DOWNEY — City of Downey commissioners, committee and board members will be held to a higher standard of ethics, after the City Council approved a code of conduct for them on Tuesday.

While councilmembers have the ability to appoint and dismiss their representatives, the new language will offer a clear image of what is expected of each individual once sworn in.

This comes after several commissioners have argued with each other over social media.

“I think we have witnessed – unfortunately – the unraveling of lack of civility across our country, and certainly we have witnessed it in the last several months in our city,” said Mayor Claudia M. Frometa. “As I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it, we can always disagree, and we can have a good exchange about our disagreements, but these can always be done respectfully, and we can agree to disagree without being disagreeable to one another.”

The aforementioned representatives will now sign a two-page document that outlines five areas of conduct, including:

• Integrity / honesty

• Responsibility / protecting the public’s interest

• Fairness and accountability

• Respect for fellow appointed officials, staff, and the public, and

• Proper and efficient use of public resources.

The code was passed 4-1 with Councilwoman Catherine Alvarez opposed.

A similar code will be brought back for the City Council at their next meeting.