[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Commission of the City of Royal
Oak 9-14-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-11. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Appointments to advisory boards, commissions and committees — See Ch. 12.
Charitable contributions for public purposes — See
Ch. 26.
Committees — See Ch. 39.
Housing Commission — See Ch. 87.
Personnel policies — See Ch. 128.
Plan Commission — See Ch. 134.
Recreation and Pubic Service Department — See Ch. 142.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "City
of Royal Oak Ethics Ordinance."
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards of conduct
for all elected and appointed City officials to enhance public confidence
in the government of the City, to avoid unethical conduct by City
officials, and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety by City
officials.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
The City Commission finds that the citizens of Royal Oak are
entitled to have a fair, ethical and accountable local government
that has the public's full confidence. Furthermore, in order
for local government to function effectively, public officials need
to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the laws and policies
affecting the operations of government. Public officials need to be
independent, impartial and fair in their judgments and actions, and
to act in the public good, not for private gain. Unless legally confidential,
deliberation by public officials needs to be conducted openly, in
an atmosphere of respect and civility.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
As used in this chapter, the following statements shall have
the following meanings:
A public official's use of any City resource, including
but not limited to the City's time, equipment, facilities, supplies,
or staff, which results in or is intended to result in private gain
to the official.
Any information that has been obtained by a public official
in the course of his or her actions as a public official that is not
available to the public pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act,
MCLA § 15.231 et seq., as amended, or pursuant to other
law, regulation, policy, or procedure recognized by law, and that
the official is not authorized to disclose.
A determination, action, vote, or other disposition upon
a motion, proposal, recommendation, resolution, or ordinance by the
City Commission, or a board, commission, or committee appointed by
the City Commission.
One of two adults who:
Have a common residence;
Agree to be jointly responsible for each other's basic
living expenses incurred during the domestic partnership;
Are not legally married or are not a member of another domestic
partnership;
Are not related by blood in a way that would prevent them from
being married to each other in the State of Michigan;
Are at least 18 years of age;
Have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate
and committed relationship of mutual caring; and
Are capable of consenting to the domestic partnership.
Both domestic partners share the same residence. Two people
can have a common residence even if one or both have additional residences,
or if both domestic partners do not possess legal title to the common
residence. Domestic partners do not cease to have a common residence
if one leaves the common residence but intends to return to it.
A public official's spouse or domestic partner;
A public official's relative by marriage, lineal descent,
or adoption who receives, directly or indirectly, more than 1/2 of
his or her support from the public official, or from whom the public
official receives, directly or indirectly, more than 1/2 of his or
her support; or
An individual claimed by a public official or the public official's
spouse as a dependent under the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Each domestic partner agrees to provide for the other partner's
basic living expenses if the partner is unable to provide for himself
or herself.
A financial or pecuniary interest that a public official
has in the affairs of:
Any business entity in which the official, a member of his or
her immediate family, or a relative is an officer, director, member,
or employee;
Any business entity in which the public official, a member of
his or her immediate family, or a relative controls, or directly or
indirectly owns, in excess of 5% of the total stock or an interest
totaling $50,000 or more in value; or
Any person or business entity with whom the public official
has a contract.
Any benefit which is accepted or received by a public official,
or is reasonably perceived to be accepted by a public official, as
remuneration for the purpose of improperly influencing a public official's
action in a specific manner or for refraining from the performance
of an official action in a specific manner, or as an inducement for
the public official to act in favor of some interest other than the
public interest. Unless this standard is violated, the following types
of benefits, monetary payments or reimbursements, gifts, or awards
may be received by a public official:
Payment of salary, compensation, or benefits to the official
by the City, or the payment of salary, compensation, or benefits to
the official by an employer or business other than the City pursuant
to a contract where the payment is unrelated to the official's
status with the City;
Authorized reimbursement by the City to the public official
for actual and necessary expenses incurred by the official;
Fees, expenses, or income, including those resulting from outside
employment, which are permitted to be earned by, or reimbursed to,
the public official in accordance with the City Code, policies, rules,
and/or regulations;
Campaign or political contributions which are made and reported
by a public official in accordance with Michigan law;
Admission or registration fees, travel expenses, entertainment,
meals, or refreshments that are furnished to a public official by
the sponsor of an event, appearance, or ceremony which is related
to official City business in connection with such an event, appearance,
or ceremony and to which one or more members of the public are invited,
or that are furnished to a public official in connection with a speaking
engagement, teaching, or the provision of assistance to an organization
or another governmental entity as long as the City does not compensate
the official for admission or registration fees, travel expenses,
entertainment, meals or refreshments for the same activity;
Admission, regardless of value, to a charitable or civic event
