HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2026-013RESOLUTION NO. 2026-013
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR
ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert is responsible for the
governance of the City and the maintenance of public trust; and
WHEREAS, City Councilmembers and appointed officials serve the public in
positions of responsibility and authority and are expected to conduct themselves in a
manner consistent with applicable law and the City’s council–manager form of
government; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish clear expectations regarding
conduct, authority, and professional standards applicable to elected and appointed
officials in order to support orderly governance and reduce the risk of misunderstanding,
conflict, or legal exposure; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed best practices and codes adopted by
other jurisdictions and has determined that adoption of a Code of Conduct focused on
standards of conduct and governance is appropriate for the City of Palm Desert; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to apply selected conduct standards to
appointed Board, Commission, Committee, and Task Force members as set forth in the
Code of Conduct.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Adoption of Code of Conduct. The City Council hereby adopts the
City of Palm Desert Code of Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials, attached hereto
as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. Applicability. The Code of Conduct applies to City Councilmembers
and, as specified in the Code, to appointed Board, Commission, Committee, and Task
Force members.
SECTION 3. Intent. The Code of Conduct is intended to establish expectations for
conduct and governance and does not supersede applicable law, the City Charter, or duly
adopted ordinances or resolutions.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon
adoption.
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ADOPTED ON APRIL 9, 2026.
EVAN TRUBEE
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2026-013 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on April 9, 2026, by the following
vote:
AYES: HARNIK, MORENO, NESTANDE, PRADETTO, AND TRUBEE
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, this _______________.
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
City Clerk
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4/20/2026
City of Palm Desert
Code of Conduct for
Elected and Appointed Officials
Contents
Section 1. Purpose, Scope, and Applicability ............................................................................. 2
Section 2. Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................................ 2
Section 3. Standards of Conduct ................................................................................................ 3
Section 4. Conduct During Meetings and Official Proceedings ................................................... 3
Section 5. Communications and Public Statements ................................................................... 4
Section 6. Interactions with City Staff ......................................................................................... 5
Section 7. Interactions with Applicants, Boards, Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces, and
Public ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Section 8. Representation of the City ......................................................................................... 7
Section 9. Use of City Facilities and Resources ......................................................................... 7
Section 10. Council Authority ..................................................................................................... 8
Section 11. Adoption and Review............................................................................................... 8
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
Resolution No. 2026-013
April 9, 2026
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Code of Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials
City of Palm Desert Page 2
Section 1. Purpose, Scope, and Applicability
The City Council establishes this Code of Conduct to set expectations for the performance of
duties by each individual Councilmember. This Code applies to Councilmembers acting in official
capacities or when a title suggests City representation. This Code does not limit City Council
authority or supersede laws governing the conduct of elected officials.
Applicability to Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces
The City Council appoints members to Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces to
advise the City Council and support the public decision-making process.
The following sections of this Code apply to appointed Board, Commission, Committee, and Task
Force members, to the extent relevant to their role and authority:
• Section 3. Standards of Conduct
• Section 4. Conduct During Meetings and Official Proceedings
• Section 5. Communications and Public Statements
• Section 7. Interactions with the Public and Other Participants in the Public Process
This Code does not alter the authority or duties granted to these bodies by law or City policy.
Section 2. Roles and Responsibilities
Authority of the City Council
The City Council acts as a legislative body. Authority rests with the City Council as a whole, and
the Council exercises this authority through official action.
Role of Individual Councilmembers
Councilmembers represent the community and exercise independent judgment when voting on
official matters.
Fiduciary Duty
Councilmembers serve as fiduciaries of the City of Palm Desert. This role requires a commitment
to the public trust and the management of City resources for the benefit of the community.
A fiduciary duty obligates Councilmembers to act in the best interests of the City, prioritize public
welfare over personal gain, and exercise care in the oversight of public funds and assets.
Role of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
The City Council designates the Mayor as the presiding officer and its representative for official
and ceremonial events.
The Mayor Pro Tem performs the duties of the Mayor in the Mayor’s absence.
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Section 3. Standards of Conduct
Professional, Ethical, and Fiduciary Conduct
Councilmembers shall conduct City business consistent with their fiduciary duty and ethical
obligations. Councilmembers shall not use their position for personal benefit or for the benefit of
others in a manner inconsistent with law.
Personal Attacks and Disparaging Conduct
Councilmembers shall conduct themselves professionally in meetings and official City
proceedings and shall raise concerns regarding staff performance through the City Manager or
established processes.
Use of Position and Title
Councilmembers shall not use their title or position to imply City endorsement of personal views,
activities, or organizations without Council action.
