[Ord. No. 1404 § 1, 11-16-1987; Ord. No. 1866 § 1, 8-21-1995; Ord. No. 2030 § 1, 9-21-1998; Ord. No. 2280 § 1, 2-17-2004; Ord. No. 2316 § 1, 9-20-2004; Ord. No. 3181, 2-20-2024]
There is hereby adopted the following written policy to apply to all governmental bodies (including boards, commissions and committees) of this municipality:
A. 
All meetings, public records and votes are open to the public, except the governmental body may close any meeting, public record or vote to the extent they relate to the following, as authorized by Section 610.021, RSMo.:
1. 
Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys. However, any minutes, vote or settlement agreement relating to legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a governmental body or any agent or entity representing its interests or acting on its behalf or with its authority, including any insurance company acting on behalf of a governmental body as its insured, shall be made public upon final disposition of the matter voted upon or upon the signing by the parties of the settlement agreement, unless, prior to final disposition, the settlement agreement is ordered closed by a court after a written finding that the adverse impact to a plaintiff or plaintiffs to the action clearly outweighs the public policy considerations of Section 610.011, Revised Statutes of Missouri, except that in any event the amount of any moneys paid by, or on behalf of, the governmental body shall be disclosed; provided however, in matters involving the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the vote shall be announced or become public immediately following the action on the motion to authorize institution of such a legal action. Legal work product shall be considered a closed record;
2. 
Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a governmental body where public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal consideration therefor. However, any minutes, vote or public record approving a contract relating to the leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a governmental body shall be made public upon execution of the documents pertaining to the lease, purchase or sale of the real estate;
3. 
Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded. However, any vote on a final decision, when taken by a governmental body, to hire, fire, promote or discipline an employee of a governmental body shall be made available with a record of how each member voted to the public within seventy-two (72) hours of the close of the meeting where such action occurs; provided however, that any employee so affected shall be entitled to prompt notice of such decision during the seventy-two (72) hour period before such decision is made available to the public. As used in this subdivision, the term "personal information" means information relating to the performance or merit of individual employees;
4. 
Non-judicial mental or physical health proceedings involving identifiable persons, including medical, psychiatric, psychological, or alcoholism or drug dependency diagnosis or treatment;
5. 
Testing and examination materials, before the test or examination is given or, if it is to be given again, before so given again;
6. 
Welfare cases of identifiable individuals;
7. 
Preparation, including any discussions or work product, on behalf of a governmental body or its representatives for negotiations with employee groups;
8. 
Software codes for electronic data processing and documentation thereof;
9. 
Specifications for competitive bidding, until either the specifications are officially approved by the governmental body or the specifications are published for bid;
10. 
Sealed bids and related documents, until the bids are opened; and sealed proposals and related documents or any documents relating to a negotiated contract until a contract is executed or all proposals are rejected;
11. 
Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment, except that this exemption shall not apply to the names, positions, salaries and lengths of service of officers and employees of public agencies once they are employed as such;
12. 
Records which are protected from disclosure by law. Such records include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) 
Police investigative report records as provided in Section 610.100, RSMo.;
(b) 
Certain information received by Police in an emergency 911 telephone call as provided in Section 610.150, RSMo.;
(c) 
Police records concerning juveniles as provided in Section 211.321, RSMo.;
(d) 
Certain Police arrest records as provided in Section 610.100 and Section 610.105, RSMo.;
(e) 
Portions of Police records containing specified information as provided in Section 610.100, RSMo.
13. 
Meetings and public records relating to scientific and technological innovations in which the owner has a proprietary interest.
14. 
Records relating to municipal hotlines established for the reporting of abuse and wrongdoing;
15. 
Confidential or privileged communications between a governmental body and its auditor, including all auditor work product, provided that all final audit reports issued by the auditor are to be considered open records;
16. 
Operational guidelines and policies developed, adopted or maintained by any public agency responsible for law enforcement, public safety, first response or public health for use in responding to or preventing any critical incident which is or appears to be terrorist in nature and which has the potential to endanger individual or public safety or health. Nothing in this exception shall be deemed to close information regarding expenditures, purchases or contracts made by an agency in implementing these guidelines or policies. When seeking to close information pursuant to this exception, the agency shall affirmatively state in writing that disclosure would impair its ability to protect the safety or health of persons and shall in the same writing state that the public interest in non-disclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure of the records. This exception shall sunset on December 31, 2008;
17. 
Existing or proposed security systems and structural plans of real property owned or leased by a governmental body and information that is voluntarily submitted by a non-public entity owning or operating an infrastructure to any governmental body for use by that body to devise plans for protection of that infrastructure, the public disclosure of which would threaten public safety.
