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35 EX-PARTE COMMUNICATIONS Ex-parte communications are communications with applicants, representatives, agents, or attorneys for applicants or others seeking approval from the City or City Council or opponents of such entities or applications outside of an open and public meeting. Such communications are not encouraged when the communication is designed to influence the official decision or conduct of the official in order to obtain a favorable decision or treatment to advance personal or private interests. Councilmembers who have ex-parte communications with a party that will appear or appears before them at a meeting should disclose that he/she had such ex parte communication with the party. Any written ex-parte communication received by an official in matters where all interested parties should have an equal opportunity for a hearing shall be made a part of the record by the recipient. AB 1234 – ETHICS TRAINING Assembly Bill 1234 was signed into law and went into effect on January 1, 2006. This state law requires public officials to receive two hours of ethics training every two years. Newly seated officials must receive this training within 12 months of taking their positions. The original Certificate of Completion of this training must be filed with the City Clerk by the deadline. The training covers subjects such as conflicts of interest, personal financial gain, personal advantages and perks, government transparency, and fair processes. AB 1825 & AB 1661 – SEXUAL HARRASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING Assembly Bill 1825 became effective in 2007and AB 1661 in 2016. These laws require two hours of sexual harassment training for supervisors, which includes Councilmembers, every two years. POINTS OF ORDER The Presiding Officer shall determine all Points of Order subject to the right of any member to appeal to the Council. If an appeal is taken, the question shall be, “Shall the decision of the Presiding Officer be sustained?” in which event a majority vote shall sustain or reverse the Presiding Officer’s determination. DECORUM AND ORDER – COUNCILMEMBERS a) Any Councilmember who wants to speak shall address the Chair and, upon recognition by the Chair, shall confine themself to the question under debate. b) A Councilmember who wants to question a staff member shall address their question to the City Manager, City Attorney, or the City Clerk in appropriate cases, who shall be entitled to answer the inquiry himself/herself or to designate some member of the staff for that purpose. During initial clarifying questions from City Council Members after a staff report, the Presiding Officer shall enforce a 5 minute limit per City Council Member. Once every Council Member has had a chance to ask questions during their initial 5 minute limit, the Presiding Officer may allow additional questions as needed. c) A Councilmember, once recognized, shall not be interrupted while speaking unless called to order by the Presiding Officer; unless a Point of Order is raised by another Councilmember; or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another