Res 06-047
RESOLUTION NO. 06-047
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING A CITY OF POWAY CODE OF ETHICS
WHEREAS, the City of Poway and its representatives strive to serve as models of
professional and ethical conduct, and the City Council desires to establish a future
precedent for an ethical, values-based organization; and
WHEREAS, a Code of Ethics encourages high standards of behavior by public
officials, increases public confidence in the institutions that serve the public, and assists
public officials with decision-making; and
WHEREAS, the City of Poway Code of Ethics builds upon the existing City of Poway
Ideals, which are Respect for the Individual, Honor of the Public Trust, and Open and
Honest Communication; and
WHEREAS, the City of Poway Code of Ethics emphasizes values and principles
which are complementary to ethics laws, but extend beyond minimum legal requirements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Poway
hereby adopts the City of Poway Code of Ethics and directs staff to implement it
throughout the organization and return for an annual review by the City Council.
PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Poway
at a regular meeting this 6th day of June 2006.
ATTEST:
~~~
L. Diane Shea, City Clerk
Resolution No. 06-047
Page 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)SS
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
I, L. Diane Shea, City Clerk of the City of Poway, do hereby certify under penalty of
perjury that the foregoing Resolution No. 06-047 was duly adopted by the City Council at a
meeting of said City Council held on the 6th day of June 2006, and that it was so adopted
by the following vote:
AYES: BOYACK, EMERY, HIGGINSON, REXFORD, CAFAGNA
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
DISQUALIFIED: NONE
LD~hh~~
City of Poway
Resolution No. 06-047
Page 3
Preamble
The citizens and businesses of Poway are entitled to responsible, fair and honest local
government which has earned the public's full confidence for integrity. The proper operation of
democratic government requires that decision-makers be independent, impartial, and
accountable to those they serve.
Accordingly, the Poway City Council has adopted this Code of Ethics to:
1. Describe the standards of behavior to which its leaders aspire;
2. Provide an ongoing source of guidance to City officials in their day-to-day service
to the City; and
3. Promote and maintain a culture of ethics.
This Code of Ethics builds upon the City of Poway's Ideals, which include:
. Respect for the Individual;
. Honor of the Public Trust; and
. Open and Honest Communication.
Elected officials, officers, employees, members of committees and commissions, and
volunteers shall comply with the laws of the nation, the State of California and the City of
Poway in the performance of their public duties. These laws include, but are not limited to: the
United States and California constitutions; the Poway Municipal Code, laws pertaining to
conflicts of interest, election campaigns, financial disclosures, employer responsibilities, and
open processes of government; and City ordinances and policies.
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to set a standard of conduct for all elected officials,
officers, employees, members of committees and commissions, and volunteers for the City of
Poway. The Code will be reviewed and evaluated annually.
Resolution No. 06-047
Page 4
We Respect the Individual
. I treat my fellow City officials, staff and the public with patience, courtesy and civility, even
when we disagree on what is best for the community.
. I promote consistency, equity and non-discrimination in public agency decision-making.
We Honor the Public Trust as Stewards of the Community
. I am a steward of the public trust.
. I understand that the community expects me to serve with dignity and respect for my office,
as well as to be an agent of the democratic process acting in the public interest.
. I avoid actions that might cause the public to question my independent judgment.
. I do not use my office or the resources of the City for personal or political gain.
. I am a prudent steward of public resources and actively consider the impact of my
decisions on the financial and social stability of the City and its residents.
. I am prepared to make decisions in the public's best interest based on the merits and
substance of the matter at hand, and to take responsibility for my actions, whether those
decisions are popular or not.
We maintain Open and Honest Communication
. I am honest and forthright with my fellow officials, the public and others, even when it is
uncomfortable to do so.
. I encourage diverse public engagement in our decision-making processes and support the
public's right to know.
We will hold ourselves as individuals and the City of poway organization as a whole
accountable for acting consistently with this Code of Ethics.
Adopted June 6, 2006