(A) There is hereby created an Ethics Commission which shall have the authorities, duties and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(B) The Ethics Commission shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the executive authority of the city, subject to the approval of the legislative body (if different from the executive authority). The initial members of the Ethics Commission shall be appointed within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter. The members shall serve for a term of three years; except that, with respect to the members initially appointed, one member shall be appointed for a term of one year, one member shall be appointed for a term of two years and one member shall be appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for a term of three years. No more than three of the members shall be of the same political party. The existing Commissioners shall remain in office and complete their existing term under this chapter.
(C) An Ethics Commission member will serve until his or her successor has been appointed, in the same manner as the original appointment. Consecutive service on the Ethics Commission may not exceed four full terms.
(D) No member of the Ethics Commission shall hold any elected or appointed office, whether paid or unpaid, or any position of employment with the city or any city agency. No member of the Ethics Commission may be, or have been within the three years prior to appointment, an officer or employee, consultant or contractor of the city; an officer in a political party or political committee; a candidate or an active member of the campaign of a candidate for any office within the Commission’s jurisdiction; or a lobbyist; nor should neither a member, nor any member of his or her immediate family, have, within the three years prior to appointment, sought any special benefits from the city, directly or indirectly. An Ethics Commission member or staff member, or a member of his or her immediate family, may not, directly or indirectly, seek any special benefits from the city, make campaign contributions, nor participate in any way in the campaign of a candidate for any office within the Commission’s jurisdiction, or of an individual currently within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
(E) Each member of the Ethics Commission shall have been a resident of the city for at least one year prior to the date of the appointment and shall reside in the city throughout the term in office. The members of the Ethics Commission shall be chosen by virtue of their known and consistent reputation for integrity and their knowledge of local government affairs.
(F) A member of the Ethics Commission may be removed by the executive authority, subject to the approval of the legislative body (if different from the executive authority) for misconduct, inability or willful neglect of duties. Before any member of the Commission is removed from office under this section, the member shall be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the executive authority and the legislative body (if different from the executive authority).
(G) Vacancies on the Ethics Commission shall be filled within 60 days by the executive authority, subject to the approval of the legislative body (if different from the executive authority). If a vacancy is not filled by the executive authority within 60 days, the remaining members of the Commission shall fill the vacancy. All vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(H) Members of the Ethics Commission shall serve without compensation, unless otherwise approved by the legislative body, but shall be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(I) The Ethics Commission shall, upon the initial appointment of its members, and annually thereafter, elect a Chairperson from among the membership. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer and a full voting member of the Commission.
(J) Meetings of the Ethics Commission shall be held, as necessary, upon the call of the Chairperson or at the written request of a majority of the members.
(K) The presence of three or more members shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of three or more members shall be necessary for any official action to be taken. Any member of the Ethics Commission who has a conflict of interest with respect to any matter to be considered by the Commission shall disclose the nature of the conflict, shall disqualify him or herself from voting on the matter and shall not be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum.
(L) Minutes shall be kept for all proceedings of the Ethics Commission and the vote of each member on any issue decided by the Commission shall be recorded in the minutes.
(Ord. 015-175, passed 2-23-2015)