Madison, WI Header
File #: 51740    Version: Name: Prohibiting grass-roots efforts by employees while on duty
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 5/17/2018 In control: ETHICS BOARD
On agenda: 6/5/2018 Final action: 7/24/2018
Enactment date: 8/4/2018 Enactment #: ORD-18-00078
Title: 2nd SUBSTITUTE Amending Section 3.35(5)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances to prohibit City employees from using City facilities or City time to engage in grass-roots efforts on matters pending before the City.
Sponsors: David Ahrens
Attachments: 1. Version1, 2. Version 2
Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
2nd SUBSTITUTE Amending Section 3.35(5)(b) of the Madison General Ordinances to prohibit City employees from using City facilities or City time to engage in grass-roots efforts on matters pending before the City.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This ordinance adds a new paragraph to the Ethics Code, Sec. 3.35, MGO. In the subdivision on use of city equipment or facilities, it adds a new prohibition on City employees using such facilities to engage in or conduct a grass-roots effort on any matter pending before the City. It also prohibits City employees from engaging in such activities on City time, and prohibits supervisors from directing employees to do so. The Council could waive the prohibition for certain employees or certain efforts. As drafted, the prohibition would cover employees in the Mayor’s office and Council office. This amendment also breaks out the prohibitions in Sec. 3.35(5)(b) into three separate paragraphs.
This Substitute was recommended by the Ethics Board and adds that the definition of City employee does not include elected officials for this section.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:

Subdivision (b) entitled “Privilege and Advantage” of Subsection (5) entitled “Standards of Conduct” of Section 3.35 entitled “Code of Ethics” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended to read as follows:

“(b) Privilege and Advantage.
1. No incumbent shall request or permit the use of City-owned vehicles, equipment, materials, or property for personal convenience or profit, or for that of another, except when the same are available to the public generally or except where otherwise authorized by the Common Council. No incumbent shall grant any privilege, anything of value, special consideration, treatment or advantage to any person beyond that which is available to every other person except as may...

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