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Councilmember LeTourneau asked if the body of work being proposed is around the issue of <br />how to deal with conflict of interest, not the Code of Conduct or values. <br />Human Resources Manager Lasher stated that is the emphasis and other cities and the League <br />have tied them together as somewhat related but the emphasis of this case is to identify real or <br />perceived conflicts of interest and how to deal with such conflicts. She stated she spoke with the <br />League of Minnesota Cities Human Resources and Susan Hansen of Madden, Galanter, and <br />Hansen, LLP (the City's employment law attorney) both expressed it is critical from an <br />employment perspective that terms and conditions of City employment remain unchanged and <br />that conditions /circumstances that may exist be evaluated cautiously. Human Resources Manager <br />Lasher recommended the City Attorney review the language to assure those concerns are <br />addressed. She presented staff's recommendation to consider the best approach to protect the <br />City against conflicts of interest while maintaining rights to privacy and adhering to all State and <br />Federal laws. She stated the City Conflict of Interest Policy was reviewed by City Attorney <br />Goodrich who made suggested revisions as shown in the document. <br />Councilmember Riley asked if the League of Minnesota Cities already defines this and has <br />sample policies the City can use. <br />Human Resources Manager Lasher stated that is correct, as well as the policy being written in a <br />value statement format. She stated she is comfortable with the information from the League. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the value of the League's information is that it has been run past <br />their legal staff and they have a template Code of Conduct. <br />Mayor Strommen asked about the Conflict of Interest Policy from the League. She noted there <br />are two different pieces but the Ramsey Code of Conduct was done with the strategic plan and it <br />can be discussed if it should be imbedded in Ramsey's Personnel Policy. Mayor Strommen <br />stated the questions are: when a potential issue arises, how is it disclosed, to whom is it <br />disclosed, does it have to be disclosed to the Council's colleagues, and how is it decided whether <br />it is a conflict of interest. She asked what is the process and how is a decision made, noting that <br />is not included in the League information. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated the Council may not be the best authority to implement this <br />because there is nothing you can do to an elected official outside of what the Statute or Charter <br />indicates. He suggested this matter (conflict of interest) be discussed by the Charter <br />Commission, noting they are not elected officials but appointed by a judge. <br />Councilmember Riley stated that feels almost like amending the Constitution to make a law. He <br />asked if this needs to be a City of Ramsey policy or can the Council adopt what the League <br />already has laid out for Ramsey. <br />Mayor Strommen stated the information provided does not mention a Conflict of Interest Policy. <br />Councilmember Riley asked if Ramsey can adopt language as defined by the League. <br />City Council Work Session / June 4, 2013 <br />Page 13 of 22 <br />