The Board of the Village of Mamaroneck recognizes
that it must establish high standards of ethical conduct for officers,
board members and employees of the Village so as to promote public
confidence in the integrity of local government. It is the purpose
of this chapter to afford officers, board members and employees of
the Village clear guidance on ethical standards, to require public
disclosure of interests that may influence or appear to influence
the actions of Village officers, board members and employees and to
provide for the fair and effective administration of this chapter,
including the protection of those who make good faith disclosure of
suspected unethical or wrongful conduct.
This Chapter is enacted pursuant to § 806
of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York and § 10
of the Municipal Home Rule Law. It is not intended to authorize any
conduct prohibited by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law or any
other general or special law or conduct relating to conflicts of interest,
ethical conduct and interest of public officers, employees and board
members in contracts. To the extent this chapter is inconsistent with
the provisions of § 808 of the General Municipal Law, the
more restrictive provision applies.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meaning indicated:
BUSINESS DEALING
Having or providing any contract, service, or work with the
Village; buying, selling, renting, leasing or otherwise acquiring
from or dispensing to the Village any goods, services or property;
or applying for, petitioning, requesting or obtaining any approval,
grant, loan, license, permit or other privilege from the Village.
DISCRETIONARY ACTION
Any act involving the exercise of judgment or discretion
by a Village officer or employee, either individually or as a member
of any board, body, department or committee, and includes but is not
limited to negotiation, approval, advice, recommendation, authorization
or audit.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER
A spouse, minor child, stepchildren, mother, father, brother,
sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws or other dependents
or relatives residing in the household of a Village officer or employee.
INTEREST
Any participation, connection or involvement which may result
in a direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to
an officer or employee as a result of a business or professional transaction
with the Village. For the purpose of this chapter, an officer or employee
shall be deemed to have a direct interest in the affairs of:
A.
His/her spouse, minor child, stepchildren, mother,
father, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws and
other dependents or relatives.
B.
A business concern, partnership or association
of which such officer or employee is a member, partner, owner, director
or employee.
C.
A corporation of which such officer or employee
is an officer, director or employee.
D.
A corporation, in which 5% or more of the corporation's
stock is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such officer
or employee.
OFFICER, BOARD MEMBER or EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Village of Mamaroneck, whether
paid or unpaid, including all decision-making officers, employees,
and members of any decision-making board, body, council, commission,
agency, department or committee. For the purpose of this chapter,
no volunteer firefighter, auxiliary police officer or civil defense
volunteer shall be deemed an officer or employee, except a Fire Chief
or Assistant Fire Chief.
RELATIVES
Any spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling,
in-law, aunt, uncle, first cousin, niece, nephew, stepparent, stepchild,
half brother or half sister.
VILLAGE
The Village of Mamaroneck or any of its boards, commissions,
committees or agencies, whether operated or funded solely by the Village
of Mamaroneck or jointly with one or more other municipalities.
VILLAGE CONSULTANT
Any individual, group or firm which renders services on behalf
of the Village to any Village officer, Board of Trustees, Planning
Board, Board of Appeals or any other Village agency or commission.
Within 90 days after the effective date of this
chapter, and during the month of January each year thereafter, the
Board of Trustees shall:
A. Cause to be filed with the Village of Mamaroneck's Ethics Board a list of the names and offices or positions of all officers, board members and employees of the Village of Mamaroneck required to file annual disclosure statements pursuant to §
21-5; and
B. Notify all such officers, board members and employees
of their obligation to file an annual disclosure statement.
At its first meeting each year, the Ethics Board
shall elect a chair for that year from among its members. A majority
of the Board shall be required for the Board to take any action. The
chair or a majority of the Board may call a meeting of the Board,
and the Board shall meet at least quarterly.