CODE OF ETHICS Each year the City...

CODE OF ETHICS

Each year the City Council, the city administrator and the chairs

of the city’s various committees are given a copy of the city’s code

of ethics to review. The code was written on Oct. 4, 1993 and was

recently updated in January 2004.

WHAT IT MEANS

The review is a procedural exercise that comes on the heels of

former Mayor Pam Houchen’s federal indictment for allegedly

converting apartments into condominiums without the proper permits.

The code of ethics bars council members from using their office

for private gain or attempting to dissuade someone from reporting

unlawful activity. Council members are also banned from accepting

gifts in exchange for political support and cannot give special

consideration to any individuals or groups before the council beyond

what is available to the general public. Council members are also

banned from lobbying on city issues for up to one year after they

leave office.

Violation of the rules could result in censure by the City

Council.

MILITARY LEAVE 7-0

The council approved a resolution continuing the military benefits

given to city employees that work as reservists and were called to

active duty, either in Iraq of Afghanistan.

The program was enacted on Nov. 19, 2001 in response to the Sept.

11 terrorist attacks, and has been extended twice. This latest

approved will grant benefits and compensation through Dec. 31, 2006.

WHAT IT MEANS

City employees that were called to active duty will receive their

normal benefits under federal and state law, as well as additional

services to support their families while they serve in the military.

City employees will receive what is known as pay differential: the

difference between the salary they make in the military and what they

were making while at the city. While on active duty, they’re also

allowed to accrue retirement service credits and their families can

continue to receive city sponsored health and welfare benefits.

STATE CONDO CONVERSIONS BILL 7-0

The City Council approved a resolution in support of a recent bill

written by Huntington Beach Assemblyman Tom Harman. The law would

close a legal loophole that allowed about 120 apartments to be

illegally converted to condos without the proper permits.

In the past, county government wasn’t checking with local agencies

to ensure that the conversions complied with city law. Harman’s bill

would prohibit county assessors from allowing the conversions to take

place without a document certifying the consent of the local planning

department.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Harman’s law was introduced on Dec 14. It still has to be approved

by both houses of the state legislature and signed by Gov. Arnold

Schwarzenegger.