A. 
There is hereby established a Board of Ethics consisting of five members and one ex-officio member: three voting members to be appointed by the Common Council, two voting members to be appointed by the Mayor, and one non-voting ex-officio member who is an officer or employee of the City of Albany designated by the Mayor, all of whom shall serve without compensation. A majority of such members shall be persons other than officers or employees of the city. Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years; provided, however, that:
(1) 
Of members initially appointed by the Mayor, one shall be for one year and one shall be for two years.
(2) 
Of members initially appointed by the Common Council, one shall be for one year, one shall be for two years, and one shall be for three years.
B. 
Annually, from among its membership, the Board shall elect a Chair and such other officers as the Board may deem necessary.
The Board of Ethics shall have the powers and duties prescribed by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law together with the following powers:
A. 
The Board shall, upon its own initiative or at the request of any person whose conduct is governed by this Chapter, render advisory opinions to the officers and employees of the City with respect to Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and Article II (Code of Ethics) of this chapter. Such advisory opinions shall be rendered pursuant to the written request of any such officer or employee under such rules and regulations as the Board may prescribe and shall be made with the advice of the Corporation Counsel.
B. 
In addition, the Board shall make recommendations with respect to amendments to the Code of Ethics upon its own initiative or by request of the Common Council.
C. 
Hearings; Administrative enforcement. The Board of Ethics shall conduct hearings on and impose penalties for violations of Article II of the chapter and/or Article 18 of the General Municipal Law in accordance with those laws and the following provisions:
(1) 
The individual alleged to have committed the violation shall have the opportunity to be heard at such hearing.
(2) 
The Board of Ethics shall conduct each hearing and render its decision as to the alleged violation(s) considered at the hearing with reasonable promptness.
(3) 
If, after hearing all testimony and reviewing all relevant documents, the Board of Ethics determines that a violation of Article II of this chapter or of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law has occurred, the Board may then take one or more of the following actions, as it deems appropriate:
(a) 
Impose the sanction laid out in § 50-8 of this chapter relevant to the particular violation;
(b) 
Refer the matter to the Albany County District Attorney for criminal prosecution;
(c) 
Refer the matter to the Corporation Counsel for appropriate civil action; and/or
(d) 
Refer the matter to the appointing authority or supervisor of the individual for discipline.
All members of the Board shall receive training annually on all applicable provisions of law relating to conflicts of interest and ethics at the federal, state, county, and municipal level that are necessary for the discharge of their duties. Such training shall be provided by the Corporation Counsel.