Chapter 5-40 Code of Conduct for Advisory Bodies 

 

5-40-010 Applicability – MTA Advisory Bodies provide input and advice to the MTA and 
its Board of Directors. Since these bodies are advisory only, the actions and statements 
of Advisory Body Members do not reflect the official positions or policies of the MTA. 
This Code of Conduct applies to all members, including both voting and non-voting 
members as well as individual representatives of member organizations, of the MTA’s 
Advisory Bodies. 

 

The Advisory Bodies include, but are not limited to, the Community/Citizens’ Advisory 
Council, Transportation Business Advisory Council, Technical Advisory Committee and 
its subcommittees, Public Safety Advisory Committee, Accessibility Advisory Committee, 
Sustainability Council, Policy Advisory Council, Public Liability/Property Damage Claims 
Committee, Metro Youth Council, and Community Leadership Councils. This Code 
applies to these Advisory Bodies as well as to any future Advisory Body which is created 
by state law or MTA action. 

 

5-40-020 Professionalism – Members of Advisory Bodies shall conduct themselves in a 
manner consistent with the law, this Code of Conduct, MTA policies, and good 
judgment. Members shall not commit any act which may discredit the MTA or the 
Advisory Body. Speech or behavior that is likely to create an appearance of impropriety 
shall be avoided. Members shall not involve themselves in altercations or any other act 
of hostility with MTA employees, other Advisory Body members, or the public. Members 
shall not obstruct, delay, interfere, or otherwise impair the required operations of the 
Advisory Body. It is up to each member to maintain a professional, safe and productive 
environment. 

 

5-40-030 Nondiscrimination – Members shall refrain from making derogatory or 
offensive comments, including those with any relation to race, color, religion, national 
origin, sex, age, physical disability, ancestry, mental disability, medical condition, marital 
status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran 
status, genetic information, reproductive health decision-making, or any other 
classification similarly protected under relevant federal or state law, or other comments 
of a sexual nature during an Advisory Body meeting or relating to an Advisory Body’s 
work. 

 

5-40-040 Abusive Conduct – Members shall treat MTA employees, colleagues on the 
Advisory Body, and the public with respect and courtesy at all times. Members shall 
refrain from abusive conduct, including repeated or egregious verbal attacks, upon the 
character, motives, ethics, or morals of other members of the Advisory Body, other 
Advisory Bodies, MTA staff, MTA Board Members, members of the public, or anyone 
attending an Advisory Body meeting. This includes comments or behavior of a 
harassing nature, including but not limited to sexual, racial, or gender-based comments. 


 

5-40-050 Conflicts of Interest – Members shall refrain from taking any action on any 
matter in which their personal interests or relationships existing outside the Advisory 
Body may impair their objectivity in conducting Advisory Body work. This section is not 
meant to restrict or prohibit associations and experience members may have with 
outside organizations or individuals which form a basis for the member’s selection to the 
Advisory Body. 

 

5-40-060 Suspension and Removal – Any member who violates this Code of Conduct 
may be suspended by the CEO or their designee after consultation with the Chair or 
Vice Chair of the Advisory Body. The nominating authority for the suspended member 
shall consult with the CEO or their designee and the Advisory Body Chair or Vice Chair 
to review the member’s misconduct and determine whether the conduct justifies 
removal from the Advisory Body. Until the nominating authority makes such a 
determination, the suspended member may not participate on the Advisory Body. No 
member shall be suspended or removed without cause. MTA staff shall inform the 
Ethics Officer of any instance of any member’s noncompliance with this Code of 
Conduct and the Ethics Officer may advise MTA accordingly. 

 

5-40-070 Confidential Information – Advisory Body members shall not use or disclose, 
other than in the performance of their official duties and responsibilities (or as may be 
required by law), confidential MTA information. 

 

5-40-080 Use of MTA Resources – Advisory Body members shall not use or permit the 
use of MTA resources, including but not limited to facilities, materials, equipment, 
information, intellectual property such as trademarks and copyrighted material, and MTA 
staff time, for activities other than the performance of their duties as Advisory Body 
members. 

 

5-40-090 Bylaws – In the event this Code of Conduct conflicts with any Advisory Body’s 
bylaws, this Code shall control. Nothing in this Code is intended to limit Advisory Bodies 
from implementing other removal procedures for matters unrelated to this Code, such 
as for attendance or neglecting duties. 

 

5-40-100 Interpretation – The Ethics Officer is charged with advising the MTA regarding 
ethical issues and questions involving the interpretation and application of this Code of 
Conduct.