of the city council, boards, commissions, committees, staff or the public. <br />Respect for Process – Council member duties shall be performed in accordance with the processes and rules of <br />order established by the city council. <br />Use of Public Resources – Public resources not available to the general public (e.g., city staff time, equipment, <br />supplies or facilities) shall not be used by council members for private, personal or political purposes. <br />Advocacy – To the best of their ability, council members shall speak with one voice in representing the official <br />policies and positions of the city council. When presenting their personal opinions or positions, members shall <br />explicitly state that they do not represent the council or the city. <br />Improper Influence – Council members shall refrain from using their position to improperly influence the <br />deliberations or decisions of city staff, boards, commission or committees. <br />Positive Work Environment – Council members shall support a positive, efficient and effective environment <br />for residents, businesses and city employees. <br />Steward of City Funds – When the end of a council member’s service on the city council has been determined <br />by means of not seeking re-election, resignation, or the results of an election, that council member shall not <br />subject the city to unnecessary travel and/or tuition costs. <br />Communication <br />Sharing of Information – It is the responsibility of council members to publicly share information with all <br />other council members that they have received from sources outside of the public decision -making process, <br />which pertains to a topic under consideration. Whenever possible, new information or data obtained by council <br />members, pertinent to a topic being discussed, will be distributed through the city administrator to the city <br />council members. Upon reviewing the “new information” the council may adopt a motion to postpone further <br />consideration of the information until all members have had time to review and interpret this new information.