04/10/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• • • Steward of City Funds — When the end of a council member's service on the City Council has been determined by means of not seeking re- election, resignation, or the results of an election, that council member shall not subject the city to ,unnecessary travel and /or tuition costs. Communication Sharing of Information - It is the responsibility of council members to publicly share information with all other council members that they have received from sources outside of the public decision - making process, which pertains to a topic under consideration. Whenever possible, new information or data obtained by council members, pertinent to a topic being discussed, will be distributed through the City Administrator to the City Council members. Upon reviewing the "new information" the Council may adopt a motion to postpone further consideration of the information until all members have had time to review and interpret this new information. Focused Discussions — Council members shall work to keep discussions and debates focused on the item under discussion without introducing extraneous or irrelevant information. Request for Information - All council members shall receive the same information at the same time when deemed ready for distribution by staff. If an elected official requests information in advance of others on the City Council, the matter should be resolved by a majority of the City Council. Coordination with City Staff - City staff should be involved when council members meet with officials from other agencies and jurisdictions to ensure proper staff support as needed and to keep staff appropriately informed. Citizen Questions - Elected officials should refer questions and concerns from citizens to the City Administrator or appropriate department director. City staff should report back to City Council on the resolution of the referral. Confidential Information — Council members shall respect and preserve the confidentiality of non - public, protected non - public, private, and confidential information provided to them concerning matters of the City. They shall neither disclose confidential information without proper legal authorization nor use such information to advance their personal, financial or private interests. Notice of Attendance — If any council member has knowledge or reason to believe that there will be a large or emotional attendance at an upcoming council meeting or work session, they have an obligation to inform the City Administrator as soon as they become aware of the potential situation. Implementation Orientation — This Code of Conduct shall be included in the regular orientations for new city council members. Following each election, the new Council shall, by resolution of its elected members, adopt a City Council Code of Conduct. Compliance and Enforcement — Council members themselves have the primary responsibility to assure that this code of conduct is understood and followed and that the public can continue to have full confidence in the integrity of the Lino Lakes city government. Remedies It is the responsibility of the City Council to police its members. When inappropriate behaviors are observed, any member of the Council can intervene. If inappropriate behavior is observed, the City Council will discuss the behavior at a council work session. By direction of Council it will be determined whether: a. A letter is sent to the offending councilmember stating they have been found operating outside the established Code of Conduct, requesting them to correct the behavior identified as inappropriate or b. The councilmember is formally sanctioned by resolution at a council meeting.