(a) 
Records related to the procurement of or expenditures relating to security systems purchased with public funds shall be open.
(b) 
When seeking to close information pursuant to this exception, the governmental body shall affirmatively state in writing that disclosure would impair the governmental body's ability to protect the security or safety of persons or real property and shall in the same writing state that the public interest in non-disclosure outweighs the public interest in disclosure of records.
(c) 
Records that are voluntarily submitted by a non-public entity shall be reviewed by the receiving agency within ninety (90) days of submission to determine if retention of the document is necessary in furtherance of a State security interest. If retention is not necessary, the documents shall be returned to the non-public governmental body or destroyed.
(d) 
This exception shall sunset on December 31, 2008;
18. 
Records that identify the configuration of components or the operation of a computer, computer system, computer network or telecommunications network and would allow unauthorized access to or unlawful disruption of a computer, computer system, computer network or telecommunications network of a governmental body. This exception shall not be used to limit or deny access to otherwise public records in a file, document, data file or database containing public records. Records related to the procurement of or expenditures relating to such computer, computer system, computer network or telecommunications network, including the amount of moneys paid by or on behalf of a governmental body for such computer, computer system, computer network or telecommunications network, shall be open; and
19. 
Credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, digital certificates, physical and virtual keys, access codes or authorization codes that are used to protect the security of electronic transactions between a governmental body or person or entity doing business with a governmental body. Nothing in this Subdivision shall be deemed to close the record of a person or entity using a credit card held in the name of a governmental body or any record of a transaction made by a person using a credit card or other method of payment for which reimbursement is made by a governmental body.
B. 
A public record is any record, whether written or electronically stored, retained by or of any governmental body, including any report, survey, memorandum or other document or study prepared for the governmental body by a consultant or other professional service paid for in whole or in part by public funds, including records created or maintained by private contractors under an agreement with a governmental body or on behalf of a governmental body. The term "public record" shall not include any internal memorandum or letter received or prepared by or on behalf of a member of a governmental body consisting of advice, opinions and recommendations in connection with the deliberative decision-making process of said body, unless such records are retained by the governmental body or presented at a public meeting. Any document or study prepared for a governmental body by a consultant or other professional service as described in this paragraph shall be retained by the governmental body in the same manner as any other public record. All City public records that may be closed under the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law or by some other provision of law are hereby deemed closed records unless the governmental body votes to make them public.
C. 
Before closing a meeting and/or vote to the public, a majority of a quorum of the governmental body shall vote to do so in a public vote. The vote of each member of the governmental body on the question of closing the meeting or vote and the specific reason for closing the meeting or vote by reference to a specific section of the Open Meetings and Records Law (see Section 610.021, RSMo.) shall be announced publicly at an open meeting and entered into the minutes of that open meeting. In the event any member of a governmental body makes a motion to close a meeting or a record or a vote from the public and any other member believes that such motion, if passed, would cause a meeting, record or vote to be closed from the public in violation of any provision of the Open Meetings and Records Law, such latter member shall state his or her objection to the motion at or before the time the vote is taken on the motion. The governmental body shall enter in the minutes of the governmental body any objection made pursuant to this paragraph. Any member making such an objection shall be allowed to fully participate in any meeting, record or vote that is closed from the public over the member's objection. In the event the objecting member also voted in opposition to the motion to close the meeting, record or vote at issue, the objection and vote of the member as entered in the minutes shall be an absolute defense to any claim filed against the objecting member pursuant to Section 610.027, RSMo. The governmental body proposing to hold a closed meeting or vote shall give notice of the time, date and place of such closed meeting or vote and the reason for holding it by reference to a specific exception allowed under the provisions of Section 610.021, Revised Statutes of Missouri. The notice shall be given in the same manner as required for meetings in Subsection (D) below. No other business may be discussed in a closed meeting or vote which does not directly relate to the specific reason announced to close the meeting or vote to the public. Any votes taken during a closed meeting shall be taken by roll call vote. A journal of minutes of closed meetings shall be taken and retained by each governmental body, including, but not limited to, a record of any votes taken at such meeting. The minutes shall include the date, time, place, members present, members absent and a record of any votes taken. When a roll call vote is taken, the minutes shall attribute each "yea" and "nay" vote or abstinence if not voting to the name of the individual member of the governmental body. The governmental body holding a closed meeting shall close only an existing portion of the meeting facility necessary to house the members of the governmental body in the closed session, allowing members of the public to remain to attend any subsequent open session held by the governmental body following the closed session. No audio recording of any meeting, record or vote closed pursuant to Section 610.021, RSMo., shall be permitted without permission of the governmental body. Violators shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
D. 
