21-Deliberate and possibly act on adoption of a code of ethics for City Council, boards, commissions and committees

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To this end, the Sunnyvale City Council has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct for members of the City Council and of the City's boards and commissions to assure public confidence in the integrity of local government and its effective and fair operation. The Ethics section of the City's Code of Ethics and Conduct provides guidance on ethical issues and questions of right and wrong. Act in the Public Interest. Recognizing that stewardship of the public interest must be their primary concern, members will work for the common good of the people of Sunnyvale and not for any private or personal interest, and they will assure fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims and transactions coming before the Sunnyvale City Council, boards and commissions. 2. Comply with both the spirit and the letter of the Law and City Policy. Members shall comply with the laws of the nation, the State of California and the City of Sunnyvale in the performance of their public duties. These laws include, but are not limited to: the United States and California constitutions; the Sunnyvale City Charter; laws pertaining to conflicts of interest, election campaigns, financial disclosures, employer responsibilities, and open processes of government; and City ordinances and policies. 3. Conduct of Members. The professional and personal conduct of inembers must be above reproach and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Members shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of Council, boards and commissions, the staff or public. 4. Respect for Process. Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order established by the City Council and board and commissions governing the deliberation of public policy issues, meaningful involvement of the public, and implementation of policy decisions of the City Council by City staff. 5. Conduct of Public Meetings. Members shall prepare themselves for public issues; listen courteously and attentively to all public discussions before the body; and focus on the business at hand. They shall refrain from interrupting other speakers; making personal comments not germane to the business of the body; or otherwise interfering with the orderly conduct of ineetings 6. Decisions Based on Merit. Members shall base their decisions on the merits and substance of the matter at hand, rather than on unrelated considerations. 7. Communication. Members shall publicly disclose substantive information that is relevant to a matter under consideration by the Council or boards and commissions, which they may have received from sources outside of the public decision-making process. 8. Conflict of Interest. In order to assure their independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good, members shall not use their official positions to influence government decisions in which they have a material financial interest, or where they have an organizational responsibility or personal relationship which may give the appearance of a conflict of interest. In accordance with the law, members shall disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income, and gifts; and they shall abstain from participating in deliberations and decision-making where conflicts may exist. 9. Gifts and Favors. Members shall not take any special advantage of services or opportunities for personal gain, by virtue of their public office, that are not available to the public in general. They shall refrain from accepting any gifts, favors or promises of future benefits which might compromise their independence of judgment or action or give the appearance of being compromised. r a (10018111