[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Kingston 6-4-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013,[1] approved 6-21-2013; amended in its entirety 9-13-2016 by L.L. No. 5-2016, approved 9-28-2016. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 49,
Ethics, which consisted of Art. I, Board of Ethics, adopted 8-7-1984
by L.L. No. 3-1984, approved 8-28-1984, as Ch. 44A, Art. I, of the
1984 Code, and Art. II, Code of Ethics, adopted 8-7-1984 by L.L. No.
3-1984, approved 8-28-1984, as Ch. 44A, Art. II, of the 1984 Code,
as amended.
Pursuant to the provisions of § 806 of the General
Municipal Law, the City Council of the City of Kingston recognizes
that there are standards of ethical conduct for public officers and
employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct
is to be expected and if public confidence is to be maintained by
our City government. It is the purpose of this chapter to promulgate
these rules of ethical conduct for officers and employees of the City
of Kingston. These rules shall serve as a guide for official conduct
of officers and employees of the City of Kingston. The rules of ethical
conduct of this chapter, as adopted, shall not conflict with but shall
be in addition to any prohibition of Article 18 of the General Municipal
Law or any other general or special law relating to ethical conduct
and interest in contracts of municipal officers and employees.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Includes the Mayor, City Council and all departments, offices,
boards, committees, bureaus and instrumentalities of the government
of the City of Kingston.
Either:
Any data acquired through the course of employment or public
office which is protected from disclosure by law.
Any person to whom an officer or employee of the City of Kingston
has supplied goods or services, including, but not limited to, professional
services, during the previous 24 months, having, in the aggregate,
a value greater than $1,000; or
Any person to whom an officer's or employee's outside employer or business has supplied goods or services, including, but not limited to, professional services, during the previous 24 months, having, in the aggregate, a value greater than $1,000, but only if the officer or employee knows or has reason to know the outside employer or business supplied the goods or services. For the purpose of this section, if the City officer or employee's outside employer employs in excess of 100 individuals, and the officer or employee does not serve in a management provision, the provisions of § 49-3A(4) shall not apply.
Includes spouse, domestic partner, sibling, parent, children
(including children of spouse or domestic partner), grandchildren
and the spouses of any of them, and any member of the individual's
household.
Includes anything of value, including, but not limited to,
money, services, referrals, discounts, licenses, permits, contracts,
authorizations, loans, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or any
other gratuity or promise thereof. A financial transaction may be
a financial benefit but shall not be a gift unless it is on terms
not available to the general public. "Gift" and "financial benefit"
do not include campaign contributions authorized by law.
Any and all persons who reside in the same dwelling unit
as the officer or employee.
A legal entity created under the Not-for-Profit Corporation
Law of the State of New York.
An officer or employee of the City of Kingston, whether paid
or unpaid, including, without limitation, all officers, employees,
volunteers, interns and members of any advisory and/or decision-making
board, body, council, commission, agency, department, district, administration,
bureau, or committee of the City of Kingston. "Officer or employee
of the City of Kingston" shall not include a judge, justice, officer,
or employee of the Unified Court System.
Any activity, other than service to the City of Kingston, from
which the officer or employee of the City of Kingston receives compensation,
or the promise of compensation, for work performed, services rendered
or goods sold or produced while a City officer or employee; or
Any entity, other than the City of Kingston, of which the officer
or employee of the City of Kingston is a member, owner, principal,
shareholder, officer, or employee and from which he or she receives
compensation for services rendered or goods sold or produced; or
Any entity in which an officer or employee of the City of Kingston
has an ownership interest, except a corporation of which the officer
or employee of the City of Kingston owns less than 5% of the outstanding
stock. For purposes of this definition, "compensation" shall not include
reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses.
Includes both individuals and entities.
Any person serving or acting as the Chair, Vice Chair, First
Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, delegate, or equivalent officers
by whatever name or title known, of any political party or committee
organized for the purpose of nominating persons for elective office
in the government of the City of Kingston.
Another officer or employee of the City of Kingston over
whose activities any officer or employee of the City of Kingston has
direction, supervision, or control.
A.
General prohibition. A City officer or employee shall not use his
or her official position or office, or take or fail to take any action,
in a manner which he or she believes, or has reason to believe, may
result in a personal financial benefit for any of the following persons:
(1)
The City officer or employee;
(2)
His or her outside employer or business;
(3)
A member of his or her household;
(4)
A customer or client;
(5)
A member of his or her family; or
(6)
Any firm, corporation, association, partnership or other organization
in which the City officer or employee, or a member of his or her family,
serves as an officer or director, whether compensated or not compensated.
