149.09 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS.

   (a)    Any member of City Council who believes he has an actual or potential conflict of interest, either personal or financial, in any legislative matter pending before Council, shall disclose on the record of Council at the earliest opportunity, but in any event before the matter is voted upon, the nature and extent of such interest.

   (b)    Any member of City Council who believes that another Council member has an actual or potential conflict of interest in any legislative matter pending before Council may request that said Council member disclose on the record of Council the nature and extent of such interest. Should the Council member refuse to disclose upon request, the member of Council alleging the conflict of interest may himself disclose the nature and extent of such interest, as he perceives it.

   (c)    Once the issue of conflict of interest relative to a Council member has been raised, and disclosure has been made, Council shall, on the floor of Council, review the facts as disclosed to determine whether or not a conflict of interest does exist. All conflict of interest questions shall be resolved prior to any consideration of the legislative matter concerned, and each member of Council, except for the Council member alleged to have the conflict, shall be entitled to vote. The determination of whether or not a conflict exists shall be made by a majority of those present and voting, and that determination shall become a matter of Council record.

   (d)    In the event that Council may require additional information not immediately available, or shall require confirmation of the information disclosed, Council may, by a majority of all Council members present, vote to table the legislative matter concerned until Council has had an opportunity to obtain said additional information or confirmation.

   (e)    If Council determines that a conflict of interest does exist, the Council member alleged to have the conflict shall himself decide whether or not to abstain from discussing, deliberating or voting on the legislative matter concerned, and his decision shall be final.

   (f)    If Council determines that a conflict of interest does not exist, the Council member may nevertheless abstain from discussing, deliberating or voting on the legislative matter concerned, provided he does not do so solely to avoid his duty to participate in an official action of Council, and his decision shall be final.

   (g)    Any other public official or employee who believes he has an actual or potential conflict of interest, either personal or financial, in any legislative matter pending before Council, and who participates in discussion with or gives an official opinion or recommendation to Council, shall disclose on the record of Council the nature ant extent of such interest.

(Ord. 96-1995. Passed 6-26-95.)