[Adopted 12-9-2015, approved 12-10-2015]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The City of Mount Vernon.
All departments, boards, committees, commissions or bureaus
of the City, but not including the judicial officers of the courts
of the City.
Includes all persons employed by the City full-time or part-time,
including temporary, provisional, classified and unclassified employees.
Includes all persons elected or appointed to any office of
the City of Mount Vernon established or authorized to be established
by the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon or otherwise by local law,
resolution or ordinance, persons performing services under contract
with the City, and members of City boards, agencies, bureaus, committees,
or commissions who serve with or without pay, but shall not include
Commissioners of Deeds, volunteer firemen or civil defense volunteers.
Includes the parent, spouse, domestic partner, siblings,
children, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, grandparent, grandchild, and
first cousin of a City employee or officer.
This definition also applies whether the relationship is
by blood, adoption, or created by marriage.
Includes agency, bureau, committee, or commission.
A.Â
As the Code of Ethics prohibits City employees from attempting to
use their positions or influence to obtain financial gain, privilege,
or personal advantage for themselves or for people or firms with whom
they are related or intimately associated, it is the policy of the
City to prevent not only actual conflicts of interests, but to dispel
the appearance of impropriety and nepotism of any sort in all City
contracts, including employment contracts.
B.Â
In order to maintain order and avoid workplace violence, disruption,
and conflict, employees should not influence the hiring of close relatives
or relations and other family members.
C.Â
Prohibited employment: Hiring a close relative of a City employee
or officer within the same department and/or within the same chain
of authority shall be prohibited.
E.Â
This policy shall not apply to employees whose hiring precedes the
election and candidacy of a close relative to a City office.
F.Â
This policy shall not apply to the service of paid-on-call firemen,
auxiliary police officers, any volunteer positions within the City,
or any employee candidates whose employment falls within the jurisdiction
of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
G.Â
This nepotism policy shall be subject to all anti-discrimination
requirements and affirmative action obligations as may be applicable
to the City under federal or state laws or regulations, or with respect
to particular projects. Similarly, this nepotism policy is subject
to all federal and state laws, including civil service laws.
H.Â
This policy shall take effect immediately.
