HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2025 CC Agenda Packet - work sessionAgenda
City Council Work Session
Monday, February 10, 2025, 5:00 PM
City Council Chambers 12780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356
952-249-4600 /oronomn.gov
Roll Call
Work Session Item
Council Code of Conduct
Adjournment
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AGENDA ITEM
Date: February 10, 2025
Title: Council Code of Conduct
Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer
Section: Work Session Item
Item:
Purpose:
The purpose of this item is to review a draft code of conduct and values statement for the Orono
City Council.
2. Background:
At the January 27th Work Session the Council provided guidance to prepare a draft code of
conduct based on the sample from the Mn Mayor's Handbook, and the example form the city of
Redwing. Further there was an interest in having a values statement based on the example from
the Mn Mayor's Handbook. Staff prepared drafts for each document for council's review and
discussion. Once finalized they will be brought to a regular council meeting for council
adoption.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Review, discussion and guidance on the draft documents.
Exhibits
250210-Orono_City_Council_ Code_ Of Conduct-DRAFT.docx
Orono City Council Statement of values DRAFT.docx
K
Draft is based on LMC Mn Mayors Handbook Sample
Green= Additions from Redwing Example
Blue=Staff addition/changes
City of Orono Policy:
City Council and Advisory Boards and Commissions
Code of Conduct
1. Purpose. The purpose of this code is to preserve the integrity of local government and to promote
public confidence in the actions of the Mayor and City Council and the members of advisory boards
and commissions. The City Council of the City of Orono has determined that a code of conduct for
its members, as well as the members of the various boards and commissions of the City of Orono,
is essential for the public affairs of the city. By eliminating conflicts of interest and providing
standards for conduct in city matters, the City Council hopes to promote the faith and confidence
of the citizens of Orono in their government and to encourage its citizens to serve on its council
and commissions.
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2. Standards of conduct. Elected officials and City advisory board or commission members shall
respect and comply with the law and shall behave in a manner that promotes public confidence in
government. In their official capacity, the Mayor and members of the City Council and all
appointed board and commission members must be patient, dignified and courteous to each other,
members of the public and staff. The City Council, boards and commissions shall require similar
conduct from persons appearing before them. No member of the City Council or a city board or
commission may knowingly:
a. Violate the Open Meeting Law and/or make decisions outside of a public meeting.
b. Participate in a matter that affects the person's financial interests or those of a business
with which the person is associated, unless the effect on the person or business is no
greater than on other members of the same business classification, profession, or
occupation.
c. Use the person's public position to secure special privileges or exemptions for the person
or for others.
d. Use the person's public position to solicit personal gifts or favors.
e. Use the person's public position for personal gain.
f. Except as specifically permitted pursuant to Minn. Stat. 471.895, accept or receive any
gift of substance, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment,
hospitality, promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could be
reasonably expected to influence the person, the person's performance of official action,
or be intended as a reward for the person's official action.
g. Disclose to the public, or use for the person's or another person's personal gain,
information that was gained by reason of the person's public position if the information
was not public data or was discussed at a closed session of the City Council.
h. Disclose information that was received, discussed, or decided in conference with the
city's legal counsel that is protected by the attorney -client privilege unless a majority of
the City Council has authorized the disclosure.
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i. Use the City logos for personal or private benefit or modify the logos in any way
or any other intellectual property of the city without permission from the city council
j. Hold incompatible offices. No elected person can be an employee of the City.
k. Use the person's elected or appointed position to impede the efficiency of the
body's decision -making.
1. Encourage or participate in the manner that erodes order and decorum at a
meeting.
Except as prohibited by the provisions of Minn. Stat. § 471.87, there is no violation of subdivision
1 b. of this section for a matter that comes before the council, board, or commission if the member
of the council, board, or commission publicly discloses the circumstances that
would violate these standards and refrains from participating in the discussion and vote on the
matter. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a contract with a member of the City Council
under the circumstances described under Minn. Stat. § 471.88, if proper statutory procedures are
followed.
3. Complaint, hearing. Any council, commission or board member may file a written complaint
with the city administrator alleging a violation of the standards of conduct in section. The
complaint must contain supporting facts for the allegation. The City Council may hold a hearing
after receiving the written complaint or upon the council's own volition. A hearing must be held
only if the City Council determines: (1) upon advice of the city attorney, designee, or other
attorney appointed by the council, that the factual allegations state a sufficient claim of a violation
of these standards or rise to the level of a legally recognized conflict of interest, and (2) that the
complaint has been lodged in good faith and not for impermissible purposes such as delay. The
City Council's determination must be made within 30 days of the filing of the allegation with the
city administrator. If the council determines that there is an adequate justification for holding a
hearing, the hearing must be held within 30 days of the City Council's determination. At the
hearing, the person accused must have the opportunity to be heard. If, after the hearing, the
council finds that a violation of a standard has occurred or does exist, the council may censure the
person, refer the matter for criminal prosecution, request an official not to participate in a decision,
or remove an appointed member of an advisory board or commission from office.
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Orono City Council Statement of Values
Preamble
The proper operation of democratic government requires that decision -makers be independent,
impartial, and accountable to the people they serve. The City of Orono has adopted this
Statement of Values to promote and maintain the highest standards of personal and professional
conduct in the city's government. All elected and appointed officials are expected or required to
subscribe to this statement, understand how it applies to their specific responsibilities, and
practice its core values in their work. Because we seek public confidence in the city's services
and public trust of its decision -makers, our decisions and our work must meet the most
demanding ethical standards and demonstrate the highest levels of achievement in following
this statement.
