[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Medina 1-26-1967. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The proper operation of democratic government requires that
public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible
to the people; that public office not be used for personal gain; and
that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government.
In recognition of these requirements, there is hereby established
under the authorization and encouragement of Article 18 of the General
Municipal Law a Code of Ethics for all officials and employees of
the Village of Medina, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid.
The purpose of this code is to establish ethical standards of conduct
for all such officials and employees.
Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose
and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold
the Constitutions of the United States and New York State and to carry
out impartially the laws of the nation, the state and the Village.
Their conduct in both their official and private affairs should be
above reproach.
A.
Certain conflicts of interest and undesirable behavior are as follows:
(1)
Interest in appointments. Canvassing of members of the Board of Trustees,
directly or indirectly, in order to obtain preferential consideration
in connection with any appointment to the Village service shall disqualify
the candidate for appointment, except with deference to positions
filled by appointment by the Village Board.
(2)
Use of public property. No official or employee shall use or permit
the use of Village-owned vehicles, equipment or materials or property
for personal convenience or profit, except when such services are
generally available to the public or are provided as a matter of policy
for the use of such official or employee in the conduct of official
business.
(3)
Obligations to citizens. No official or employee shall grant any
special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond
that which is available to every other citizen.
(4)
Incompatible employment. No Trustee or other official or employee
shall engage in or accept private employment or render services for
private interests when such employment or service is incompatible
with the proper discharge of his official duties or would impair his
independence of judgment or action in the performance of his official
duties.
(5)
Disclosure of confidential information. No Trustee or other official
or employee shall, without proper authorization, disclose what is
considered to be confidential information concerning the property,
government or affairs of the Village, nor shall be use such information
to advance the financial or other private interest of himself or others.
(6)
Gifts and favors. No Trustee or other official or employee shall
accept any gift, favor or thing of value that may influence him in
the discharge of his duties, nor shall be grant, in the discharge
of his duties, any improper favor, service or thing of value.
(7)
Disclosure of interest in legislation. A Trustee who has a financial
or other private interest in any legislation or motion before the
Village Board shall disclose, for public record, the nature and extent
of such interest. This provision shall not apply if said Trustee disqualifies
himself from voting.
(8)
Political activity. No appointive official or employee shall use
his position on behalf of any political party. Such appointed officials
and employees shall not use their positions to take an active part
in political campaigns or solicitations for candidates. This prohibition
shall not apply to officials or employees appointed by the Village
Board.
[Amended 9-25-1990 by L.L. No. 8-1990]
B.
Other conflicts of interest and examples of undesirable behavior
are assumed to exist and are not enumerated in this chapter.
When a Trustee or other official or employee has doubt as to
the applicability of a provision of this Code of Ethics, he shall
apply for an advisory opinion to his ultimate appointing authority,
except in the case of a Trustee, who shall make application to the
entire Village Board, and shall be guided by that opinion when given.
Violation of any provisions of this Code should raise conscientious
questions for the Trustee or other official or employee concerned
as to whether voluntary resignation or other action is needed to promote
the best interest of the Village. Violation by appointed officials
and employees constitutes a cause for suspension, removal from office
or employment or other disciplinary action.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a Code of Ethics
for public officials and employees, both elected and appointed, of
the Village of Medina.
