Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12122006 - PR.2 - - `- - - Agenda Date: Item No.: �, Subject: �►-�se wT<��o►, ��ho�,�� ��.c, Bos �o� �R Cis►. �. Www►-d, Presenter or Recommended by: N Q.rJ n d gy Xa1;wfl,.l Agenda Clerk's Note: ❑ Background not available at the time the Agenda packet was compiled ❑ Information for this item was previously furnished (Date.- Oral DaterOral Report to be given at the Board Meeting ❑ Error in numbering agenda items ❑ Deleted ❑ Documents on file with the Clerk of the Board ❑ Document or attachments included separate from this packet (voluminous/bound/oversize/color pages, etc.) HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA 1 TO: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FROM: Rudy Tamayo, Executive Director DATE: December 12, 2006 SUBJECT: APPROVE REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS POLICY. SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE the revised Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy for the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa and AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to issue and implement the revised Policy. II. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. Ill. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND It is necessary for the Housing Authority to revise its Code of Conduct and Ethic Policy that was approved by the Board on May 24, 2005 to include language to cover the Fair Housing Code of Conduct in accordance with Federal, State and Local Fair Housing Laws. This addition provides guidance to employees of the Housing Authority on the proper interaction with the residents served by the Housing Authority. A copy of the revised policy is attached and the revision can be seen on page 2, Section B. IV. CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Should the, Board of Commissioners elect not to approve the revised policy, the Housing Authority would not be in compliance with Federal, State and Local Fair Housing Laws. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _2L_YES SIGNATU �G _�- Ru Tama Executive Director RECOMMENDATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON 0-1eCbTLb,0,r 1 Z, exk APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED V OPER_ VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE DATE SHOWN. V �� LT ATTESTED�LX «. JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BYDEPUTY H:\JudyHayes\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\BO-Code of Conduct Policy Revision.doc rr � HOUSING AUTHORITY of the COUNTY of CONTRA COSTA Section 4.10 Personnel Policies& Procedures Approved: 05/24/05 Code of Conduct and Ethics & Revised: 08/25/06 Fair Housing Code of Conduct Reviewed: 00/00/00 I. Purpose: To protect the integrity of the Housing Authority, its employees, Commissioners, officers, and contractors by providing guidelines regarding standards of conduct and ethics. II. Policy: This Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy sets forth expectations related to the official conduct of Commissioners, employees, officers, and contractors of the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa. Government operates best when high standards of conduct are followed in the performance of official duties, including the following areas: The Fair Housing Code of Conduct instructs maintenance staff and other staff that come into contact with residents as to how to conduct themselves in accordance with all federal, state, and local fair housing laws. III. Procedure: A. Code of Conduct and Ethics 1. Compliance with law. Applicable laws,regulations, and policies are to be followed. 2. Appropriate conduct. Conduct should be above reproach, avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. In dealing with others,conduct should exhibit patience, courtesy, civility, and respect. A positive and constructive work environment should be promoted. 3. Integrity and honesty. Honesty should pervade professional relationships with public officials, clients, coworkers,the public,and others. 4. Fairness. All persons and transactions should be treated fairly and equitably. 5. Confidential information. Confidential information about the property, employees, clients, and affairs of the Housing Authority should be respected. Confidential information is not to be disclosed without proper legal authorization. Confidential information should not be used to advance one's private interests. 6. Conflict of interest. As Health and Safety Code section 34281 states, "[a]commissioner or employee of[a housing]authority shall not acquire any direct or indirect interest in any housing project or in any property included or planned to be included in any project, nor shall he have any direct or indirect interest in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished or used in connection with any housing project." Moreover, public business should be conducted to avoid even an appearance of a conflict of interest. 7. Political activities. Federal and state laws, including the federal Hatch Act,restricting political activities by public employees, are to be followed. 8. Non-discrimination. Duties are to be carried out without regard to any person's age, race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, disability, sex, or marital status. 9. Competence. It is expected that all duties will be performed with competency, efficiency, and economy. 10. Reporting. Serious violations of laws, regulations, or policies are to be reported to Personnel Policies&Procedures EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Housing Authority management. Persons making such reports are not be retaliated against. 11. Discipline. The Housing Authority may discipline employees for cause. B. Fair Housing Code of Conduct All members of the Maintenance staff, and other staff,as applicable, that come into contact with residents of the Authority's public housing properties, shall conduct themselves according to the Fair Housing Code of Conduct anytime there is contact with residents. 1. Treat all residents the same way You must provide the same level of service to all residents. You cannot give preferential treatment to any resident. 2. No fraterniziny,with residents You are to be courteous with all residents while performing your job duties, however, it is your responsibility to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. 3. No entering a resident's unit if the resident is home, unless the resident lets you in You must not enter a resident's unit until the resident lets you in or you are certain that no one is home. If the resident isn't home when you perform work in the unit,you are to leave a note explaining that you were there,what work you did, and what time you left. 4. Respecting residents' privacy You must not touch or comment upon the items in a resident's unit. Any conversation must be job-related, i.e.the reason you are in the unit to do work. 5. Using appropriate safety/protective equipment The safety equipment used while performing a job must be in accordance with the work being performed. The employee is not to use more protection than the job requires, as to not offend the resident. Staff must base their choice of protective equipment on the job to be done, not on the resident whom occupies the unit. Employees are to ask their supervisor, or designee, when they are uncertain as to what level of safety/protection equipment to use. Personnel Policies&Procedures EMPLOYEE RELATIONS