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advisory committee member who recognizes a potential conflict of interest during Council, Council standing committee, or advisory committee deliberations should orally inform the Council or the member's respective committee about the potential conflict of interest. C. ADVISORY COMMITTEE BYLAW CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS Individuals appointed to Council advisory committees are subject to policies and procedures adopted by the Council. According to the Council's bylaws, each advisory committee must prepare and adopt bylaws upon establishment. Advisory committee bylaws are subject to Council approval and must contain the following provisions addressing conflicts of interest. No advisory committee member shall participate or vote in any deliberation relating to issues and proposals in which he or she has a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists where the advisory committee member: 1. has a material, financial interest in the issue or proposal or is affected by the issue or proposal greater than other members of his/her business classification, profession or occupation; or 2. is a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of an institution directly involved in the issue or proposal to a greater extent than similar institutions; or 3. is related by blood or marriage to an individual directly affected by the issue or proposal. Prior to the commencement of deliberation, an advisory committee member who has a conflict of interest shall disclose that he /she has a conflict of interest to the advisory committee chair. ss The current bylaws of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission do not contain any conflict of interest provisions. D. THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICTS Even if no actual conflicts of interest exist under the applicable provisions of Chapters 10A or 469, regulatory law, or Council advisory committee bylaws, the Council and the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission still must be concerned with the appearance of conflicts because the Council and the commission are public bodies conducting public activities. 56 The courts have recognized that entities like the Council and the commission which transact public business have a legitimate interest in ensuring public confidence in decision - making processes and in ensuring the integrity of public actions. 57 Accordingly, Council members, members of the Council's advisory committees, and members of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission should consider whether it is appropriate to participate in Council or commission deliberations, actions, or decisions if the Council members, advisory committee members, or commission members are involved in circumstances which might give rise to an appearance of a conflict.