[2-6-2006]
There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Ethics
Commission of the Village. The Commission shall be comprised of three
members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the
Board of Trustees. No person shall be appointed as a member of the
Commission who is a Village official as defined by § 1-9-3
or who is related either by marriage or by blood, up to the degree
of first cousin, to a Village official, or who is not a resident of
the Village of Thornton.
[2-6-2006]
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees,
may remove a commissioner in case of incompetency, disclosure of confidential
information, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, after service
on the Commission by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy
of the written charges against the commissioner and after providing
an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel upon not less than
10 days' notice. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner
as original appointments.
[2-6-2006]
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A.
To promulgate procedures and rules governing the performance
of its duties and the exercise of its powers.
B.
Upon receipt of a signed, notarized, written complain, to investigate,
conduct hearings and deliberations, issue recommendations for disciplinary
actions, impose fines in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
and refer violations of the Village Ethics Code and Conduct Code to
the appropriate attorney for prosecution. The Commission shall, however,
act only upon receipt of a written complaint alleging a violation
of the chapter and not upon its own prerogative.
C.
To receive information from the public pertaining to its investigations
and to require additional information and documents from persons who
may have violated the provisions of this chapter.
D.
To compel the attendance of witnesses and to compel the production
of books and papers pertinent to an investigation. It is the obligation
of all officers and employees of the Village to cooperate with the
Commission during the course of its investigations. Failure or refusal
to cooperate with requests by the Commission shall constitute grounds
for discipline or discharge.
E.
The powers and duties of the Commission are limited to matters
clearly within the purview of this chapter, and the Commission has
authority to hear allegations regarding violations of the Village
Ethics Code (§ 1-9-1) and Conduct Code (§ 1-11-1).
[2-6-2006]
Unless otherwise determined by its members, the Commission shall
meet monthly at a regularly scheduled date and time determined by
the Commission. Any member may administer oaths and receive testimony
from witnesses at a meeting of the Commission. Two members of the
commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the total
membership shall be necessary to take any action.
[2-6-2006]
Commission members shall receive no compensation for their services,
but each Commission member may be reimbursed for expenses reasonably
incurred in the performance of Commission duties.
[2-6-2006]
Complaints to the Commission and investigations and recommendations
thereon shall be confidential, except as necessary to carry out powers
and duties of the Commission or to enable another person or agency
to consider and act upon the notices and recommendations of the Commission;
provided that, without identifying the person complained against or
the specific transaction, the Commission may (a) comment publicly
on the disposition of its requests and recommendations and (b) publish
summary opinions to inform Village personnel and the public about
the interpretation of provisions of this chapter.