The governmental body shall give notice of the time, date, place and tentative agenda of each meeting. If the meeting will be conducted by telephone or other electronic means, the notice of the meeting shall identify the mode by which the meeting will be conducted and the designated location where the public may observe and attend the meeting. If a public body plans to meet by Internet chat, Internet message board or other computer link, it shall post a notice of the meeting on its website in addition to City Hall and shall notify the public how to access that meeting. The notice for all meetings shall be posted on the appropriate bulletin board and message board at City Hall at least twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays when the City Hall is closed, prior to the commencement of the meeting. If an emergency makes it impossible or impractical to give twenty-four (24) hours' notice, as much notice as is reasonably possible shall be given. Notice shall also be given to any representative of the news media who requests notice of meetings of a particular governmental body, concurrent with the notice being made available to the members of the governmental body and at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the commencement of the meeting, if possible.
E. 
Each meeting shall be held at a place reasonably accessible to the public and of sufficient size to accommodate the anticipated attendance by members of the public and at a time reasonably convenient to the public, unless for good cause such a place or time is impossible or impractical. Every reasonable effort shall be made to grant special access to the meeting to handicapped or disabled persons. The recording of any open meeting by audio tape, video tape or other electronic means shall be allowed. Such recordings shall be conducted so as to minimize disruption to the open meeting. When it is necessary to hold a meeting on less than twenty-four (24) hours' notice or at a place that is not reasonably accessible to the public or at a time that is not reasonably convenient to the public, the nature of the good cause justifying that departure from the normal requirements shall be stated in the minutes of that meeting.
F. 
The term "public business" means all matters which relate in any way to the performance of the governmental body's functions or the conduct of its business. A "public meeting" is any meeting of a governmental body at which any public business is discussed, decided or public policy formulated, whether such meeting is conducted in person or by means of communication equipment, including, but not limited to, conference call, video conference, Internet chat or Internet message board. The term "public meeting" shall not include an informal gathering of members of a governmental body for ministerial or social purposes when there is no intent to avoid the purposes of the Open Meetings and Records Law, but the term shall include a public vote of all or a majority of the members of a governmental body, by electronic communication or any other means, conducted in lieu of a public meeting with the members of the governmental body gathered at one (1) location in order to conduct public business. A public vote is any vote, whether conducted in person, by telephone or by any other electronic means, cast at any public meeting of a governmental body. Except as otherwise provided by law, all votes shall be recorded and if a roll call is taken, as to attribute each "yea" and "nay" vote, or abstinence if not voting, to the name of the individual member of the governmental body. All public meetings shall be open to the public and public votes and public records shall be open to the public for inspection and duplication. All votes taken by roll call in meetings of the Board of Aldermen shall be cast by Aldermen who are physically present and in attendance at the meeting. When it is necessary to take votes by roll call in a meeting of the Board of Aldermen due to an emergency of the public body, with a quorum of the Board of Aldermen physically present and in attendance and less than a quorum of the Board of Aldermen also participating via telephone, facsimile, Internet or any other voice or electronic means, the nature of the emergency of the Board of Aldermen justifying that departure from the normal requirements shall be stated in the minutes. Where such emergency exists, the votes taken shall be regarded as if all Aldermen were physically present and in attendance at the meeting. A journal or minutes of open meetings of each governmental body shall be taken and retained by each governmental body, including, but not limited to, a record of any votes taken at such meeting. The minutes shall include the date, time, place, members present, members absent and a record of any votes taken. When a roll call vote is taken, the minutes shall attribute each "yea" and "nay" vote or abstinence if not voting to the name of the individual member of the governmental body.
G. 
A formally constituted subunit of a parent governmental body may conduct a meeting without notice during a lawful meeting of the parent governmental body, during a recess in that meeting or immediately following that meeting, if the meeting of the subunit is publicly announced at the parent meeting and the subject of the meeting reasonably coincides with the subjects discussed or acted upon by the parent governmental body.
H. 
