Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-3 Staff Report - Conflict of Interest Code 2022SCHEDULED ITEM D-3 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: ADRIAN GARCIA, MMC, CHIEF DEPUTY CITY CLERK DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2022 SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 BACKGROUND: Pursuant to the Political Reform Act (the “Act”), staff conducted a review of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code (“Code”) to determine if a change in the Code was necessary. During the review process, staff found that updates and amendments to the City’s Conflict of Interest Code are necessary to include new positions required to be designated, revise titles of an existing position, delete positions that no longer exist, include information on e-filing for certain officials and clarify disclosure of real property interests. A redlined version of the proposed amended Code is attached. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action: 1)Adopt Resolution No. 2022-C83 approving and adopting the amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. ANALYSIS: The Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code Section 81000 et seq. (the “Act”), requires all public agencies to adopt and maintain a Conflict of Interest Code. The Act further requires that agencies regularly review and update their Codes as necessary when directed by the code-reviewing body or when change is necessitated by changed circumstances (Sections 87306 and 87306.5). During this review, staff found that amendments to the Code are necessary. Attached is a legislative (redlined) version of the proposed amended Code. The proposed revisions are based on the establishment and recognition of new positions that must be designated, to revise the titles of existing positions, to delete titles of positions that have been abolished, to revise disclosure categories, and to update FPPC regulations and definitional language. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 12/5/2022 Conflict of Interest Code December 5, 2022 Page 2 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this amendment. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Adrian Garcia, MMC Sergio Gonzalez Chief Deputy City Clerk City Manager Attachments: 1) Resolution No. 2022-C83 2) 2022 Amendment of Conflict of Interest Code 3) 2022 Amendment of Conflict of Interest Code - redlined 4) Notice of Intention to Amend the Conflict of Interest Code 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-C83 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 WHEREAS, the State of California enacted the Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code Section 81000, et seq. (the "Act"), which contains provisions relating to conflicts of interest which potentially affect all officers, employees and consultants of the City of Azusa (the “City”), and which requires all public agencies to adopt and promulgate a conflict of interest code; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted a Conflict of Interest Code (the "Code") which was amended on November 2, 2020, in compliance with the Act; and WHEREAS, subsequent changed circumstances within the City have made it advisable and necessary pursuant to Sections 87306 and 87307 of the Act to amend and update the City’s Code; and WHEREAS, the potential penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act are substantial and may include criminal and civil liability, as well as equitable relief which could result in the City being restrained or prevented from acting in cases where the provisions of the Act may have been violated; and WHEREAS, notice of the time and place of a public meeting on, and of consideration by the City Council of, the proposed amended Code was provided to each affected designated employee and was publicly posted for review; and WHEREAS, a public meeting was held upon the proposed amended Code at a regular meeting of the City Council on December 5, 2022, at which all present were given an opportunity to be heard on the proposed amended Code. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, DOES FIND AND DECLARE THAT: SECTION 1. Approval and Adoption of Amended Conflict of Interest Code. The City Council does hereby approve and adopt the proposed amended Conflict of Interest Code, a copy of which is attached hereto and shall be on file with the City Clerk and available to the public for inspection and copying during regular business hours; Attachment 1 2 SECTION 2. Effective Date. The said amended Conflict of Interest Code shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and approval. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of December, 2022. ____________________________________ Robert Gonzales Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________________ Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF AZUSA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2022-C83 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa, at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 5th day of December 2022, by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ___________________________________ Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ Best Best & Krieger, LLP City Attorney -1- CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR THE CITY OF AZUSA (Amended December 5, 2022) The Political Reform Act (the “Act”) (Gov. Code § 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate conflict of interest codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal. Code of Regs. § 18730) that contains the terms of a standard conflict of interest code, which can be incorporated by reference in an agency’s code. After public notice and hearing Regulation 18730 may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations section 18730 and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission are hereby incorporated by reference. This incorporation page, Regulation 18730 and the attached Appendix