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II. DISCUSSION Conflict of interest rules are intended to ensure fairness and trust in public decision - making processes, and to ensure that public decisions are not based on the personal or private interests of the decision - makers.' Public awareness and concern over fairness in public decision - making processes are reflected not only in the enactment of statutory conflict of interest provisions, but also in the passage of federal and state legislation governing campaign financing,' lobbyist registration,' open meetings,' and financial disclosure.' The Council's involvement in complex, far - reaching, and controversial public policy issues makes it likely that conflict issues may arise with respect to individual members of the Council and members of the Council's advisory committees. Conflict of interest issues arise under a number of circumstances and are governed by various statutory and administrative conflicts rules. Members of the Metropolitan Council and its advisory committees and members of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission are subject to the general statutory conflict of interest provisions of the Ethics in Government Act which is codified in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 10A. When the Council is functioning as a housing and redevelopment authority, individual members of the Council are subject to the conflict of interest provisions of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 469. Members of the Council's advisory committees are subject to the conflict of interest provisions contained in the bylaws governing the advisory committees. Conflict of interest issues also can arise when circumstances create the appearance of a conflict of interest. A. CHAPTER 10A CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS Individuals holding public offices and positions of public trust always have been subject to conflict of interest laws. Prior to the enactment of the statutory conflict rules, the conduct and actions of public decision - makers were governed by general principles of law embodied in the common law.' The common law conflict of interest rules as they applied to public officials in Minnesota largely were abrogated in 1974 when the Minnesota Legislature created what is now called the Ethical Practices Board and established statutory provisions governing conflicts of interest relating to the performance of official duties by public officials. ' The Ethics in Government Act which includes the statutory conflict of interest provisions was amended in 1990 when the legislature passed the Elections and Ethics Reform Act of 1990. The amendments to the statutory conflict of interest provisions of Chapter 10A were effective January 1, 1991. 9 1. Chapter 10A Defines Conflict of Interest and Requires Both Public and Local Officials to Take Specific Actions When a Conflict of Interest Exists. The statutory conflict of interest provisions generally define conflicts of interest and prescribe the actions a public or local official must take if a conflict of interest arises with respect to the performance of official duties. A public official or a local official elected to or appointed by a metropolitan governmental unit 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 is no greater than on other members of the official's business classification, profession, or occupation, shall take the following actions: (1) prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and the nature of the potential conflict of interest;