News Summary
Costa Mesa city leaders are contemplating the adoption of a code of ethics aimed at enhancing the integrity of elected and appointed officials. This initiative arises after the controversial termination of City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison. Councilmember Arlis Reynolds has initiated discussions to implement guidelines defining ethical conduct, addressing conflicts of interest, and ensuring a positive work environment. The proposed ethical framework may restore trust in city leadership as it seeks to establish accountability among officials.
Costa Mesa city leaders are considering the adoption of a code of ethics to promote integrity among elected officials, appointed officials, and senior city staff members. This initiative comes in response to the controversial termination of City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison on May 6, which occurred unexpectedly and resulted in a split vote among city council members.
The discussion on implementing an ethical framework was prompted by Councilmember Arlis Reynolds, who called for deliberations on the conduct of city officials two months post-termination. Reynolds, alongside Councilmember Andrea Marr and Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez, had previously advocated for the establishment of ethical guidelines. The council reviewed policies from the cities of Irvine and Gardena as part of their study session held on Tuesday, and examined a draft code of ethics prepared by city staff.
The proposed code of ethics aims to clearly define the roles and responsibilities for city officials while outlining guidelines related to conflicts of interest, gifts, favors, and the cultivation of a positive work environment. Specifically, Councilmember Marr expressed interest in expanding the provisions to include measures against “incompatible employment,” where personal interests could potentially conflict with public duties.
In particular, Marr referenced an existing clause from Irvine that prohibits officials from lobbying for private interests before any local agency in Orange County. She recommended the extension of this restriction to Los Angeles County to further prevent officials from misusing their positions for personal financial gain. Marr also proposed instituting a one-year “cooling-off” period after leaving office, during which former officials would be constrained from lobbying, thus addressing potential issues of retaliation against city staff members.
During the discussion, Councilmember Mike Buley expressed a willingness to engage in the topic of ethics but hesitated to endorse the necessity for a formal code, highlighting the importance of transparency and the need to foster community trust. The conversation included considerations about how such policies would apply in practice, the importance of maintaining a balance between varying viewpoints, and the need to cultivate a non-hostile work environment.
Reynolds further proposed that once a code of conduct is established, city officials commit to an annual reaffirmation of their adherence to these ethical principles. This proposition aims to ensure continuous engagement with the ethical standards expected of those in public service.
This move towards formalizing ethical conduct comes against a backdrop of public scrutiny following Harrison’s abrupt exit, underscoring the significance that accountability and ethical behavior hold in the eyes of constituents. The council’s potential action to adopt a code of ethics may help to restore trust within the community and assert that the city’s leadership is committed to transparency and integrity.
The Costa Mesa city council is poised to continue discussions on this vital issue in the coming weeks, aiming to craft a set of guidelines that will not only govern current practices but set a standard for future city officials as well.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Pilot
- Wikipedia: Ethics in Public Service
- Orange County Register
- Google Search: Costa Mesa City Council Ethics Code
- The New York Times – Ethics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethics
