01-26-2011 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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M E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U M TO: PARKS AND RECREATION AND FORESTRY COMMISSIONERS FROM: NICK DEBAR | PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: JANUARY 27, 2011 RE: REVIEW COMMISSION PURPOSE & ROLE / STATEMENT OF VALUES & CODE OF CONDUCT With the beginning of another calendar year, City staff would like to provide Commissioners with documents pertaining to the purpose and role of the Commission as established in Chapter 405 of the Municipal Code. In addition, The Mounds View City Council passed Resolution 7588 on March 8, 2010 approving the City of Mounds View Code of Conduct and Statement of Values policies. The policies apply to the City Council, Commission and Committee members, and City employees. The first attachment is a general summary of the background and purpose, terms and vacancies, organization, meeting dates and frequencies, primary duties, and budget and finances of the Commission. This summary sheet was put together from Chapter 405 of the Municipal Code which establishes and governs the Commission. The 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 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 expectation among city officials and 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. In 2009, the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) established a ten-member ethics advisory panel to work toward a product that would promote high standards of ethical behavior while providing a helpful framework to city officials who deal with such issues. The panel, which included Mounds View Council Member Carol Mueller, produced two model documents—a code of conduct and a statement of values. All of the following attachments were previously reviewed with and handed out to Commissioners. Attachments: • Summary Sheet • Chapter 405 • Code of Conduct • Statement of Values ITEM NO. 9A