Council amends city ethics code; one member requests de minimis exception and votes no

On second reading the City Council approved Ordinance No. 2026‑28 amending multiple sections of Article 3 (Code of Ethics) of Chapter 1, Administration, Personnel and Finance. The clerk read the ordinance into the record and staff noted no substantive changes since the prior discussion.

Councilman Hinjem said the ordinance does not include a ‘de minimis’ exception and said he would vote no. He explained the request was intended to allow an elected official who is juggling family and official functions limited ability to run a short personal errand while performing official duties. Staff and council members acknowledged the point and agreed to ask the city attorney’s office to consider de minimis language for broader review; the ordinance passed on second reading 7–2.