Committee recommends updates to elected-official code of conduct, asks for added language on culture and media

Karen Kapusta Polfall, common council chief of staff, presented proposed updates to the city's elected and appointed official code of conduct and asked the committee for feedback and a recommendation to the Common Council. The ALRC voted to recommend adoption with requested additions to clarify language about derogatory statements toward cultural groups and guidance on how members speak to the media.

Kapusta Polfall told the committee, "I will give you a brief presentation, I promise, to keep it brief," and reviewed major changes including new guidance on conduct toward staff, members of the public and the media, expanded instructions on use of point of order in meetings, and a more detailed censure process for alderpersons. She said the proposed censure procedure would require at least two alder sponsors for a censure resolution and would add a hearing-like process at the Common Council Executive Committee.

Committee members praised the level of detail in the draft but asked for explicit wording to cover derogatory comments aimed at cultural groups and stronger guidance for how elected officials speak about constituents to reporters. Alder Sherry Carter recommended that language explicitly call out derogatory statements directed at cultural or identity groups. Alder Farley, who moved the recommendation, and Alder Carter, who seconded, proposed sending the draft back to the lead committee with those clarifying changes. Alder Figueroa Cole abstained from the committee vote and said he would offer additional feedback later.

The committee recorded the recommendation as a referral to the Common Council carrying the attached request that the council consider adding explicit protections against derogatory cultural references and additional language about appropriate interactions with the media. Staff said the council office will compile all committee feedback for alder consideration and that the council is expected to take up the matter again at a later meeting.

Why it matters: the code covers expectations for behavior by elected and appointed officials, sets reporting and investigation protocols for harassment and discrimination complaints, and outlines sanctions; changes affect how the city manages complaints about elected officials and BCC members.

What happens next: the committee's recommendation and suggested edits will be forwarded to the Common Council for further deliberation and possible amendment.