HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-151-10/20/1981-ADOPTING A POLICY STATEMENT ON ETHICS RESOLUTION 81-151
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING A POLICY STATEMENT ON ETHICS
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Fort Collins recognizes that the
proper operation of municipal government requires that Councilmembers of
the City be independent and impartial , and
WHEREAS, in an effort to provide for the proper operation of city
government, the Council wishes to adopt a Policy Statement on Ethics which
establishes guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for Councilmembers
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS
Section 1 That the following be, and it hereby is, adopted as a
"Policy Statement on Ethics" for the Council of the City of Fort Collins
POLICY STATEMENT ON ETHICS
1 A Councilmember should constantly bear in mind the advisability of
avoiding the creation of an appearance, or the raising of a suspicion, that
said Councilmember is engaged in or is likely to engage in conduct that is
in violation of the standards set forth herein
2 A Councilmember should represent and work for the common good of
the people of the City of Fort Collins and not for private interests,
assuring fair and equal treatment of all persons , claims, and trans-
actions
3 A Councilmember should refrain from accepting gifts or favors or
promises of future benefit which might compromise or tend to impair inde-
pendence of judgment or actions as a Councilmember
4 A Councilmember should disclose all financial interests as
requi► ed by the applicable state statutes, city ordinances and city char-
ter Additionally, a Councilmember should disclose any personal interest
which would tend to impair independence of judgment or action in the
performance of official duties
5 A Councilmember should avoid any action which is or has the
appearance of being a conflict of interest For the purposes of this
policy, a conflict of interest is defined as engaging in any transaction or
having any financial or personal interest, which is incompatible with the
proper discharge of official duties in the public interest
6 A Councilmember should refrain from representing any person or
interest for compensation before the City Council or any Board or Commis-
sion of the City
7 A Councilmember should refrain from disclosing confidential
information concerning the affairs of the City Further, a Council -
member should refrain from the use of such confidential information to
advance the financial or other private interests of the Councilmember or
others
Section 2 That a Board of Ethics be, and it hereby is, created in
accordance with the following
1 In order to assist in administering this Ethics Policy, there is
hereby created a Board of the City to be known as the "Board of Ethics",
hereinafter referred to as the "Board" The Board shall consist of three
(3) Councilmembers The City Attorney shall provide legal advice to the
Board In the event that a complaint has been filed as hereafter provided
against a Councilmember serving on the Board and the Council has requested
that the Board review and recommend action on such complaint, the Council
may, for the purposes of that particular hearing, temporarily appoint any
other Councilmember to sit as a member of the Board
2 The Council may establish the duties and responsibilities of said
Board of Ethics which may include
a Receiving complaints of violations of this Ethics Policy
b Hearing and investigating complaints as authorized by City Council
and transmitting its findings to the City Council
c Rendering advisory opinions or interpretations as authorized by
City Council with respect to applicability of provisions of this Ethics
Policy
d Proposing revisions to the Policy Statement on Ethics to assure
its continuing pertinence and effectiveness
Complaints - Procedure
Section 3 Any person who believes that a violation of any provision
of the Policy Statement has occurred may file a complaint with the City
Attorney Upon receipt of a complaint or when there is a question as to
the applicability of a provision of this Policy Statement to a particular
situation, the City Council may direct the Board of Ethics to issue an
advisory opinion to the City Council Any Councilmember charged with
violating any provisions of this Ethics Policy snall have the opportunity
to present his/her interpretation of the facts at issue and of the appli-
cable provisions of the Ethics Policy before such advisory decision is
made All advisory decisions issued by the Board shall be maintained in a
permanent file in the office of the City Clerk in order to provide an
historical record of all interpretations of the Ethics Policy rendered by
the Board
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Violations
Section 4 Violation of the Policy Statement on Ethics may constitute
a cause for public censure by the City Council After filing of a com-
plaint and upon receipt by the City Council of the recommendation of the
Board of Ethics if the Council has requested such recommendation, the
Council shall determine, by majority vote, what action is appropriate for
the instant case The action of the Council in considering any matter
arising under this Code shall be final
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of
Fort Collins held this 20th day of October —, 1981
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ATTEST Ma or
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City Clerk
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