§ 30.26 CONDUCT OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS.
   (A)   Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   CITY. The City of Gun Barrel City, Texas, and/or its officers, agents and employees acting in their official capacity.
   LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE. Any attorney, investigator, paralegal, or person with legal or investigative training, and any employee, agent, investigator or claims adjuster employed by any legal representative, that represents, works for, or is employed by, any person, firm, corporation or legal entity that has made a legal claim or filed any legal action against the city.
   PERSON. Any natural person that is not a legal representative.
   (B)   Claims against the city. The Mayor and/or the City Manager may meet with any person, who is not then represented by legal counsel, regarding the facts and circumstances applicable to any claim or potential claim by such person against the city, for the purpose of ascertaining the relevant facts and circumstances regarding any such claim and, in appropriate instances, reaching an amicable resolution thereof subject to the approval of the City Council; provided that the Mayor and/or City Manager shall in every instance conduct themselves, to the best of their ability, in a manner consistent with the best interests of the city and the high level of duty owed the city and its citizens.
   (C)   Assistance of City Attorney. Except as provided in division (A) above, or as authorized by the City Attorney, no employee or officer of the city shall provide any verbal or written information or assistance to any attorney with respect to any pending claim of litigation against the city.
   (D)   Exception. The terms and provisions of division (B) of this section shall not apply to any officer or employee with respect to any claim made or litigation filed by such employee or officer against the city, or to any employee, who is not an officer, with respect to any grievance, claim or litigation filed by one or more employees for and on behalf of a group or classification of employees of which such employee is a member.
   (E)   Termination and removal from office. It shall be grounds for the termination of any employee, and for the removal from office of any officer, if such officer or employee shall violate this section, or shall use his or her position, or any assets or resources of the city, to knowingly aide or assist any person to prosecute any known claim, or any litigation, for damages against the city, except to the extent required by law, or authorized by the City Attorney and/or the City Council.
(Ord. 489, passed 4-23-96)