The values
As a representative of the City of Orono,
1. I serve the public interest.
2. I fulfill the duties and responsibilities of holding public office.
3. I am ethical.
4. I am professional.
5. I am fiscally responsible.
6. I am conscientious.
7. I communicate effectively.
8. I am collaborative.
9. I am forward thinking.
Value examples/expressions
1. I serve the public interest. In practice, this value means that:
a. I provide courteous, equitable, and prompt service to everyone.
b. I am attuned to and care about the needs and issues of citizens, public officials, and city
workers.
c. I am interested, engaged, and responsive in my interactions with constituents.
d. I recognize and support the public's right to know the public's business.
2. I fulfill the duties and responsibilities of holding public office. In practice, this value
means that:
a. I observe the highest standards of integrity in my official acts and undertake my
responsibilities for the benefit of the greater public good.
b. I faithfully discharge the duties of my office regardless of my personal considerations,
recognizing that the public interest is my primary concern.
c. I uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of
Minnesota and carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state, and municipality and
thus foster respect for all government.
d. I comply with both the letter and the spirit of the laws and policies affecting operations of
the city.
e. I recognize my obligation to implement the adopted goals and objectives of the city in
good faith, regardless of my personal views.
f. I conduct myself in both my official and personal actions in a manner that is above
reproach.
g. I do not use my position to secure for myself or others special privileges or exemptions
that are different from those available to the general public.
h. I understand and abide by the respective roles and responsibilities of elected and
appointed officials and city staff and will not undermine them in their work.
i. I am independent, impartial, and fair in my judgment and actions.
3. I am ethical. In practice, this value means that:
a. I am trustworthy, acting with the utmost integrity and moral courage.
b. I am truthful, do what I say I will do, and am reliable.
c. I am accountable for my actions and behavior and accept responsibility for my decisions.
d. I make impartial decisions, free of influence from unlawful gifts, narrow political
interests, and financial and other personal interests that impair my independence of
judgment or action.
e. I am fair, distributing benefits and burdens according to consistent and equitable criteria.
f. I oppose all forms of harassment and unlawful discrimination.
g. I extend equal opportunities and due process to all parties in matters under consideration.
h. I show respect for confidences and confidential information.
i. I avoid giving the appearance of impropriety and of using my position for personal gain.
4. I am professional. In practice, this value means that:
a. I apply my knowledge and expertise to my assigned activities and to the interpersonal
relationships that are part of my job in a consistent, confident, competent, and productive
manner.
b. I approach my job and work -related relationships with a positive attitude, contributing to
a supportive, respectful, and non -threatening work environment.
c. I keep my professional knowledge and skills current and growing.
d. I am respectful of all city staff, officials, volunteers, and others who participate in the
city's government.
5. I am fiscally responsible. In practice, this value means that:
a. I make decisions after prudent consideration of their financial impact, taking into account
the long-term financial needs of the city, especially its financial stability.
b. I demonstrate concern for the proper use of city assets, follow established procedures,
and do not use public resources for personal gain.
c. I make decisions that seek to preserve the financial capacity of the city to provide
programs and services for city residents.
d. I provide full disclosure of any potential financial or other private conflict of interest. I
abstain from participating in the discussion and vote on these matters.
e. I prevent misuse of public funds by establishing, maintaining, and following strong fiscal
and management controls.
f. I report any misuse of public funds of which I am aware.
6. I am conscientious. In practice, this value means that:
a. I act in an efficient manner, making decisions and recommendations based upon research
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and facts, taking into consideration short- and long-term goals.
b. I follow through in a responsible way, keeping others informed, and responding in a
timely fashion.
c. I am respectful of established city processes and guidelines.
d. I prioritize my duties so that the work of the city may move forward.
e. I prepare for all meetings by reviewing any materials provided ahead of time. When I
have materials to contribute, I make sure all others involved have ample time to review
these materials prior to the meeting.
7. I communicative effectively. In practice, this value means that:
a. I convey the city's care for and commitment to its citizens.
b. I communicate in various ways that I am approachable, open-minded, and willing to
participate in dialogue.
c. I engage in effective two-way communication by listening carefully, asking questions,
and responding appropriately, which adds value to conversations.
d. I do not interfere with the orderly conduct of meetings by interrupting others or making
personal comments not germane to the business at hand.
e. I follow up on inquiries in a timely manner.
f. I encourage and facilitate citizen involvement in policy decision -making.
g. I am respectful in disagreements and contribute constructively to discussions on the issue.
8. I am collaborative. In practice, this value means that:
a. I act in a cooperative manner with groups and other individuals, working together in a
spirit of tolerance and understanding to accomplish common goals.
b. I share information with others in a timely manner so that, together, we can make
informed decisions.
c. I work toward consensus building and gain value from diverse opinions.
d. I accomplish the goals and responsibilities of my individual position, while respecting my
role as a member of a team.
9. I am forward thinking. In practice, this value means that:
a. I promote intelligent, proactive, and thoughtful innovation in order to advance the city's
policy agenda and provide city services while considering the broader regional,
statewide, national, and international implications of the city's decisions and issues.
b. I maintain consistent standards, but am also sensitive to the need for compromise,
creative problem solving, and making improvements when appropriate.
c. I am open to new ideas and processes, adopting them as they conserve resources and
provide efficient and effective service.
d. I consider the potential long-term consequences and implications of my actions and
inactions.
Signature:
Name:
Title:
Date:
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