Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 09b - Amended Conflict of Interst Code STAFF REPORT OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY DATE: October 6, 2026 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Michael J. Maurer, City Attorney By: Linda Rodriguez, City Clerk SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7714 APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY The Political Reform Act of 1974 (Government Code Section 81000, et seq.) requires every local agency to review its Conflict of Interest Code (the “Code”) biennially to determine whether the Code remains accurate and up-to-date or requires amendments. As part of the City’s biennial review, amendments to the Code have been identified as necessary to ensure it accurately reflects the City’s current organizational structure and designated positions. It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7714, approving and adopting an amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. BACKGROUND The Political Reform Act (the “Act”) requires all public agencies to adopt and maintain a Conflict of Interest Code that establishes the rules for disclosure of personal assets and prohibits public officials from making or participating in governmental decisions that may affect personal assets. The Conflict of Interest Code must specifically designate all agency positions that make or participate in the making of decisions Resolution No. 7714 adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code October 6, 2026 Page 2 of 3 and assign specific types of personal assets to be disclosed, which may be affected by the exercise of powers and duties of that particular position. The Act further requires that an agency regularly review and update its Code, as necessary, when directed by the code-reviewing body or when change is necessitated by different circumstances (Sections 87306 and 87306.5). Pursuant to the Act, the City adopted a Conflict of Interest Code that was last amended and approved by the City Council on October 4, 2022. As the City’s code- reviewing body, the City Council is responsible for approving amendments to the Code. Staff has reviewed the Code and has determined that amendments are necessary to designate new positions, revise disclosure categories and titles of existing positions, and remove the titles of positions that have been abolished and/or no longer participate in or make governmental decisions. Government Code Section 87303 provides that no code or amendment to a code shall be effective until it has been approved by the code-reviewing body. Attached is a redline version of Arcadia’s proposed Conflict of Interest Code. DISCUSSION While the majority of the positions listed the Code remain accurate, the Code must be amended to: (1) include new positions to be designated; (2) revise the titles of existing positions; (3) delete titles that have been abolished; and/or (4) remove titles that no longer make or participate in governmental decision-making. Attached to Resolution No. 7414 is a redline version of the proposed amended Conflict of Interest Code showing the revisions to be made. Government Code Section 87303 provides that no Code or amendment to a Conflict of Interest Code shall be effective until it has been approved by the code-reviewing body. City Council’s adoption of Resolution No. 7714 would satisfy this requirement. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environment Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Resolution No. 7714 adopting an Amended Conflict of Interest Code October 6, 2026 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact as a result of adopting the proposed resolution. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and adopt Resolution No. 7714 approving and adopting an amended Conflict of Interest Code pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974. Attachment: Resolution No. 7714 1 RESOLUTION NO. 7714 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PURSUANT TO THE POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 WHEREAS, the State of California enacted the Political Reform Act of 1974, Government Code Section 81000, et seq. (the "Act"), which contains provisions relating to conflicts of interest governing officers, employees and consultants of the City of Arcadia (the “City”), and which requires all public agencies to adopt and promulgate a conflict of interest code; and WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a Conflict of Interest Code (the "Code") which was most recently amended on October 16, 2024, in compliance with the Act; and WHEREAS, subsequent changed circumstances within the City have made it advisable and necessary pursuant to Sections 87306 and 87307 of the Act to amend and update the City’s Code; and WHEREAS, the potential penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act are significant and may include criminal and civil liability, as well as equitable relief which could result in the City being restrained or prevented from acting in cases where the provisions of the Act may have been violated; and 2 WHEREAS, a public meeting was held regarding the proposed amended Code at a regular meeting of the City Council on October 6, 2026, at which all persons present were given an opportunity to be heard on the proposed amended Code. