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Ordinance 1896ORDINANCE NO. 1896 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF "THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA", BY REPEALING THE EXISTING ARTICLE III THEREOF AND ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE III SETTING FORTH AND PROMULGATING STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: SECTION 1. That Article III of Chapter 2 of "The Code of the City of Miami Beach, Florida", entitled "Conflicts of Interest", be and the same is hereby repealed, and that a new Article III, to be entitled "Standards of Conduct for City Officers and Employees", be and the same is hereby adopted in lieu of said repealed Article III. SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City Council of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, that no officer or employee of the City, or any of its agencies or subdivisions, and no member of the City Council, shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business transaction, or professional activity, or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest. To implement such policy and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of the City in their government, there is herein enacted a Code of Ethics, setting forth standards of conduct to be observed by all City officers and employees in the performance of their official duties. It is the intent of the Council that this Code shall serve not only as a guide for official conduct of public servants in this City, but also as a basis for discipline of those who violate the provisions of this Ordinance. SECTION 3. Standards of Conduct for Officers and Employees of the City of Miami Beach. (1) No officer or employee of the City shall accept any gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend improperly to influence him in the discharge of his official duties. (2) If an officer or employee of the City is an officer, director, agent, or member of, or owns a controlling interest in any corporation, firm, partnership, or other business entity which is subject to the regulation of, or which has substantial business com- mitments from the City, he shall file a sworn statement disclosing such interest with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dade County. "Con- trolling interest" means ownership, directly or indirectly, of ten per cent or more of the outstanding capital stock in any corporation or a direct or indirect interest of ten per cent or more in a firm, partner- ship, or other business entity. (3) No officer or employee of the City shall use, or attempt to use, his official position to secure special privileges or exemptions for himself or others, except as may be otherwise provided by law. (4) No officer or employee of the City shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which he might reasonably expect would require or induce him to disclose confidential information acquired by him, by reason of his official position. -1- scanned OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY - 1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE - MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 (5) No officer or employee of the City shall disclose confidential information gained by reason of his official position, nor shall he otherwise use such information for his personal gain or benefit. (6) No officer or employee of the City shall accept other employment which might impair his independence of judgment in the performance of his public duties. (7) No officer or employee of the City shall receive any compensation for his services from any source other than the City of which he is an employee, except as otherwise provided by law. SECTION 4. Additional Standards of Conduct for Officers and Employed -sof the City. (1) No officer or employee of the City shall transact any business in his official capacity with any business entity of which he is an officer, director, agent or member, or in which he owns a controlling interest. (2) No officer or employee of the City shall have personal investments in any enterprise which will create a substantial conflict between his private interests and the public interest. SECTION 5. Representative Appearances Prohibited for One Year. No person who has served upon any City Advisory Board or Commission; the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Pension Board, or the Personnel Board, may appear, in a representative capacity, before such Board or Commission of which he has been a member, for a period of one (1) year following the cessation of his membership thereon. SECTION 6. Advisory Opinions by Attorney -General. When any officer or employee of the City is in doubt as to the application of this ordinance as to himself, he may submit to the Attorney -General a full written statement of the facts and questions he has. The Attorney -General may then render an opinion to such person, and shall publish these opinions without use of the name of the person advised, unless such person requests the use of his name. SECTION 7. Construction. It is not the intent of this ordinance, nor shall it be construed, to prevent any officer or employee of the City from accenting other employment or following any pursuit which does not interfere with the full and faithful discharge by such officer or employee of his duties to the City. SECTION 8. Violations. Violation of any provision of this ordinance shall constitute grounds for dismissal from employment, or removal from office, or other penalty as provided by law. -2- OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY - 1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE - MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 • SECTION 9. Procedures on Complaints of Violation. VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE: (1) Any contract, agreement, or business engagement entered into, in violation of this Ordinance, shall render the transaction void where so provided in the Charter, otherwise, same shall be voidable. Willful violations of this Section shall constitute a malfeasance in office, whether elected or appointed, and shall effect forfeiture of such office or position pursuant to the method set forth in this Ordinance. CHARGES AND HEARINGS: (2) Any classified employee of the City of Miami Beach accused of a violation of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be removed as such employee by his appointing officer if, after investigation by such appointing officer, such accusation appears to be true. Written charges shall be pre- ferred against such employee, as provided for by the Personnel Rules of the City of Miami Beach. In the event of an alleged violation of this Ordinance by an officer or official or appointed member of Commission or Agency or employee other than a classified employee, then full written specifications of the alleged violation shall be sworn to by the person making such charges, and duly submitted to the City Council. The City Council shall determine if there exists a prima facie and bona fide alleged violation of this Ordinance by a majority vote of the Council (except that if the alleged violation touches or concerns a member of the Council) such member shall be dis- qualified from participating in such determination, and the vote required shall be 5/6 of the remaining members of the Council. If such charges appear to constitute a violation of the Ordinance by such vote of the Council, then the written specifications constituting such alleged violation shall be served upon the person so charged, and the Council shall set a public hearing not less than 15 days thereafter for a determination of the validity of such charges. If, upon competent evidence presented to the Council at such hearing, the charges are substantiated, and it appears that this Ordinance has been violated, the Council, by a majority vote of all its members, except where the person charged is a member of the Council, in which case the vote required shall be 5/6 of the remaining members of the Council, shall remove the person charged from his office and responsibilities as an officer, official, or member of a Board, Commission, or Agency of the City. SECTION 10. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. SECTION 11. This ordinance shall go into effect immediately upon its passage and posting as required by law. PASSED and ADOPTED this 6th day of Attest: ity Clerk -Finance 1st reading - 2nd reading - 3rd reading - POSTED - Director July 21, 1971 July 21, 1971 October 6, 1971 October 12, 1971 -3 - October OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY - 1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE - MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 , 1971. STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF DADE: I, RUTH B. ROULEAU, City Clerk and Finance Director in and for the City of Miami Beach, Florida, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. 1896, entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, OF "THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA", BY REPEALING THE EXISTING ARTICLE III THEREOF AND ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE I11 SETTING FORTH AND PRO- MULGATING STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. having been passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, has been posted by me in three conspicuous places in the City of Miami Beach, one of which was at the door of the City Hall in said City on the 12th day of October, 1971, and that said Ordinance remained posted for a period of at least thirty days in accordance with the requirements of the City Charter of the said City of Miami Beach. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, on this the 8th day of December, 1971. 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