[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Pittsford 8-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Officers and employees — See Ch. 28.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch.
21, Ethics, Code of, adopted 3-14-1989 as Ch. 13 of the 1989 Code.
Officers and employees of the Village of Pittsford hold their
positions to serve and benefit the public and not for obtaining unwarranted
personal or private gain in the exercise and performance of their
official powers and duties. The Village of Pittsford recognizes that,
in furtherance of this fundamental principle, there is a need for
clear and reasonable standards of ethical conduct. This Code of Ethics
establishes those standards.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Village Board and any municipal administrative board
(e.g., Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Architectural
and Preservation Review Board), commission or other agency or body.
This Code of Ethics.
A direct or indirect financial or material benefit, but does
not include any benefit arising from the provision or receipt of any
services generally available to the residents or taxpayers of the
municipality or an area of the municipality, or a lawful class of
such residents or taxpayers. A municipal officer or employee is deemed
to have an interest in any private organization when he or she, his
or her spouse or a member of his or her household is an owner, partner,
member, director, officer or employee or directly or indirectly owns
or controls more than 5% of the organization, outstanding stock.
The Village of Pittsford. The word "municipal" refers to
the municipality.
A paid or unpaid officer or employee of the Village of Pittsford,
including, but not limited to, the members of any municipal board,
all employees, all staff, all elected officials, all appointed officials
and all consultants.
[Amended 12-8-2015 by L.L. No. 18-2015]
A spouse, domestic partner, parent, stepparent, sibling,
stepsibling, stepsibling's spouse, child, stepchild, uncle, aunt,
nephew, niece, first cousin or household member of municipal officer
or employee and individuals having any of these relationships to the
spouse of the officer or employee.
This Code of Ethics applies to the officers and employees of the Village of Pittsford and shall supersede any prior municipal Code of Ethics. The provisions of this Code of Ethics shall apply in addition to all applicable state and local laws relating to conflicts of interest and ethics, including, but not limited to, Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and all rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Village of Pittsford.
No municipal officer or employee shall use his or her municipal
position or official powers and to secure a financial or material
benefit for himself or herself, a relative or any private organization
in which he or she is deemed to have an interest.
A.
Whenever a matter requiring the exercise of discretion comes before
a municipal officer or employee, either individually or as a member
of a board, and disposition of the matter could result in a direct
or indirect financial or material benefit to himself or herself, a
relative or any private organization in which he or she is deemed
to have an interest, the municipal officer or employee shall disclose,
in writing, the nature of the interest.
B.
The disclosure shall be made when the matter requiring disclosure
first comes before the municipal officer or employee or when the municipal
officer or employee first acquires knowledge of the interest requiring
disclosure, whichever is earlier.
C.
In the case of a person serving in an elective office, the disclosure
shall be filed with the Village Board. In all other cases, the disclosure
shall be filed with the person's supervisor, or, if the person
does not have a supervisor, the disclosure shall be filed with the
municipal officer, employee or board having the power to appoint to
the person's position. In addition, in the case of a person serving
on a municipal board, a copy of the disclosure shall be filed with
the board. Any disclosure made to a board shall be made publicly at
a meeting of the board and must be included in the minutes of the
meeting.
D.
At the beginning of all meetings of the Village Board of Trustees, the Village Planning Board, the Village Zoning Board of Appeals, the Village Architectural Preservation and Review Board, and any other board exercising discretionary authority that currently exists or may in the future be created, all members shall disclose any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest with respect to any matter before the board at such meeting. The first order of business of all such boards shall be for disclosure of conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest. This disclosure requirement includes, but is not limited to, prohibited conflicts of interest set forth in Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, Chapter 21 of the Village of Pittsford Code, circumstances where there is a potential appearance of impropriety, and other conflicts of interest as set forth at common law. This requirement does not obviate any written or other disclosure requirements set forth in Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and Chapter 21 of the Village of Pittsford Code.
[Added 11-13-2014 by L.L. No. 15-2014]
An officer or employee of the Village of Pittsford shall treat
all members of the public, whether a person, firm, or corporation,
or other organization, and other Village officers and employees, with
respect and in a professional manner, with equal consideration and
without special advantage in carrying out his or her official duties.
A.
No municipal officer or employee may participate in any decision
or take any official action with respect to any matter requiring the
exercise of discretion including discussing the matter and voting
on it, when he or she knows or has reason to know that the action
could confer a direct or indirect financial or material benefit on
himself or herself, a relative or any private organization in which
he or she is deemed to have an interest. For the purpose of this chapter,
an appearance of conflict of interest and an actual conflict of interest
shall be deemed the same.
