City tightens conduct rules for appointed officials
Downey Mayor Claudia M. Frometa listens to council member Mario Trujillo during the Downey City Council meeting on Tuesday May 26. (Photo by Vincent Medina)
DOWNEY – The Downey City Council approved updates to its Code of Ethics and Conduct on Tuesday, tightening rules around social media use and the unauthorized use of the city logo by appointed officials.
The changes came after concerns were raised about a former Public Works Committee member, Lissette Rivera, who had created and distributed business cards using the city logo without authorization.
The council voted to adopt two separate resolutions — one governing City Council members and another for members of city commissions, committees and boards.
The updated code adds new language under the section on respect for fellow officials, staff, and the public. It states that members shall not use social media to promote violence, harassment, intimidation or discrimination against fellow elected or appointed officials, individuals or groups.
Council Member Dorothy Pemberton, said the changes were needed to make expectations clearer.
“We didn’t have anything in (the code of conduct), any language about unauthorized uses,” Pemberton said. “We need to incorporate unauthorized uses, and then if we have any consequences of violations, it’s clearly spelled out what the commissions and committee members can and can’t do.”
The code now prohibits appointed commissioners and committee members from using the city logo on personal apparel, business cards or from holding meetings as a representative of the city, without express authorization from the City Manager. Council members are not subject to the same restriction on business cards and apparel.
Mayor Claudia M. Frometa emphasized the importance of the social media provision, noting that political violence and hateful rhetoric have become more common.
“We are living in times we have not experienced, where, as we’ve mentioned, political violence and hateful rhetoric are diminishing all of us,” Frometa said. “We need to expressly reject it, and without hesitation, consistently, and also hold every member that we appoint to any committee to any commission as well as ourselves with the use of social media.”
Council Member Mario Trujillo raised concerns about the social media language, saying it could be too vague and might expose the city to future litigation.
“I’m just worried that this is going to be the exhibit,” Trujillo said. “I think we have the vehicle (tools or procedures) in place that we can still take if we disagree with the conduct of one of our own.”
City Attorney John Funk told the council that the code sets expectations for behavior rather than strict prohibitions, and that enforcement options such as censure or removal remain available at the council’s discretion.
The council approved both resolutions with the changes. The updates apply to current elected and appointed officials and are intended to provide clearer guidance on professional conduct, particularly in an era of widespread social media use.