HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Resolution No. 22-5624_Adopting City's Conflict of Interest CodeRESOLUTION NO. 22-5624
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE
CITY, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST
CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. Government Code section 87300 and following requires the City to adopt a conflict of
interest code. Once adopted, the City must review its Conflict of Interest Code every even -numbered year to
determine whether an amendment is necessary.
B. The City has reviewed its Conflict of Interest Code and this resolution serves to adopt and
update the City's Conflict of Interest Code in accordance with the Government Code requirements.
SECTION 2. Conflict of Interest Code Adopted. The City's Conflict of Interest Code is hereby
adopted. The Conflict of Interest Code consists of the following: (1) Section 18730 of Title 2 of California
Code of Regulations ("Regulation 18730"), which is incorporated by reference, with the most current version
attached as Exhibit "A"; (2) Exhibit "B" (Designated Employees for the Conflict of Interest Code); and Exhibit
"C" (Disclosure Categories). This updated Conflict of Interest Code supersedes all previous versions, and is
intended to incorporate future versions of Regulation 18730 as it may be amended from time to time.
SECTION 3. Statement of Economic Interests. Employees designated in Exhibit "B" shall file
statements of economic interests (Form 700) with the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall forward the original
Form 700s filed by the Mayor, Members of the City Council, Planning Commissioners, the City Manager, the
City Attorney, and the City Treasurer to the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to California
Government Code Sections 87500 and following. The City Clerk shall retain a copy of all statements of
economic interests and make them available for public inspection and reproduction in accordance with
Government Code Section 81008.
SECTION 4. Maintenance of Conflict of Interest Code. The City Clerk shall maintain at all times
one copy of the City's Conflict of Interest Code for examination by the public and shall cause the filing of such
code in the manner required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6" day of September, 2022.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ,
Peggy K66, Gmity Clerk Greg lvlurffiyity Attorney
Resolution No. 22-5624
Page 2 of 2
I, City Clerk of the City of Temple City, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No.
22-5624 was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Temple City at a regular
meeting held on the 6' day of September, 2022 by the following vote:
AYES:
Councilmember— Chavez, Vizcarra, Yu, Man, Sternquist
NOES:
Councilmember — None
ABSENT:
Councilmember — None
ABSTAIN:
Councilmember — None
Peggy Kuo, City Cidk
i�
FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
F:nl WAIWAIlk
Contents
I. The Basic Prohibition................................................................................................2
II. Making, Participating in Making, or Attempting to Influence a Decision....................2
A. General Definitions................................................................................................2
B. Exceptions.............................................................................................................3
III. Financial Interests.................................................................................................4
IV.
Foreseeability of Financial Effect...........................................................................5
A.
Explicitly Involved..................................................................................................5
B.
Not Explicitly Involved............................................................................................5
V.
Materiality Standards................................................................................................6
A.
Business Entity Interests.......................................................................................6
B.
Real Property Interests..........................................................................................7
C.
Source of Income Interests....................................................................................9
D.
Source of Gift Interests........................................................................................
11
E.
Interest in Personal Finances..............................................................................
12
VI.
The Public Generally Exception..........................................................................13
VII.
Legally Required Participation.............................................................................16
VIII.
Segmentation......................................................................................................17
IX.
Disqualification Requirements.............................................................................18
Fair Political Practices Commission
1
Conflicts Overview
May 2022
I. The Basic Prohibition
Government Code Section 87100 of the Political Reform Act (the "Act")' prohibits a
public official at any level of state or local government from making, participating in
making, or attempting to use the official's position to influence a governmental decision
in which the official knows or has reason to know the official has a financial interest.
Government Code Section 87103 provides that an official has a "financial interest"
within the meaning of Section 87100 if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will
have a material financial effect on one or more of the official's interests as identified and
distinguishable from the decision's effect on the public generally.
Taken together, these provisions of the Act prohibit an official from taking part in a
decision if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision would have a material financial
effect on one or more of the official's financial interests identified in Section 87103
distinguishable from the decision's effect on the public generally.
II. Making, Participating in Making, or
Attempting to Influence a Decision
Regulation 18704 defines "making a decision," "participating in a decision," and "using
official position to attempt to influence a decision" for purposes of the Act's conflict of
interest provisions. if an official has a disqualifying conflict of interest under Section
87100, the official is prohibited from making, participating in making, or attempting in
any way to use the official's official position to influence the decision.
A. General Definitions
Making a Decision: An official makes a decision if the official authorizes or directs any
action, votes, appoints a person, obligates or commits the official's agency to any
course of action, or enters into any contractual agreement on behalf of the agency.
(Regulation 18704(a).)
