II.3. Resolution Establishing Legislative Policy 2-J Code of Conduct; Domeier
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-052
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Date: April 8, 2025
Subject: Resolution Establishing Legislative Policy 2-J Code of Conduct
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO adopt Resolution 2025-022 Establishing Legislative Policy 2-J Code of
Conduct.
OVERVIEW
The Legislative Policy Manual provides uniform guidelines on City policies so that
actions that are taken are consistent and fair. Staff have created a new legislative policy
for the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct outlines the ethical standards expected of members of the
Hopkins City Council. It is the responsibility of each member to uphold these standards,
ensuring that ethical principles are consistently understood and followed. This
commitment helps maintain the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity and
accountability of local government.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Resolution 2025-022
• Proposed Legislative Policy 2-J Code of Conduct
Administration
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2025-022
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING LEGISLATIVE POLICY 2-J CODE OF CONDUCT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hopkins has approved a document entitled
the Legislative Policy Manual to provide uniform guidelines on City policies so that
actions taken are consistent and fair; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hopkins has determined the existing policy
manual needs to be amended to include a new policy related to City Council Code of
Conduct.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
hereby establishes Policy 2-J Code of Conduct and for it to be added to the Legislative
Policy Manual Chapter 2.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins on this 8th day of April 2025.
By: __________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 2-J 1
POLICY 2-J
CODE OF CONDUCT
1. PURPOSE
1.01 The purpose of this policy is to have a code of conduct to guide the interactions between
and amongst the City Council. The Mayor and City Council should work together in the
best interest of the community.
1.02 The Mayor and City Council members should relate to each other through this Code of
Conduct to contribute to a more effective, transparent, and collaborative local government.
2. RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION
2.01 All communication should be respectful, professional, and a constructive approach.
Disagreements should be addressed in a respectful manner that fosters resolution and
collaboration, rather than creating a division.
2.02 The Mayor and City Council should meet regularly to discuss City matters, providing a
platform for transparency and ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly and
effectively.
3. DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
3.01 The Mayor and City Council should engage in a shared decision-making process, with the
Mayor facilitating discussions and the City Council having a role in creating policy and
making final decisions.
3.02 The Mayor and City Council should remain focused on their roles as policymakers,
prioritizing policy development, fiduciary responsibilities, and representation of residents'
interests.
3.03 Any confidential or sensitive information discussed in closed sessions should remain
confidential until it is legally appropriate for public disclosure.
3.04 If the Mayor or a City Council member wishes to take a personal public position on a
pending city vote, it should be voiced at a work session or city council meeting and not
through other means such as the media, social media or public platform.
3.05 The Mayor and City Council should remain present and engaged during public meetings
and events, minimizing cell phone use and side conversations to maintain focus and
respect for the proceedings.
4. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
4.01 Disagreements should be addressed in a professional manner, focusing on the issue at hand
rather than personal differences.
4.02 The Mayor or any City Council member should address concerns directly with the relevant
City Council member(s) when a problem arises.
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 2-J 2
4.03 If conflicts cannot be resolved through direct communication, a third-party mediator or
facilitator may be engaged to assist in resolving the issue. The goal should always be to
maintain positive, productive working relationships and to prevent public confrontations
that could undermine trust.
5. ETHICS & ACCOUNTABILITY
5.01 The Mayor and City Council must avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring decisions are based
on public good rather than personal gain. See Legislative Policy 2-F.
5.02 The Mayor and City Council should disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse
themselves from decisions where such conflicts may arise. See Legislative Policy 2-F.
5.03 The Mayor and City Council must strictly adhere to Open Meeting Laws to ensure
transparency and compliance.
5.04 The Mayor and City Council are responsible for holding each other accountable to the
Code of Conduct.
6. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT & REPRESENTATION
6.01 When speaking on behalf of the City, the Mayor and City Council should present a unified
message, even if individual opinions differ. Any discrepancies should be handled internally
rather than through public division.
