The proper operation of democratic government
requires that public officials and employees be independent and impartial,
that public office not be used for personal gain, and that the public
have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition
of these goals, a Code of Ethics for all City officials and employees
is hereby adopted. The purpose of this code is to establish guidelines
for ethical standards of conduct for all such officials and employees
by setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with
the best interests of the City and by directing disclosure of private
financial or other interests by such officials and employees in matters
affecting the City.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
BUSINESS
Any entity through which business for profit or not for profit
is conducted, including a corporation, partnership, proprietorship,
firm, enterprise, franchise, association, limited liability company,
trust organization, or sole proprietorship or self-employed individual.
BUSINESS WITH WHICH HE IS ASSOCIATED
A business of which a person or a member of his immediate
family is a director, officer, partner, owner, employee, compensated
agent, or holder of stock which constitutes 5% or more of the total
outstanding stock of any class.
CHARTER
The Charter of the City of Meriden.
CITY
The City of Meriden and any special district contained therein.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Information, whether transmitted orally or in writing, which
is obtained by reason of the public position or office held and is
of such nature that it is not, at the time of transmission, a matter
of public record or public knowledge.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Any interest with a monetary value of $1,000 or more or which
generates a financial gain or loss of $1,000 or more in a calendar
year.
GIFT
Anything of value, including entertainment, food, beverage,
travel and lodging, given or paid to a public official or public employee
without consideration of equal or greater value therefor. A gift does
not include:
A.
A political contribution otherwise reported as required by law or a donation or payment as described in Subdivision (9) or (11) of Subsection
(b) of § 9-601a of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
B.
A gift received from an individual's spouse,
fiancé or fiancée; the parent, brother
or sister of such spouse or such individual; or the child of such
individual or the spouse of such child.
C.
An honorary degree bestowed upon a public official
or public employee by a public or private university or college or
a certificate, plaque or other ceremonial award costing less than
$100.
D.
A rebate or discount on the price of anything
of value made in the ordinary course of business without regard to
the recipient's status.
E.
Printed or recorded informational material germane
to governmental action or functions, or items of nominal value not
to exceed $25, containing or displaying promotional material, received
in the course of an individual's official duties, or a meal provided
at an event and/or the registration or entrance fee to attend such
an event, in which the public employee or public official participates
in his official capacity.
F.
Gifts in-kind of nominal value not to exceed
$100 tendered on gift-giving occasions generally recognized by the
public, including Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, the birth or adoption
of a child, weddings, confirmations or bar/bat mitzvahs, provided
that the total value of such gifts in any calendar year does not exceed
$200 per donor.
G.
Items of nominal value, provided in social occasions,
not to exceed $25 per occasion, or a meal provided in the home by
an individual who resides in Meriden.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
An individual's spouse, fiancé or fiancée;
the parent, brother or sister of such individual or spouse; and the
child of such individual or the spouse of such child.
OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The direct administrative or operating authority, whether
intermediate or final and whether exercisable personally or through
subordinates, to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct government
action.
PERSON
An individual, sole proprietorship, trust, corporation, union,
association, firm, partnership, committee, club or other organization
or group of persons.
PERSONAL INTEREST
An interest in any action taken by the City in which an individual
will derive a nonfinancial benefit or detriment as the result of the
expenditure of municipal funds.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Such facts as would reasonably persuade a reasonable person
to believe that the respondent has violated this code.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
A person employed, whether part time or full time, by the
City.
PUBLIC OFFICIAL
An elected or appointed official, whether paid or unpaid
or full or part time, of the City.
No public official or employee shall be found
to have violated any provision of this code by reason of:
A. Voluntary, uncompensated service to, membership in
or affiliation with a social, fraternal, charitable, service, religious,
philanthropic, cultural or similar nonprofit institution or organization.
B. A commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary
course of business by an institution or organization authorized by
law to engage in the making of such loans.
C. One or more contractual relationships with any specific
entity totaling less than $1,000 within a one-year period.
The City Council shall inquire into any failure
of the Board of Ethics to complete any action required of it within
the time limits fixed by this code. The City Council may order said
Board to so act or refer the complaint to a committee of the City
Council to act thereon in accordance with this code.
The City Clerk shall cause a copy of this Code
of Ethics to be distributed to every public employee and public official
within 60 days after enactment of this code. Each public employee
and public official shall be furnished a copy before entering upon
the duties of his office or employment. A signed receipt for all copies
shall be returned to the City Clerk and retained on file. The City
Clerk shall make additional copies available without charge to any
person engaged in any transaction with the City.