The City Administrator shall be the primary custodian of records for the City of Centralia, Missouri, and shall be responsible for maintenance and control of all City records. In the absence of the City Administrator, the City Clerk or the Assistant City Clerk shall be the custodian. Unless closed, the custodian shall provide public access to all public records of the City for inspection and copying as soon as possible but no later than the end of the third (3rd) business day following the date the request is received by the custodian. If records are requested in a certain format, the custodian shall provide the records in the requested format, if such format is available. If for reasonable cause additional delay is necessary, the custodian shall give a detailed explanation of the cause for the delay to the requester and also the earliest time and date the record will be available for inspection and copying. No person may remove original public records from the offices of the governmental body or its custodian without written permission of the custodian. If request for access is denied, the custodian shall provide, upon request, a written statement of the grounds for such denial. Such statement shall cite the specific provision of law under which access is denied and shall be furnished to the requester no later than the end of the third (3rd) business day following the date that the request for the statement is received by the custodian. If a public record contains material which is not exempt from disclosure as well as material which is exempt from disclosure, the custodian shall separate the exempt and non-exempt material and make the non-exempt material available for examination and copying. When designing a public record, a governmental body shall, to the extent practicable, facilitate a separation of exempt from non-exempt information. If the separation is readily apparent to a person requesting to inspect or receive copies of the form, the custodian shall generally describe the material exempted unless that description would reveal the contents of the exempt information and thus defeat the purpose of the exemption.
I. 
When any message relating to public business of a governmental body is transmitted by electronic means by one (1) member of a governmental body to other members of a governmental body such that, when counting the sender, a majority of the members of the governmental body are electronically copied, the member of the governmental body electronically transmitting the message shall also concurrently transmit that message to either the member's public office computer or to the custodian of records in the same format. Any such message received by the custodian of records or at the member's office computer shall be a public record, subject to the closed record exceptions of Section 610.021, RSMo.
J. 
The City shall not, after August 28, 2004, enter into a contract for the creation or maintenance of a public records database if that contract impairs the ability of the public to inspect or copy public records including public records that are on-line or stored in an electronic record keeping system. Such contract may not allow any impediment that as a practical matter makes it more difficult for the public to inspect or copy the records than to inspect or copy the City's other public records. For purposes of this paragraph, a useable electronic format shall allow, at a minimum, viewing and printing of records. However, if the City keeps a record on a system capable of allowing the copying of electronic documents into other electronic documents, the City shall provide data to the public in such electronic format, if requested. But the activities authorized pursuant to this paragraph may not take priority over the primary responsibilities of a governmental body. For purposes of this paragraph the term "electronic services" means on-line access or access via other electronic means to an electronic file or data base. The City shall include in a contract for electronic services, provisions that (1) protect the security and integrity of the information system of the City and of information systems that are shared by governmental bodies; and (2) limit the liability of the City providing the services. The City may consult with the division of data processing and telecommunications of the Missouri Office of Administration to develop the electronic services offered by the City to the public pursuant to this paragraph.
K. 
Except as provided in Subsection (L) below, fees shall be assessed:
1. 
For furnishing copies of public records;
2. 
For document searches by City employees; and
3. 
For providing access to public records maintained on computer facilities, recording tapes or disks, video tapes or films, pictures, slides, graphics, illustrations or similar audio or visual items or devices and for programming, if necessary.
L. 
Except as provided below, the charges shall be as follows: Ten cents ($0.10) per page (for paper copies not larger than nine (9) inches by fourteen (14) inches) with the hourly fee for duplicating time not to exceed the average hourly rate of pay for clerical staff of the public governmental body. Research time required for fulfilling records request may be charged at the actual cost of research time. Based on the scope of the request, the public governmental body shall produce the copies using employees of the body that result in the lowest amount of charges for search, research, and duplication time. Prior to producing copies of the requested records, the person requesting the records may request the public governmental body to provide an estimate of the cost to the person requesting the records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge when the public governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the public governmental body and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Fees for maps, blueprints or plats that require special expertise to duplicate may include the actual rate of compensation for the trained personnel required to duplicate such maps, blueprints or plats. If programming is required beyond the customary and usual level to comply with a request for records or information, the fees for compliance may include the actual costs of such programming. Documents may be copied, documents may be searched for by City employees and access may be provided, without charge, under the following circumstances:
1. 
Single copies of ordinances and regulations may be provided without charge to any person, upon request, to enable said person to comply with said ordinances and regulations. Single copies of ordinances and regulations may be provided without charge to another governmental entity upon request.
2. 
Copies of documents may be provided without charge in compliance with or incident to fulfillment of a contract obligation, when the City of Centralia is a party to said contract.
3. 
Copies of documents may be provided without charge to any person, organization or governmental entity when the official or employee of the City of Centralia who is dealing with said person, organization or governmental entity determines that providing said documents is in the public interest:
(a) 
In furthering a common purpose; or
(b) 
In performing an activity desired by the City of Centralia; or
(c) 
In achieving a result desired by the City of Centralia; or
(d) 
Because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the City and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
4. 