designating positions and establishing disclosure categories, shall constitute the conflict of interest code of the City of Azusa (the “City”). The Mayor, Members of the City Council and Planning Commission, the City Manager, the City Attorney and the City Treasurer, may electronically file their annual statements of economic interests directly with the Fair Political Practices Commission. All other officials and designated positions required to submit a statement of economic interests shall file their statements with the City Clerk as the City’s Filing Officer. The City Clerk shall retain the original statements filed by all other officials and designated positions and will make all retained statements available for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours. (Gov. Code § 81008.) The City Clerk, as Filing Officer, is required to report violations of the Act to the FPPC. Any individual who fails to file a Statement of Economic Interest is subject to fines in accordance with Gov. Code § 91013 and, after being sent at least two written notifications, will be reported to the FPPC in writing no later than 30 days after the date of the second non-filer notification (Gov. Code § 18115). All officials and designated positions required to submit a statement of economic interests shall receive ethics training as required pursuant to Government Code section 53235 (AB 1234). The City’s Filing Officer shall annually provide all filers with information on training available to meet the requirements of Section 53235, and maintain required records indicating the dates that filers satisfied the training requirements and the entity that provided the training. These records shall be retained for five years after the date of training and are public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act. (Gov. Code § 53235.2.) Attachment 2 App. A-1- APPENDIX CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE OF THE CITY OF AZUSA (Amended December 5, 2022) PART “A” The Mayor, Members of the City Council and Planning Commission, the City Manager, the City Attorney, the City Treasurer, and all Other City Officials who manage public investments as defined by 2 Cal. Code of Regs. § 18700.3, are NOT subject to the City’s Code but must file disclosure statements under Government Code section 87200 et seq. [Regs. § 18730(b)(3)] OFFICIALS WHO MANAGE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS It has been determined that the positions listed below are Other City Officials who manage public investments.1 These positions are listed here for informational purposes only. Director of Administrative Services Investment Consultant 1 Individuals holding one of the above-listed positions may contact the Fair Political Practices Commission for assistance or written advice regarding their filing obligations if they believe that their position has been categorized incorrectly. The Fair Political Practices Commission makes the final determination whether a position is covered by § 87200. App. A-2- DESIGNATED POSITIONS GOVERNED BY THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED Administrative Analyst 5 Adult Education and Literacy Services Coordinator 5 Assistant Chief Deputy City Clerk 5 Assistant City Manager 1, 2 Assistant Director, Community Development 1, 2 Assistant General Manager, Customer Care & Solutions 5 Assistant Director, Economic & Community Development 1, 2 Assistant General Manager, Electric Operations 2, 3, 5, 8 Assistant Director of Public Works 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 Assistant Director of Information Technology 5 Assistant General Manager, Resource Management 5 Assistant General Manager, Water Operations 2, 3, 5 Assistant Library Director 5 Assistant to the Director, Utilities/Principal 2, 3, 5 Policy and Budget Analyst Assistant Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Associate Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Budget and Revenue Manager 5 Building Inspector I/II 5, 6 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-3- Building Official 2, 3, 5, 6 Buyer 4 Chief Deputy City Clerk 5 Chief of Police 5, 6 City Attorney (not filing under Gov Code 87200) 1, 2 City Clerk 5 Community Improvement Inspector (ALL) 5, 6 Community Improvement Inspector, Sr. 5, 6 Community Improvement Manager 1, 2 Community Improvement Supervisor 5, 6 Controller 1 Customer Care Operations Supervisor 5 Deputy City Manager 1, 2 Director, Community Resources 2, 3, 5 Director, Economic and Community Development 1, 2 Director, Information Technology/Library Services 5 Director, Public Works/City Engineer 2, 3, 5 General Manager 2, 3, 5, 6 Economic Development Specialist 1 Electric Distribution Supervisor 5 Electrical Engineer (ALL) 2, 3, 5 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-4- Emergency Services Coordinator 5 Engineering Assistant 2, 3, 5, 6 Engineering Associate 2, 3, 5, 6 Environmental Programs Manager 5 Equipment Mechanic Supervisor 5 Facilities -Supervisor 5 Family Services Manager 5 Field Service Supervisor 5 Finance Manager 4 Human Resources Manager 5 Human Resources/Risk Management Analyst 5 Information Systems Manager 5 Information Technology (IT) Analyst 5 Information Technology Systems & Network Manager 5 Librarian 5 Library Services Manager 5 Management Analyst – Public Works 5 Planning Manager 2, 3, 5, 6 Police Administrative Services Manager (Civilian Position) 5 Police Captain 5, 6 Police Communications Supervisor 5 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-5- Power Resources Coordinator 5 Principle Civil Engineer 2, 3, 5, 6 Public Information Officer 5 Public Works Inspector 3, 6 Public Works Manager 2, 3, 5 Public Works Superintendent 2, 3, 5, 8 Public Works Superintendent – Parks and Facilities 2, 3, 5, 8 Public Works Supervisor 2, 3, 5, 8 Recreation Coordinator 5 Recreation Superintendent – Programs & Services 5 Recreation Supervisor 5 Revenue Supervisor 5, 6 Senior Accountant 5 Senior GIS Analyst 5 Senior Information Technology Analyst 5 Senior