Council sets Dec. 9 public hearing on proposed code-of-ethics ordinance

The Village of Goodrich council voted to set a public hearing on a proposed code-of-ethics ordinance for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at 6 p.m. Committee member (S5) moved to set the hearing and Chair (S3) seconded; the motion carried.

Council members described the ordinance as a formal guide to professionalism and discussed enforcement mechanisms, including a proposed three-person board of ethics that could include non-residents. Committee member (S5) said the draft “is lengthy, but I feel like it did cover all the basis,” and other members agreed that formalizing expectations would be “imperative.”

Members raised provisions that bar appointment of a council member’s spouse or immediate family to other village boards and asked staff to consider grandfathering current appointees until their terms expire. The ordinance language on enforcement and board membership drew particular attention; Chair (S3) asked the village attorney to review the sections concerning composition and enforcement procedures before final adoption.

The council set the public hearing date to allow residents to review the draft ordinance and comment at the December meeting. The full text of the ordinance was included in the meeting packet for council review.