(a) No officer, member of Council, member of any board or commission, employee or appointee of the city shall:
(1) Be financially interested in, directly or indirectly, in any contract or transaction in which the city is a party, or which is made by any officer of the city on behalf of the city. Any such interest shall be grounds to void such contract, either by action of Council or by the determination of any tribunal having jurisdiction.
(2) Act, directly or indirectly, as attorney, agent, broker, finder, engineer, architect or employee, or in any other capacity, on behalf of any private person interested, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, in any contract, work or business, or the sale or acquisition of any property, the cost of which is payable from city funds;
(3) Engage in the practice of law or represent or appear on behalf of an individual or individuals in any court in any matter or controversy in which the city is or may become a party, except on behalf of the city as an officer or employee, or voluntarily give opinion evidence against the interests of the city in any litigation in which the city is a party; or
(4) Appear before any board or commission of the city as counsel, attorney, or agent, except that the Mayor or a member of Council may so appear, as provided by the Charter and the ordinances of the city and in the performance of public obligations or official duties.
(b) No person named in subsection (a) hereof, within a period of one year after termination of his or her services, shall appear before any board or commission of the city as attorney, engineer, architect, broker, finder, agent, employee or representative for or on behalf of any person, whether or not receiving compensation for any services rendered thereto, in relation to any matter which was under his or her charge during the period of his or her services to the city.
(c) No person named in subsection (a) hereof, after termination of his or her services, shall accept employment as a lawyer, in any particular matter which he or she has investigated or passed upon while in such office or employ, or engage in the practice of law before any court in any litigation in which the city is a party and which involves any such matter.
(d) The Mayor or a member of Council shall publicly disclose on the official records of Council any direct or financial interest or other personal or private right that he or she may have in any legislation pending before Council prior to its passage; provided, however, that, such disclosure shall not deprive the member of Council of the right to vote on such legislation, nor shall the failure of any member of Council to make such disclosure affect the validity of the legislation. Such disclosure by the Mayor shall not invalidate his or her right to veto any ordinance passed by Council.
(e) Whoever violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 698.02. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation or noncompliance occurs or continues.
(Ord. 72-O-84, passed 11-27-1972)