HomeMy WebLinkAboutCode of Ethics 040208 ReportSARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: April 2, 2008 AGENDA ITEM:
ORIGINATING DEPT: Office of City Clerk CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Ann Sullivan, Acting City Clerk DEPT HEAD:
SUBJECT: Code of Ethics
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Review report and direct staff accordingly.
REPORT SUMMARY:
Democratic government requires that decision-makers be independent, impartial and accountable to the people they serve.
At the February 1, 2008, Council Retreat staff was directed to research a Code of Ethics policy that could be implemented into the City of Saratoga’s Council Policies and be made a part
of the training program for new council members. The Code of Ethics policy would be designed to increase public trust and confidence in government by promoting and maintaining the highest
standards of personal and professional conduct among the people who represent the City of Saratoga.
There are several options the Council could pursue if it desires to adopt a Code of Ethics policy:
Adopt City of Santa Clara’s Code of Ethics as is or with minor revisions.
Direct staff to agendize 3 Council Study Sessions for Council to develop a Code tailored to Saratoga using the process in the League of California Cities handbook.
Form an Adhoc to work with staff to bring other options back to Council.
Attached is a copy of the Code of Ethics and Values used by the City of Santa Clara. The City of Santa Clara has received top honors in a State recognition program for political candidates
to use as a campaign guideline. Santa Clara’s Code of Ethics and Values was adopted in March of 2000 and modified in August 2001. It is designed to provide clear, positive statements
of ethical behavior reflecting the core values of the community.
The second attachment is an excerpt from the League of California Cities (LCC) handbook which provides a step-by-step process for developing a Local Agency Ethics Code; which could be
used
as a guideline for developing a Code of Ethics tailored to fit the needs and values of the City of Saratoga.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Council Policies would remain as is and there would be no implementation of a Code of Ethics policy for current and future council members for the City of Saratoga.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
N/A
FOLLOW UP ACTION(S):
N/A
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Posting of the Agenda.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. – City of Santa Clara’s Code of Ethics and Values
2. – LCC excerpt from Developing a Local Agency Ethics Code