B.
Specific City officers and employees.
(1)
Officers or employees who are professionally licensed. Except as provided in § 49-3O below, all City officers and employees with professional licenses are prohibited from knowingly exercising any discretion in any matter of City business which shall involve any person or entity which is a client of his or her business or firm or a business partner, contractor or subcontractor in a business endeavor of his or her business or firm;
(2)
Officers or employees who are authorized to review engineering drawings,
conduct inspections and issue permits:
(a)
No City officer or employee who is authorized to review and
approve engineering drawings, conduct inspections or issue permits
shall engage in a business within the City or have a financial interest
in any firm engaged in a business within the City if said business
conducts, as a regular and significant part of its business, matters
requiring such inspections or such permits;
(b)
No officer or employee who is authorized to review and approve
engineering drawings, conduct inspections and/or issue permits shall
act as an expert witness for any entity other than the City, under
circumstances where all or part of his or her expert testimony is
based on certifications or credentials provided and/or paid for by
the City, while employed by the City;
(c)
Any such City officer and/or employee shall recuse himself/herself
from reviewing any engineering drawings, conducting any such inspection
or issuing any necessary permits that directly pertain to any person
or entity which is a customer or client of his or her business or
firm, or a person materially involved in a business endeavor of his
or her business or firm.
C.
Gifts. Except as set forth below, a City officer or employee shall
not directly or indirectly solicit, accept or agree to accept any
gift or favor, whether in the form of money, services, loans, travel,
entertainment, hospitality, material items, promise or any other form,
under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that
the gift was intended to influence such City officer or employee,
or could reasonably be expected to influence such City officer or
employee, in the performance of his or her official duties or was
intended as a reward for any official action taken by such City officer
or employee. This restriction shall not be construed as applying to
the following situations in which gifts or benefits are:
(1)
Received by the officer or employee from his or her parent, spouse,
child or sibling;
(2)
Accepted on behalf of the City and transferred to the City;
(3)
Received as refreshments or meals at a widely attended gathering;
(4)
Received for the solemnization of a marriage by an officer or employee
of the City of Kingston listed in § 11 of the Domestic Relations
Law at a place other than his or her normal place of business or at
a time other than his or her normal hours of business and which have
a value of $75 or less;
(5)
Received as nonmonetary awards from charitable organizations; or
(6)
Received as City services or benefits, or the use of City facilities,
generally available on the same terms and conditions to residents
or a class of residents in the municipality.
D.
Confidential information. He or she shall not disclose confidential
information acquired by him or her in the course of his or her official
duties or use such information to further his or her personal interest
or the personal interest of other individuals or entities for personal
gain or profit.
E.
Representation before one's own agency. He or she shall not receive
or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal
agency of which he or she is an officer, member or employee or of
any municipal agency over which he or she has jurisdiction or to which
he or she has the power to appoint any member, officer or employee.
F.
Representation before any agency for a contingent fee. He or she
shall not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied,
for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter
before any agency of his or her municipality whereby his or her compensation
is to be dependent or contingent upon any action by such agency with
respect to such matter, provided that this subsection shall not prohibit
the fixing at any time of fees based upon the reasonable value of
the services rendered.
G.
Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent that he or she
knows thereof, any officer or employee of the City, whether paid or
unpaid, who participates in the discussion or gives official opinion
to any City Board or Agency or to the Common Council the City shall
publicly disclose on the official record at an open meeting the nature
and extent of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest
he or she has in such matter, including any involvement in current
or past litigation.
H.
Investments in conflict with official duties. Officers and/or employees
shall not knowingly invest or hold any investment, directly or indirectly,
in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction
which creates a conflict with their official City duties.
I.
Outside employer or business. Officers and/or employees shall not
engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept work for an
outside employer or business who does business with the City which
creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his official
duties or results in personal gain.
J.
No City officer and/or employee shall permit a former City officer
and/or employee to appear before any board or agency of the City in
relation to any case, proceeding, project or application in which
the former officer and/or employee personally participated during
the period of his or her service or employment or which was under
his or her active consideration.
K.
No City officer and/or employee shall act in a way so as to coerce
or solicit any other City officer and/or employee on behalf of any
political candidate or organization.
(1)
Officers or employees shall not use City work time or a City workplace
to influence any person to participate in an election campaign or
political event or to contribute to a political party, committee,
campaign or candidate.
(2)
Officers or employees shall not use City work time or a City workplace
to influence, or authorize or request another to influence, any officer
or employee to support or refuse to support a political party, committee,
campaign or candidate.
