Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/08/2013

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APPENDIX C Code of Conduct (Continued) • We will be open about potential conflicts of interest and follow applicable rules for disclosing and dealing with the conflict (such as refraining from voting on a particular issue) to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. • We shall practice open, honest, and thorough communication that facilitates objective decision -making based upon an analysis of all facts. Conflict of Interest Generally, state law prohibits public officers from having a personal financial interest in a sale, lease, or contract they are authorized to make in their official capacity. A "public officer" would include a mayor, council member, appointed board member, or a member of staff. An interested officer should disclose his or her interest at the earliest stage and abstain from voting or deliberating on any contract in which he or she has an interest. There are some exceptions to the general prohibition on contracting with city officials defined in state law. When the exceptions are used, generally the contract must be approved by unanimous vote of the council. To help determine if a conflict exists consider the: • nature of the decision being made; • nature of the financial interest; • effect of the individual interest on the outcome of the decision by the council. Another conflict of interest situation may occur when the official's own personal interest is so distinct from the public interest that the member cannot be expected to represent the public interest fairly in deciding the matter. Some common areas are planning and zoning issues, public improvements, special assessments, licenses, land purchases and vacation of streets. Some other areas are church memberships, family associations and club memberships. There are detailed procedures that must be followed to use any exception to the conflict of interest law. State statute and the city attorney should be consulted on procedures to follow. Page 2