DEPARTMENT: City Auditor
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kevin Barthold, City Auditor
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Update on proposed changes to the Ethics Code and Municipal Campaign Finance Code.
SUMMARY:
The Ethics Review Board (ERB) reviewed both the Ethics Code and the Municipal Finance Code to propose changes to Code provisions aimed at improving and clarifying both Codes. Dr. Adriana Garcia, the Chair of the ERB, will present the current proposed recommendations for Code changes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Over the last two years the ERB has been reviewing the current Ethics Code and Municipal Campaign Finance Code for potential updates. Generally, every 2 to 3 years, the ERB reviews both codes for possible revisions. During this review process, the ERB receives and considers input from the Offices of the City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The members of the ERB also review the codes individually and make suggestions.
During this review process, the Governance Committee also asked the ERB to consider 3 CCRs that were submitted.
The ERB briefed the Governance Committee on September 20, 2017. Based on input provided by the Governance Committee, additional changes were considered and the Council was briefed on all proposed changes at the November 8, 2017 'B' Session. At that meeting, the Council asked the ERB to consider four items for possible recommendations. The four items were:
* Review expanding the disclosure requirements for campaign contributions to add third parties seeking City consent or support for economic development and housing projects;
* Consider requiring occupation and employer disclosures for those making campaign contributions;
* Reconsider the recommendation and consider disclosure of campaign contribution prohibitions from consultants, attorneys, and lobbyist involved in zoning change cases; and
* Evaluate current campaign contribution limits and consider a possible increase to the current limits.
ISS...
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