Copies of documents may be provided without charge when required to be provided incident to any legal proceeding involving the City of Centralia.
5. 
Single copies of the agenda of any future meeting of any board, committee or commission of this municipality may be provided to any person, upon request.
6. 
No charge shall be made for copies of documents, document searches or access provided when the requester is an official or employee of the City of Centralia and the request is pursuant to official City business.
The person requesting the public records may request the custodian to provide an estimate of the cost to copy the public records, before the City produces the copies. Unless prior written consent is given by the custodian, payment shall be made before or at the time public records are duplicated. At any time, the custodian may require that advance payment be made before public records are duplicated, including when the number of public records being requested to be duplicated is large. With written consent of the custodian, payment for duplication costs may be made by the requester on a date after duplication has been performed. Payment for document searches by City employees, for providing access to the specialized public records and for programming shall be made upon completion of the search, upon the completion of providing access and/or completion of the programming.
M. 
If the governmental body is in doubt about the legality of closing a particular meeting, record or vote, it may bring suit at the expense of the governmental body in the Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri, to ascertain the propriety of any such action or it may seek a formal opinion of the Attorney General of the State of Missouri or the City Attorney.
[1]
State Law References — For similar provisions, see RSMo., §§ 109.180, 109.190, 211.321, 610.010, 610.011, 610.015, 610.020, 610.021, 610.022, 610.023, 610.025, 610.026, 610.027, 610.028, 610.029, 610.100, 610.105 and 610.150.
Cross Reference — As to confidentiality of information concerning trade secrets, see § 30.2-3. As to confidentiality in licensing, see  § 16-17. As to personnel records, see § 22-108. As to results of an investigation, see § 22-132. As to grievance procedure, see § 22-96.
[1]
Cross Reference — As to Mayor as "interested party", see § 2-42.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 1, 8-19-1991; Ord. No. 1969 § 2, 8-18-1997]
As used in Section 2-2 through Section 2-8, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms mean:
ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
Any proceeding in which a record of the proceedings may be kept and maintained as a public record at the request of either party by a court reporter, notary public or other person authorized to keep such record by law or by any rule or regulation of the agency conducting the hearing; or from which an appeal may be taken directly or indirectly, or any proceeding from the decision of which any party must be granted, on request, a hearing de novo; or any arbitration proceeding; or a proceeding of a personnel review board of a political subdivision; or an investigative proceeding initiated by an official, department, division, or agency which pertains to matters which, depending on the conclusion of the investigation, could lead to a judicial or administrative proceeding being initiated against the party by the official, department, division or agency.
BUSINESS ENTITY
A corporation, association, firm, partnership, proprietorship, or business entity of any kind or character.
BUSINESS WITH WHICH A PERSON IS ASSOCIATED
1. 
Any sole proprietorship owned by himself/herself, the person's spouse or any dependent child in the person's custody;
2. 
Any partnership or joint venture in which the person's spouse is a partner, other than as a limited partner of a limited partnership, and any corporation or limited partnership in which the person is an officer or director or of which either the person or the person's spouse or dependent child in the person's custody whether singularly or collectively owns in excess of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of any class of stock or partnership units; or
3. 
Any trust in which the person is a trustee or settlor or in which the person or the person's spouse or dependent child whether singularly or collectively is a beneficiary or holder of a reversionary interest of ten percent (10%) or more of the corpus of the trust.
CITY
City of Centralia, Missouri, and any board, committee or commission of the City of Centralia, Missouri, including, but not limited to, the City Park Board of Directors.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
All information whether transmitted orally or in writing which is of such a nature that it is not, at that time, a matter of public record or public knowledge.
DEPENDENT CHILD or DEPENDENT CHILD IN THE PERSON'S CUSTODY
All children, stepchildren, foster children and wards under the age of eighteen (18) residing in the person's household and who receive in excess of fifty percent (50%) of their support from the person.
PUBLIC DOCUMENT
A state tax return or a document or other record maintained for public inspection without limitation on the right of access to it and a document filed in a juvenile court proceeding.
SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST
Ownership by the individual, the individual's spouse, or the individual's dependent children, whether singularly or collectively, directly or indirectly, of ten percent (10%) or more of any business entity, or of an interest having a value of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or more, or the receipt by an individual, the individual's spouse or the individual's dependent children, whether singularly or collectively, of a salary, gratuity, or other compensation or remuneration of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or more, per year from any individual, partnership, organization or association within any calendar year.
