The Political Reform Act of 1974, set forth at Government Code Section 81000 et seq., as amended, establishes the principle that public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them. By Article 5 of the city charter, the provisions contained in the Political Reform Act of 1974 fully apply to elected officials in the city of Pacific Grove. The purpose of this chapter is to expand some provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974 as they apply to the city of Pacific Grove, as well as add provisions that are not presently required. In no case is there any direct or implied intent that the provisions of this chapter do anything to limit the applicability of the provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974.
(Ord. 06-016 § 2, 2006; Ord. 16-020 § 2, 2016)
(a) 
Unless otherwise defined in this chapter, the definitions of the California Elections Code Sections 300 through 363, as amended, and of the Political Reform Act of 1974, set forth at Government Code Section 81000 et seq., as amended, shall govern the interpretation of this chapter.
(b) 
"Candidate committee"
means a candidate and/or his or her controlled committees.
(c) 
"Recuse"
means to not participate in making or otherwise influencing a governmental decision. A recused official may still exercise his or her First Amendment right of free speech as an individual.
(Ord. 06-016 § 3, 2006; Ord. 16-020 § 2, 2016)
(a) 
Contributions Limit Per Election. A candidate committee shall not accept any contribution exceeding $600.00 from any single source in any single election campaign.
(b) 
Contribution Limit Adjustment for Inflation. The contribution limit set by this section shall be increased in proportion to the cumulative change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), for all urban consumers for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area, published by the United States Department of Labor using the CPI most recently available prior to April 1st of each year; provided, however, that an adjustment shall be based upon the cumulative change in the CPI since enactment of this measure, but each adjustment shall be rounded down to the nearest increment of $50.00.
(Ord. 06-016 § 4, 2006; Ord. 16-020 § 2, 2016)
Any member of the public may make a complaint under this section and file it with the city clerk of Pacific Grove. The city attorney shall request of the involved parties a statement of facts and seek to ascertain whether the complaint is addressed by this chapter. Such determination shall be made within 10 days of filing said complaint. If, in the opinion of the city attorney, the complaint can be addressed by this chapter, the city attorney will take the steps necessary to enforce this chapter.
(Ord. 06-016 § 7, 2006; Ord. 16-020 § 2, 2016)
In addition to other enforcement provisions set forth in this chapter, an individual shall have the right to bring a civil action to enforce these provisions. The power of private enforcement shall be effective only after notice of intent to enforce has been provided to the city attorney but no city enforcement has commenced within 30 days.
(Ord. 06-016 § 9, 2006; Ord. 16-020 § 2, 2016)