to which a public official is invited in his or her official capacity
where any admission required of all persons attending the event is
waived or paid for the public official by a party other than the City
or the public official;
An award publicly presented to the public official by an individual
or a nongovernmental entity or organization in recognition of public
service, acts of heroism, or crime solving;
An award, gift, or other token of recognition presented to the
public official by representatives of a governmental body or political
subdivision who are acting in their official capacities;
A gift received from a public official's relative or immediate
family member, provided that the relative or immediate family member
is not acting as a third party's intermediary or an agent in
an attempt to circumvent this chapter;
A registration fee for a seminar or other informational conference
that a public official attends in a capacity other than as a speaker,
panelist, or moderator, where such registration fee that is charged
for the public official's attendance is waived or paid for the
official by a party other than the City or the official;
Expenses or gratuities, including but not limited to admission
fees, lodging, meals, or transportation, that are paid for the public
official and are related to the official's participation at a
seminar, conference, speaking engagement, or presentation in his or
her official capacity as a speaker, panelist, or moderator where such
expenses are waived or paid for by a party other than the City or
the official, provided that, within five business days after the conclusion
of the seminar, conference, speaking engagement, or presentation,
the official files with the City Clerk a statement which contains
the following information for each expense that is paid for or waived
or for each gratuity that is provided:
A description of the expense or the gratuity;
The amount of the expense or the gratuity;
The date that the expense was incurred, or that the gratuity
was received;
The date that the expense was paid or waived, or that the gratuity
was received; and
The name and address of the party who paid or waived the expense
or provided the gratuity;
Meals or beverages provided to a public official by an individual
or a nongovernmental organization during a meeting related to official
City business;
Anything of value, regardless of the value, presented to or
received by a public official on behalf of the City where the thing
of value is offered to, and accepted by, the City;
A gift to a public official that is either returned to the donor
or is donated to the City or to a charitable organization within 30
days of the public official's receipt of the gift, provided that
the public official does not claim the donation as a charitable contribution
for tax purposes;
Complimentary single copies of trade publications, books, reports,
pamphlets, calendars, periodicals, or other informational materials
that are received by a public official;
Compensation paid to a public official for a published work
which did not involve the use of the City's time, equipment,
facilities, supplies, staff, or other resources where the payment
is arranged or paid for by the publisher of the work;
Compensation paid to a public official for a published work
which did not involve the use of the City's time, equipment,
facilities, supplies, staff, or other resources where the payment
of the compensation to the public official is lawfully authorized
by the City Commission;
Receipt by the public official of anything of value, where the
payment, gift, or other transfer of value is unrelated to, and does
not arise from, the public official's holding or having held
a public position, and where the activity or occasion for which the
payment, gift or other transfer of value given does not involve the
use of the City's time, equipment, facilities, supplies, staff,
or other resources in any manner or degree that is not available to
the general public;
Hospitality that is extended to a public official by an individual,
or by an organization, for a purpose unrelated to City business, including
a gift of food, beverage, or lodging; and
Receipt of a devise, bequest, or inheritance by a public official.
The Mayor, a City Commissioner, or any member of any City
authority, board, commission, or committee that is established pursuant
to state law, City Charter, City Code, or resolution (including alternate
members).
A person who is related to the public official as spouse
or as any of the following, whether by marriage, blood, or adoption:
parent, child, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, grandparent,
grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister,
half-brother, half-sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
A.
Conflicts of interest.
(1)
A public official shall not intentionally take or refrain from taking
any action, or induce or attempt to induce any other public official
to take or refrain from taking any official action on any matter before
the City which would result in a financial benefit not shared with
a substantial segment of the public for any of the following:
(a)
The public official;
(b)
A member of the public official's immediate family;
(c)
A relative of the public official;
(d)
The public official's employer;
(e)
Any business in which the public official, a member of the official's
immediate family, or a relative of the public official has a financial
interest; or
(f)
Any business with which the public official, a member of the
public official's immediate family, or a relative of the public
official is negotiating or seeking employment or any other business
or professional relationship.
(2)
A public official who is aware or reasonably should be aware that
he or she has a conflict of interest shall disclose the conflict on
the public record, abstain from voting on the matter, and refrain
from making statements which may influence the vote on the matter.
B.
Disclosure. Within 30 days of the effective date of this chapter,
the members of the City Commission, the Planning Commission, the Zoning
Board of Appeals, the Downtown Development Authority, the Historic
District Commission, the Historic District Study Committee, and the
Rehabilitation Board of Appeals shall complete and file a disclosure
form with the City Manager identifying any interest in real property
located within the City and any ownership interest that the official
may have. In the future, members of the same bodies shall file a disclosure
form within 30 days of appointment and within 30 days after a property
interest or ownership interest subsequently arises.
C.