[1]
State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.450.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 2, 8-19-1991]
No elected or appointed official or employee of the City shall:
1. 
Act or refrain from acting in any capacity in which he is lawfully empowered to act as such an official or employee by reason of any payment, offer to pay, promise to pay, or receipt of anything of actual pecuniary value paid or payable, or received or receivable, to himself or any third person, including any gift or campaign contribution, made or received in relationship to or as a condition of the performance of an official act, other than compensation to be paid by the City; or
2. 
Use confidential information obtained in the course of or by reason of his employment or official capacity in any manner with intent to result in financial gain for himself, his spouse, his dependent child in his custody, or any business with which he is associated; or
3. 
Disclose confidential information obtained in the course of or by reason of his employment or official capacity in any manner with intent to result in financial gain for himself or any other person; or
4. 
Regarding an elected or appointed official, favorably act on any matter that is so specifically designed so as to provide a "special monetary benefit" to such official or his spouse or dependent children, including but not limited to increases in retirement benefits, whether received from the state of Missouri or any third party by reason of such act. For the purposes of this Subsection, "special monetary benefit" means being materially affected in a substantially different manner or degree than the manner or degree in which the public in general will be affected or, if the matter affects only a special class of persons, then affected in a substantially different manner or degree than the manner or degree in which such class will be affected. In all such matters such officials shall recuse themselves from acting and shall not be relieved by reason of the provisions of Section 2-8, except that the Mayor and Aldermen may act on increases in their compensation subject to the restrictions of Section 2-24.1 and Section 2-45; or
5. 
Regarding an elected or appointed official, use his decision-making authority for the purpose of obtaining a financial gain which materially enriches himself, his spouse or dependent children by acting or refraining from acting for the purpose of coercing or extorting from another anything of actual pecuniary value.
[1]
State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.452.
Cross Reference — Also see §§ 2-8, 2-24.1 and 2-45 of this chapter. Also see § 22-115. Also see § 2-42 regarding Mayor.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 3, 8-19-1991; Ord. No. 2031 1, 9-21-1998]
No elected or appointed official or employee of the City serving in an executive or administrative capacity, including the Mayor and City Administrator, shall:
1. 
Perform any service for the City for receipt or payment of any compensation, other than of the compensation provided for the performance of his or her official duties, in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per transaction or one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per annum, except on transactions made pursuant to an award on a contract let or sale made after public notice and competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer is the lowest received; or
2. 
Sell, rent or lease any property to the City and receive consideration therefor in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per transaction or one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per year unless the transaction is made pursuant to an award on a contract let or sale made after public notice and in the case of property other than real property, competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer accepted is the lowest received; or
3. 
Participate in any matter, directly or indirectly, in which he or she attempts to influence any decision of any board, committee or commission of the City when he or she knows the result of such decision may be the acceptance of the performance of a service or the sale, rental, or lease of any property to that board, committee or commission for consideration in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) value per transaction or one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per annum to him or her, to his or her spouse, to a dependent child in his or her custody or to any business with which he or she is associated unless the transaction is made pursuant to an award on a contract let or sale made after public notice and in the case of property other than real property, competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer accepted is the lowest received; or
4. 
Perform any services during the time of his or her office or employment for any consideration from any person, firm or corporation, other than the compensation provided for the performance of his or her official duties, by which service he or she attempts to influence a decision of any City board, committee or commission; or
5. 
Perform any service for consideration, during one (1) year after termination of his or her office or employment, by which performance he or she attempts to influence a decision of the Board of Aldermen; except that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit any person from performing such service and receiving compensation therefor, in any "adversary proceeding" or in the preparation or filing of any public document; or
6. 
Perform any service for any consideration for any person, firm or corporation after termination of his or her office or employment in relation to any case, decision, proceeding or application with respect to which he or she was directly concerned or in which he or she personally participated during the period of his or her service or employment.
[1]
State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.454.
Cross Reference — As to the Mayor, see § 2-42.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 4, 8-19-1991; Ord. No. 2031 § 2, 9-21-1998; Ord. No. 2383 § 1, 12-19-2005]
A. 
No member of the Board of Aldermen nor the Mayor shall:
1. 
Perform any service for the City for any consideration other than the compensation provided for the performance of his or her official duties; or
2. 
Sell, rent or lease any property to the City for consideration in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per transaction or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per annum unless the transaction is made pursuant to an award on a contract let or a sale made after public notice and in the case of property other than real property, competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer accepted is the lowest received; or
3. 
