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Council updates code of ethics, adds social media guidance; ordinance adopted as amended
Summary
The Leavenworth City Council adopted amendments to the city code of ethics on May 13, adding reminders about not directing staff and guidance on social media disclosures.
The Leavenworth City Council on May 13 adopted changes to the city’s code of ethics. The ordinance modifies council expectations for interactions with staff and adds advisory language about social media use by elected officials.
City staff reminded the council that section 2.2405 (o)(c) of the recommended policy says council members should “refrain from directing staff” to avoid placing staff in an awkward position. Staff said the change was prompted by a recent instance involving a parking enforcement dispute. The council also discussed social media, and the city attorney’s guidance that council members who post on personal accounts should clearly state they are speaking for themselves and not in an official capacity to avoid public records complications.
Councilmembers debated whether a blanket bio line or a per-post disclaimer is more protective; staff and the city attorney advised a clear disclosure is prudent because social media posts can trigger public records requests. The council also asked staff to monitor the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) filing threshold tied to voter counts and to flag timing for any required F-1 filings; councilmembers amended the ordinance motion to note the city is approaching the PDC threshold and staff should track it.
The council moved to adopt the ordinance as amended (motion moved by Councilmember Shane Thayer; seconded by Councilmember Travis McMaster). The motion passed unanimously.
