Pacific Grove council adopts revised code of conduct after lengthy debate, 4-1

Pacific Grove’s City Council voted to adopt a revised code of conduct after more than an hour of presentations, public comment and council debate about scope, enforcement and the role of censure.

Mayor Pro Tem Emilio reintroduced a slimmer "code of conduct" approach, saying he brought the item back in a pared form after prior iterations. Public commenters urged stronger enforcement: Colleen Ingram asked the council to adopt specific provisions including tiered confidentiality with published findings, graduated penalties with a searchable record for voters, and mandatory public reporting of settlements and costs paid with taxpayer funds.

Other members of the public urged caution. Angela Lawrence said a punitive code could be counterproductive and advised against overreach. Council members debated several fault lines: whether a single document should cover both council and boards and commissions, how subjective language such as "inappropriate" or "offend" could be clarified, and whether censure should be retained as a remedy. Several councilors proposed a stepwise discipline approach with private steps before public censure.

Mayor Nick Smith moved to adopt the recommended action and Mayor Pro Tem Emilio seconded; after discussion and a roll-call vote the motion carried on a 4-1 vote with one member absent. Council directed staff and the city attorney to help clarify ambiguous language, and several members said they would work with colleagues to prepare more detailed amendments for future consideration.

The council emphasized the measure is a starting point and invited public input and further refinements to ensure enforceability and compliance with state law.