Ethics Providence Code of Ethics Rhode Island Code

Ethics Providence Code of Ethics Rhode Island Code of Ethics in Government

Providence Code of Ethics Section 17 -33 of the Code of Ordinances All officers and employees of the City are subject to the City’s Code of Ethics Goal is to address issues and conduct not covered by the state code of ethics and to hold city officials and employees to the highest possible standards of ethics

Prohibited Conduct Coercion for trading with a particular business Use of public property City seal Activities relating to promotion or appointment Misuse of position Misuse of information No show jobs Outside work during business hours Representing persons Advising or consulting Former Employees/Officials

Campaign Ethics Political activities while on duty = prohibited with exception of voting No campaigning while on duty No soliciting contributions from city employees while on duty No soliciting contributions in city facilities at all!

City Ethics Commission Education and Training Advisory Opinions Investigating Complaints

Municipal Integrity Officer Chief Education Officer Education and Training Confidential Advice Liaison to the State Ethics Commission

State Code of Ethics Codified beginning at 36 -14 -1 www. ethics. ri. gov Informal Advice Advisory Opinions Complaints

Conflict of Interest Is it reasonably foreseeable that: o A decision I am helping to make o Will result in a financial benefit or detriment to: • Me • A member of my family • My outside employer or • Business associate o “Business associates” are any persons or entities that you are joined with to achieve a common financial objective (includes business partners, attorneys, accountants, realtors, contractors, etc. ), and any organizations, even not-for-profit, for which you are an officer or director

Recusal If conflict of interest, must recuse/not participate in the action or decision making. Appearance of Impropriety – if able, should recuse

Gifts No person subject to the Code of Ethics, either directly or as the beneficiary of a gift or other thing of value given to a spouse or dependent child, shall accept or receive any gift(s) or other thing(s) having either a fair market value or actual cost greater than $25 from a single interested person “Single interested person” includes employees or representatives of an individual, business, organization or entity Limited exceptions

Open Meetings Act

OMA: When does it apply? All three of the following must be present for the OMA to apply: o Public Body o Quorum—simple majority o Meeting—convening of public body to discuss and/or act upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power (includes “work sessions, ” “retreats, ” etc. )

OMA: Notice, Minutes Notice—Annual and Supplemental o Business to be discussed Minutes o Members absent/present o Record of votes taken o Other relevant information

OMA: Executive Session Public bodies may hold closed meetings for those purposes set forth in the statute. o Must be properly noticed. o Other statutory requirements.

OMA: Rolling/Walking Quorum Series of meetings, each less than a “quorum” but that collectively represents a “quorum” o Emailing o Individual conversations—in person or by phone o Social Media No telephone/electronic communications, other than scheduling.