Ethics, Conduct & Legal Compliance

The city council has an adopted Statement of Ethics found in Council Guidelines & Procedures Article I, which reads:

STATEMENT OF ETHICS

Gig Harbor city councilmembers shall:

  • Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic government.
  • Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and maintain a sense of social responsibility.
  • Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships.
  • Recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interest of all the people.
  • Keep the community informed on municipal affairs and encourage communications between the citizens and all municipal officers. 
  • Emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public and each other; seek to improve the quality of public service and confidence of citizens.
  • Seek no favor; do not personally benefit or profit by confidential information or by misuse of public resources.
  • Conduct business of the city in a manner which is not only fair in fact, but also in appearance.

Additional resources include:

Conduct

Councilmembers have agreed to abide by the following Public Service Agreements, as stated in Council Guidelines & Procedures:

PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS

  1. Disagreement and difference of opinion is an honored and respected feature of government in Gig Harbor. Councilmembers will acknowledge and respect other councilmembers’ perspectives. In areas of disagreement with another councilmember, every attempt will be made to have a private conversation outside of a council meeting first.
  2. Councilmembers will take special care to listen and hear other councilmembers’ perspectives. Communication will be done respectfully, kindly, and directly. Councilmembers will refrain from directing disrespectful gestures and using intimidating behavior toward each other.
  3. Public input is paramount to crafting City policy. Councilmembers will actively listen and seek to understand citizen feedback.
  4. Councilmembers will base their decisions on facts, but reconsider decisions if changing circumstances warrant reconsideration.
  5. Councilmembers will not seek out the media to vent feelings when on the losing end of a vote.
  6. Councilmembers will not criticize those who voted against their position on issues.
  7. Once the council has adopted a policy or an issue is passed/defeated by majority vote, remaining councilmembers will not work against the decision.
  8. Once a vote has been taken on an issue, councilmembers will support the policy/vote of the council.
  9. When asked about an issue that has been decided by the council, councilmembers will state the city council's position, and that they support the body’s decision. If asked, councilmembers may give their individual views on the issue.

Legal Compliance

Adherence to Council Guidelines & Policies

Knowing and/or willful failure to adhere to the provisions of guidelines and procedures may subject a councilmember to enforcement and sanctions, as follows:

  1. Prior to undertaking any further steps, a councilmember who believes that a failure to adhere to these guidelines and procedures has been committed by a fellow councilmember must first reach out individually to that councilmember and express their concern(s) and provide an opportunity for the offending councilmember to remedy the failure to adhere. 
  2. Upon determining that there is credible evidence that a councilmember has, or may have, engaged in knowing and/or willful action or omission that constitutes failure to adhere to the provisions of these guidelines and procedures, a councilmember may call upon the council to determine whether such knowing and/or willful action or omission has occurred, and the sanctions, if any, to be imposed. This conversation may be held in executive session in accordance with RCW 42.30.100(1)(f). However, upon the request of the councilmember against whom the complaint is brought, this conversation must be held in open session;
  3. A majority of the city council shall vote on whether to hold a hearing to determine the existence of an act or omission constituting a failure to adhere to these guidelines and procedures and the sanctions, if any, that may be considered. If such hearing is approved by the council, the hearing shall be held at the time and place specified in the motion approving such hearing, no sooner than 12 days following approval of the motion.
  4. Prior to conducting any hearing on an alleged failure to adhere to the provisions of these guidelines and procedures, the city administrator shall provide written notice to the councilmember alleged to have engaged in such failure to adhere to these guidelines and procedures at least ten calendar days prior to the hearing. The written notice shall identify the specific provisions of these guidelines with which the councilmember is alleged to have failed to adhere and the facts supporting such allegation, as presented by the councilmember(s) calling for the hearing.
  5. At such hearing, council shall determine whether there is sufficient evidence indicating that a councilmember has knowingly and/or willfully acted or failed to act in a manner constituting a failure to adhere to the provisions of these guidelines and procedures. The councilmember alleged to have failed to adhere to the provisions of these guidelines and procedures shall have the right to present evidence and testimony. A finding of the existence of such knowing and/or willful failure to adhere shall be determined by motion approved by a majority of the city council plus one. 
  6. Upon finding that a knowing and/or willful failure to adhere to the provisions of these guidelines and procedures has occurred, the city council shall proceed to determine whether the sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Appropriate sanctions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. public censure by resolution of the city council
    2. removal of appointment to community boards, committees, or commissions; and
    3. removal of appointment to council boards or committees