§ 19-9. Prohibited gifts.

A.

Except as provided for by his or her office or under the terms of his or her employment, no officer or employee, or member of his or her immediate family, or business with which he or she is associated, shall solicit or accept anything of value, including, but not limited to, a gift, service, loan, political contribution, or promise of future employment in exchange for providing confidential information or based on an understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the officer or employee is to be, or has been, influenced thereby.

B.

No officer or employee may knowingly accept, nor may the spouse, child or parent of an officer or employee, or any person who resides in the household of an officer or employee knowingly accept, with said officer's or employee's express or implied consent, anything having a value of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more from a prohibited source, and the aggregate value of all things received from that source by any such recipient in a calendar year shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). Each officer or employee shall be bound by this section for a period of one (1) year after the officer or employee has left his or her position with the city.

This section does not prohibit:

1.

Gifts or social courtesies between the officer or employee and donors who are immediate family (as defined in Section 19-3 above).

2.

Gifts or social courtesies, given to celebrate major life events such as weddings, births, religious milestones or major holidays, given to the officer or employee from donors, who are: (a) other relatives that are not "immediate family" as defined in Section 19-3 above, or (b) close personal friends.

Gifts made under Section 19-9.B.(2) must be disclosed in writing within ninety (90) days to the Board of Ethics. In the event of a complaint of a violation of Section 19-9.B.(2), the officer or employee shall have the burden of proving that the gift is a bona fide gift or social courtesy customarily made for the occasion.

3.

Public, governmental-sponsored or informational events generally accepted as a condition of office or employment, where food may be served and small souvenirs of the event, of a minor monetary value, may be distributed to all attendees, which are not designed to influence the proper judgment or action of the officer or employee in a matter within his or her authority.

4.

Political contributions received in compliance with law.

5.

Loans obtained according to commercial practice at the prevailing rate of interest.

6.

Customary performance, merit awards, retirement gifts or honorariums, consistent with municipal practice.

7.

Awards, plaques, gifts or other things of value given to employees as part of an official Employee Recognition/Incentive Program.