02-25-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RELEVANT LINKS: Minn. Stat. y}' 465.03. Kelly v. Campaign Finame and Public Disclosure Board, 679 N. W.2d 178 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004), rev. denied(Minn. July 20, 2004). Minn. Stat, ch. IOA. Section VII, Ethics in Government Act. Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board: Lobbyist Gift Ban. Minn. R. 7515.0620. • Gifts between family members. However, the gift may not be given on behalf of someone who is not a member of the family. • Gift because of the recipient's membership in a group. The majority of this group's members must not be local officials and an equivalent gift must be given or offered to the other group members. • Food or beverages given to national or multi -state conference attendees. The majority of dues paid to the organization must be paid from public funds and an equivalent gift must be given or offered to all other attendees. C. Gifts to cities The law prohibits gifts to city officials, not to cities themselves. Cities may accept gifts of real or personal property and use them in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor. A resolution accepting the gift and the donor's terms must receive an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the council. A city may not, however, accept gifts for religious or sectarian purposes. D. Metro area cities over 50,000 Metropolitan cities with a population over 50,000 are subject to additional regulations. Under the Ethics in Government Act, local officials in these cities are also prohibited from receiving gifts from "lobbyists," though there are similar exceptions that may apply. The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issues advisory opinions regarding the lobbyist gift ban. These opinions may be relevant to any Minnesota city struggling with the application or implication of a gift ban to a particular situation. E. Municipal liquor stores Municipal liquor store employees may not suggest, request, demand, or accept any gratuity, reward, or promise thereof from any representative of a manufacturer or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages. Any manager or employee who violates this provision is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. IV. Conflicts of interest There are two broad categories of conflicts of interest that city officials and municipal bodies may encounter: those involving contractual decisions, and those involving non -contractual decisions. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 10/17/2014 Official Conflict of Interest Page 5