Impartiality. A public official shall treat all members of the public
with courtesy, impartiality, fairness, and equality.
D.
Improper use of position. A public official shall not, either publicly
or privately, use or attempt to use his or her position to secure,
request, or grant any privilege, exemption, advantage, or preferential
treatment for himself or herself, or any other person. A public official
shall not act as an agent, attorney, or representative for another
person or entity in any matter that is pending before the City.
E.
Incompatible employment. A public official shall not engage in or
accept employment, or render services, for a public or private interest
where such employment or service is incompatible or in conflict with
the proper discharge or performance of the official's duties
and responsibilities, or where such employment or service can be reasonably
expected to impair the official's independence of judgment or
action in the discharge of his or her official duties and responsibilities.
F.
Nepotism. A public official shall not cause the employment or any
favorable employment action as to any member of the official's
immediate family or relative, nor participate in any employment decision
regarding a member of his or her immediate family or relative. This
section shall not prohibit a public official from approving a budget
that includes compensation for an immediate family member or relative.
G.
Personal interests. A public official shall not act in an official
capacity on any matter in which he or she has a private financial
interest that is clearly separate from that of the general public.
H.
Political activity. A public official shall not use any City time,
equipment, facilities, supplies, or staff for his or her own political
benefit, or for the political benefit of any other person seeking
elective office, other than the use of property or facilities made
available to the general public on an equal basis for due consideration.
I.
Public information.
(1)
A public official shall not knowingly use confidential information
for actual or anticipated personal gain, nor for the actual or anticipated
personal gain of any other person.
(2)
A public official shall not knowingly disclose to any unauthorized
person confidential information that is acquired in the course of
his or her position with the City, including but not limited to information
provided, obtained, or discussed in closed session.
J.
Public property and personnel. Except as provided by law, a public
official shall not, directly or indirectly, use, attempt to use, or
permit another to use any City time, equipment, facilities, supplies,
or staff for personal gain or commercial gain.
K.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a public official
from appearing on his or her own personal or business behalf in any
matter that he or she may have pending before the City.
A.
The City shall not discipline, discharge, threaten, or otherwise
discriminate against an employee in regards to the terms and conditions
of his or her employment because the employee, or a person acting
on behalf of the employee, has reported, is believed to have reported,
intends to report, or is believed to intend to report, either verbally
or in writing, a violation or suspected violation of this chapter,
unless the employee knows or reasonably should know that the report
is false.
B.
The City shall not discipline, discharge, threaten, or otherwise
discriminate against an employee in regards to the terms and conditions
of his or her employment because the employee is requested by the
City to participate in an investigation or hearing regarding an alleged
violation of this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to diminish or impair
the rights of any employee under any provision of a collective bargaining
agreement in effect on the effective date of this chapter, nor the
City's obligation to comply with any collective bargaining agreement.
A.
The City Clerk shall deliver, by mail or otherwise, a copy of this
chapter to newly elected and appointed public officials prior to the
time that those officials take office.
B.
Any time that this chapter is amended, the City Clerk shall deliver,
by mail or otherwise, a copy of the amended chapter to all current
public officials prior to the effective date of the amendment.
[Added 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06][1]
A public official shall not violate, or make an effort to violate, the standards of conduct contained in § 66-5.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
A.
Complaints against a member of the City Commission. Upon acquiring reasonable suspicion of a violation of § 66-5 by a member of the City Commission, the Mayor or any other two members of the Commission shall refer the complaint to the City Attorney, who shall refer the complaint to outside counsel for investigation. When that investigation is complete, outside counsel shall provide the remaining members of the Commission with the results of his or her investigation. By a majority vote of the remaining members that are present, the City Commission may call for a hearing at a regular or special meeting of the City Commission to determine whether or not a violation did in fact occur and, if so, what penalties shall be imposed for the violation.
B.
Complaints against a member of another City authority, board, commission, or committee. Upon acquiring reasonable suspicion of a violation of § 66-5 by a member of another City authority, board, commission, or committee, the Mayor or any other two members of the Commission shall refer the complaint to the City Attorney, who shall investigate the complaint. When that investigation is complete, the City Attorney shall provide the remaining members of the Commission with the results of his or her investigation. By a majority vote of the remaining members that are present, the City Commission may call for a hearing at a regular or special meeting of the City Commission to determine whether or not a violation did in fact occur and, if so, what penalties shall be imposed for the violation.
[Amended 4-1-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-06]
A member of the City Commission violating this chapter is subject
to censure by the unanimous vote of the remaining members of the City
Commission. Any other public official violating this chapter is subject
to censure by the unanimous vote of the City Commission. The penalties
imposed under this chapter are not exclusive remedies, and any and
all penalties or forfeitures provided for by law may also be enforced.
