A. General
Policy. One of the highest callings is that of public service. With that
service comes a requirement to conduct oneself in a manner above reproach,
since the citizens of the community expect and deserve a high standard of
conduct and performance. This code of ethics provides the following general
guidelines and specific prohibitions to which city officials must conform in
the pursuit of their assigned duties and responsibilities:
1. All
city officials should endeavor to fulfill their obligations to the citizens of
Chula Vista, city management and fellow employees through respect and
cooperation. They should strive to protect and enhance the image and reputation
of the city, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees. All
citizens conducting business with the city shall be treated with courtesy,
efficiency and impartiality and none shall receive special advantage beyond
that available to any others. Officials shall always be mindful of the public
trust and confidence in the daily exercise of their assigned duties, striving
to conserve public funds through diligent and judicious management.
B. Specific
Prohibitions. City officials (including nonpaid commission, board and committee
members) shall be considered to have committed unethical conduct if any of the
following occur:
1. Used
one’s position or title for personal gain but not found to be an act of
illegality or conflict of interest by the district attorney, Grand Jury or Fair
Political Practices Commission.
2. Knowingly
divulged confidential information for personal gain or for the gain of
associates in a manner disloyal to the city.
3. Knowingly
made false statements about members of the city council or other city employees
that tend to discredit or embarrass those persons.
4. Used
or permitted the use of city time, personnel, supplies, equipment,
identification cards/ badges or facilities for unapproved noncity activities,
except when available to the general public or provided for by administrative
regulations.
5. No
ex-city officer for a period of one year after leaving office or employment
shall, for compensation, act as agent or attorney for, or otherwise represent,
any other person by making any oral or written communication before any city
administrative office or agency or officer or employee thereof, if the
appearance or communication is made for the purpose of influencing
administrative action, or influencing any action or proceeding involving the
issuance, amendment, awarding, or revocation of a permit, license, grant, or
contract, or the sale or purchase of goods or property.
6. Endorsed
or recommended for compensation any commercial product or service in the name
of the city or in the employee’s official capacity within the city without
prior approval by a city council policy.
7. No
member of the city council shall be eligible, for a period of one year after
leaving office, for employment by, or be on the payroll of, or be a paid
consultant or paid contractor to, the city, or to any entity controlled by the
city or the city council (“controlled entities”), or to any entity which
receives a majority of its funding from the city or of its controlled entities,
except by the permission of the council finding on four-fifths vote that
special identified and articulated circumstances exist, cast at a regular
public meeting taken after the involved member of the city council has left
office. (Refer to Civil Service Commission for the hiring rules.) (Ord. 2629
§ 1, 1995; Ord. 2453 § 1, 1991; Ord. 2297 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1040
§ 1, 1967; prior code § 1.51).