Councilmembers shall distinguish between personal opinions and official City positions when
speaking or acting in a public capacity.
Campaign Conduct
Councilmembers shall not use City resources, facilities, or staff time for campaign purposes.
This Code does not regulate lawful campaign speech or political expression.
Legal Considerations for Gifts, Travel, and Benefits
State law regulates the acceptance and disclosure of gifts, travel, meals, and other benefits that
people may offer Councilmembers in connection with official duties.
Councilmembers shall consult the City Attorney or the Fair Political Practices Commission for
guidance when questions arise.
Section 4. Conduct During Meetings and Official Proceedings
Order and Decorum
The presiding officer conducts City Council meetings. Councilmembers shall direct remarks
through the presiding officer and shall not engage in side conversations or other conduct that
disrupts the meeting.
Electronic Devices During Meetings
The City Council shall use electronic devices on the dais for City-related business and shall not be
distracted from the proceedings. Councilmembers shall restrict personal use of electronic devices
except to address a personal emergency.
Closed Session Confidentiality and Electronic Devices
Councilmembers shall not have personal electronic devices or any devices with recording
capability accessible during closed session.
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To comply with this requirement, Councilmembers shall do one of the following:
• Leave such devices outside the closed session meeting room.
• Turn off such devices before entering the closed session.
• Place such devices in a designated, closed container within the meeting room.
Councilmembers shall return printed closed session materials to the City Clerk for proper
disposal.
Confidential and Privileged Information
Councilmembers shall maintain the confidentiality of information that is privileged, confidential, or
that the law protects, including but not limited to attorney-client privileged communications,
confidential personnel information, and nonpublic litigation or negotiation materials, whether or
not Councilmembers discuss such information in closed session.
Open Meeting Law Considerations
Councilmembers shall conduct City business in compliance with the Brown Act.
Councilmembers shall avoid serial communications and other conduct that could result in a
violation of open meeting requirements, including informal discussions with other
Councilmembers outside of noticed meetings.
Participation and Voting
Councilmembers shall disclose conflicts of interest consistent with applicable law and shall recuse
themselves when required.
Section 5. Communications and Public Statements
Authority to Speak for the City
The City Council speaks through its official action. Individual Councilmembers do not have
authority to speak on behalf of the City except when acting in an official capacity consistent with
this Code or pursuant to Council action.
Use of Title and Public Statements
Councilmembers shall distinguish personal opinions from official City positions when
communicating with the public about City matters. Use of a Council title in public communications
shall not imply City endorsement of personal views, activities, or positions unless Council action
authorizes such use.
Opinion Pieces and Media Contributions
The City Council encourages individual councilmembers to notify the City Manager when
publishing opinion pieces, columns, or similar content that reference City matters using their
Council title.
This notification allows City staff to identify and correct factual inaccuracies and does not require
approval of content.
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Social Media
The City Council reserves City-operated social media platforms for official City communications.
A Councilmember’s personal, campaign-related, or other non-City-operated social media
accounts shall not be used for official City communications or to announce official City actions.
Such accounts shall clearly state that they are not official City accounts and that statements made
on those accounts reflect personal views.
Communications, Transparency, and Legal Considerations
Councilmembers acknowledge that constitutional, open meeting, and public records laws may
require them to disclose communications related to City business regardless of the format,
platform, or device.
Use of social media, email, text messages, group messaging platforms, or intermediaries to
discuss City business may create legal risks, including:
• Limitations on restricting access to accounts used to communicate official actions or
positions.
• Brown Act concerns arising from serial communications, group messaging, or indirect
communications through staff, members of the public, or other intermediaries.
• Public disclosure obligations for communications related to City business, including City
business Councilmembers conduct on personal devices or accounts.
Councilmembers shall keep campaign activities separate from City business. Campaign
representatives do not have a role in the conduct of City business and shall not participate in
meetings or communications related to City operations or official matters.
Councilmembers shall direct questions regarding communications, public records, campaign
activity, or related legal considerations to the City Clerk or City Attorney.
City Letterhead, Logos, and Branding
The City Council reserves City letterhead, logos, seals, and other official branding for official City
use.
The City Council authorizes the Mayor to use City letterhead in connection with proclamations
and other official correspondence consistent with established City practice. The City Council
prohibits individual Councilmembers from using City letterhead.
Use of City Resources
Councilmembers shall not use City resources, staff time, and City communication platforms for
personal, campaign, or any other use other than official City purposes.
Section 6. Interactions with City Staff
Councilmembers shall conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and professional and
consistent with the City’s policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
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Authority and Direction
The City Council exercises its authority through collective action, including direction to the City
Manager and the City Attorney. The City Manager supervises staff.
