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Introduction <br />City Conflict Of Interest Policy <br />City of Ramsey Policy Concerning Conflict of Interest and Divided Allegiance <br />A N E VII <br />DAY... <br />`6[GINNING... <br />The City Council and the City Administrator of the City of Ramsey the "City" arels committed to governing the <br />City organization in a manner that is free of personal conflicts. For the purposes of this Policy the term "conflicts" <br />shall -means both "conflicts of interest" as they are defined under applicable state and federal law, and "divided <br />allegiances," as they are defined in this Policy. <br />The purpose of this Policy is to inform City of Ramse elected officials, appointed commissioners members and <br />staff of the City's of Ramsey broad definitions of Csonflicts and to establish procedures for elected officials, <br />appointed commissioners, and staff to follow to declare and monitor conflicts as they arise. The City Council <br />requires each elected official, appointed commissioner members and staff member to be advised of this Policy, <br />and each of said persons are to be provided a copy of this Policy immediately upon assuming their City's sf <br />Ramsey duties or relationship. All individuals subject to this Policy are responsible for knowing and observing <br />the Policy. <br />Background <br />This Policy addresses how the City of Ramsey approaches actual or perceived conflicts. The definitions that <br />apply cover more than the specific conflict of interest scenarios addressed by state government or federal tax <br />laws. This Policy recognizes that a conflict of interest may exist, from a practical perspective, whenever the <br />personal or professional interests of an elected official, appointed commissioners or staff member are potentially <br />at odds with City's of Ramcey'c interest(s). Since the City Council is responsible for ensuring that the <br />organization's management serves the City's of Ramsey best interests, over and above the interests of any <br />insider, this Policy broadly defines potential conflicts of interest to include all instances when a person within the <br />organization may be able to exert his or her authority, influence, or bias on any issue in which he or she may <br />have divided allegiances. <br />The City Council recognizes that conflicts may exist not only when an individual has a financial interest in a <br />transaction, but also when his or her nonfinancial interests are involved. In all cases, the City Council is <br />committed to ensuring that whenever a dual interest between an individual's personal, business, organizational <br />or professional affiliations and the position and interests of the City of Ramccy-cxists, disclosure of such conflict <br />is given and the resulting decision - making is fairly and appropriately managed. Furthermore, this Policy's <br />procedures apply not only when an actual conflict is demonstrated, but also when the interests or concerns of <br />another party to which one has allegiance may reasonably be seen as competing with City's of Ramcey'o <br />interests or concerns. The decision of the City Council to effect a level of higher scrutiny and procedures when <br />an elected official, appointed commissioner, or staff member of the City of Ramcey appears to have a conflict <br />acknowledges the public's increasing sensitivity to self - dealing and /or lax management by elected officials, <br />appointed commissioners, and staff. The City Council and City Administrator appreciates that this Policy will both <br />satisfy the legal responsibility and protect the City of Ramsey from poor public relations, including the possibility <br />of elected officials, appointed commissioners or staff members being exposed to third -party actions. <br />The three types (or "Tiers ") of conflicts defined in the Policy are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they can be <br />viewed as increasingly wider concentric circles. <br />Conflict of Interest and Divided Allegiances, Definitions <br />Tier 1 -- Direct conflict: A direct conflict exists whenever there is any proposed transaction or action of the City <br />of Ramsey in which an elected official, appointed commissioner, or staff member has any direct involvement or <br />interest. These transactions are subject to the highest scrutiny. <br />City of Ramsey Conflict of Interest Policy Page 1 of 4 <br />