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Tomball council approves repeal and replacement of city code of ethics ordinance
Summary
The Tomball City Council unanimously approved repeal and replacement of the city's code of ethics ordinance after staff presented a revised draft that adds an attendance exception and clarifies censure procedures; council members voted to adopt the draft as presented.
The Tomball City Council on June 2 voted unanimously to repeal and replace the city's code of ethics ordinance, following a staff presentation on a revised draft that incorporated council feedback from prior workshops.
City staff presenter David (identified in the meeting packet) told council members the draft adds language to attendance provisions—specifically adding "or personal reasons" to allowed absences—and revises the clause on council censure. David said the draft clarifies the process for placing a censure item on the agenda and the threshold for censure. During discussion council members confirmed the ordinance as presented requires three members for censure and two members to request placement of the item on the agenda.
Why it matters: a municipal code of ethics sets standards for elected officials' conduct and prescribes procedures for addressing alleged breaches. The revisions were presented after prior workshop feedback and were included in the meeting backup materials.
Council action: a council member moved to approve the ordinance as drafted; another member seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting record shows the item as an "old business" consent item that was discussed and approved at the June 2 meeting.
Next steps: the adopted ordinance will replace the prior code of ethics (identified in the packet as ordinance No. 199306) and the city will implement the new attendance and censure provisions as written in the approved draft.
