12A Council Report 2011 1003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1.0 2.0 Preamble The Council declares that citizens of Temple City are entitled to have fair, open, ethical, efficient and accountable local government and that City officials should continually strive to earn the public's confidence. Toward that end, these Protocols establish higher standards of conduct for members of the City Council and members of City boards and commissions (collectively "Members ") than are currently required under the laws of the State of California. when necessary to preserve the integrity of City government or the public's image of the City. The Members pledge to hold themselves and each other Member responsible for observing the standards set forth in these Protocols, and to enforce these Protocols Setting a Higher Standard within the Existing Framework By adopting these Protocols, the Council intends to supplement and not to supersede California's existing legal framework applicable to local governments. Similarly, the Council intends that these Protocols will not merely restate existing legal obligations, but will establish a higher standard of conduct for Members in the governance of the City. Members are referred to Appendix "A" (Legal Framework & Resources) for pertinent resources. Members are expected to be familiar with and to seek guidance about the applicability of the legal framework. 3.0 Openness Openness or transparency in decision making is of the utmost importance in maintaining ethical, representative local governance. Toward that end, Members will adhere to the following standards: 31 Public Meetings Members will make it a priority to hold public meetings in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Members will seek guidance from the City Attorney as to the accepted interpretation of Brown Act requirements and will apply those provisions conservatively in favor of the public's right to participate in public decisions. 3.2 Council Communications & Serial Meetings Communications between Members will be conducted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Members will not engage in "serial meetings" with colleagues — a discussion of City issues among a majority of Councilmembers or Commissioners either collectively (i.e. all meeting together) or in a sequence (A talks to B who talks to C). Members will not use other persons as intermediaries to accomplish a serial meeting or to circumvent the Ralph M. Brown Act. 3.3 Closed Session Discussions As part of a properly agendized meeting, Members may only hold sessions closed to the public, at advisement of the City Attorney, Rl V 04832-5536-0519 v3