sa国际传媒 city councillors could get some additional instructions on how to behave.听
And if they don鈥檛 comply, they could lose some of their pay.听
Amendments proposed to the existing Code of Conduct include a first-time provision that would see councillors docked pay if they violate its rules. The proposed amendment does not specify how great the reduction would be, but indicates it would be 鈥渢emporary鈥, lasting presumably until the offending councillor is deemed to be in compliance with the Code of Conduct.听
Many cities have similar codes, most enacted within the last few years. As with others, sa国际传媒sa国际传媒 contains instructions against behaviours deemed to be 鈥渁busive, bullying, or derogatory鈥.听
Councillors are also instructed to be well-prepared for meetings, listen courteously to one another, not interrupt each other, 鈥渙r otherwise interfere with the orderly conduct of a meeting鈥.听
In general, the code is intended to 鈥渟et expectations around professional, responsible, and ethical conduct without limiting freedom of expression鈥, per a city document.
Amendments to be discussed on Monday are said to provide some greater clarity to code strictures.听
For example, there鈥檃 new provision that councillors should not 鈥渟eek to influence the outcome of a hiring process for a city staff position鈥, and they should not 鈥渦se confidential information gained in the course of onesa国际传媒 official duties to pursue a financial or other personal interest鈥.听
Councillors are also directed specifically not to engage with municipal staff except when seeking 鈥渁dministrative clarity鈥 on certain matters. Councillors are told to route most queries on city business not to employees, but to city manager Doug Gilchrist.听
Another amendment would specifically prevent councillors from using any city-owned facilities for campaign activities.听
Investigations into alleged violations of the code are first routed through senior city staff, including Gilchrist and city clerk Laura Bentley, to determine if an investigation is merited, with the municipalitysa国际传媒 solicitor consulted if necessary on more challenging cases. Any subsequent investigation is to be handled by a third-party.
As of last November, there had been four complaints made under the code. In three of the cases, it was determined there were 鈥渘o possible grounds on which to conclude that a violation of the policy occurred鈥. In the fourth, the complaint was not filed within the specified time limit and it was dismissed.听
While sa国际传媒's code of conduct has not previously provided for councillors to be docked pay for breaching its provisions, other municipalities have imposed such financial penalties.听For example, Kamloops city councillors last year docked the pay of Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson by 10 per cent after concluding he had made misleading statements to the public.听