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council does hereby approve and adopt the proposed amended Conflict of Interest Code, a copy of which is attached hereto and which shall remain on file with the City Clerk and which shall remain available to the public for inspection and copying during regular business hours. SECTION 2. The said amended Conflict of Interest Code shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and approval. SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. [SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE] 3 Passed, approved and adopted this 6th day of October, 2026. ______________________________ Mayor of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: ________________________________ City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________ Michael J. Maurer City Attorney 24347.00007\45397240.2 -1- BBK – September 2022 October 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR THE CITY OF ARCADIA (Amended October 16, 2024 October 6, 2026) The Political Reform Act (Government. Code § Section 81000, et seq.) requires state and local government agencies to adopt and promulgate conflict of interest codes. The Fair Political Practices Commission has adopted a regulation (2 Cal ifornia. Code Regulations. § Section 18730) that contains the terms of a standard conflict of interest code, which can be incorporated by reference in an agency’s code. After public notice and hearing Regulation 18730 may be amended by the Fair Political Practices Commission to conform to amendments in the Political Reform Act. Therefore, the terms of 2 California Code of Regulations Section 18730 and any amendments to it duly adopted by the Fair Political Practices Commission are hereby incorporated by reference. This incorporation page, Regulation 18730 and the attached Appendix designating positions and establishing disclosure categories, shall constitute the conflict of interest code of the City of Arcadia (the “City”). The Mayor, Members of the City Council and Planning Commission, the City Manager, the City Attorney and the City Treasurer, shall electronically file their annual statements of economic interests directly with the Fair Political Practices Commission. All other officials and designated positions required to submit a statement of economic interests shall file their statements with the Assistant City Clerk as the City’s Filing Officer. The Assistant City Clerk shall retain the originals of the statements filed by all other designated positions and will make all retained statements available for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours. (Gov. Code § 81008.) All officials and designated positions required to submit a statement of economic interests shall receive ethics training as required pursuant to Government Code section 53235 (AB 1234). The City’s Filing Officer shall annually provide all filers with information on training available to meet the requirements of Section 53235, and maintain required records indicating the dates that filers satisfied the training requirements and the entity that provided the training. These records shall be retained for fiv e years after the date of training and are public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act. (Gov. Code § 53235.2.) 24347.00007\45397240.2 App. A-1- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP APPENDIX CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA (Amended October 16, 2024 October 6, 2026) PART “A” The Mayor, Members of the City Council and Planning Commission, the City Manager, the City Attorney, the City Treasurer, and all Other City Officials who manage public investments as defined by 2 Cal. Code of Regs. § 18700.3(b), are NOT subject to the City’s Code but must file disclosure statements under Government Code Section 87200 et seq. [Regs. § 18730(b)(3)] OFFICIALS WHO MANAGE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS It has been determined that the positions listed below are Other City Officials who manage public investments1. These positions are listed here for informational purposes only. Financial Consultant 1 Individuals holding one of the above-listed positions may contact the Fair Political Practices Commission for assistance or written advice regarding their filing obligations if they believe that their position has been categorized incorrectly. The F air Political Practices Commission makes the final determination whether a position is covered by § 87200. 24347.00007\45397240.2 App. A-2- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP DESIGNATED POSITIONS GOVERNED BY THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED Accounting Supervisor 5 Administrative Assistant, Sr. (ALL) 5 Administrative Services Director 4 Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director 1, 2 Assistant City Manager/Public Works Services Director CAT 1, 2 Assistant Engineer (ALL) 2, 3, 6 Assistant Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Assistant/Deputy City Clerk 5 Associate Civil Engineer (ALL) 2, 3, 5 Associate Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Building Inspector (ALL) 2, 3, 5, 6 Building Maintenance Crew Supervisor 5 Building Official 2, 3, 5, 6 Building Technician (ALL) 5 Business License Officer 6 Chief of Police Chief 5, 6 City Attorney (not filing under Gov. Code §87200) 1, 2 City Clerk 5 City Engineer 2, 3, 5 24347.00007\45397240.2 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-3- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director 1, 2 Code Services Supervisor 5, 6 Code Services Officer (ALL) 5, 6 Communications and Engagement Officer 5 Communications and Marketing Specialist (ALL) 5 Deputy City Manager 5 Deputy Director of Development Services/City Engineer 1, 2 Deputy Director of Recreation and Community Services 2, 5 Deputy Fire Chief 2, 3, 5, 6 Deputy Public Works Services Director 1, 2 Deputy Public Works Services Director – Administration 1, 2 Director of Human Resources 5 Director