[Ord. No. 10516, 9-20-2018; Ord. No. 10681, 9-3-2020; Ord. No. 10776, 10-6-2022; Ord. No. 10803, 4-20-2023]
a. No person employed by the City, or seeking employment shall be appointed,
promoted, demoted, removed, or in any way favored or discriminated
against because of political affiliation, age, race, color, genetic
information, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or transgender status
or disability unrelated to the ability to perform the job or any other
classification protected under applicable State or Federal law.
b. No person seeking employment or promotion shall either directly or
indirectly give, render, or pay any money, service, or other valuable
thing to any person for, or on account of, or in connection with an
employment test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion, or
proposed promotion.
c. No City employee shall solicit any contribution for the campaign
fund of any candidate for Kirkwood City office or take part in the
political campaign of any candidate while on duty or in uniform or
wearing any attire identifying the City of Kirkwood. All employees
may exercise their rights as private citizens to express opinions
and, if registered voters in Kirkwood, sign a nominating petition
for any City candidate and vote in any City election. Political affiliation,
participation, or contribution shall not be considered in making any
City employment decision. No City officer, employee, or member of
a board or commission shall use official authority or official influence
for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of any
election to or nomination for Kirkwood City office. No City officer,
employee, or member of a board or commission shall directly or indirectly
coerce, attempt to coerce, command, advise, or solicit a City employee
to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee,
organization, agency, or person for political or electoral purposes.
d. No employee, either full- or part-time of the City, while on duty
or while in uniform that identifies the individual as an employee
of the City shall:
a.
Canvass on behalf of any candidate, political party, or political
issue;
b.
Display a political picture, sticker, badge, or button;
c.
Attend a political rally, fund raising function, or other political
gathering;
d.
Circulate or sign a political petition; or
e.
Serve as an election judge or clerk.
e. No employee shall place, or allow to remain, upon a City vehicle
used by the employee in the course of employment any political picture,
sticker, badge, or button.
f. No person currently serving on any City Board or Commission may become
a full-time or part-time employee of the City while so serving on
any City Board or Commission and no full-time or part-time employee
of the City shall be appointed to any City Board or Commission while
employed with the City. This provision does not apply to any person
classified by the City as a temporary employee.
g. Nothing in this article shall be construed to restrict an employee's
freedom to express an opinion or exercise the right to vote.
h. No employee of the City shall use City equipment, personnel, facilities,
or resources to promote or help promote any civic, social, business,
or political candidate, or any non-City of Kirkwood purpose without
the express written consent of the Chief Administrative Officer.
i. No employee shall accept or be influenced in his or her duties by
an offer of any payment, gift or favor from any source, other than
their regular compensation from the City. It is particularly important
that employees refrain from accepting gifts where it might be construed
as evidence of favoritism or unfair advantage relative to any supplier
or vendor. These limitations are not intended to prohibit the acceptance
of: a) small gifts of no significant value, such as pens, pencils,
note pads and other items which can be used in the performance of
work duties; and b) non-alcoholic consumable items such as food, of
no significant value, that can be shared equally on the City premises
by all employees. Alcoholic beverages or gifts of significant value
sent to the City or City employees shall remain unopened and be returned
to the sender.