Section 2.490 Prohibited campaign contributions by lobbyists on real estate
Sec. 2-490. Prohibited campaign contributions by lobbyists on real estate development issues.
(1) No lobbyist on a pending application for a development agreement with the city, or application for
change of zoning map designation or change to the city's future land use map shall solicit for or give a
campaign contribution directly or indirectly to a candidate, or to the campaign committee of a candidate, for the
offices of mayor or commissioner.
(a) Commencing on the effective date of this ordinance, all applications for development agreements and
for changes in zoning map designation or future land use map changes, shall incorporate this section so as to
notify affected lobbyists of the proscription embodied herein.
(b) No candidate, or campaign committee of a candidate for the offices of mayor or commissioner, shall
deposit into such candidate's campaign account any campaign contribution directly or indirectly from a lobbyist
subject to the provisions of this section. Candidates (or those acting on their behalf) shall ensure compliance
with this code section by confirming with the city clerk's and planning department's records to verify the lobbyist
status of any potential donor.
(2) (a) A person other than a lobbyist on a real estate development issue as set forth in subsection (1)
above, who directly or indirectly solicits for or makes a contribution to a candidate who is elected to the office of
mayor or commissioner shall be disqualified for a period of 12 months following the swearing in of the subject
elected official from lobbying the city commission in connection with a present development agreement, in
connection with a development agreement that is currently being negotiated, or in connection with a present or
pending application with the city for a change of zoning map designation or a change to the city's future land
use map.
(b) A lobbyist on a real estate development issue as set forth in subsection (1) above, who directly or
indirectly makes a contribution to a candidate who is elected to the office of mayor or commissioner shall be
disqualified from lobbying the city commission in connection with a present development agreement, in
connection with a development agreement that is currently being negotiated, or in connection with a present or
pending application with the city for a change of zoning map designation or a change to the city's future land
use map for a period of 12 months from a final finding of violation.
(3) A fine of up to $500.00 shall be imposed on every person who violates this section. Each act of
soliciting, giving or depositing a contribution in violation of this section shall constitute a separate violation. All
contributions received by a candidate in violation of this section shall be forfeited to the city's general revenue
fund.
(4) The term "contribution" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in F.S. ch. 106, as amended and
supplemented.
(5) The term "development agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in F.S. ch 163, as
amended and supplemented.
(6) The term "lobbyist" as used herein shall exclude any person who only appears as a representative of a
nonprofit corporation or entity, without special compensation or reimbursement for the appearance, whether
direct or indirect, to express his/her support of or opposition to the subject item.
(Ord. No. 2003-3395, S 1, 3-5-03; Ord. No. 2005-3486, S 4, 6-8-05)