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<br />3 <br />Gift/Donations <br />Gifts from Interested Persons: Under MN Statute 471.895, Council Members may not receive gifts <br />from any “interested person” in conjunction with their City Council duties. <br /> <br /> A “gift” is defined as money, real or personal property, a service, loan, a forbearance or <br />forgiveness of debt, or a promise of future employment, that is given and received without the <br />giver receiving something of equal or greater value in return <br /> <br /> "Interested person" means a person or a representative of a person or association that has a <br />direct financial interest in a decision that a local official is authorized to make <br />o Virtually every resident or person doing business in the City could have a direct financial <br />interest in a decision <br /> See statute for exemptions <br /> <br />Gifts to the City: Council Members can recommend acceptance of general gifts through the City’s <br />donation policy. All gifts to the city must be accepted by City Council resolution. <br /> <br />Logo <br />Council Members shall not use the City’s name or logo for the purpose of endorsing any political <br />candidate, business, initiative, or entity. <br /> <br />Conflict of Interest <br />Conflict of interest is when any member who has a “financial interest” in, or who may receive a <br />financial benefit as a result of, any action or if there is potential for the appearance of conflict of <br />interest. Questions about a potential conflict of interest shall be discussed with the City <br />Administrator. <br /> <br />Contractual conflict of interest: (MN Statute 471.87, with exceptions in MN Statutes 123B.195 <br />and 471.88). A public officer who is authorized to take part in any manner in making any sale, <br />lease, or contract in official capacity shall not voluntarily have a personal financial interest in that <br />sale, lease, or contract or personally benefit financially therefrom. <br /> <br />Non-contractual conflict of interest: Non-contractual matters may include such things as Council <br />decisions on zoning, local improvements, and the issuance of licenses. Although not generally <br />prohibited by state law, an interested council member most likely should abstain from participating <br />in the council discussion and from voting on these issues. <br /> <br />Members who have a potential conflict of interest shall: <br /> Disclose the conflict of interest to the group, and <br /> Abstain from the Council discussion, debate and vote <br /> <br />Public resources shall not be used by Council Mmembers for personal purposes. Public resources <br />include but are not limited to funds, staff time, city equipment, city supplies, or access to same. <br /> <br />Roles of Council, staff and commissions <br />WeCouncil Members, commission members, and city staff are all part of a team committed to the <br />residents of Little Canada both today and in the future. To be effective we, Council Members must <br />come to meetings with an open mind, think strategically about City issues and delegate details of <br />implementations to staff. WeCouncil Members will strive to maintain a culture of trust, respect and <br />candor as a Council and when working with staff and commissions.