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Ethics 4. Respect for Process. Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order established by the City Council and board and commissions governing the deliberation of public policy issues, meaningful involvement of the public, and implementation of policy decisions. 5. Conduct of Public Meetings. Members shall prepare themselves for public issues; listen courteously and attentively to all public discussions before the body; and focus on the business at hand. They shall refrain from interrupting other speakers; making personal comments not germane to the business of the body; or otherwise interfering with the orderly conduct of meetings. 6. Decisions Based on Merit. Members shall base their decisions on the merits and substance of the matter at hand, rather than on unrelated considerations. 7. Communication. Members shall verbally disclose any contact or receipt of substantive information they have received outside of the public decision-making process that is relevant to a matter under consideration by the Council or boards and commissions prior to considering that matter so that all parties have the opportunity to respond to that information. 8. Conflict of Interest. In order to assure their independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good, members shall not use their official positions to influence government decisions in which they have a material financial interest, or where they have an organizational responsibility or personal relationship which may give the appearance of a conflict of interest. In accordance with the law, members shall disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income, and gifts; and they shall abstain from participating in deliberations and decision-making where conflicts may exist. 9. Gifts and Favors. Members shall not take any special advantage of their public office to access services or opportunities for personal gain that are not available to the general public. They shall refrain from accepting any gifts, favors or promises of future benefits which might compromise or appear to compromise their independence of judgment or action. 10. Confidential Information. Members shall respect the confidentiality of information concerning certain negotiations (e.g., labor and real property), personnel matters, claims and litigation in order to avoid prejudicing the legal or negotiating position of the City or compromise the private interest of employees. They shall neither disclose confidential information without proper City Council authorization nor use such information to advance their personal/private, financial, or other interests. 11. Use of Public Resources. Members shall not use public resources not available to the general public, such as City staff time, vehicles, equipment, supplies, land or facilities, for private gain or political or personal purposes. 12. Representation of Private Interests. In keeping with their role as stewards of the public interest, members of Council shall not appear on behalf of the private interests of third parties before the Council or any board, commission or proceeding of the City, nor shall members of For ease of reference in the Code of Ethics and Conduct, the lean "Alember"refers to any member of the Sunnyvale City Council or the City's boards and commissions established by the City Charter, City Ordinance or Council policy. Page 4 of 15 Approved by City Council on 2/14/2023