Title
Amend Ethics Ordinance and City Code, Create and Provide for the Appointment of Ethics Commission, and Establish Effective Dates (Ordinance G-6274)
Description
This report requests City Council approval to amend Chapter 2, Article II of the Phoenix City Code to add a gift policy, create a City of Phoenix Ethics Commission to investigate allegations of ethical violations and enforce the City's ethics policies, and establish effective dates.
Report
Summary
The proposed ethics ordinance identifies permissible and prohibited gifts for elected officials, employees, board and commission members, and volunteers (Attachment A). It also identifies gifts that are permissible for elected officials and employees, but which must be disclosed on a form submitted to and posted by the City Clerk.
The proposed City of Phoenix Ethics Commission consists of five members recommended by the Phoenix Judicial Selection Advisory Board and approved by seven members of the City Council. The Ethics Commission is authorized to receive allegations of ethical violations, investigate, take testimony, and engage in any other action to the extent permitted and established by law to oversee the investigation and enforcement of the gift policy and conflicts of interest pursuant to Phoenix City Charter Chapter XI, Sec. 1 (Title 38, Article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes) related to elected officials and board and commission members. The proposed ordinance amendment also describes the actions the Ethics Commission may take with respect to alleged ethical violations and the actions the Council may take. In addition, the proposed ordinance establishes effective dates for the ordinance and creation of the Ethics Commission.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was unanimously approved by City Council on Feb. 7, 2017.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Paul Blue and the Law Department.