B.
In the event that a municipal officer or employee has a relationship
with a person not identified in the preceding paragraph, the nature
of which relationship would appear to present a conflict of interest
for any action identified in the preceding paragraph, then such officer
or employee shall recuse him/herself from such action.
C.
Municipal officers and employees are responsible to report to their
supervisor, board chair, or fellow board members when a situation
arises that is or may appear to be a conflict of interest.
D.
In the event that this section prohibits a municipal officer or employee
from exercising or performing a power or duty:
(1)
If power or duty is vested in a municipal officer as a member of
a board, then the power or duty shall be exercised or performed by
the other members of the board;
(2)
If the power or duty is vested in a municipal officer individually,
then the power or duty shall be exercised or performed by his or her
deputy, or if the officer does not have a deputy, the power or duty
shall be performed by another person to whom the officer's function
is or has been legally delegated; or
(3)
If the power or duty is vested in a municipal employee, he or she
must refer the matter to his or her immediate supervisor, and the
immediate supervisor shall designate another person to exercise or
perform the power or duty.
This code's prohibition on use of a municipal position (§ 21-4), disclosure requirements (§ 21- 5) and requirements relating to recusal and abstention (§ 21-7) shall not apply with respect to the following matters:
A.
No municipal officer or employee may acquire the following investments:
(1)
Investments that can be reasonably expected to require more than sporadic recusal and abstention under § 21-7 of this code;
(2)
Investments that would otherwise impair the person's independence
of judgment in the exercise or performance of his or her official
powers and duties; or
(3)
Investments from any Village of Pittsford auction if the employee
or officer is in the position to negotiate, prepare, authorize or
approve the contract for the sale upon which he or she is bidding.
No municipal officer or employee, during his or her tenure as
a municipal officer or employee, may engage in any private employment,
including the rendition of any business, commercial, professional
or other types of services, when the employment:
A.
Can be reasonably expected to require more than sporadic recusal and abstention pursuant to § 21-7 of this code;
B.
Can be reasonably expected to require disclosure or use of confidential
information gained by reason of serving as a municipal officer or
employee;
C.
Violates § 805-a(1)(d) of the General Municipal Law; or
D.
Requires representation of a person or organization other than the
municipality in connection with litigation, or any other matters to
which the municipality is a party.
A.
No municipal officer or employee may ask for, pursue or accept a
private post-government employment opportunity with any person or
organization that has a matter requiring the exercise of discretion
pending before the municipal officer or employee, either individually
or as a member of a board, while the matter is pending or within the
90 days following final disposition of the matter.
B.
No municipal officer or employee, for the one-year period after serving
as a municipal officer or employee, may represent or render services
to a private person or organization in connection with any matter
involving the exercise of discretion before the municipal office,
board, department or comparable organizational unit for which he or
she serves.
C.
No municipal officer or employee at any time after serving as a municipal
officer or employee, may represent or render services to a private
person or organization in connection with any particular transaction
in which he or she personally and substantially participated while
serving as a municipal officer or employee.
This code shall not be construed as prohibiting a municipal
officer or employee from:
A.
Municipal resources shall be used for lawful municipal purposes.
Municipal resources include, but are not limited to, municipal personnel
and the municipality's money, vehicles, equipment, materials,
supplies or other property.
B.
No municipal officer or employee may use or permit the use of municipal
resources for personal or private purposes, but this provision shall
not be construed as prohibiting:
(1)
Any use of municipal resources authorized by law or municipal policy;
(2)
The use of municipal resources for personal or private purposes when
provided to a municipal officer or employee as part of his or her
compensation; or
(3)
The occasional and incidental use during the business day of municipal
telephones and computers for necessary personal matters such as family
care and changes in work schedule.
C.
No municipal officer or employee shall cause the municipality to
spend more than is reasonably necessary for transportation, meals
or lodging in connection with official travel.
A.
No municipal officer or employee may have an interest in a contract
that is prohibited by § 801 of the General Municipal Law.
B.
Every municipal officer and employee shall disclose interests in
contracts with the municipality at the time and in the manner required
by § 803 of the General Municipal Law.
Except as otherwise required by law:
A.
No municipal officer or employee, either individually or as a member
of a board, may participate in any decision specifically to appoint,
hire, promote, discipline or discharge a relative for any position
at, for or within the municipality or a municipal board.
B.
No municipal officer or employee may supervise a relative in the
performance of the relative's official powers or duties.
A.
