(A) Prohibited political activities. Employees of the city are prohibited from participating in the following types of political activity while on duty:
(1) Using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office, or for any other political purpose;
(2) Directly or indirectly coercing, attempting to coerce, commanding, or advising an employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, or person for a political purpose;
(3) Holding a political office or being an officer of a political organization during his or her employment;
(4) Engaging in a partisan political activity. This rule includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Holding meetings while on duty in city offices or on the premises to permit candidates to meet or solicit city employees;
(b) Soliciting political contributions or levying, soliciting, collecting, or paying any political assessments in any city office, while on duty;
(c) Displaying political stickers or posters on city-owned vehicles or in city offices; and/or
(d) Using any city-owned equipment, supplies, vehicles, space, or property for political purposes.
(5) All city employees who become a candidate for a public office must, upon filing or accepting the nomination and during the campaign, take a leave of absence. Being a member of a local school board will not be considered as holding political office.
(B) Gratuities. Employees of the classified service shall not accept any favor or gratuity from any person or firm, corporation, or other entity prohibited by the Conflict of Interest Act, NMSA § 3-10-4.
(C) Outside activities. Any employee may engage in outside employment or acquire private interests in business, provided the employment or private interests do not interfere with efficient performance of his or her duties or conflict with the interests of the city. See Conflict of Interest Act, NMSA § 3-10-4. Employees are advised to seek the guidance of their supervisor or appointing authority before engaging in outside activities, private business interest, or outside employment. Approval from the City Manager must be obtained in writing prior to the outside activity.
(1981 Code, § 20-28) (Ord. 823, passed 1-22-1991) Penalty, see § 33.99