(3)
Officers or employees shall not display, distribute or otherwise
utilize election campaign literature or materials on City work time
or at a City workplace; however, this prohibition shall not be construed
as prohibiting the wearing of small lapel pins of less than one inch
in diameter by any person.
(4)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to deny any officer
or employee the right to support or refuse to support any political
party, committee, campaign or candidate outside of the workplace.
L.
Inducement of others. No officer or employee of the City shall induce,
threaten or coerce or aid another officer or employee of the City
to violate any of the provisions of this Code of Ethics.
M.
City employees. No officer or employee of the City shall direct or
cause any subordinate officer or employee to do or perform any service
or work outside of the scope of his or her public work responsibilities
or employment.
N.
City property. No officer or employee shall use, request or permit
the use of City-owned property, including, but not limited to, vehicles,
equipment, materials or supplies, for personal convenience, use or
profit, except when such goods or services are available to the public
generally or are used by the officer or employee in compliance with
City policy for such use, or where the use of City-owned property
for personal use is part of the officer's or employee's compensation.
O.
Conflict with other codes of conduct.
(1)
Because of the need for professional integrity and the fact that
various professional associations have adopted standards of ethics
and/or conduct for their members, the City hereby recognizes that
each City officer or employee who is affected by a professional Code
of Ethics and/or conduct be bound, in the first instance, by said
Codes of Ethics and/or conduct. Any conflict between the provisions
of this chapter and a given professional code of conduct of a City
officer or employee shall be resolved by the Ethics Board. An officer's
or employee's professional code of conduct shall be examined in the
context of the City Code of Ethics and the New York State Public Officers
Law for relevance and applicability as issues arise.
(2)
The Ethics Board is authorized and required to obtain advisory opinions
from the appropriate professional association to clarify any given
situation.
P.
Interest in contracts with the City.
(1)
Prohibited interests. No City officer or employee shall have any
financial interest in a business relationship, financial instrument,
contract with the City, or an interest in a bank or trust company,
that is prohibited by § 801 of the General Municipal Law
of the State of New York. Any contract willfully entered into by or
with the City in which there is an interest prohibited by that section
shall be null, void, and wholly unenforceable, to the extent provided
by § 804 of that law.
(2)
Disclosable interests. Any City officer or employee who has, will
have, or later acquires an interest in any actual or proposed contract
with the City shall disclose, in writing, the nature and extent of
that interest in accordance with § 803 of the General Municipal
Law and promptly file such written disclosure with the City Clerk.
The City Clerk shall cause a copy of that disclosure to be filed promptly
with the Ethics Board.
Q.
Recusal. When a City officer or employee is required to recuse himself
or herself under this Code of Ethics, he or she must state that he
or she is doing so at a public meeting on the public record. The officer
or employee shall immediately refrain from participating in the matter
further.
A.
Every official and employee listed in § 49-4B hereinafter must file an annual disclosure form with the Board of Ethics[1]. Annual disclosure forms shall be due for filing by February
15.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure Form is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Employees
and officers who must file Annual Disclosure Forms:
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Mayor
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City Clerk
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Corporation Counsel
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Assistant Corporation Counsel
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Alderman at Large
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Members of the Common Council
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City Comptroller
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Assessor
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Superintendent of the Department of Public Works
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Police Chief
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Fire Chief
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Assistant Fire Chief
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Superintendent of the Kingston Water Department
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Recreation Superintendent
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City Planner
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Members of the City Planning Board
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Members of the City Zoning Board of Appeals
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Director of Economic and Community Development
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Director of Civil Service
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City Engineer
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Members of Human Rights Commission
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Director of the Office of Human Rights
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Members of the City Board of Ethics
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Members of the City of Kingston Local Development Corporations
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Members of the City of Kingston Revolving Loan Fund
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Grant Manager
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A.
Ethics Board established. The Board of Ethics for the City of Kingston,
which shall consist of five members, is hereby established. The Corporation
Counsel, or Assistant Corporation Counsel in his or her stead, shall
serve as counsel to the Board of Ethics. In the event the Corporation
Counsel identifies a conflict of interest, or a conflict of interest
is identified in writing by the Board of Ethics, outside counsel shall
be secured for the Board. There will be a budget line established
and maintained for outside counsel in an amount of at least $10,000.
Written retainer agreements shall be required for retention of services
of outside counsel. Such retainer agreements shall be subject to the
approval by the Mayor of the City of Kingston. In the event that the
matter involves the Mayor or a member of his family or household as
those terms are defined above, the Alderman at Large shall act in
the Mayor's place.