No municipal officer or employee shall directly or indirectly compel
or induce a subordinate municipal officer or employee to make, or
promise to make, any political contribution, whether by gift of money,
service or other thing of value.
B.
No municipal officer or employee may act or decline to act in relation
to appointing, hiring, promoting, discharging or disciplining, or
in any manner changing the official rank, status or compensation of,
any municipal officer or employee, or an applicant for a position
as a municipal officer or employee, on the basis of the giving or
withholding or neglecting to make any contribution of money or service
or any other valuable thing for any political purpose.
C.
No employee shall engage in political campaign activities during
his or her official Village of Pittsford workday.
No municipal officer or employee who acquires confidential information
in the course of exercising or performing his or her official powers
or duties may disclose or use such information unless the disclosure
or use is required by law or in the course of exercising or performing
his or her official powers and duties.
A.
No municipal officer or employee shall solicit, accept or receive
a gift in violation of § 805-a (1)(a) of the General Municipal
Law as interpreted in this section.
B.
No municipal officer or employee may directly or indirectly solicit
any gift.
C.
No municipal officer or employee may accept or receive any gift,
or multiple gifts, from the same donor, having an annual aggregate
value of $75 or more when:
(1)
The gift reasonably appears to be intended to influence the officer
or employee in the exercise or performance of his or her official
powers or duties;
(2)
The gift could reasonably be expected to influence the officer or
employee in the exercise or performance of his or her official powers
or duties; or
(3)
The gift is intended as a reward for any official action on the part
of the officer or employee.
D.
For purposes of this section, a gift includes anything of value,
whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment,
hospitality, thing or promise, or in any other form. The value of
a gift is the gift's fair market value, determined by the retail
cost of the item or a comparable item. The fair market value of a
ticket entitling the holder to food, refreshments, entertainment or
any other benefit is the face value of the ticket, or the actual cost
to the donor, whichever is greater. Determination of whether multiple
gifts from a single donor exceed $75 must be made by adding together
the value of all gifts received from the donor by an officer or employee
during the twelve-month period preceding the receipt of the most recent
gift.
E.
Gifts intended to influence or reward.
(1)
A gift to a municipal officer or employee is presumed to be intended
to influence the exercise or performance of his or her official powers
or duties when the gift is from a private person or organization that
seeks municipal action involving the exercise of discretion by or
with the participation of the officer or employee.
(2)
A gift to a municipal officer or employee is presumed to be intended
as a reward for official action when the gift is from a private person
or organization that has obtained municipal action involving the exercise
of discretion by or with the participation of the officer or employee
during the preceding 12 months.
F.
This section does not prohibit any other gift, including:
(1)
Gifts made to the municipality;
(2)
Gifts from a person with a family or personal relationship with the
officer or employee when the circumstances make it clear that the
personal relationship, rather than the recipient's status as
a municipal officer or employee, is the primary motivating factor
for the gift;
(3)
Gifts given on special occasions, such as marriage, illness or retirement,
which are modest, reasonable and customary;
(4)
Unsolicited advertising or promotional material of little intrinsic
value, such as pens, pencils, note pads and calendars;
(5)
Awards and plaques having a value of $75 or less which are publicly
presented in recognition of service as a municipal officer or employee
or other service to the community; or
(6)
Meals and refreshments provided when a municipal officer or employee
is a speaker or participant at a job-related professional or educational
conference or program and the meals and refreshments are made available
to all participants.
A.
Membership.
(1)
The Board of Ethics shall consist of three members appointed by a
majority of the Village Board.
(2)
There shall be three members of the Ethics Board appointed by the
Mayor subject to Village Board approval serving as required to address
current ethical issues addressed by this chapter.
(3)
Removal of members. The Village Board shall have the power to remove,
after public hearing, any member of the Board for cause.
B.
Qualification of Board Members.
(1)
All members of the Board of Ethics must be residents of the Village
of Pittsford.
(2)
The members of the Board of Ethics should be qualified by temperament
and experience to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the
Board.
(3)
Not more than two members of the Board of Ethics may be members of
the same political party.
(4)
No current officer or employee of the Village of Pittsford is eligible
to serve on the Board of Ethics.
C.
Compensation. Members of the Board of Ethics shall serve without
compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses,
as approved by the Village Board.
D.
Powers and duties of the Board of Ethics.
(1)
The Board of Ethics shall select its own Chairperson from within
the Board.
(2)
To prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing its own
internal organization and procedures in a manner not inconsistent
with this chapter or state or federal law.