Councilmembers shall not direct staff or attempt to control individual administrative outcomes
outside official Council action, including permitting, enforcement, procurement, inspections, or
contract administration.
Requests for Information and Work
Councilmembers shall submit requests for information or work through the City Manager or
established City practices. Requests shall not interfere with staff supervision, assigned priorities,
or ongoing operations.
Staff Neutrality
City staff shall maintain professional neutrality in the performance of their duties. Councilmembers
shall not seek to involve staff in advocacy for individual Councilmember positions, pressure staff
to alter professional recommendations, or involve staff in campaign or political activities.
Concerns Regarding Staff Performance
Councilmembers shall direct concerns regarding individual staff performance to the City Manager
and avoid public comments that compromise confidentiality, due process, or the fair
administration of City operations.
Section 7. Interactions with Applicants, Appointed Bodies, and Public
Interactions with the Public
Councilmembers shall not make commitments, assurances, or representations regarding the
outcome of pending matters outside the public decision-making process.
Councilmembers shall avoid private communications that could result in serial meetings, unlawful
consensus-building, or other violations of open meeting laws.
Public Correspondence and the Public Record
Councilmembers shall forward written correspondence regarding a pending matter to the City
Clerk and/or City Manager for inclusion in the public record.
Pre-Decision Communications with Applicants and Developers
For pending quasi-judicial matters, Councilmembers shall avoid private communications with
applicants or developers that involve advocacy on the merits of the matter.
Councilmembers shall not:
• Indicate how they intend to vote on a pending quasi-judicial matter.
• Make commitments or assurances regarding the outcome of a matter.
• Provide strategic guidance on how to obtain approval.
Statements or conduct that suggests a closed mind or a predetermined outcome regarding a
specific pending quasi-judicial matter may raise due process concerns and increase litigation risk.
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General policy views or expressions of personal values do not, by themselves, constitute bias.
Councilmembers shall distinguish general viewpoints from statements regarding specific pending
quasi-judicial matters.
Role of City Staff
Councilmembers shall direct applicants and developers to City staff as the primary point of contact
for project information and process.
Councilmembers shall refer substantive information they received outside the public process to
City staff for evaluation and inclusion in the public record.
Ex Parte Communications
Councilmembers shall disclose substantive ex parte communications related to a pending quasi-
judicial matter during the public hearing.
Councilmembers shall direct questions regarding participation in quasi-judicial matters to the City
Attorney.
Interactions with Boards, Committees, Commissions, and Task Forces
Councilmembers serving as a liaison to a City Board, Commission, Committee, or Task Force
(“appointed body”) shall facilitate communication between the City Council and the appointed
body.
A Council liaison is not a member of the appointed body and shall not direct, influence, or
advocate regarding the appointed body’s deliberations or recommendations.
Councilmembers shall respect the independence of Boards, Committees, Commissions, and
Task Orders and shall not seek to influence individual members outside of the public process.
Section 8. Representation of the City
Official Representation
The Mayor shall represent the City at official events, meetings, and functions. If the Mayor is
unavailable, the Mayor Pro Tem shall represent the City. If both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
are unavailable, the Immediate Past Mayor shall represent the City.
Personal Participation
Councilmembers may attend events or meetings in a personal capacity. When participating in a
personal capacity, Councilmembers shall not present themselves as speaking on behalf of the
City or imply City endorsement of their views or activities.
Section 9. Use of City Facilities and Resources
City Facilities
The City Council reserves City facilities and resources for official use and prohibits individual
Councilmembers from using City facilities for personal, political, or campaign activities.
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After-Hours Access and Visitors
Councilmembers may access City facilities after normal business hours for official City business.
Councilmembers shall not bring members of the public into City Council offices or other non-public
areas outside of normal business hours, except for immediate family members or with advance
notice and appropriate arrangements.
City Resources
Councilmembers shall use City equipment, supplies, and other City resources for official City
purposes.
Section 10. Council Authority
The City Council adopts this Code of Conduct to establish expectations for the conduct of
individual City Councilmembers. The City Council retains discretion to address conduct
inconsistent with this Code. Actions include public censure or removal from Council-appointed
committees, boards, or liaison assignments.
Section 11. Adoption and Review
The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to make non-substantive administrative updates to this
Code to reflect changes in applicable state or federal law or to conform this Code to City Council-
adopted policies, ordinances, or resolutions that affect or supersede its provisions.
The City Clerk shall redistribute the updated Code to the City Council following any administrative
update.
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