(A) There is hereby created a board of ethics which shall have the authorities, duties, and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(B) The board of ethics shall consist of three (3) members who shall be appointed by the executive authority of the city, subject to the approval of the city council. No member of the board of ethics shall hold any elected position or employment with the city or any city agency. The members shall serve for a term of three (3) years; except that with respect to the members initially appointed, one (1) member shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, one (1) member shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, and one (1) member shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Each member of the board of ethics shall have been a resident of the city for at least one (1) year prior to the date of the appointment and shall reside in the city throughout the term in office. The members of the board of ethics shall be chosen by virtue of their known and consistent reputation for integrity and their knowledge of local government affairs. The members may be re-appointed for any number of consecutive terms.
(C) A member of the board of ethics may be removed by the executive authority, subject to the approval of the city council for misconduct, inability, or willful neglect of duties. Before any member of the board of ethics is removed from office under this section, the member shall be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the executive authority and the legislative body.
(D) Vacancies on the board of ethics shall be filled within sixty (60) days by the executive authority, subject to the approval of the legislative body.
(E) Members of the board of ethics shall serve without compensation, unless otherwise approved by the legislative body, but shall be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(F) The corporation counsel or other chief law officer of the city shall act as legal advisor and counsel to the board, and shall attend the meetings of the board; provided, however, that the corporation counsel shall recuse in the event that a conflict should arise as defined in the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Kentucky Supreme Court.
(G) Meetings of the board of ethics shall be held, as necessary, upon the call of the chairperson or at the written request of a majority of the members.
(H) The presence of three (3) or more members shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of three (3) or more members shall be necessary for any official action to be taken. Any member of the board of ethics who has a conflict of interest with respect to any matter to be considered by the board shall disclose the nature of the conflict, shall disqualify himself or herself from voting on the matter, and shall not be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum.
(I) The board of ethics shall annually elect a chairperson from among its membership. The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the board and shall be a full voting member of the board. Minutes shall be kept for all proceedings of the board of ethics and the vote of each member on any issue decided by the board shall be recorded in the minutes.
(Ord. No. 19-94, 12-6-94; Am. Ord. No. 02-20, 2-18-20)