Source: https://ecode360.com/8472521
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 16:02:33+00:00

Document:
§ 36-4 Prohibition on use of municipal position for personal or private gain.
§ 36-5 Disclosure of interest in legislation and other matters.
§ 36-6 Treatment of public.
§ 36-7 Recusal and abstention.
§ 36-9 Investments in conflict with official duties.
§ 36-10 Private employment in conflict with official duties.
§ 36-12 Personal representations and claims permitted.
§ 36-13 Use of municipal resources.
§ 36-14 Interests in contracts.
§ 36-16 Political solicitations and campaign activities.
§ 36-19 Board of Ethics.
§ 36-20 Complaints and investigations.
§ 36-22 Ethics advisory opinions.
§ 36-23 Posting and distribution of code.
§ 36-24 Penalties for offenses.
Officers and employees — See Ch. 52.
Officers and employees of the City of Cohoes 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 City of Cohoes 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.
The Common Council and any municipal administrative board (e.g., Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals), commission or other agency or body comprised of two or more municipal officers or employees.
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 City of Cohoes. The word "municipal" refers to the municipality.
A paid or unpaid officer or employee of the City of Cohoes, including, but not limited to, the members of any municipal board.
A spouse, domestic partner, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, step-sibling's spouse, child, step-child, 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 City of Cohoes 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 City of Cohoes.
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.
In the case of a person serving in an elective office, the disclosure shall be filed with the Common Council of the municipality. 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.
An officer or employee of the City of Cohoes shall treat all members of the public, whether a person, firm or corporation or other organization, with respect and in a professional manner, with equal consideration and without special advantage in carrying out his or her official duties.
Which comes before a board when a majority of the board's total membership would otherwise be prohibited from acting by § 36-7 of this code.
Which comes before a municipal officer when the officer would be prohibited from acting by § 36-7 of this code and the matter cannot be lawfully delegated to another person.
Investments from any City of Cohoes 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 employee shall engage in political campaign activities during his or her official City of Cohoes workday.
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.
The Board of Ethics shall consist of three members appointed by a super majority of the Common Council. One alternate may be appointed by a super majority of the Common Council to serve in the absence of another member.
There shall be three members of the Ethics Board initially serving one three-year term, one two-year term and one one-year term. The alternate member shall serve for one three-year term. Subsequently, each member shall be appointed for a three-year term or until such time as a successor is appointed.
Vacancy in office. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, the Common Council shall appoint the new member for the unexpired term.
Removal of members. The Common Council shall have the power to remove, after public hearing, any member of the Board for cause.
No member of the Board of Ethics may hold office in a partisan political party or hold elective office in the City of Cohoes. A Board member may make campaign contributions and vote, but not otherwise participate in any City of Cohoes election campaign.
No current officer or employee of the City of Cohoes is eligible to serve on the Board of Ethics.
Compensation. Members of the Board of Ethics shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, as approved by the Common Council.
The Board of Ethics shall hold an organizational meeting in January of each year. At such organizational meeting, the Board shall select its own Chairperson from within the Board for a one-year term and appoint such staff as necessary to carry out its duties under this chapter. The Board may delegate authority to the Chairperson to act in the name of the Board between meetings of the Board, provided that the delegation is in writing and the specific powers to be delegated are enumerated, and further provided that the Board may not delegate the power to conduct hearings, determine violations, recommend disciplinary action, impose civil fines, refer any matter to a prosecutor or render advisory opinions, except as stated in § 36-19D(9).
To conduct investigations pursuant to § 36-20.
To conduct hearings, recommend disciplinary action and initiate appropriate actions and proceedings pursuant to §§ 36-18 and 36-19.
To issue advisory opinions pursuant to § 36-22.
To provide ethics training and education to City officers and employees on the provisions of the City Ethics Law and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
The Ethics Board of the City of Cohoes may act only with respect to officers and employees of the municipality and persons having business dealing with the municipality. The termination of a City officer's or employee's term of office or employment with the City shall not affect the jurisdiction of the City Ethics Board with respect to requirements imposed by this chapter on former City officers or employees to the extent permitted by law.
The City Ethics Board may refer any matter within its jurisdiction to the County Ethics Board in its discretion.
A member of the Board of Ethics may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Common Council for failure to fulfill the duties of the office or for violation of this chapter. The Common Council must give the Board member written notice and an opportunity to reply.
The Ethics Board must prepare an annual report to the Common Council on its activities and recommend changes to the City Ethics Law.
To hold meetings in City Hall in order to carry out its power and duties. Such meetings shall be subject to the requirements of the New York State Open Meetings Law (New York State Public Officers Law Article 7).
Upon receipt of a form duly sworn by the person requesting an investigation of an alleged violation of this chapter or upon the Board determining on its own initiative that a violation of this chapter may exist, the Ethics Board shall have the power and duty to conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and issue a final determination. 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 City Clerk and on the City website.
The City 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 Common Council. Any findings of violations of this chapter or other applicable law shall be served upon the subject of the investigation within seven days after such findings become final. All written dispositions finding a violation of this chapter shall be made a public record and shall be indexed and maintained by the City Clerk.
All proceedings of the City Ethics Board shall be confidential, except where disclosure is required by law, including but not limited to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (New York State Public Officers Law Article 6).
In its discretion 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 City Ethics Board may recommend for action 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.
The City 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.
The Board of Ethics shall render advisory opinions only to officers and employees of the City of Cohoes 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.
The Board of Ethics will maintain an indexed file of all advisory opinions issued by the Board.
Such advisory opinions and the documents upon which such advisory opinions are based shall be confidential, except where disclosure is required by law, including but not limited to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (New York State Public Officers Law Article 6).
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 City of Cohoes.

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