Page 161 - Yucaipa Valley Water District

Workshop Memorandum No. 18-027 Page 4 of 5

public statements, a Director shall make it clear whether he or she is authorized to
speak on behalf of the Board, or whether he or she is presenting their own views.
When representing the Board, a Director’s comments should reflect approved
Board policies. In areas where no policy has yet been developed, the Director’s
comments shall make this fact clear.

(d) Presentation and Appearance to The Public – In order to present a positive image
to the public, customers and residents, Directors should strive to maintain a
professional appearance while performing their duties as Directors.

(e) Relationship with General Manager and Staff

(i) The Board sets the policy of the District. The General Manager is
responsible for implementing the policy as formulated by the Board.
Directors shall not engage in actions which would constitute day-to-day
management. The General Manager is the highest-ranking nonelected
officer of the District. The General Manager is appointed by and serves at
the pleasure of the Board and performs such duties as may be imposed by
the Board. Therefore, the Board will provide policy direction and
instructions to the General Manager on matters within the authority of the
Board by majority vote of the Board during a duly convened Board meeting.
Directors will deal with matters within the authority of the General Manager
through the General Manager, and not through other District employees.

(ii) A Director will not make requests directly to other District staff to
undertake analyses, perform other work assignments, or change the
priority of work assignments. A Director’s contact with District staff should
be kept to a minimum and should be made only when direct personal
contact is required. A Director, when approached by District personnel
concerning specific District policy, shall direct inquiries to the General
Manager.

(f) Proper Use and Safeguarding of Property And Resources – A Director will not ask
a District employee to perform services for the personal benefit or profit of a
Director. Each Director must protect and properly use any District asset within his
or her control. Directors will safeguard District property, equipment, monies, and
assets against unauthorized use or removal, as well as from loss due to criminal
act or breach of trust. The District will not reimburse the traveling and incidental
expenses incurred by or for the spouse of a Director who attends a conference,
tour or event on official District business (See 75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 20).

(g) Use of Confidential Information – Under the Brown Act, all meetings of the Board
are open to the public except as prescribed by law. The Brown Act sets forth
provisions that require public officials to maintain the confidentiality of certain
information disclosed or discussed in a duly convened closed session. A Director
is not authorized, without the approval of the Board, to disclose information that
qualifies as confidential information under the applicable provisions of law to a
person not authorized to receive it, that: (i) has been received for, or during, a
closed session meeting of the Board; (ii) is protected from disclosure under the
attorney-client or other evidentiary privilege; or (iii) is not required to be disclosed
under the California Public Records Act. A Director shall not waive the attorney-

Yucaipa Valley Water District - January 9, 2018 - Page 160 of 175