San Leandro council adopts updated handbook, adds code of ethics and tightens reimbursement rules

San Leandro’s City Council adopted an updated council handbook during a Sept. 8 special session that adds a formal code of ethics, revises member reimbursement rules and consolidates certain member budgets.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the clerk’s red-line edits after debate over enforcement language and budget structure. Council member Bolt moved to adopt the handbook as presented; Council member Viveiros Walton seconded. The substitute motion from Council member Aguilar to require a supermajority for disciplinary action and to separate technology and travel/training budgets failed 2–5, with Council members Simon and Aguilar voting yes and five members voting no. The final handbook adoption vote was unanimous.

The handbook adds a council code of ethics and an acknowledgment form; the clerk said rules-committee recommendations varied, with some additions recommended unanimously and others by 2–1 votes. The handbook also references disciplinary consequences and points to chapter 1‑13 of the San Leandro administrative code (adopted by city council resolution 2024‑138) as providing the city’s existing internal-discipline policy. The city attorney told the council the handbook itself does not compel disciplinary action and that state enforcement channels—such as the Fair Political Practices Commission or district attorney—remain independent.

On compensation and budgets, the handbook consolidates travel, training and technology into a single “advocacy, training and technology” budget with a per-council-member allocation of $9,300 per fiscal year and an agreement that no more than $2,500 of that amount may be used for technology annually. The clerk asked whether the mayor’s separate travel and technology amounts should be adjusted; the mayor’s previously listed combined total was noted in presentation materials as $11,800 (a $10,000 travel/training allocation plus $1,800 technology). The clerk and finance director said the handbook’s red-line language is intended to reflect amounts adopted in the June budget process and the rules-committee discussion.

Finance director Nicole described a change that shortens the deadline for submitting expense-reimbursement requests from 90 days to 30 days to align council reimbursement practice with city close-out and audit schedules. She said the shorter window helps ensure receipts and transactions are recorded in time for fiscal-year closeout and audit processes.

During council debate, members discussed whether enforcement for handbook violations should require a supermajority (five of seven). Council member Simon proposed the supermajority threshold and suggested adopting a values-based code modeled on other cities, while Council member Aguilar sought to bifurcate the combined budget to keep technology separate from travel/training. Council member Bolt argued the handbook has been discussed at length and urged adoption as presented to avoid further delay; he made the motion that passed.

Public commenters strongly urged action on ethics and accountability. League of San Leandro Voters representative David Jackson supported adopting the handbook but urged a clear complaint channel, spelled-out consequences and a requirement that council members correct the record if facts are misstated. Other residents urged immediate adoption and later strengthening of whistleblower protections.

The city attorney clarified that if the council seeks to change internal-discipline procedures, it must amend chapter 1‑13 of the administrative code; approval of the handbook alone would not make those administrative-code changes effective without a follow-up council action.

Votes at a glance: consent calendar approved (motion by Council member Aguilar, second by Council member Viveiros Walton; unanimous). Handbook substitute motion (add supermajority/bifurcate budgets) failed 2–5. Handbook adoption (motion by Council member Bolt, second by Council member Viveiros Walton) passed unanimously.

The council adjourned at 8:20 a.m.