Board of Ethics

City of Riverside 3900 Main St. Riverside, CA 92522 (951) 826-5557 Board of Ethics Agenda Meeting Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023 5:00 PM City Hall - Art Pick Council Chamber Publication Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Live Webcast at www.RiversideCA.gov/Meeting or www.WatchRiverside.com MISSION STATEMENT The City of Riverside is committed to providing high quality municipal services to ensure a safe, inclusive, and livable community Face coverings are strongly recommended. For virtual Public Comment, two options are available: VIA TELEPHONE: Call (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 926 9699 1265 Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 to speak. VIA ZOOM: Use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265 Select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. Please follow along via the telephone or Zoom options above to ensure you call in at the appropriate time for your item(s). Public comments regarding items on this agenda or any matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council can be submitted via the eComment feature at www.RiversideCa.gov/meeting until two hours before the meeting. Email comments to City_Clerk@riversideca.gov. City of Riverside Page 1 Board of Ethics Agenda December 7, 2023 Pursuant to the City Council Meeting Rules adopted by Resolution No. 23976, members of all Boards and Commissions and the public are reminded that they must preserve order and decorum throughout the meeting. In that regard, members of all Boards and Commissions, as well as the public participants are advised that any delay or disruption in the proceedings or a refusal to obey the orders of the City Council, Boards and commissions, or their presiding officer constitutes a violation of these rules. The City of Riverside is committed to fostering a respectful workplace that requires all employees and external stakeholders to embrace a culture of transparency and inclusivity. This includes acceptable behavior from everyone; a workplace that provides dignity, respect, and civility to our employees, customers, and the public they serve. City meetings should be a place where all members of our community feel safe and comfortable to participate. While there could be a high level of emotion associated with topics on this agenda, the City would like to set the expectation that all members of the public use language appropriate to a collaborative, professional, and respectful public environment. The City is resolute in its commitment to eliminate any form of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in the workplace. The City maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in compliance with new harassment and discrimination laws. ******* The City of Riverside wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities, as required by 42 U.S.C. §12132 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City's ADA Coordinator at 951-826-5427 at least 72 hours before the meeting, if possible. TTY users call 7-1-1 for telecommunications relay services (TRS). Agenda related writings or documents provided to the Board are available at www.RiversideCa.gov/Meeting. 5 P.M. CHAIR CALLS MEETING TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG City of Riverside Page 2 Board of Ethics Agenda December 7, 2023 PUBLIC COMMENT Audience participation is encouraged. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. 1 To comment on any matters within the jurisdiction of the Board, you are invited to participate in person or call at (669) 900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 926 9699 1265. Press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak. Individuals in the queue will be prompted to unmute by pressing *6 when you are ready to speak. To participate via ZOOM, use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92696991265, select the "Raise Hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak. CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the CONSENT CALENDAR are considered routine by the Board of Ethics and may be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless, before the Board of Ethics votes on the motion to adopt, Members of the Board of Ethics or staff, request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. Removed consent items will be discussed immediately after adoption of the balance of the Consent Calendar. 2 Minutes of November 2, 2023 Attachments: Minutes 3 Statement of Findings and Decision of November 2, 2023, pre-conference regarding Code of Ethics and Conduct complaint by Ben Clymer, Jr., against Councilmember Cervantes Attachments: Statement of Findings DISCUSSION CALENDAR Audience participation is encouraged. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes. Via phone: press *9 to be placed in the queue to speak when the discussion item is called. Via Zoom: select the "raise hand" function to request to speak. An on-screen message will prompt you to "unmute" and speak. 4 Determine the absence of Member Garcia from the November 2, 2023, meeting as excused or unexcused Attachments: Report City of Riverside Page 3 Board of Ethics Agenda December 7, 2023 PRE-CONFERENCE 5 Pre-conference - Code of Ethics and Conduct amended complaint filed by Ben Clymer, Jr., against Councilmember Cervantes Chair Newman Attachments: Report Amended Complaint RMC 2.78 and 2.80 Code of Ethics and Conduct Hearing Rules and Procedures 6 Authority and conditions for use of outside legal counsel in lieu of the City Attorney to advise the Board of Ethics Brandon Mercer, Senior Deputy City Attorney Attachments: Report COMMUNICATIONS 7 Ad hoc committee updates: a. Establishing Legal panel for complaints (Vice Chair Vega and Member Dr. Benson) b. Creating template for Statements of Findings and Decision (Members Foreman and Foley) c. Creating method for public education (Members DeMont and Chair Newman) 8 Brief reports on meetings attended by Board Member 9 Items for future Board consideration as requested by Board of Ethics Members. Only items that fall within the powers and duties of the Board as set forth in the City Charter and/or the Riverside Municipal Code will be agendized for future discussion. ********* The next Board of Ethics meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. ********* City of Riverside Page 4 Board of Ethics Agenda December 7, 2023 View live Webcast of the Board Meeting at: RiversideCa.gov/Meeting or WatchRiverside.com ********* Sign up to receive critical information such as unexpected road closures, utility outages, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. www.RiversideAlert.com City of Riverside Page 5