[Adopted 12-9-2015, approved 12-10-2015]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CITY
The City of Mount Vernon.
CITY AGENCY
All departments, boards, committees, commissions or bureaus of the City, but not including the judicial officers of the courts of the City.
CITY EMPLOYEE
Includes all persons employed by the City full-time or part-time, including temporary, provisional, classified and unclassified employees.
CITY OFFICER
Includes all persons elected or appointed to any office of the City of Mount Vernon established or authorized to be established by the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon or otherwise by local law, resolution or ordinance, persons performing services under contract with the City, and members of City boards, agencies, bureaus, committees, or commissions who serve with or without pay, but shall not include Commissioners of Deeds, volunteer firemen or civil defense volunteers.
CLOSE RELATIVE
Includes the parent, spouse, domestic partner, siblings, children, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, grandparent, grandchild, and first cousin of a City employee or officer.
This definition also applies whether the relationship is by blood, adoption, or created by marriage.
DEPARTMENT
Includes agency, bureau, committee, or commission.
A. 
As the Code of Ethics prohibits City employees from attempting to use their positions or influence to obtain financial gain, privilege, or personal advantage for themselves or for people or firms with whom they are related or intimately associated, it is the policy of the City to prevent not only actual conflicts of interests, but to dispel the appearance of impropriety and nepotism of any sort in all City contracts, including employment contracts.
B. 
In order to maintain order and avoid workplace violence, disruption, and conflict, employees should not influence the hiring of close relatives or relations and other family members.
C. 
Prohibited employment: Hiring a close relative of a City employee or officer within the same department and/or within the same chain of authority shall be prohibited.
D. 
Notwithstanding Subsection C, the best qualified candidate for a position will be employed.
E. 
This policy shall not apply to employees whose hiring precedes the election and candidacy of a close relative to a City office.
F. 
This policy shall not apply to the service of paid-on-call firemen, auxiliary police officers, any volunteer positions within the City, or any employee candidates whose employment falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
G. 
This nepotism policy shall be subject to all anti-discrimination requirements and affirmative action obligations as may be applicable to the City under federal or state laws or regulations, or with respect to particular projects. Similarly, this nepotism policy is subject to all federal and state laws, including civil service laws.
H. 
This policy shall take effect immediately.