Transportation Commission backs proposed updates to city’s elected and appointed officials code of conduct

The Transportation Commission on June 25 voted to recommend approval to the Common Council of proposed changes to the city’s elected and appointed officials code of ethical conduct and harassment appendix.

Dr. Karen Kapusta Popo, chief of staff to the Common Council, presented a condensed version of the proposed updates and fielded questions. She said the draft expands expected conduct language, adds guidance on conduct toward city staff and the public, provides direction about addressing employee performance through Human Resources and proposes a more formal hearing process for censures of alderpersons — including a requirement for two alder sponsors for a censure resolution.

“Boards, commissions and committees are required by resolution to put the code on their agenda annually for discussion,” Kapusta Popo said, describing how the council is collecting feedback from referred committees and will package that feedback for alders.

Commission members discussed how best to make the annual review meaningful for new members and whether the orientation process could incorporate the code. Member Lynn Olsen said she would add the code to the commission’s annual work plan to ensure a future substantive review.

Commissioner Lynn moved that the Transportation Commission recommend approval of the proposed changes to the Common Council; Robbie Weber seconded the motion. The commission approved the recommendation by unanimous consent.

Kapusta Popo and staff asked committees to forward any additional written comments; the council will consider the collected feedback when it takes final action on the ordinance updates.