6.02 The Mayor and City Council should actively engage with residents, listen to their
concerns, and ensure those concerns are reflected in the decision-making process.
6.03 When providing testimony or lobbying with legislators, the Mayor and City Council
should clearly indicate if their advocacy is contrary to, or falls outside the scope of, the
city’s legislative platform.
6.04 If the Mayor or City Council member plans to sign an advocacy letter that contradicts or
falls outside the scope of the city’s legislative platform, they should first confer with other
Council members and inform the City Manager. Advocacy made as a candidate should be
understood as representing the individual’s position, not the consensus of the City Council.
7. COLLABORATION WITH CITY MANAGER AND STAFF
7.01 The Mayor and City Council should treat the City Manager and City staff with
professionalism and respect, recognizing that while staff implement policies, it is the
elected officials who guide the vision and set the goals. See Legislative Policy 2-B.
7.02 The Mayor and City Council should engage with City staff respectfully, valuing their roles
and fostering a collaborative environment. See Legislative Policy 2-B.
7.03 The Mayor and City Council should provide City staff with sufficient time prior to
meetings to address questions or provide information on specific topics.
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 2-J 3
7.04 The Mayor and City Council should avoid surprising staff with questions or issues during
public meetings.
7.05 If the Mayor or a City Council member wishes to pull an item from the consent agenda,
they should notify the City Manager before the meeting. The City Manager will then
inform the other City Council members and City staff as appropriate.
7.06 The Mayor and City Council should inform the City Manager in advance of any proposed
amendments to agenda items before the meeting. The City Manager will communicate the
changes to the rest of the City Council and staff as necessary.
7.07 The Mayor and City Council will work directly through the City Manager for
communication and coordination with staff. See Legislative Policy 2-B.
7.08 The Mayor and City Council should not attend staff meetings, training, ride-alongs, or
group staff functions unless specifically invited or approved by the City Manager.
7.09 The Mayor and City Council should not expect immediate responses to communications
sent outside of working hours. The City Manager will determine if an issue requires urgent
attention or if it can be handled at a later time.
7.10 The Mayor and City Council will let the City Manager know of any planned absence at an
official meeting or event at least two weeks in advance if possible, to account for quorum
and specific voting actions at the meetings.
8. CIVIC LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY IMPACT
8.01 The Mayor and the City Council should lead by example, setting high ethical standards and
striving to foster a positive image of the city.
8.02 The Mayor and City Council should ensure that their actions and decisions align with the
City’s long-term goals and vision.
9. TRANSPARENCY IN DECISION-MAKING
9.01 The Mayor and City Council should encourage transparency by making decision-making
processes public and engaging the community through hearings, town halls, or other
feedback mechanisms.
10. ADHERENCE TO LEGAL & ETHICAL STANDARDS
10.01 The Mayor and City Council must adhere to all local, state, and federal laws, ensuring that
their actions are within the legal framework.
10.02 The Mayor and City Council must adhere to all City of Hopkins Legislative, Personnel and
Administrative Policies, ensuring their actions are within the established rules.
Legislative Policy Manual -- Chapter 2-J 4
11. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
11.01 The Mayor and City Council should ensure that government policies and actions reflect the
community's diversity. This includes considering the needs of underrepresented groups and
making decisions with inclusivity at the forefront.
11.02 The Mayor and City Council should prioritize the use of language that is respectful,
inclusive, and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds within the community.
12. MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC PLATFORMS
12.01 Public statements on social media should uphold trust between the Mayor, City Council,
City staff, and the public, avoiding any content that could undermine this relationship.
12.02 Any public statement should reflect the collective voice of the city government. Individual
remarks that conflict with this unity should be avoided.
12.03 The Mayor and City Council should notify the City Manager of any media requests. News
releases are issued through the City Manager’s office. See Legislative Policy 3-B.
13. PERIODIC REVIEW & UPDATES
13.01 The Mayor and City Council should regularly review and update this policy to reflect
changing dynamics, legal standards, and evolving community values.
Established __/___/2025