[Adopted 10-19-2004 by Ord. No. 39-2004]
A. 
The governing body wishes to ensure that the public has the highest trust in its officials, employees and members of its boards, commissions, committees and utilities, and to assure the public that impartiality and independence of judgment is maintained.
B. 
The governing body hopes to prevent the conduct of the Borough's business from being subject to improper influence or even the appearance of improper influence.
C. 
The policy of the Borough of Spring Lake will be to prohibit the Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough employees and members of municipal boards, commissions, committees and utilities from accepting gifts from persons or parties doing business with or having any direct or indirect financial relationship with the Borough of Spring Lake.
A. 
No Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough employee or member of any municipal boards, commissions, committees or utilities shall accept any gift, whether financial, tickets to events, food, entertainment, services or the like, from any person or party doing business with or having any direct or indirect financial relationship with the Borough of Spring Lake.
B. 
For the purpose of this article, any "person or party" means an individual, including the individual's spouse, if any, and any child living at home; person; firm; corporation; professional corporation; partnership; organization or association. The definition of a business entity shall include all principals who own 10% or more of the entity as well as any subsidiaries directly controlled by the business entity.
C. 
In the case of the Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough employee or member of any municipal boards, commissions, committees or utilities there is an exception to this gift ban for in-kind gifts of not more than $100, in the aggregate, per annum. This exception is only for in-kind gifts and does not include cash gifts or donations. This exception does not apply to gifts from any holder of a liquor license or the applicant for a liquor license or renewal of an existing license. This exception does not apply to gifts from any developer or professional who may appear before the Spring Lake Planning Board.