Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Biennial Review of the City's Conflict of Interest Code Department Name: Administration Cost Center: 1021 For Agenda of: June 16, 2020 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager Prepared By: Teresa Purrington, City Clerk Kevin Christian, Deputy City Clerk SUBJECT: BIENNIAL REVIEW THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council direct the review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code (Attachment A) and the filing of a Biennial Notice with the City Clerk regarding such review, as required by the Political Reform Act. DISCUSSION The Political Reform Act of 1974 (the “Act”) requires every local government agency to adopt and maintain a conflict of interest code. The primary effect of the code is to establish disclosure requirements for various government positions involved in the requisite level of decision-making as set forth in the Act. The Act requires each city to adopt a local conflict of interest code designating city positions not otherwise designated in the Act itself, that are involved in making or participating in the making of city decisions at all levels of city government. The Act further requires that agencies review their conflict of interest code biennially to determine if amendments are necessary. Amendments may be necessary for the following: • The addition, deletion, or modification of the specific types of investments, business position, interests in real property, and sources of income which are reportable for the designated positions. • Addition of, reclassification of, renaming of, or deletion of designated positions. The Act provides that no later than July 1 of each even-numbered year, code-reviewing bodies shall direct the review of all agency codes under their jurisdiction and requires that the agency head (City Manager), no later than October 1, shall file a statement regarding the results of that review. The City Council is the code-reviewing body for the City’s Code and on or before July 1 it must direct the biennial review of the City’s Conflict of Inter est Code. Previous Council Action The City’s Conflict of Interest Code was last updated by adoption of Resolution 10938 on September 26, 2018. Item 5 Packet Page 11 Policy Context The Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code Section 81000 requires all public agencies to adopt and maintain a conflict of interest code. Additionally: The Act requires agencies to regularly review and update their codes when change is necessitated by changed circumstances; requires the code-reviewing body to direct a biennial review no later than July 1 of each even- numbered year; requires that if a change in the Code is necessitated by this review, it must be submitted to the City Council for approval within ninety (90) days of the filing of the Local Agency Biennial Notice with the City Clerk; and requires that the agency head (City Manager), no later than October 1, shall file a statement regarding the results of that review. (Gov. Code §§§ 82011(c), 87306, 87306.5.) Public Engagement Notice was given in the form of agenda posting for the meeting that this item is being considered, per Brown Act public noticing rules. CONCURRENCE The City Attorney’s office is in concurrence. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15378. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: FY 2019-20 Funding Identified: N/A Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Current FY Cost Annualized On-going Cost Total Project Cost General Fund N/A State Federal Fees Other: Total N/A Cost associated with this review and update are included in the City Clerk Department’s annual operating budget. Item 5 Packet Page 12 ALTERNATIVES State law requires that direction be given to review the current City Conflict of Interest Code and therefore staff does not recommend an alternative. Attachments: a - COUNCIL READING FILE - R-10938 (2018 Series) Amending the City's Conflict of Interest Code Item 5 Packet Page 13 Page intentionally left blank. Item 5 Packet Page 14