(A) The City Attorney or City Manager, or their designee, shall be informed of any person engaged in lobbying activities who has failed to comply with the registration, reporting requirements and prohibitions of this subchapter, and, in each such instance, shall conduct such investigation as he or she shall deem necessary under the circumstances. The results of each investigation shall be reported to the City Commission.
(B) The City Commission may warn, reprimand, or censure the violator or may suspend or prohibit the violator from appearing on behalf of any employer before the City Commission or any decision-making body under the jurisdiction of the City Commission or from otherwise lobbying for any employer in any fashion for a period of time; provided, however, that any suspension or prohibition may not exceed a period of two years, and no sanction shall be imposed unless the lobbyist allegedly in violation has been afforded reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.
(C) The validity of any action taken by the City Commission, city employees, or any decision-making body under the jurisdiction of the City Commission, shall not be affected by the failure of any person to comply with the provisions of this subchapter.
(D) In addition to the penalties provided by this section, individuals found to be in violation may be subject to additional penalties as provided by law. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Broward County Office of the Inspector General as provided for by Article XII of the Broward County Charter.
(Ord. 1712, passed 12-21-11)