Cleaning up city politics

The five-member City Council Advisory Committee was tasked by the City Council to look into forming a strong code of ethics.

The committee reported its recommendations to the council on March 28 and the revised code is expected to be considered next week by the council.

"Our recommendations are aimed at addressing the public perception as well as the reality that public employees or officials' personal interests may influence a decision not in the best interest of the city," committee member Tom Mitchell said.

The current code is an administrative policy that is weak on enforcement options, Mitchell said.

The committee has recommended implementing the code as a city ordinance, making it subject to council sanctions as well as legal consequences.