Attempt, for any compensation other than the compensation provided for the performance of his or her official duties, to influence the decision of any board, committee or commission of the City on any matter; except that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit such person from participating for compensation in any "adversary proceeding" or in the preparation or filing of any public document or conference thereon.
B. 
No sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or corporation in which any member of the Board of Aldermen or the Mayor is the sole proprietor, a partner having more than a ten percent (10%) partnership interest, a limited liability company member having more than a ten percent (10%) membership interest or a co-participant or owner of in excess of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of any class of stock shall:
1. 
Perform any service for the City for any consideration in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per transaction or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per annum, unless the transaction is made pursuant to an award on a contract let or a sale made after public notice and in the case of property other than real property, competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer accepted is the lowest receive; or
2. 
Sell, rent or lease any property to the City where the consideration is in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per transaction or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per annum, unless the transaction is made pursuant to an award on a contract let or a sale made after public notice and in the case of property other than real property, competitive bidding, provided that the bid or offer accepted is the lowest received.
[1]
State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.458.
Cross Reference — As to the Mayor, see § 2-42.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 5, 8-19-1991]
A. 
No provision of Section 2-2 through Section 2-5 shall be construed to prohibit any person from performing any ministerial act or any act required by order of a court or by law to be performed.
B. 
No provision of Section 2-2 through Section 2-5 shall be construed to prohibit any person from communicating with the City Attorney concerning any prospective claim or complaint then under consideration not otherwise prohibited by law.
C. 
No provision of Section 2-2 through Section 2-5 shall be construed to prohibit any person, firm or corporation from receiving compensation for property taken by the City under the power of eminent domain in accordance with the provisions of the state constitution and the laws of the state.
[1]
State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.466.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 6, 8-19-1991; Ord. No. 1747 § 1, 8-16-1993; Ord. No. 1805 § 1, 7-18-1994; Ord. No. 1835 § 1, 1-16-1995; Ord. No. 1865 § 1, 8-21-1995; Ord. No. 1969 § 1, 8-18-1997; Ord. No. 2081 § 1, 8-16-1999; Ord. No. 2163 § 1, 8-20-2001; Ord. No. 2253 § 1, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 2367 § 1, 8-15-2005; Ord. No. 2476 § 1, 8-20-2007; Ord. No. 2581 § 1, 8-17-2009; Ord. No. 2646 § 1, 7-18-2011; Ord. No. 2731 § 1, 7-15-2013; Ord. No. 2822 § 1, 8-17-2015; Ord. No. 2913, 8-21-2017; Ord. No. 3028, 8-19-2019; Ord. No. 3102, 8-23-2021; Ord. No. 3173, 8-21-2023]
A. 
The Mayor, each member of the Board of Aldermen, the City Collector, the City Clerk and the City Administrator and every candidate for the offices of Mayor, Alderman and City Collector shall disclose in a written financial interest disclosure statement the following information, no later than the time specified in Subsection (D) of this Section, if any such transactions were engaged in during the applicable time period:
1. 
For each such person, and all persons within the first degree of consanguinity or affinity of each such person, the date and the identities of the parties to each transaction with a total value in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00), if any, that each such person had with the City, other than compensation received as an employee or payment of any tax, fee or penalty due to the City, and other than transfers for no consideration to the City; and
2. 
The date and the identities of the parties to each transaction known to the person with a total value in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00), if any, that any business entity in which each such person had a substantial interest had with the City, other than payment of any tax, fee or penalty due to the City or transactions involving payment for providing utility service to the City, and other than transfers for no consideration to the City.
B. 
The City Administrator also shall disclose in a written financial interest disclosure statement the following information for the previous calendar year, no later than the time specified in Subsection (D) of this Section:
1. 
The name and address of each of the employers of the City Administrator from whom income of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more was received during the year covered by the statement; and
2. 
The name and address of each sole proprietorship that the City Administrator owned; the name, address and the general nature of the business conducted of each general partnership and joint venture in which the City Administrator was a partner or participant; the name and address of each partner or coparticipant for each partnership or joint venture unless such names and addresses are filed by the partnership or joint venture with the Missouri Ethics Commission; the name, address and general nature of the business conducted of any closely held corporation or limited partnership in which the City Administrator owned ten percent (10%) or more of any class of the outstanding stock or limited partnership units; and the name of any publicly traded corporation or limited partnership that is listed on a regulated stock exchange or automated quotation system in which the City Administrator owned two percent (2%) or more of any class of outstanding stock, limited partnership units or other equity interests; and
3. 
The name and address of each corporation for which the City Administrator served in the capacity of a director, officer or receiver.
C. 
