§ 30.27 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.
   (A)   Employment Policy and Procedure. This subchapter shall be in addition to any policies or procedures adopted by the city, including, but not limited to, the City Employee Handbook.
   (B)   Disqualification from Acting on City Business. Any covered individual shall disqualify himself or herself from, and shall refuse to act upon, any matter in which the covered individual, or any member of his or her immediate family, or the private employer of the covered individual, has any material direct financial interest or might otherwise gain a profit, and upon which the covered individual would be required to act in the conduct of official duties.
   (C)   Use of Position or Office. No covered individual shall use or attempt to use his or her position, or any individual, funds, or property under his or her control, direction, or custody, for the private benefit of the covered individual, his or her immediate family, or any other individual or entity, except in the course of the proper conduct of official duties, or as otherwise expressly authorized by the city.
   (D)   Improper Influence. No covered individual, except in the course of the proper conduct of official duties, shall assist any person or entity in any transaction, whether with an agency, department, or commission of the city or otherwise, where such assistance is intended to use the covered individual's public position to influence any decision in the transaction. No covered individual, regardless of prior disclosure, who has a material interest, or whose immediate family has a material interest, in any matter before any city entity, shall influence or attempt to influence any conduct or decision of such city entity.
   (E)   Appearance of Improper Conduct. Each covered individual shall make all reasonable efforts to conduct his or her public duties in a manner which would avoid any reasonable appearance of improper conduct under this subchapter.
   (F)   Outside Employment. During the period of serving any city entity, no covered individual shall engage in or accept employment or render service, whether compensated or uncompensated, when such employment or service would impair or reasonably appear to impair, his or her independence of judgement or action on behalf of the city entity.
   (G)   Gifts over $50 and Loans Prohibited. No covered individual shall solicit or receive anything of monetary value over $50 from any person or entity whether it has been solicited, received, or given, or to a reasonable person would appear to have been solicited, received, or given, with the intent to give or obtain special consideration or influence as to any official action, whether by the covered individual or otherwise. Nothing herein shall prohibit the giving or receipt of political contributions which are permitted under applicable law and are properly reported as required. Covered individuals shall not receive and retain honoraria, other than commemorative or other items of nominal value, for or in recognition of activities relating to or arising from his or her public position. Covered individuals may retain the cost or reimbursement of actual and reasonable expenses related to such activities which are not reimbursed by the city.
   (H)   Political Activity. No covered individual shall, during the performance of public duties or otherwise on official city business, wear or display political campaign material or materials concerning any referendum other than buttons, badges, or similar items relating to the covered individual's current or prospective elected position; distribute campaign material or materials advocating a referendum position; or solicit, receive, or give contributions or political support services for a candidate. No covered individual shall at any time in any manner coerce or attempt to coerce contributions or service from subordinate employees in support of a political party or candidate for public office, or any referendum position, or retaliate against or reward any employee for any political action or inaction.
   (I)   Disclosure of Confidential Information. No covered individual shall disclose or use any information which is available to the covered individual by reason of his or her public position and not a matter of public knowledge, or available to the public upon request, for the immediate or anticipated personal gain or benefit of the covered individual or any other person or entity.
(Ord. 1682, passed 4-15-19)