of Library and Museum Services 5 Director of Recreation and Community Services 2, 3, 5 Economic Development Manager 1, 2 Engineering Assistant (ALL) 3, 6 Environmental Services Officer 2, 5, 6 Fire Administrative Specialist Office Coordinator 5 Fire Battalion Chief (ALL) 5 Fire Captain 5, 6 Fire Chief 2, 3, 5, 6 24347.00007\45397240.2 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-4- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP Fire Inspector Prevention Specialist/Senior Fire Prevention Specialist 5, 6 Fire Marshal 5, 6 General Services Superintendent 5 Historical Museum Curator 5 Human Resources Administrator 5 Human Resources Analyst (ALL) 5 Human Resources Associate 5 Human Resources Manager 5 Human Resources Technician 5 Information Systems Manager 5 Library Services Manager (ALL) 5 Maintenance Contract Officer 5 Management Aide 5 Management Analyst (ALL) 5 Planning Services Manager 2, 3, 5, 6 Plans Examiner (ALL) 2, 3, 5, 6 Police Captain (ALL) 5, 6 Police Lieutenant (ALL) 5, 6 Police Records Manager 5 Principal Civil Engineer 1, 2 Principal Librarian (ALL) 5 24347.00007\45397240.2 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-5- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP Project Manager 2, 3, 5, 6 Public Works Customer Service/Administrative Supervisor 5 Public Works Coordinator 5, 6 Public Works Inspector 2, 3, 6 Public Works Services Director 1, 2 Purchasing Officer 4 Recreation Coordinator 5 Recreation Supervisor 5 Revenue Collection Specialist 1, 2 Senior Accountant 5 Senior Citizens Program Specialist 5 Senior Civil Engineer 2, 3, 5, 6 Senior Planner 2, 3, 5, 6 Storekeeper/Buyer 5 Streets Superintendent 5 Transportation Services Manager 5 Utilities Manager 2, 3, 5, 6 Utilities Superintendent 2, 3, 5, 6 Water Quality/Backflow Inspector 5 MEMBERS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES Homeowners Assn. Architectural Review Board 1, 2 24347.00007\45397240.2 DESIGNATED POSITIONS’ TITLE OR FUNCTION DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES ASSIGNED App. A-6- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP Library Board of Trustees 2, 3, 5 Consultants and New Positions2 2 Individuals serving as a consultant as defined in FPPC Reg 18700.3(a) or in a new position created since this Code was last approved that makes or participates in making decisions must file statements pursuant to the broadest disclosure category in this Code subject to the following limitation: The City Manager may determine that, due to the range of duties or contractual obligations, it is more appropriate to assign a limited disclosure requirement. A clear explanation of the duties and a statement of the extent of the disclosure requirem ents must be in a written document. (Gov. Code Sec. 82019; FPPC Regulations 18219 and 18734.) The City Manager’s determination is a public record and shall be retained for public inspection in the same manner and location as this Conflict of Interest Code. (Gov. Code Sec. 81008.) 24347.00007\45397240.2 App. B-1- BBK – October 2024 2026 LAW OFFICES OF BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP PART “B” DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES The disclosure categories listed below identify the types of economic interests that the designated position must disclose for each disclosure category to which the designated is assigned.3 “Investment” means financial interest in any business entity (including a consulting business or other independent contracting business) and Such economic interests are reportable if they are either located in or doing business in the jurisdiction, are planning to do business in the jurisdiction, or have done business during the previous two years in the jurisdiction of the City. Category 1: All investments, and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, (including receipt of gifts, loans and travel payments), that are located in, do business in or own real property within the jurisdiction of the City. Category 2: All interests in real property which is located in whole or in part within, or not more than two (2) miles outside, the jurisdiction of the City, including any leasehold, beneficial or ownership interest or option to acquire property. Category 3: All investments, and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, (including receipt of gifts, loans and travel payments), that are engaged in land development, construction, or the acquisition or sale of real property within the jurisdiction of the City. Category 4: All investments, and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, (including receipt of gifts, loans and travel payments), that provide services (including training or consulting services), products, materials, machinery, vehicles or equipment of a the type purchased or leased by the City. Category 5: All investments, and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, (including receipt of gifts, loans and travel payments), that provide services (including training or consulting services), products, materials, machinery, vehicles or equipment of a type purchased or leased by the designated position’s department, unit or division. Category 6: All investments, and business positions in business entities, and sources of income, (including receipt of gifts, loans and travel payments), subject to the regulatory, permit, or licensing authority of the designated position’s department, unit or division. 3 This Conflict of Interest Code does not require the reporting of gifts from outside this agency’s jurisdiction if the source does not have some connection with or bearing upon the functions of the position. (Reg. 18730.1)