Any written financial interest disclosure statement required to be filed in this Section shall be filed with both the City Clerk and the Missouri Ethics Commission. All statements that are filed shall be available for public inspection and copying during normal business hours. The City Clerk shall provide to a person filing as a candidate for Mayor, Alderman or City Collector, at the time of filing, written notice of the candidate's obligation to file a financial interest disclosure statement pursuant to this Section, and the candidate shall sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such notice.
D. 
Financial interest statements — filed when.
1. 
The financial interest disclosure statements shall be filed with the City Clerk and the Missouri Ethics Commission at the following times, but no person is required to file a written financial interest disclosure statement more than once in any calendar year:
a. 
Each person appointed to an office who is required to file a financial interest disclosure statement shall file the statement within thirty (30) days of such appointment, and the statement shall cover the calendar year ending the immediately preceding December 31.
b. 
Each candidate for Mayor, Alderman and City Collector shall file a financial interest disclosure statement no later than fourteen (14) days after the close of filing, which is the 11th Tuesday immediately preceding the general municipal election day on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of April. The statement shall cover the twelve (12) months prior to the last day for filing for election.
c. 
Every other person who is required to file a financial interest disclosure statement shall file the statement annually not later than the first day of May, and the statement shall cover the calendar year ending the immediately preceding December 31; provided that, the Mayor and any member of the Board of Aldermen may supplement his or her financial interest disclosure statement to report additional interests acquired after December 31 of the covered year until the date of filing of the financial interest disclosure statement.
2. 
The deadline for filing any financial interest disclosure statement required by this Section shall be 5:00 P.M. of the last day designated for filing the statement. When the last day of filing falls on a Saturday or Sunday or on an official state holiday, the deadline for filing is extended to 5:00 P.M. on the next day which is not a Saturday or Sunday or official holiday. Any statement required within a specified time shall be deemed to be timely filed if it is postmarked not later than midnight of the day previous to the last day designated for filing the statement.
E. 
Any person required in this Section to file a financial interest disclosure statement who fails to file such statement with the City Clerk and the Missouri Ethic Commission by the times required in Subsection (D) of this Section, shall, if such person receives any compensation or other remuneration from public funds for the person's services, not be paid such compensation or receive such remuneration until the person has filed with the City Clerk and the Missouri Ethics Commission the required financial interest disclosure statement.
[1]
State Law Reference — As to similar provisions, see RSMo. §§ 105.483, 105.485, 105.487, 105.492, 115.121 and 115.127.
Cross Reference — As to definitions, see §§ 2-2, 8-3 and 8-5.
[Ord. No. 1633 § 7, 8-19-1991; Ord. No. 1747 § 1, 8-16-1993; Ord. No. 1805 § 1, 7-18-1994; Ord. No. 1865 § 1, 8-21-1995; Ord. No. 1969 § 1, 8-18-1997; Ord. No. 2081 § 1, 8-16-1999; Ord. No. 2163 § 1, 8-20-2001; Ord. No. 2253 § 1, 8-18-2003; Ord. No. 2367 § 1, 8-15-2005; Ord. No. 2476 § 1, 8-20-2007; Ord. No. 2581 § 1, 8-17-2009; Ord. No. 2646 § 1, 7-18-2011; Ord. No. 2731 § 1, 7-15-2013; Ord. No. 2822 § 1, 8-17-2015; Ord. No. 2913, 8-21-2017; Ord. No. 3028, 8-19-2019; Ord. No. 3102, 8-23-2021; Ord. No. 3173, 8-21-2023]
A. 
Any member of the Board of Aldermen, including the Mayor, who has a personal or private interest in any measure, bill, order or ordinance proposed or pending before the Board of Aldermen which results from a "substantial interest" in a "business entity," shall, before such official passes on the measure, bill, order or ordinance, file a written report of the nature of the interest with the City Clerk and such statement shall be recorded in the appropriate journal or other record of proceedings of the City.
B. 
Any member of the Board of Aldermen, including the Mayor, shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of Subsection (A) of this Section if such official has filed, at any time before the official passes on such measure, bill, order or ordinance, a financial disclosure statement pursuant to Section 2-7 which discloses the basis for the official's said substantial personal or private interest or interests that the official may have therein. Any such person may amend the person's financial interest disclosure statement to disclose any subsequently acquired substantial interest at any time before the person passes on any measure, bill, order, or ordinance, and shall be relieved of the provisions of Subsection (A) of this Section.
[1]
State Law Reference — As to similar provisions, see RSMo. § 105.461.
Cross Reference — See § 2-2 and § 2-3(4) of this chapter.