B.
C.
Appointment of Ethics Board members; term of office.
(1)
The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Ethics Board. The Mayor
shall solicit recommendations from the Common Council with regard
to three members of the Board. The Board of Ethics shall select its
Chairperson annually.
(2)
Each Board member shall be appointed to a five-year term. For the
initial terms, one member will be appointed for five years; one member
for four years; one member for three years; one member for two years
and one member for one year.
D.
Ethics Board vacancies. Vacancies on the Board of Ethics shall be
filled by Mayoral appointment for the unexpired term of the member.
E.
Removal of Ethics Board members. An Ethics Board member may be removed
from office by the Common Council for failure to meet the qualifications
set forth in this chapter, substantial neglect of duties of office,
or violation of this chapter, after written notice and opportunity
for reply.
F.
Ethics Board meetings. The Ethics Board shall meet at least biannually.
A quorum shall be three members, and a majority of the full Board
shall be required for the Ethics Board to take formal action. The
Chair or any member may call a meeting of the Ethics Board.
G.
Jurisdiction, powers and duties of Ethics Board.
(1)
The Ethics Board may only act with respect to officers and employees
of the City of Kingston.
(2)
The termination of a municipal officer's or employee's term of office
or employment with the City (on a voluntary or involuntary basis)
shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Ethics Board with respect
to the requirements imposed by this chapter or by the Act, if any,
on a former officer or employee. However, in no event shall the Ethics
Board have jurisdiction over a former officer or employee where a
hearing has not been commenced pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter within one year of the termination of a City officer's or
employee's term of office or employment with the City.
(3)
The City Ethics Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)
Each year, on or before January 15, the City Ethics Board shall
report to the Mayor and the City Council regarding the Board's operations
of the previous year and to make recommendations to the Mayor and
the City Council, as needed, for changes to this chapter;
(b)
The City Ethics Board shall prescribe and promulgate rules and
regulations by resolution of the Board, governing its own internal
organization and procedures in a manner consistent with this chapter,
and to cause to be filed with the office of the City Clerk and the
office of the Corporation Counsel a copy of those rules and regulations
and any amendments thereto;
(c)
To request that the Mayor appoint such staff as is necessary
to carry out its duties under this chapter;
(d)
To review, index, and maintain on file lists of officers and
employees and annual and other disclosure statements filed with the
Ethics Board pursuant to this chapter;
(e)
To review, index, maintain on file, and dispose of written complaints
and to make notifications and conduct inquiries pursuant to this chapter;
(f)
To conduct hearings, recommend disciplinary action to the appropriate
appointing authority, pass resolutions, make referrals, and initiate
appropriate actions and proceedings pursuant to this chapter;
(g)
To render, index, and maintain on file advisory opinions pursuant
to this chapter;
(h)
To provide for training, assistance, and education to officers
and employees pursuant to this chapter, including the development
and distribution of a plain-language ethics guide for use by City
employees and officers, including all forms developed by the Ethics
Board.
H.
Review of lists and disclosure statements.
(2)
If the Ethics Board determines that a filed annual disclosure statement
is deficient or reveals a possible or potential violation of this
chapter, the Ethics Board shall notify the person in writing, state
the deficiency or possible or potential violation, provide the person
with a thirty-day period to cure the deficiency, and advise the person
of the penalties for failure to comply with this chapter. Such notice
shall be confidential to the extent permitted by the Public Officers
Law. If the person fails to cure the deficiency within the specified
time period, the Commission shall send a notice of delinquency:
I.
Inquiries and hearings.
(1)
Upon receipt of a written inquiry, or on its own initiative, the
Ethics Board shall have the power and duty to conduct any hearing
necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Ethics
Board may administer oaths or affirmations. In conducting any hearing
pursuant to this section, the Ethics Board may subpoena witnesses
and require the production of any books or records which it may deem
relevant and material.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Ethics Board to conduct a hearing with respect to itself or any of its members or staff. In the event the Ethics Board receives an inquiry alleging that the Ethics Board or any of its members or staff has violated any provision of this chapter, or any other law, the Board shall promptly transmit a copy of the complaint to the Mayor, who shall conduct an investigation of the complaint and forward the results of said investigation to the Common Council for action pursuant to Subsection G(3)(e) above.
(3)
The Ethics Board shall state, in writing, the disposition of every
written inquiry it receives and of every hearing it conducts and shall
set forth the reasons for the disposition. All such statements and
all written inquiries shall be indexed and maintained on file by the
Ethics Board.
