Burbank council adopts code of conduct and staff-expectations documents

The Burbank City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 23 to adopt three internal governance documents intended to set norms for conduct and clarify staff-council interactions.

The documents approved were How We Work Together, Expectations of Staff and the Council Code of Conduct. Council Member Anthony moved to approve the documents “as amended,” and Council Member Mullins seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0: Anthony, Mullins, Rosati, Vice Mayor Takahashi and Mayor Perez all voted yes.

Council members and staff discussed several edits before the vote, including language on the format of public presentations, how staff reports should present pro and con arguments and clarifications about when council members speak as individuals. Council Member Anthony proposed separating “reports” from “presentations” so staff reports remain comprehensive and public presentations are curated for broader audiences; Vice Mayor Takahashi and others suggested the final wording emphasize creating material “for a broad audience” when possible.

The council also reviewed the Code of Conduct language read aloud during the meeting, which instructs members that “when designated as a representative of the city of Burbank or city council, members shall represent the city's official policies or positions to the best of their ability.” Council members debated the document’s “teeth,” with Council Member Rosati noting there is no independent enforcement mechanism beyond public censure, removal from special roles or voter action. City Attorney (unnamed in the record) explained limits on enforcement and that recall or voter action are ultimately remedies available to the public.

Members discussed a new addition to the code addressing apparel and public appearances: council members should avoid wearing apparel bearing official city branding when participating in personal or political events where their city title might imply official endorsement. Vice Mayor Takahashi and other members urged that council members explicitly state when they are speaking in a personal capacity in public forums.

City Manager Justin Hess and facilitator Reeva Feldman led the session through the documents and responded to council questions. Hess told the council staff would reinforce the expectation that when staff recommendations differ from a board or commission decision, the staff report should present the board’s decision and reasoning alongside staff’s recommendation.

With the motion put and seconded, council recorded a unanimous roll-call vote approving the three documents as amended.

The council did not adopt new enforcement measures with the vote; members characterized the Code of Conduct primarily as a mutual, professional commitment among elected officials rather than a penalty-based instrument. City officials said staff will follow up to implement the reporting and presentation refinements the council requested.

The council moved on to goal-setting after the vote.