Any elected city official is free to seek employment after they depart from office; however, the intent of this chapter is to impose post-separation restrictions on elected city officials thereby preventing potential conflicts of interest or the use of political influence for personal gain. It is not the intent of this chapter to restrict or cancel any contracts or employment conditions in existence at the time this measure was approved by the voters.
(Ord. 2070 § 1 (part), 12-7-2000)
A. 
As
used in this chapter, the following terms are be defined or interpreted to have the following meaning:
1. 
"Elected city official(s)"
means any member of the South Gate city council, the South Gate city clerk, and the South Gate city treasurer, or any other elected city position, post, or office.
2. 
"Post-separation employment"
refers to the situation where an elected city official departs or is separated from elected office and seeks to obtain employment with the city or to do business with the city.
3. 
"Departure from elected office"
shall cover any separation or departure, whether voluntary or involuntary, from an elected post or office, including but not limited to the expiration of an elected term, an unsuccessful bid for re-election, a recall election, a disqualification to hold elected office, or the premature resignation of any elected official.
(Ord. 2070 § 1 (part), 12-7-2000)
A. 
For a period of twenty-four months after the official day in which the departure from elected office occurs, any elected city official is prohibited from:
1. 
Being appointed to or obtaining any position of employment with the city regardless of the nature of the work;
2. 
Doing business with the city, including but not limited to work as a consultant or independent contractor.
(Ord. 2070 § 1 (part), 12-7-2000)
Enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be a shared responsibility. All elected city officials are responsible for abiding and upholding the provisions of the South Gate Municipal Code, including this chapter. Other city officials, city employees, and members of the public should be alert to the provisions of this chapter and are charged with the responsibility of making any violation of this chapter immediately known to the city manager, city attorney, or any other appropriate city authority.
(Ord. 2070 § 1 (part), 12-7-2000)
A. 
Any contract or agreement found to be in violation of this chapter shall be null and void.
B. 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the Los Angeles County jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment as provided in Chapter 1.03 of this code. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
(Ord. 2070 § 1 (part), 12-7-2000)