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Required notices and statements describing potential conflicts of interest must be filed on forms made available by the Ethical Practices Board. 42 Conflict reporting forms from the Ethical Practices Board are available in the Legal Department. A Council member, Council advisory committee member, or Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission member who has a potential conflict of interest "shall not chair a meeting, participate in any vote, or offer any motion on the matter giving rise to [the official's] potential conflict of interest." 43 Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding a potential conflict and the proceedings involving the conflict, failure to abstain from participation in the matter to which the conflict relates may nullify a Council or commission action, or decision, or render a Council or commission action or decision void. 44 Failure to comply with the conflict of interest provisions of Chapter 10A can result in criminal sanctions and may result in personal liability. 45 State law also prohibits any "public officer" from taking part in any sale, lease, or contract if the officer has a personal financial interest in those transactions. 46 The term "public officer" has been interpreted broadly and probably includes all public officials, local officials, and public employees who are authorized to take part in any manner in making any sale, lease, or contract in their official capacities. " Criminal penalties might be imposed if Council members, other public officials, or local officials participate in any sale, lease, or contract in which the members or officials have personal financial interests. B. CHAPTER 469 CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS The Council was established as a regional governmental unit to coordinate the planning and development of the seven -county metropolitan area. 48 The Council's enabling statute expressly authorizes the Council to operate as a housing and redevelopment authority within the metropolitan area. When the Council is functioning as a housing and redevelopment authority, the Council and its members have the same "functions, rights, powers, duties, privileges, immunities and limitations" as are provided for municipal housing and redevelopment authorities. 49 The statutory conflict of interest provisions of Chapter 469 which generally apply to housing and redevelopment authorities, also apply to Council members when the Council is functioning as a housing and redevelopment authority. 50 Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.001 to 469.047 govern the operation of housing and redevelopment authorities and contain specific conflict of interest provisions which apply to housing and redevelopment authorities and the commissioners and employees of those authorities. Subdivision 1. Disclosure. Before taking an action or making a decision which could substantially affect the commissioner's or an employee's financial interests or those of an organization with which the commissioner or an employee is associated, a commissioner or employee of an authority shall (a) prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and the nature of the potential conflict of interest and (b) submit the statement to the commissioners of the authority. The disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the authority at its next meeting. The disclosure statement must be submitted no later than one week after the employee or commissioner becomes aware of the potential conflict of interest. However, no disclosure statement is required if the effect on the commissioner or employee of the decision or act will be no greater than on other members of the business, profession or occupation or if the effect on the organization with which the