The following activities shall be prohibited in the operation
of the city government:
A.
Discrimination. No person shall be favored or discriminated against
in employment by the city in any capacity, appointment to any board,
commission or agency or removal therefrom because of race, sex, age,
political or religious opinions or affiliations.
B.
Improper gifts. No person who seeks appointment to any city office,
board, commission or agency shall, directly or indirectly, give or
pay any money, service or other consideration to any person in connection
with such appointment.
C.
Gifts to the city. No gift of real estate or any interest in real
estate to the city may be accepted without specific approval of Council.
The following shall constitute a conflict of interest and be
prohibited and punishable as provided herein:
A.
Improper advantage. No elected or appointed official of city government
shall:
(1)
Engage in any activity or take any action by virtue of the elected
or appointed position from which activity or action the official or
any other person or entity in whose welfare the official is interested
shall benefit or realize a gain or advantage. Such benefit, gain or
advantage shall not be construed to be prohibited if the action in
question is in behalf of a group of citizens of the city and such
benefit and relationship is generally known and acknowledged.
(2)
Solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, favor, service,
commission or other compensation or consideration that might reasonably
tend to influence that official in the discharge of the duties of
the office.
(3)
Seek to influence, directly or indirectly, the awarding of any contract
where such official or other person or entity in whose welfare the
official is interested would benefit directly, financially or otherwise,
from said contract. Such action is not intended to apply to actions
of a Council member on behalf of a group or class of citizens of the
city who would benefit from the contract and such benefit is generally
known and acknowledged.
B.
Disqualification from action. Any elected or appointed official of
the city or employee thereof, having any direct or indirect financial
interest with any person or other entity proposing to contract with
the city for the purchase or sale of land, materials, supplies or
services of any kind, whether that interest be as an employee, a party,
a partner or a stockholder, shall fully disclose such interest and,
except where stockholdings in a public corporation shall be minimal,
shall not participate in the discussion of said contract or vote on
the same. Violation of this section shall render the contract voidable.
Any person who violates §§ 2-701 and 2-702 of this Article shall not be qualified to hold appointed office or employment in the city government and, upon conviction, may be subject to such fine as may be provided by the Council or by general law. Willful violation of the provisions of §§ 2-701 and 2-702 of this Article shall constitute malfeasance in office, which, except as otherwise may be provided by general law, shall be a summary offense punishable by the maximum fine and/or imprisonment established by general law. Conviction shall result in forfeiture of office or termination of employment, and any person so convicted shall thereafter be ineligible to hold office or be employed in the city government.
