The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
INTEREST
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer or employee as the result of a contract with the municipality which such officer or employee serves. A municipal officer or employee shall be deemed to have an interest in the contract of any of the following:
(1) 
The employee's spouse, minor children and dependents except a contract of employment with the municipality which the officer or employee serves.
(2) 
A firm, partnership or association of which the officer or employee is a member or employee.
(3) 
A corporation of which the officer or employee is an officer, director or employee.
(4) 
A corporation, any stock of which is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the officer or employee.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the City, whether paid or unpaid, including a member of any administrative board, commission or other agency of the City. No person shall be deemed to be a municipal officer or employee solely by reason of being a volunteer firefighter or civil defense volunteer, except a fire chief or assistant fire chief.
[Code 1964, § 9-76]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 806 of the General Municipal Law, the Common Council recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained and if public confidence is to be maintained in the unit of local government. It is the purpose of this division to promulgate these rules of ethical conduct which shall serve as a guide for official conduct of the officers and employees. The rules of ethical conduct of this division, as adopted, shall not conflict with but shall be in addition to any prohibition of Article 18 [§ 800 et seq.] of the General Municipal Law or any other general or special law relating to ethical conduct and interest in contracts of municipal officers and employees.
[Code 1964, § 9-80]
The Mayor shall distribute a copy of this Code of Ethics to every officer and employee within 15 days after December 2, 1970. Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of office or employment.
[Code 1964, § 9-81]
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions of this division may be fined, suspended or removed from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(a)]
No person who is an officer or employee shall directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $75 or more, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise or any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence the person or could reasonably be expected to influence the person in the performance of the person's official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on the person's part.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(b)]
No officer or employee shall, directly or indirectly, compel subscription or contribution to any political party or for any political purpose.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(c)]
No officer or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall disclose confidential information concerning the property, government or affairs of the City or any other confidential information of an official character except when permitted or required by law, nor shall the officer or employee use such information to advance personal financial or other private interests or the financial or other interests of others.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(d)]
No person who is an officer or employee shall receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal agency of which the person is an officer, member or employee or of any municipal agency over which the person has jurisdiction or to which the person has the power to appoint any member, officer or employee.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(e)]
No person who is an officer or employee, whether paid or unpaid, who has a direct or indirect financial or other private interest in any matter being considered by the Common Council or by any other official board, agency, officer or employee and who participates in discussions before or gives opinion to such board, agency, or individual shall publicly disclose on the official record the nature and extent of such interest. Any person who is an officer or employee, whether paid or unpaid, who has knowledge of any matter being considered by any board, agency, officer or employee in which the person has any direct or indirect financial or other private interest shall be required to disclose in writing the person's interest to such board, agency, officer or employee and the nature and extent of the interest. A copy of every disclosure required in this section including a copy of every transcript containing such a disclosure shall be promptly transmitted by the board, agency, officer or employee receiving such disclosure to the City Clerk who shall file and maintain the disclosure as a public record.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(f)]
No officer or employee shall invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction which will impair the independence of judgment in the exercise of the official duties of the officer or employee or will interfere in any manner whatsoever with the discharge of official duties.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(g)]
No elected official or other officer or employee or board member, whether paid or unpaid, shall engage in or accept private employment or render services for private interests when the employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of official duties.
[Code 1964, § 9-78(h)]
No person who is an officer or employee shall, after termination of service or employment with the City, appear before any board or agency of the City in relation to any case, proceeding or application in which the officer or employee personally participated during the period of service or employment or which was under the person's active consideration.
[Code 1964, § 9-79]
Nothing in this division shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely filing by a present or former municipal officer or employee of any claim, account, demand or suit against the City or any agency of the City on behalf of the officer or employee or any family member arising from any personal injury or property damage or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.