Misgoverning the City of Oakland

Respect and adhere to the American ideals of government, the rule of law, the principles of public administration and high ethical conduct in the performance of public duties.

Represent and work for the common good of the City and not for any private interest.

Refrain from accepting gifts or favors or promises of future benefits which might compromise or tend to impair independence of judgment or action.

Provide fair and equal treatment for all persons and matters coming before the Council.

Learn and study the background and purposes of important items of business before voting.

Faithfully perform all duties of office.

Refrain from disclosing any information received confidentially concerning the business of the City, or received during any closed session of the Council held pursuant to state law.

Decline any employment incompatible with public duty.

Refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character, motives, ethics or morals of other members of the Council, staff or public, or other personal comments not germane to the issues before the Council.

Listen courteously and attentively to all public discussions at Council meetings and avoid interrupting other speakers, including other Council members, except as may be permitted by established Rules of Order.

Faithfully attend all sessions of the Council unless unable to do so because of disability or some other compelling reason.

Maintain the highest standard of public conduct by refusing to condone breaches of public trust or improper attempts to influence legislation, and by being willing to censure any member who willfully violates the rules of conduct contained in this Code of Ethics. EXHIBIT B 47 2012-2013 Alameda County Grand Jury Final Report ___________________________________________________________________ FINDINGS Finding 13-1: The Oakland City Council’s failure to provide the Public Ethics Commission with the power to fine and penalize for ethics violations renders the commission largely ineffective. Finding 13-2: The Oakland Public Ethics Commission lacks the financial resources to adequately do its job. Finding 13-3: A lack of participation in state-mandated ethics training could potentially lead to a breakdown in efficient and ethical administration and performance of duties. Finding 13-4: The Oakland city council’s interference with, and intimidation of, staff diminish the overall effectiveness of city government. Finding 13-5: City council individual budgets are not subject to the same scrutiny (open review process) as other city department budgets, creating a potential for misuse of funds. Finding 13-6: Oakland city staff and department heads’ failure to report or stop council interference contributes to the unacceptable culture of intimidation and leads to continued misconduct. 48 2012-2013 Alameda County Grand Jury Final Report ___________________________________________________________________

The Oakland City Council’s failure to provide the Public Ethics Commission with the power to fine and penalize for ethics violations renders the commission largely ineffective.

The Oakland Public Ethics Commission lacks the financial resources to adequately do its job.

A lack of participation in state-mandated ethics training could potentially lead to a breakdown in efficient and ethical administration and performance of duties.

The Oakland city council’s interference with, and intimidation of, staff diminish the overall effectiveness of city government.

City council individual budgets are not subject to the same scrutiny (open review process) as other city department budgets, creating a potential for misuse of funds.

Oakland city staff and department heads’ failure to report or stop council interference contributes to the unacceptable culture of intimidation and leads to continued misconduct. 48 2012-2013 Alameda County Grand Jury Final Report ___________________________________________________________________