Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics And Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Human Relations Commission approves reorder and additions to member statement in code-of-ethics review
Summary
The commission voted to reorder and expand the 'member statement' in the boards-and-commissions code of ethics — placing 'keep the common good' first, moving a conduct/honesty bullet to second and adding commitments to 'center perspectives of those most affected' and to 'be prepared and informed.'
The Sunnyvale Human Relations Commission voted Dec. 11 to propose several changes to the member-statement portion of the boards-and-commissions code of ethics and conduct. The changes are intended as a suggested reordering and additional commitments to be forwarded as recommendations to the City Council.
Vice Chair Sakia moved to propose reordering the member statement so that "keeping the common good as my highest purpose" appears first; that motion carried on a roll-call vote (transcript: "motion carries 5 1 with commissioner Camacho voting no and chair Zapata absent"). The commission then voted to move the language on conducting personal and public affairs "with honesty, integrity, fairness, and respect for others" into the second position; that motion passed with the same recorded margin. The body also voted unanimously to add a commitment "centering the perspectives of those who will be most affected by decisions and recommendations" and to add a commitment to "be prepared and informed so that we can make worthwhile contributions." Finally, the commission approved a wording change to one line to read "treat all people with whom I come in contact in a way they wish to be treated." Recorded votes for those motions appear in the transcript as carrying by recorded majorities or unanimous counts with Chair Zapata absent from the meeting.
Council liaison Chang and Deputy City Manager Connie Versellas clarified that the change to the boards-and-commissions document is a recommendation to council; any formal change to the citywide policy must go to the City Council for approval. Vice Chair Sakia framed the edits as intent-setting: she said the order of commitments signals priorities and that adding a commitment to solicit or center perspectives of people affected by decisions will help the commission focus on equity and outcomes.
The actions taken at the Dec. 11 meeting are advisory recommendations; staff will forward the proposed reorderings and additions to the City Council for any formal amendment to the policy manual.
