Tomball City Council took the first step April 6 toward approving a broad update to its ethics code and council procedures, including new rules tied to attendance, public comment, disclosures, complaints and censure.
The ordinance, approved on first reading, would repeal and replace portions of Chapter 2 of the city’s code of ordinances related to general administration, City Council procedures and the city’s code of ethics.
What happened
City staff said the proposed changes are meant to modernize the city’s rules, add clarity to council operations and formalize procedures that are not clearly outlined in the current code.
Slides presented during the meeting showed some of the updates would:
- Add attendance requirements for council members, including notice to the city secretary at least two hours before a meeting
- Define excused and unexcused absences
- Create orientation requirements for new council members
- Expand the city’s ethics code with added transparency and disclosure expectations
- Establish a formal complaint and investigation process
- Create a censure process for council members
- Add a public disclosure webpage for campaign finance reports, conflict disclosures and contracts requiring abstention
- Clarify quorum and decorum rules for meetings and public comment.
Diving in deeper
According to the presentation, the ordinance would also add language prohibiting council members from representing private interests before city bodies, strengthen gift restrictions and clarify misuse of confidential information.
Staff said the proposal would also formalize a process for ethics complaints, beginning with a sworn written complaint and an initial review by the city attorney.
Another proposed section would allow the council to formally censure a member. The presentation states that the process would require a written request by three council members, discussion in open session and a two-thirds vote for adoption.
The update would also spell out decorum rules during public comment, including that profane, vulgar or abusive language or personal attacks would not be tolerated. Possible consequences listed in the presentation include warnings, removal, bans and potential legal consequences in cases involving threats or harassment.
