Source: https://www.sl-lawyers.com/single-post/2017/08/07/Land-Use-and-the-Law-Conflicts-of-Interest
Timestamp: 2020-07-02 21:08:15
Document Index: 167805167

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§105']

This section only addresses a number of Missouri statutes regulating conflicts of interest, §§ 105.450 - 105.498, R.S.Mo. Many cities' codes of ordinances or charters contain a code of ethics or other provisions that provide guidance on when city officials may or should not participate in deliberations or votes on matters in which they have a personal or pecuniary interest. A city's provisions on conflicts of interest may be more stringent than those provided in the Missouri statutes.
A member of a city council or board of aldermen who has a personal or economic interest in any ordinance or other measure proposed or pending before the city is not automatically foreclosed from participating in the discussions or voting on the matter. See § 105.461, R.S.Mo. However, he or she may only participate in the matter after filing a written report on the nature of the interest with the city clerk that is recorded in the minutes of the city council or board of aldermen. § 105.461, R.S.Mo. Whether he or she may participate or vote on the matter depends on the nature and extent of the interest involved, and the specific circumstances of a particular case. One clear rule, however, is that he or she may not participate in discussions or vote on particular zoning regulations or plans that would result in a direct financial gain or loss to him or her. § 105.462(l), R.S.Mo.
Furthermore, whether or not a city official participates or votes on a matter before the city, he or she is free to attempt to influence others about a zoning regulation or plan proposed or pending before the city, provided he or she cannot receive any form of compensation for doing so. § 105.462(2), R.S.Mo.
A member of a board of zoning adjustment, which is a quasi-judicial body, generally cannot participate in a matter before the board if he or she knows that one of the parties is related by family or money. § 105.464, R.S.Mo. When a board member determines he or she should be disqualified, he or she should do so as soon as possible, so as to avoid prejudice to the city or the parties.
The family relationships of a party to a board member that would require that the board member refrain from participating in a case before the board are listed in § 105.464, R.S.Mo. The list is broad, including spouses, former spouses, children, stepchildren, foster children, wards, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, parents, step or foster parents, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. § 105.464(1), R.S.Mo.
There are criminal penalties for knowing violation of §§ 105.450 - 105.498, R.S.Mo. The first offense is a class B misdemeanor. §105.478, R.S.Mo. Second and subsequent offenses are Class D felonies. Id
Mary B. Schultz is a partner in the law firm of Schultz & Associates LLP,
www.sl-lawyers.com, 640 Cepi Dr., Suite A; Chesterfield (St. Louis), Missouri 63005, (636) 537-4645. Mary B. Schultz graduated from Northwestern University Law School more than 30 years ago, in 1985, and has been practicing primarily in Missouri ever since. Mary B. Schultz is admitted to practice in Missouri and Illinois. Schultz & Associates LLP is an affiliate member of the Municipal League of Metropolitan St. Louis.