(4)
Any person filing a written inquiry with the Ethics Board shall be
notified in writing of its disposition.
J.
Referrals by Ethics Board.
(1)
Disciplinary action. In the case of a hearing held by the Board, the due process procedural mechanisms shall be substantially similar to those set forth in Article 3 of the State Administrative Procedure Act. The Ethics Board shall conduct and complete the hearing with reasonable promptness, unless, in its discretion, the Ethics Board refers the matter to the authority or person or body authorized by law to impose disciplinary action or unless the Ethics Board refers the matter to the appropriate prosecutor. If such a referral is made, or if a matter is the subject of another governmental inquiry investigation or judicial proceeding, the Ethics Board may adjourn the matter pending a final determination of such matter by the other authority, person, body, or law enforcement agency.
(2)
Law enforcement. The Ethics Board shall refer to the appropriate
law enforcement agency any facts or evidence that come into its possession
that reasonably indicate possible criminal violations.
(3)
Construction as to Ethics Board. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to permit an Ethics Board to take any action with respect
to any alleged violation of this chapter, or of any other law, by
an Ethics Board member or members. Any inquiries and investigations
regarding Ethics Board members shall be conducted under procedures
consistent with the procedures set forth in this chapter.
K.
Advisory opinions.
(1)
Upon the written request of any person, the Ethics Board may render
a written advisory opinion with respect to the interpretation or application
of this chapter.
(2)
Advisory opinions and requests for advisory opinions shall be indexed
and maintained on file by the Ethics Board in the City Attorney's
office.
L.
Public inspection of records; public access to meetings.
(1)
Records of the Ethics Board, including completed financial disclosure
forms, are available for public inspection pursuant to the provisions
of §§ 84 through 90 of the Public Officers Law. With
regard to completed disclosure forms, notice of any request for inspection
will be provided to the City officer or employee. The Ethics Board
shall review any request for redaction of information from disclosure
forms by an individual City Officer or employee, and will authorize
redaction of such information in accordance with the provisions of
the Public Offices Law and applicable precedent. Any decision regarding
the redaction of such material can be appealed to the Freedom of Information
Appeals Officer.
(2)
Meetings of the Ethics Board shall be accessible to the public pursuant
to the provisions of §§ 100 through 111 of the Public
Officers Law.
A.
Void
contracts. Any contract or agreement entered into by or with the City
in which there is an interest prohibited by this chapter shall be
null, void and wholly unenforceable, to the extent provided by § 804
of the General Municipal Law, unless ratified by the Common Council.
Such ratification shall not affect the imposition of any civil penalties
pursuant to this chapter or any other provision of law. Upon determination
by the Board of Ethics that such a violation has occurred, the Board
of Ethics shall have the power, upon consultation with the head of
the department involved, or with the Mayor, to render forfeit and
void the transaction in question.
B.
Civil
penalties. Any City officer or employee who violates any provision
of this chapter, including any reporting individual who knowingly
and willfully fails to file an annual statement of financial disclosure
or who knowingly and willfully with intent to deceive makes a false
statement or gives information which such individual knows to be false
on such statement of financial disclosure filed pursuant to this chapter,
shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
Assessment of a civil penalty hereunder shall be made by the City
Board of Ethics. Assessment of a civil penalty shall be final unless
modified, suspended or vacated within 30 days of imposition and, upon
becoming final, shall be subject to review at the instance of the
affected reporting individual in a proceeding commenced against the
City Board of Ethics pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice
Law and Rules.
C.
Disciplinary
action. Any City officer or employee who violated any provision of
this chapter may be warned or reprimanded or suspended or removed
from office or employment, or be subject to any other sanction authorized
by law or collective bargaining agreement, by the appointing authority
or body authorized by law to impose such sanctions. A warning, reprimand,
suspension, removal or other authorized sanction may be imposed in
addition to any other penalty contained in this section or in any
other provision of law.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely
filing by a present or former municipal officer or employee of any
claim, account, demand or suit against the City of Kingston, or any
agency thereof, on behalf of himself, herself or any member of his
or her family arising out of any personal injury or property damage
or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
The City Clerk of the City of Kingston shall cause a copy of
this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee
of the City within 30 days after the effective date of this chapter.
Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be
furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his office or
employment. Failure to distribute any such copy or failure of any
officer or employee to receive such copy shall have no effect on the
duty of compliance with such code or the enforcement of provisions
thereof.
The annual disclosure form required by § 13-4 of this
chapter shall be in the following format.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure Form is included as an attachment to this chapter.
