Pinole Municipal Code Ch. 2.62 Code of Ethics and Conduct

It is the purpose and intent of the City Council of the City of Pinole in enacting this chapter to achieve fair, ethical, and accountable local government for the City of Pinole; to assure that individuals and interest groups in our society have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in government; to embrace clear and unequivocal standards of disclosure and transparency in government; to help reinforce public trust in governmental institutions; and to assure that this Division is vigorously enforced to achieve fair, ethical, and accountable local government for the City of Pinole. The people of the City of Pinole expect their public officials to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the laws of the United States of America, the State of California, the Pinole Municipal Code, and established policies of the City of Pinole affecting the operations of local government. In addition, public officials are expected to comply with the provisions of this Code of Ethics and Conduct established pursuant to the expressed will of the people. All persons covered by this Code of Ethics and Conduct shall aspire to meet the highest ethical standards in the conduct of their responsibility as a public official of the City of Pinole. (Ord. 2023-02 § 2(part), 2023).

A. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the Mayor and members of the City Council, and to all members of the boards, commissions, and committees appointed by the City Council, the Mayor, or the Mayor and City Council, including any ad hoc committees, elected and appointed officials, including the City Treasurer, and staff (collectively referred to as "public officials.") The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to all members of committees appointed by individual members of the City Council, Mayor, the City Manager or by department heads.

B. Further, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to the Mayor, Members of the City Council and Treasurer at all times during their term of office as elected officials of the City of Pinole. However, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all members of the boards, commissions, committees and staff only while they are acting in their official capacities or affecting the discharge of their duties. (Ord. 2023-02 § 2(part), 2023)

To achieve the objectives of this chapter, the Pinole City Council adopts this Code of Ethics and Conduct for all public officials, as identified in section 2.62.020, as follows:

A. Public officials shall serve equally all members of the community without prejudice or favoritism toward any individual, group, organization or economic interest.

B. Public officials shall promote and protect the health and safety of all members of the community.

C. Public officials shall serve with efficiency, respect legality and heed the commands of due diligence and morality.

D. Public officials shall recognize that they are agents of public purpose, not owners of authority.

E. Public officials shall deal with all employees, fellow officers and members of the public without regard to political partisanship.

F. Public officials shall promote and affirm equal opportunity for appointments and promotions for all persons without regard to partisan, political or social considerations, or race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability.

G. Public officials shall recognize the obligation to participate fully and responsibly in matters and organizations concerned with the betterment of the life in the City of Pinole.

H. Public officials shall exercise our authority and prestige for the benefits of the City of Pinole and all members of the community and never for personal or private advantage.

l. Public officials shall always consider how their official actions and personal behavior might be interpreted by the public.

J. Public officials shall avoid personal invectives in public or closed forums.

K. Public officials shall conduct meetings of legislative bodies according to the rules of procedure established be each body. Roberts Rules of Order may be used for guidance. (Revised Edition). (Ord. 2023-02 § 2(part), 2023)