Librarian 5 Senior Management Analyst 5 Senior Management Analyst – Administration 5, 7 Senior Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Senior Power Resources Planner 5 Storekeeper 4 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-6- Street Maintenance Crew Supervisor 5 Transit Supervisor 1, 2 Urban Forester 5 Utilities Administrative & Financial Services Manager 5 Utilities Communications & Environmental Programs Specialist 5 Utility Applications Specialist 5 Utility Programs Specialist 1, 2 Water Distribution Supervisor 5 Water Treatment Supervisor 5 Water System Engineer 2, 3, 5, 6 MEMBERS OF BOARDS COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES Architectural Barriers Commission 2, 3, 5, 6 Cultural & Historic Preservation Commission 2, 3, 5 Library Commission 2, 3, 5 Oversight Board of Successor Agency 1, 2 Parks & Recreation Commission 2, 3, 5 Personnel Board 5 Successor Agency 1, 2 Consultants and New Positions2 2 Individuals serving as a consultant as defined in FPPC Reg 18700.3 or in a new position created since this Code was last approved that makes or participates in making decisions must file under the broadest disclosure category set forth in this Code subject to the following limitation: DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-7- The City Manager may determine that, due to the range of duties or contractual obligations, it is more appropriate to assign a limited disclosure requirement. A clear explanation of the duties and a statement of the extent of the disclosure requirements must be in a written document. (Gov. Code Sec. 82019; FPPC Regulations 18219 and 18734.). The City Manager’s determination is a public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this Conflict of Interest Code. (Gov. Code Sec. 81008.) App. B-1- BBK – September 2020 45635.01000\33173994.3 PART “B” DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES The disclosure categories listed below identify the types of economic interests that the designated position must disclose for each disclosure category to which he or she is assigned.3 ”Investment” means financial interest in any business entity (including a consulting business or other independent contracting business) and are reportable if they are either located in or doing business in the jurisdiction, are planning to do business in the jurisdiction, or have done business during the previous two years in the jurisdiction of the City. Category 1: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, that are located in, do business in, or own real property within the jurisdiction of the City. Category 2: All interests in real property which is located in whole or in part within, or not more than two (2) miles outside, the jurisdiction of the City, including any leasehold, beneficial or ownership interest or option to acquire property. Category 3: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, that are engaged in land development, construction or the acquisition or sale of real property within the jurisdiction of the City. Category 4: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, that provide services, products, materials, machinery, vehicles or equipment of a type purchased or leased by the City. Category 5: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, that provide services, products, materials, machinery, vehicles or equipment of a type purchased or leased by the designated position’s department, unit or division. Category 6: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, subject to the regulatory, permit, or licensing authority of the designated position’s department, unit or division. Category 7: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans and travel payments, or income from a nonprofit or other organization, if the source is of the type to receive grants or other monies from or through the City or its subdivisions. 3 This Conflict of Interest Code does not require the reporting of gifts from outside this agency’s jurisdiction if the source does not have some connection with or bearing upon the functions or duties of the position. (Reg. 18730.1) App. B-2- BBK – September 2020 45635.01000\33173994.3 Category 8: All investments and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, including gifts, loans, and travel payments, that have filed claims against the District in the past 2 years, or have a claim pending before the District. Attachment 3 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO AMEND THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE OF THE CITY OF AZUSA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Azusa intends to amend its Conflict of Interest Code (the “Code”) pursuant to Government Code Section 87306. The Appendix of the Code designates those employees, members, officers, and consultants who make or participate in the making of decisions and are subject to the disclosure requirements of the City’s Code. The City’s proposed amendment adds new positions that must be designated, revises titles of existing positions, deletes positions that no longer exist, include provisions for electronic filing by certain filers, and clarifies disclosure requirements for interests in real property. The proposed amended Code will be considered by the City Council on December 5, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at the Azusa Auditorium, 213 East Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, California. Any interested person may comment at the public meeting or may submit written comments concerning the proposed amendment. Any comments or inquiries should be directed to the attention of Adrian Garcia, Chief Deputy City Clerk, City of Azusa, 213 East Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702-2550; (626) 812-5271. Written comments must be submitted no later than December 5, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. Copies of the proposed amended Code may be obtained from the office of the City Clerk during regular business hours. Attachment 4