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A. A person subject to the requirements of this chapter may not:

1. Use their official position or office for the primary purpose of obtaining personal financial gain or financial gain for an immediate family member or business with which the person is associated or in which the person owns stock. This provision does not apply to financial gain from salary under the terms of employment.

2. No city official shall use the implied authority of office or position for the purposes of unduly influencing the decision of others, or promoting a personal interest within the community. City officials will refrain from using their title except when duly representing the city in an authorized capacity. Unless duly appointed by the council to represent the interest of the full council, councilmembers shall refrain from implying their representation of the whole by the use of their title.

3. Solicit or receive money for advice or assistance given in the course of the officer’s or employee’s employment or relating to that employment.

4. Serve as a paid consultant on a private interest or as a paid representative of any person or entity before a municipal department, utility, or elected or appointed public body of the city.

5. Solicit or accept a gift if it can be reasonably inferred that the gift is intended to influence the elected official’s independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties.

a. An item is a “gift” under this subsection if it is:

i. Money, an item of value, service, loan, travel or hospitality accommodation, entertainment, or employment; and

ii. Provided to an elected official, or to another person or entity designated by the elected official, for less than full value.

b. Unless rebutted by other factors, food or beverage for immediate consumption is presumed not to be given under circumstances in which it could be reasonably inferred that they are intended to influence the elected official’s independence of judgment in the exercise of official duties.

c. The following unsolicited gifts are allowed; provided, that if disclosure is required, the gift disclosure form is timely filed with the municipal clerk within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the gift:

i. Payment for a business meal offered as a courtesy in the context of municipal duties; provided, that such meals shall not be accepted on a basis so frequent from any one (1) source or a combination of sources as to raise an appearance of the use of the person’s public position for private gain. No disclosure is required.

ii. A discount or price available to public sector officials generally, or to a large business category of public officials to which the elected officials belong. No disclosure is required.

iii. A monetary gift or award presented in recognition of meritorious, civic, or voluntary service, so long as presented by a recognized civic or nonprofit charitable organization presenting such a gift or award as part of an established tradition, and not given as financial inducement for official action. An elected official shall disclose a recognition gift or award in excess of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

iv. A perishable gift for immediate consumption or display, from member(s) of the public expressing general gratitude or holiday cheer. No disclosure is required.

v. In-state travel and hospitality discounts or accommodations offered or provided to an elected official shall be applied to any municipal expense for the travel. No disclosure is required. Out of state gifts of travel and hospitality related to providing or obtaining information primarily of matters related to the duties of the elected official are allowed. Gifts in this category in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) shall be disclosed to the council prior to acceptance.

d. Gifts that are not connected with the recipient’s status as an elected official are outside the scope of this chapter and no disclosure is required.

6. No city official may vote on any question in which the member has a direct or indirect substantial financial interest. Direct or indirect financial interest shall be disclosed to the presiding officer prior to the discussion on the question, for a ruling on a request from the member with the financial interest to be excused from discussion vote. The decision of the presiding officer on a request by a member of the governing body or an appointed body to be excused from a vote may be overridden by the majority vote of the body. If there are not at least four (4) members in attendance who are qualified to vote, the matter shall be tabled until the next regular or special meeting at which four (4) members qualified to vote on the matter are in attendance.

7. No city official, municipal officer, appointed official or municipal employee shall participate in any official action in which they have a substantial financial interest. Prohibited participation includes voting as a member of the city council, taking part in debate, soliciting the vote of a member of the city council, or encouraging any municipal official or officer to act in a certain way.

8. No city official, municipal officer or municipal employee may disclose information they know to be confidential concerning employees of the city, city property, city government, or other city affairs, including but not limited to confidential information disclosed during an executive session, unless authorized or required by law to do so.

B. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the scope of additional restrictions, prohibitions and disclosure requirements applicable to municipal employees, appointees and elected officials under this chapter. [Ord. 19-19 § 2, 2019; Ord. 13-04 § 2.]