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CHAPTER 13. CODE OF ETHICS Updated 2017 13-1 13. CODE OF ETHICS 13.01. Policy and Purpose. It is imperative that all persons acting in the public service not only maintain the highest possible standards of ethical conduct in their transaction of public business but that such standards be clearly defined and known to the public as well as to the persons acting in public service. Subd. 2. The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people. Governmental decisions and policies must be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure. Public office may not be used for personal gain. Citizens must have confidence in the integrity of their government officials. Subd. 3. Public officials are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and municipality so as to foster respect for all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must be their primary concern. Subd. 4. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established a Code of Ethics for elected or appointed public officials, citizens volunteers, and candidates for public office. The purpose of the Code is to establish ethical standards of conduct for such persons by establishing acts which are incompatible with the City's best interests and requiring disclosure of private or financial interests in matters involving the City. The provisions and purposes of this Code of Ethics are declared to be in the best interests of the City of Rochester. 13.011. Definitions. Subdivision 1. For purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall have the meanings given herein. Subd. 2. The term “Appointing Authority” means the Common Council, the Mayor or any other person who appoints a person to a Public Position. Subd. 3. The term “Appointing Committee” means the President of Rochester Community and Technical College, the Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Rochester and the highest ranking officer of the Olmsted County Bar Association not associated with the Rochester City Attorney’s Office. Subd. 4. The term “Board” means the Ethical Practices Board. Subd. 5. The term “Official Action” means any act, action, approval, decision, denial, directive, disapproval, inaction, order, performance, nonperformance, recommendation, vote or other direct result of a public official’s exercise of discretionary authority in connection with the Public Official’s Public Position. Rochester - Page 1 of 9