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Mound council adopts code of conduct setting complaint process for council, boards and volunteers
Summary
The council unanimously adopted a code of conduct that sets expectations for elected officials and volunteers, establishes a process to file written complaints with the city manager, and allows the council to hold hearings and consider sanctions including censure or removal of appointed board members.
The Mound City Council voted unanimously May 26 to adopt a formal code of conduct that will apply to the council, boards, commissions and volunteers. Deputy City Manager Laya Miki told the council the code codifies expectations for open‑meeting compliance, conflicts of interest, social media use, interaction with media and the use of city logos or branding.
Miki described the complaint process: any member may file a written complaint with the city manager, who will consult city legal counsel and provide an advisory opinion or initiate an investigation. "The member accused must have the opportunity to be heard," Miki said, and the council may hold a hearing within 30 days of receiving a complaint. If violations are found, the council may censure an elected member or remove appointed board/commission members by the council's vote as set out in the policy.
Council members discussed whether signatures on the policy would be public; city legal counsel said the status depends on public‑data classifications, and the city plans to provide training and an onboarding session for boards and commissions in 2027. The code includes a signature page, but the deputy city manager emphasized that not signing would not exempt anyone from following the policy.
The measure passed unanimously. Staff will provide copies to boards and commissions and arrange training as part of onboarding and future orientation sessions.
(Reporting note: descriptions of the complaint process are summarized from the city manager's presentation and council discussion.)
