Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Whitman, Francina, Lang, Rule
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Re-establishment of the Budget and Finance Committee
- Staff proposed a seven-member advisory committee to review projects exceeding $250,000 with community members nominated by the Mayor and Treasurer.
- A friendly amendment reduced the term for resident members from four years to two years to allow for earlier effectiveness reviews.
- The Council adopted the resolution and appointed Council Member Lange to fill a vacancy on the committee.
- Staff will advertise the community member vacancy for review by the Mayor and Treasurer prior to Council ratification.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
- Staff presented a draft code covering transparency, civility, and conflict of interest, with enforcement sanctions ranging from censure to travel restrictions.
- Amendments were adopted to require factual honesty, distinguish personal social media use from official communications, and clarify disclosure of vested interest contacts.
- The Council struck ambiguous language regarding "personal relationships" while maintaining that official positions must be transmitted through the City Manager's office.
- The motion to adopt the Code of Conduct and Ethics with all accepted amendments passed.
Public Announcements and Councilmember Reports
- Councilmember Harvey announced Ojai Day and a special meeting on November 19 to discuss proposed changes to the gymnastics program.
- Councilmember Lang reported that Ames with St. Francis Challenge is seeking interns and volunteers for tent town initiatives.
- Councilmember Harvey noted that members of the Mayor's Youth Council are volunteering for the tent town efforts.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Re-establishment of the Budget and Finance Committee
- Staff presented a resolution to re-establish the Budget and Finance Committee as an advisory body with no binding authority. The proposed committee consists of seven members: two City Council members, the City Treasurer, the City Manager, the Finance Director, and two community residents. The committee's scope is defined as reviewing new programs and projects exceeding $250,000. Staff noted changes from the 2000 policy, specifically shifting the selection process for community members from the City Manager to a nomination by the Mayor and City Treasurer, subject to Council ratification.
- Discussion addressed appointment mechanisms, removal processes, and selection criteria. Staff confirmed that removal mirrors the standard commission process (appointment at will) and that the Mayor and Treasurer would select community members based on the need for community perspective rather than specific financial expertise. A Council member suggested lowering the project review threshold to $100,000; staff responded that significant budget changes typically exceed the proposed $250,000 limit.
- Regarding terms of service, the resolution originally specified four-year terms for resident members. A friendly amendment was moved and seconded to reduce the resident term to two years to allow for earlier review of the committee's effectiveness.
- Motion: To adopt the resolution establishing the Budget and Finance Committee, including the friendly amendment setting the term for resident members at two years.
- Outcome: Passed.
- Following the adoption of the policy, the Council addressed the appointment of a City Council member to fill a vacancy on the committee. A motion was made to appoint Council Member Lange to the position.
- Motion: To appoint Council Member Lange to the Budget and Finance Committee.
- Outcome: Passed.
- The process for appointing the community member vacancy was noted as requiring staff to advertise the position, with the Mayor and City Treasurer reviewing applications and making a recommendation for Council ratification.
Agenda Item 2: Code of Conduct and Ethics
- Staff presented a first draft of a Code of Conduct and Ethics, developed following listening sessions. The code is formatted as "we statements" and covers public interest, transparency, impartiality, civility, effectiveness, democratic process commitment, conflict resolution, confidentiality, public resources, and accountability. Key provisions discussed included acting for the common good, conducting meetings per the Brown Act, recusing oneself from conflicts of interest, avoiding personal attacks, and seeking consensus. Staff recommended adding formality to meetings, such as limiting speaking times to five minutes and requiring recognition by the chair. The enforcement process allows two Council members to request an agenda item to address alleged violations, with potential sanctions including formal censure, loss of committee assignments, or travel restrictions. Removal of a Council member remains the prerogative of voters via recall.
- Public comment was received regarding the code. Speakers expressed support, suggested public engagement mechanisms, and raised concerns regarding transparency, closed sessions related to the Recreation Department and a local gymnastics program, and the enforcement mechanism. One speaker requested a consolidated version of the document prior to adoption. A dispute regarding an incident at Daly Park involving off-leash dogs and a city employee was raised; the Mayor Pro Tem intervened to de-escalate the situation and refocus the meeting.
- Council discussion focused on clarity, enforceability, and First Amendment considerations. Proposals included adding language regarding "truth and honesty," regulations on social media use by family members or associates, and clarifying the distinction between personal opinions and official city communications. Concerns were raised regarding the potential for contentious hearings over "truth and honesty" regulations and First Amendment issues concerning social media conduct outside official meetings. An amendment was proposed to require disclosure of contacts with community groups, businesses, and non-profits with vested interests, distinguishing these from individual constituent contacts. The City Manager and City Attorney clarified that while quasi-judicial bodies have strict ex parte disclosure requirements, the council's quasi-legislative functions do not legally require such disclosures, though ethical guidelines could be established. Discussion also covered time limits for comments and the ambiguity of the phrase "personal relationship" in the impartiality section.
- Motion: Council Member Francina moved to adopt the Council Member Code of Conduct and Ethics as proposed, with additions regarding a commitment to being "factual and honest" and language on the responsible use of technology and media platforms.
- Amendments:
- A friendly amendment by Council Member Lang was accepted, adding language distinguishing personal opinions from official city communications on social media, stating that official positions are transmitted through the City Manager's office, and adding "gratuities" to the section on refusing gifts or favors.
- An amendment by Council Member Rule was accepted, adding explicit examples of outside influences (community groups, businesses, non-profits) to the transparency section while clarifying that the rule does not mandate disclosure of contacts with individual community members.
- The council agreed to strike the language regarding "personal relationship" from the impartiality section due to ambiguity.
- Outcome: The motion to adopt the Code of Conduct and Ethics, incorporating the accepted amendments, passed.
Agenda Item 3: Public Announcements and Councilmember Reports
- Councilmember Harvey announced that Ojai Day is scheduled for the upcoming Saturday and provided notice of a special meeting to discuss proposed changes to the gymnastics program, scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. at Kent Hall. Publicity for the special meeting was confirmed.
- Councilmember Lang reported that Ames with St. Francis Challenge is seeking interns and volunteers for the tent town and is exploring programs for adopting tents. Information regarding these opportunities will be posted on social media and the Councilmember's website. Councilmember Harvey noted that members of the Mayor's Youth Council are volunteering for these efforts.
Adjournment
- No formal motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment. The meeting was declared adjourned.