(a) Conflicts of interest. The use of public office for private gain is prohibited. The city council shall implement this prohibition by ordinance. Regulations to this end shall include but not be limited to: acting in an official capacity on matters in which the official has a private financial interest clearly separate from that of the general public; the acceptance of gifts and other things of value; acting in a private capacity on matters dealt with as a public official, the use of confidential information; and appearances by city officials before other city agencies on behalf of private interests. The appearance of impropriety shall be avoided. Municipal officials shall be, at a minimum, restricted from conflict of interest to the same extent that state public officials are bound by state law; provided however, that the city council may adopt an ordinance setting a stricter standard.
(b) Board of ethics. The city council shall, by ordinance, establish an independent board of ethics to administer and enforce violations of the conflict of interest and financial disclosure ordinances as well as determine violations of Sections 2.05 (a) and (b), 6.01(c), and 7.02 (a) (3), (4), and (5) of this Charter and related ordinances. No member of the board may hold elective or appointed office under the city or any other government or hold any political party office. Insofar as possible under state law, the city council shall authorize the board to issue binding advisory opinions, conduct investigations on its own initiative and on referral or complaint, refer cases for prosecution, impose administrative fines, and to hire independent counsel. The city council shall appropriate sufficient funds to the board of ethics to enable it to perform the duties assigned to it.
(4-13-04, § F; 4-8-08, § J; 4-10-12, § C)