Sec. 2-48Board of ethics

(a) Composition of the board of ethics:

(1) The board of ethics of the city shall be composed of five residents of the city to be appointed as provided in subparagraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection. Each member of the board of ethics shall have been a resident of the city for at least one year immediately preceding the date of taking office and shall remain a resident of the city while serving as a member of the board of ethics. No person shall serve as a member of the board of ethics if the person has, or has had within the preceding one-year period, any interest in any contract, transaction, or official action of the city.

(2) The mayor and members of council shall each designate two qualified citizens to provide a pool of 12 individuals who have consented to serve as a member of the board of ethics and who will be available for a period of two years to be called upon to serve in the event a board of ethics is appointed.

(3) The city manager shall maintain a listing of these ten qualified citizens. Should the investigating committee determine a complaint warrants a hearing before the board of ethics, the mayor and council, at the first public meeting after such determination, shall draw names randomly from the listing of qualified citizens until the specified five members of the Board of Ethics have been appointed. The five-member board will elect one of its members to serve as chairman.

(4) The members of the board of ethics shall serve without compensation. The governing authority of the city shall provide meeting space for the board of ethics. Subject to budgetary procedures and requirements of the city, the city shall provide the board with such supplies and equipment as may be reasonably necessary for it to perform its duties and responsibilities.

(b) The constituted board of ethics shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) To establish procedures, rules, and regulations governing its internal organization and conduct of its affairs;

(2) To hold a hearing within 60 days after the receipt of complaint. Failure to hold a hearing within the specified time shall result in dismissal of the complaint as to the transaction and shall prevent refiling if a complaint arises in the same incident for at least a period of six months;

(3) To prescribe forms, approved by the city attorney, for the disclosure required in this division and to make available to the public the information disclosed as provided in this section;

(4) To receive and hear complaints of violations of the standards required by this division;

(5) To make such investigation and response to a complaint as it deems necessary to determine whether any person has violated any provisions of this division;

(6) To hold such hearings and make such inquiries as deemed necessary to investigate and rule upon complaints;

(7) To report its findings to the governing authority for such action as the governing authority deems appropriate.

History: (Ord. No. 04-05, § 1, 5-6-2004)