§ 35.010 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF ETHICS.

   In addition to the other powers and duties specifically mentioned in this subchapter, the board of ethics shall have the following powers and duties:

   (a)   To initiate and to receive complaints of violations of any of the provisions of §§ 35.025 through 35.036 and §§ 35.050 through 35.059;

   (b)   To determine whether to investigate and whether to act upon any particular complaint under §§ 35.025 through 35.036;

   (c)   To conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings concerning any matter covered by §§ 35.025 through 35.036;

   (d)   To conduct reviews and/or investigations based on requests or complaints concerning any matter covered by §§ 35.050 through 35.059 and the city charter. Council shall receive a report of all findings and recommendations of all complaints or investigations of the board regarding §§ 35.050 through 35.059. Upon receiving the report from the board, council shall follow procedures set forth in §§ 35.050 through 35.059 and shall determine if disciplinary action is necessary;

   (e)   Under §§ 35.025 through 35.036, the board shall advise any individual whose acts are the subject of a complaint or an investigation of the board and notify the individual within two business days;

   (f)   Under §§ 35.025 through 35.036, to subpoena persons or documents and issue subpoenas to the fullest extent authorized by law. Persons accused or under investigation shall have authority to subpoena persons or documents in preparation of their defense. No unreasonable subpoena request will be denied by the board to the accused;

   (g)   Under §§ 35.025 through 35.036, to request the assistance of other appropriate agencies in conducting investigations;

   (h)   To consult with municipal agencies, officials and employees on matters involving ethical conduct;

   (i)   To recommend such legislative action as it may deem appropriate to effectuate the policy of §§ 35.025 through 35.036 and §§ 35.050 through 35.059;

   (j)   To adopt procedural rules consistent with the requirements of due process of law, consistent with the rules of evidence, consistent with the intent of this chapter and the city charter, and subject to review by the city council;

   (k)   To prescribe forms for the disclosure and registration of information as provided in §§ 35.025 through 35.036 and §§ 35.050 through 35.059;

   (l)   The board of ethics may also render advisory opinions at the board’s discretion with respect to §§ 35.025 through 35.036;

   (m)   The board of ethics may render advisory opinions at the request of an elected official of the city with respect to §§ 35.050 through 35.059;

   (n)   To offer recommendations with respect to remedies for violations of §§ 35.025 through 35.036; and

   (o)   To offer a full report of all findings and recommendations of the board, for complaints and investigations of elected officials, with respect to §§ 35.050 through 35.059. The remedies for violations of §§ 35.050 through 35.059 shall follow the provisions therein.

(1992 Code, § 12.5-10) (Ord. 24-09, passed 3-16-2009; Ord. 03-11, passed 1-18-2011; Ord. 57-12, passed 8-7-2012)