(6)
To provide ethics training and education to Village officers and employees on the provisions of the Village Ethics Law and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
(7)
The Ethics Board of the Village of Pittsford may act only with respect
to officers and employees of the municipality and persons having business
dealing with the municipality. The termination of a Village officer's
or employee's term of office or employment with the Village shall
not affect the jurisdiction of the Village Ethics Board with respect
to requirements imposed by this chapter on former Village officers
or employees to the extent permitted by law.
(8)
The Village Ethics Board may refer any matter within its jurisdiction
to the County Ethics Board in its discretion.
(9)
A member of the Board of Ethics may be removed from office by a majority
vote of the Village Board for failure to fulfill the duties of the
office or for violation of this chapter. The Village Board must give
the Ethics Board member written notice and an opportunity to reply.
(10)
The Village Ethics Board may be convened by the Board of Trustees
at any time to address the ethical issues described in this chapter.
(11)
If convened by the Board of Trustees for that purpose, the Ethics
Board must prepare an annual report to the Village Board on its activities
and may recommend changes to the Village Ethics Law.
A.
Upon receipt of a form duly sworn by the person requesting an investigation
of an alleged violation of this chapter or upon the Board of Trustees
determining on its own initiative that a violation of this chapter
may exist, the Ethics Board, if convened by the Board of Trustees,
shall have the power and duty to conduct any investigation necessary
to carry out the provisions of this chapter. In conducting any such
investigation, the Board may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena
witnesses and compel their attendance and require the production of
any books or records which it may or deem relevant or material. The
form to be utilized in requesting an investigation of an alleged violation
of this chapter shall be the form available in the office of the Village
Clerk and on the Village website.
B.
In the event that the Board of Trustees does not convene the Village
Ethics Board, such form shall be referred to the Monroe County Board
of Ethics for its review and action.
C.
Any Village Ethics Board investigation shall be confidential until
such time that a final determination of the Village Ethics Board has
been made. Thereafter, the Village Ethics Board shall state, in writing,
its disposition of every sworn complaint it receives and of every
investigation it conducts and shall set forth the reasons for the
disposition to the Village Board. Any findings of violations of this
chapter or other applicable law shall be served upon the subject of
the investigation within seven days of such service of any findings
of violations of this chapter, and violations shall be made a public
record and shall be indexed and maintained on file by the Village
Clerk.
A.
In its discretion, if so convened by the Board of Trustees, and after a hearing in accordance with Article 3 of the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA), and subject to § 75 of the Civil Service Law and any collective bargaining agreements, to the extent practicable, the Village Ethics Board may recommend for action by the Board of Trustees appropriate disciplinary action which may include a written warning, or reprimand forfeiture of accrued leave with pay, required attendance at ethics training seminars, suspension or termination of employment to the authority or person or body authorized by law to impose such sanctions.
B.
The Village Ethics Board shall conduct and complete the hearing with
reasonable promptness and shall not act without notice and opportunity
to be heard and shall observe appropriate due process.
A.
If so convened by the Board of Trustees, the Board of Ethics shall render confidential advisory opinions only to officers and employees of the Village of Pittsford with respect to Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and this Code of Ethics. Officers and employees of the municipality are encouraged to seek advisory opinions whenever they are uncertain whether their conduct may violate the Code of Ethics.
B.
The Board of Ethics will prepare an advisory opinion based on a thorough
review of the facts and applicable law. The Board's opinion is
to be based solely on the facts presented in the request or subsequently
submitted in a written, signed document. The opinion will be rendered,
in writing, to the requester as expeditiously as is practicable, with
special attention to the time requirements of a given case.
C.
An officer or employee of the municipality whose conduct or action
is the subject of an advisory opinion will not be subject to penalties
or sanctions by virtue of acting, or failing to act, due to a reasonable
reliance on the opinion, unless material facts were omitted or misstated
in the material submitted by the requester.
D.
The Board of Ethics will maintain a confidential, indexed file of
all advisory opinions issued by the Board.
A.
The Mayor must promptly cause a copy of this code, including any
amendments to the code, to be distributed to every person who is or
becomes an officer or employee of the Village of Pittsford.
B.
Every municipal officer or employee who receives a copy of this code,
or an amendment to the code, must acknowledge such receipt in writing.
Such acknowledgment must be filed with the Village Clerk who must
maintain such acknowledgment as a public record.
C.
The failure of a municipal officer or employee to receive a copy
of this Code of Ethics, or an amendment to the code, or to acknowledge
receipt thereof in writing, does not affect either the applicability
or enforceability of the code or amendment to the code.
Any municipal officer or employee who violates this code may
be censured, fined, suspended or removed from office or employment
in the manner provided by law.