Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 2.07 Code of Conduct and Ethics

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— ORD-22-0035 § 1, adopted Dec. 6, 2022, amended Ch. 2.07 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 2.07, §§ 2.07.010 and 2.07.020 was entitled "Code of Ethics," and derived from: Ord. C-7839 § 1, 2003; and ORD-06-0050 § 1, 2006.

The people of Long Beach depend on a city government that operates equitably, ethically, and that works to promote and preserve public trust and confidence. Thus, the City commits to the following values:

A. Accountability through the willingness to accept responsibility and account for one's actions.

B. Equity by ensuring fairness and due process.

C. Impartiality by being loyal to the public good.

D. Diversity by embracing histories, values, and ideas from all backgrounds, and recognizing their contribution to improving the City's operations, services, and programs.

E. Transparency in actions and practices that are open to public observation and scrutiny.

F. Integrity by being truthful, seeking truth, and adherence to the City's values.

(ORD-22-0035 § 1, 2022)

It is incumbent for every representative of the City of Long Beach to uphold the City's Code of Conduct and Ethics. Representatives of the City shall commit to undertaking their duties with the highest ethical principles and to place the public's interest above their own.

Prior to assuming office, employment, or volunteering with the City, representatives of the City, including employees of every City department, elected officials, appointed officials, commissioners, committee members, board members, interns, and volunteers shall pledge, in writing, to uphold the following principles while acting in their role or official capacity:

A. To be truthful and honest, including:

1. Acting with integrity and demonstrating courage in all dealings.

2. Ensuring that all completed work activities are accurate and that any biases have been identified and addressed.

3. Being accurate and honest in all interactions and communications with others.

B. To place the public's trust before their own personal interests, including:

1. Being objective and impartial.

2. Never engaging in acts of collusion, kickbacks, bribes, unlawful gifts, conflict of interest, or other improper influence, nor condoning such acts by others.

3. Not permitting personal interests to impair the individual's judgment or action.

4. Not using the individual's position with the City for the individual's private gain, for the endorsement of any product, person, or enterprise, or for private gain of relatives or friends.

5. Disclosing, and if necessary, recusing oneself from the decision-making process and any activities, dealings, and transactions on behalf of the City that may be related or be influenced by the individual's personal, financial, or outside activities.

C. To be transparent, including:

1. Ensuring that all work products are completed in an open manner, with the knowledge that it may be subject to public inspection and/or release.

2. Disclosing all personal, financial, or professional interests or outside activities that may relate to or influence the individual's role or official capacity.

3. Promptly reporting any perceived or actual conflict of interest that may arise prior to rendering a decision, providing information, or offering a recommendation.

4. Cooperating and supporting inquiries, reviews, audits, or other investigations that may be conducted by the City or other enforcement agencies.

5. Complying with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code section 54950 et seq.) and observing all rules with respect to notice and public meetings.

6. Committing to not discussing or communicating on matters to be voted on by the City Council or a City board, commission, or committee with another member of the body outside the public meeting in a manner inconsistent with the Ralph M. Brown Act commitment to transparency.

D. To be accountable, including:

1. Complying with all federal, State, and City laws and regulations as well as applicable policies and procedures.

2. Being fiscally responsible with managing and overseeing City funds and resources, as it pertains to the individual's assigned responsibilities.

3. Abiding by all applicable requirements pertaining to gifts and gratuities, including donations and honoraria.

4. Adhering to all policy and procedures and contractual commitments to safeguard the integrity of the City's procurement and bidding and competitive processes.

E. To safeguard all information, data, and assets entrusted to the individual's care, including:

1. Protecting City data to promote cybersecurity and preserve confidentiality and privacy concerning the property, personnel, or other affairs of the City.

2. Handling and safeguarding all non-public and proprietary information as protected under agreement or public law.

3. Protecting all City assets, resources, and information to the best of the individual's knowledge from loss, theft, and misuse.

4. Protecting the interests of the City and those who have placed their trust in the individual.

F. To recognize historic inequities and disparities and to support diversity and be inclusive in all the individual's actions, including:

1. Respecting the diverse histories, values, and experiences represented in the City's various communities.

2. Anticipating effects of a decision on people in the City, especially if specific groups may be disproportionately harmed or helped.

3. Working to ensure that all people in the City have the ability to actively participate and engage and work to eliminate barriers to public involvement in decisions, programs, and services.

4. Being mindful of the community's needs and be cognizant of their experience when interacting with City services.

5. Incorporating an equity lens consistent with City policy to ensure all policies and procedures are developed to provide equitable and socially just programs and services for all residents and employees.

G. To treat others with dignity, including:

1. Listening, being approachable, open-minded, asking questions, and participating when engaged.

2. Treating all colleagues, the public, stakeholders, and anyone transacting business with the City with respect.

3. Conveying the City's care for, and commitment to, its communities.

4. Being courteous and civil in all interactions and communications with others.

H. To make data-informed decisions, and embrace excellence and innovation, including:

1. Being a role model by striving for excellence, maintaining standards, being open to change, recognizing the need to compromise, and always working to improve the City's programs and services.

2. Being proactive and innovative when setting goals and conducting the City's business.

3. Promoting innovation that will enrich and transform the City's services, operations, and budget.

I. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety and seek ethical guidance and immediately report a perceived Code of Conduct and Ethics violation, conflict of interest, fraud, waste or misuse of City resources, and inappropriate behavior to the appropriate authority for investigation.

(ORD-22-0035 § 1, 2022)

A. Employees of every City department, elected officials, appointed officials, commissioners, committee members, board members, interns, and volunteers shall complete training related to the ethical values, principals, and conduct outlined in this Chapter on an annual basis.

B. In the event that a member of any City Charter Commission or advisory body fails to complete the ethics training required by California Government Section 53234 et seq., within the time period specified therein, that person shall automatically be removed from membership from the commission or advisory body.

(ORD-22-0035 § 1, 2022)