For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Words of the masculine gender shall include the feminine.
BLIND TRUST. An independently managed trust in which the employee-beneficiary has no management rights and in which the employee-beneficiary is not given notice of alterations in, or other dispositions of, the property subject to the trust.
BOARD. The Board of Ethics as established in § 6B-3 of the Charter of the city.
BUSINESS. Any entity through which business for profit or not for profit is conducted including a corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm enterprise, franchise, association, organization or self-employed individual.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Any information which is available to a public official, employee or member of a board or commission only because of their status as such public official, employee or member of a board or commission and is not a matter of public knowledge or available to the public on request, in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes.
CONSPICUOUSLY. Written in the special or distinctive format, print or manner that a reasonable person against whom it is to operate ought to have noticed it.
CONTRACT. A written agreement between two or more competent persons to perform or not to perform a specific act or acts pertaining to services and professional services or as otherwise set forth herein and Chapter 38 of this code.
DEPARTMENT or AGENCY. An agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, government corporation, legislative body or official of the city.
DIRECT OR INDIRECT PARTICIPATION. Involvement through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation of any part of the procurement of commodities, services or leases, as set forth in Chapter 38, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, auditing or in any other advisory capacity.
DE MINIMUS GIFT. Something that is of minimum value that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation. Minimum value shall include any gift worth up to $100.
ELECTED OFFICIAL. Any elected officer or official or any official appointed to complete the term of an elected official.
EMPLOYEE. An individual employed by the city, whether as a classified or unclassified, permanent or temporary, full-time or part-time employee, or employed by contract on a continuing basis and all employees of the Board of Education. For purposes of this chapter, the term EMPLOYEE may include public officials and department heads.
FINANCIAL INTEREST.
(1) Ownership of any interest or involvement in any business with which the public official, employee or member of a board or commission is associated including, any sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, firm, corporation, trust or other entity through which business for profit or not for profit is conducted in which the public official, employee or member of a board or commission or a member of his immediate family is a director, officer, owner, limited or general partner, beneficiary of a trust or holder of stock constituting 5% or more of the total outstanding stock of any class or a 5% share of the business.
(a) The public official, employee or member of a board or commission or member of his immediate family, shall not be deemed to be associated with a not-for-profit entity solely by virtue of the fact that the public official, employee or member of a board or commission or member of his immediate family is an unpaid director or officer of the not-for-profit entity.
(b) Income from, and financial investments in, policies of insurance, and deposits in accounts from commercial or savings banks, savings and loan associations, or credit unions shall not be considered to be a financial interest within the meaning of this chapter; or
(2) Ownership of the interest in any property or any business as may be specified by the Board of Ethics; or
(3) Holding a position in a business such as an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee, or the like, or holding any position of management. "Officer" refers only to the president, executive or senior vice president or treasurer of the business.
GRATUITY. A payment, loan, subscription, advance, deposit of money, services or anything of more than nominal or de minimus value, present or promised, unless consideration of substantially equal or greater value is received.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY. A spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters, and such other relatives as may be designated by the Board of Ethics.
MEMBER OF A BOARD OR COMMISSION. Any individual:
(1) Appointed by a public official as an advisor or consultant or member of a board, commission, committee or council established to advise, recommend or consult with a public official or the Board of Aldermen or a committee thereof; and
(2) Who receives no public funds other than per diem payments or reimbursement for his actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties.
OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, either exercisable alone or with others, either personally or through subordinates, to approve, disapprove or otherwise direct action by the city.
PERSON. An individual, sole proprietorship, trust, corporation, limited liability company, union, association, firm, partnership, committee, club or other organization or group of persons.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL or OFFICIAL. Any elected officer or official.
PURCHASE ORDER. A document that formalizes certain purchase transactions with the city as fully set forth in Chapter 38 of this code.
REQUISITION. The document which commences the procurement process as set forth in Chapter 38 of this code.
(Ord. passed 8-11-2003)