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Although the statutory provisions only apply to gifts from lobbyists and lobbyist principals, a voluntary code of ethics adopted by the Metropolitan Council governs those situations in which the potential source of a gift is neither a lobbyist nor a lobbyist principal. CODE OF ETHICS FOR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS In September 1991, the Metropolitan Council adopted a Code of Ethics for Metropolitan Council Members. The Code of Ethics governs the types of gifts and other benefits a Council member may accept from any source other than the Council for activities related to the member's official duties as a Council member. The Code of Ethics (Attachment A) states: A Council member in the course of or in relation to his or her official duties should not, directly or indirectly, receive or agree to receive any payment of expenses, compensation, gift, reward, gratuity, favor, service or promise of future employment or other future benefit from any source other than the Council for any activity related to the duties of a Council member with the exception of: (a) gifts of nominal value; (b) plaques or similar mementos recognizing individual service; (c) honoraria and expenses for papers, talks, demonstrations or appearances made by Council members for which they are not compensated or reimbursed by the Council; or (d) reimbursement of expenses for travel or meals, not to exceed actual expenses incurred, which are not reimbursed by the Council. A Council member might be offered a gift from an individual that is not prohibited under the Ethics in Government Act because the gift is not offered by a lobbyist or a lobbyist's principal. However, a Council member still should not accept that gift if the gift qualifies as a "payment of expenses, compensation, gift, reward, gratuity, favor, service or promise of future employment or other future benefit" under the Council's adopted Code of Ethics. Unlike the mandatory statutory provisions prohibiting the receipt of gifts from lobbyists, the Council's Code of Ethics is self - enforcing. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Council members are subject to the state statutory provisions governing conflicts of interest which relate to the performance of official duties. The Council's adopted Code of Ethics also contains some conflict of interest provisions. The Ethics in Government Act defines conflicts of interest and prescribes the actions a public official must take if a conflict of interest arises with respect to the performance of official duties. A public official * * * who in the discharge of official duties would be required to take an action or make a decision that would substantially affect the official's financial interests or those of an associated business, unless the effect on the official 3