4.14.120 Punishment of violation.
(1) If the ethics officer determines a violation has been committed, the ethics officer must transmit its recommendation as follows:
(a) For a violation committed by an elected official, to the city council and mayor;
(b) For a violation committed by a city officer or department head, to the city council and mayor;
(c) For a violation committed by any other employee, to the mayor;
(d) For a violation committed by a member of a city board, commission, or committee, to the city council and mayor.
(2) The mayor or city council, or both, may take one or more of the following actions against the person who committed the violation:
(a) Dismissal of the complaint without penalties.
(b) Referral of the complaint to another agency with jurisdiction over the violation, such as the public disclosure commission. Final city action on the complaint may be stayed pending resolution of the matter by the agency to which it was referred.
(c) Admonition. A verbal nonpublic statement made by the mayor to the violator.
(d) Reprimand. A formal letter to the violator, signed by the mayor.
(e) Censure. A written statement read personally to the violator by the city council in a public meeting. The violator must be instructed to appear at a time and place directed by the city council to receive the censure. Notice must be given at least 10 days before the scheduled appearance at which time a copy of the proposed censure must be provided to the individual. Within five days of receipt of the notice, the individual may file a request for review of the content of the censure. The city council must review the proposed censure in light of the request for review, and may take whatever action appears appropriate under the circumstances. If no such request is received, the censure must be administered at the time and place set. The violator may not be afforded the opportunity to make any statement about the censure. A censure is deemed administered at the time it is scheduled whether or not the individual appears as required. This is the highest form of disapproval available under this chapter for an elected official who has violated the code.
(f) Removal. In the event the individual against whom the complaint has been filed is a member of a city board, commission, or committee appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council, the city council may, by a majority vote, remove the individual from such board, commission, or committee. (Ord. 1514 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023).