Participating in a Decision: An official participates in a decision if the official provides
information, an opinion, or a recommendation for the purpose of affecting the decision
without significant intervening substantive review. (Regulation 18704(b).)
Using Official Position to Attempt to Influence a Decision: An official uses an official
position to influence a decision if the official contacts or appears before: (1) any official
in the official's agency, or in an agency subject to the authority or budgetary control of
the official's agency, for the purpose of affecting a decision; or (2) any official in any
other government agency for the purpose of affecting a decision, and the official
purports to act within the official's authority or on behalf of the official's agency in
mmo making the contact. (Regulation 18704(c).)
Fair Political Practices Commission 2 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
B. Exceptions
Regulation 187O4(d) provides that "making, participating in, or using official position to
influence a decision" do not include any of the following:
Ministerial: Actions that are solely ministerial, secretarial, or clerical. (Regulation
187O4(d)(1).)
Appearances as a Member of the General Public: An appearance by an official as a
member of the general public before an agency in the course of its prescribed
governmental function if the official is appearing on matters related solely to the official's
personal interests, including interests in:
• Real property owned entirely by the official, members of the official's immediate
family, or the official and members of the official's immediate family;
• A business owned entirely by the official, members of the official's immediate
family, or the official and members of the official's immediate family; or
• A business over which the official, members of the official's immediate family, or
the official and members of the official's immediate family solely or jointly
exercise full direction and control. (Regulation 187O4(d)(2).)
Terms of Employment: Actions by an official relating to the official's compensation or
the terms or conditions of the official's employment or consulting contract. However, an 0004
official may not make a decision to appoint, hire, fire, promote, demote, or suspend
without pay or take disciplinary action with financial sanction against the official or the
official's immediate family, or set a salary for the official or the official's immediate family
different from salaries paid to other employees of the agency in the same job
classification or position. (Regulation 187O4(d)(3).)
Public Speaking: Communications by an official to the general public or media.
(Regulation 187O4(d)(4).)
Academic Decisions: Teaching decisions, including an instructor's selection of books
or other educational materials at the official's own school or institution, or other similar
decisions incidental to teaching; or decisions by an official who has teaching or research
responsibilities at an institution of higher education relating to the official's professional
responsibilities, including applying for funds, allocating resources, and all decisions
relating to the manner or methodology with which the official's academic study or
research will be conducted. (Regulation 187O4(d)(5).) However, this exception does not
apply to an official who has institution -wide administrative responsibilities as to the
approval or review of academic study or research at the institution unrelated to the
official's own work. (Ibid.)
Architectural and Engineering Documents: Drawings or submissions of an
architectural, engineering, or similar nature prepared by an official for a client to submit
in a proceeding before the official's agency if: (i) the work is performed pursuant to the
official's profession; and (ii) the official does not make any contact with the agency other
Fair Political Practices Commission 3 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
than contact with agency staff concerning the process or evaluation of the documents
prepared by the official. (Regulation 18704(d)(6)(A).)
Also, an official's appearance before a design or architectural review committee or
similar body of which the official is a member to present drawings or submissions of an
architectural, engineering, or similar nature prepared for a client if: (i) the committee's
sole function is to review architectural designs or engineering plans and to make
recommendations to a planning commission or other agency; (ii) the committee is
required by law to include architects, engineers, or persons in related professions, and
the official was appointed to the body to fulfill this requirement; and (iii) the official is a
sole practitioner. (Regulation 187O4(d)(6)(B).)
Additional Consulting Services: Recommendations by a consultant regarding
additional services for which the consultant or consultant's employer would receive
additional income if the agency has already contracted with the consultant, for an
agreed upon price, to make recommendations concerning services of the type offered
by the consultant or the consultant's employer, and the consultant does not have any
other economic interest, other than in the firm, that would be foreseeably and materially
affected by the decision. (Regulation 18704(d)(7).)
000 III. Financial Interests
The first step in determining whether an official has a disqualifying conflict of interest
under the Act is identifying the official's financial interests with respect to the decision at
issue. Section 87103 identifies the following financial interests which may give rise to an
official's disqualifying conflict of interest under the Act:
• A business entity in which the official has a direct or indirect investment worth
$2,000 or more (Section 87103(a)); or in which the official is a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee, or holds any position of management (Section
87103(d)).
• Real property in which the official has an interest worth $2,000 or more. (Section
87103(b).)
• A source of income totaling $500 or more in value provided or promised to, or
received by, the official within the 12 months prior to the time when the decision
is made. (Section 87103(c).)
• A giver of a gift or gifts totaling $5002 or more in value provided or promised to,
or received by, the official within the 12 months prior to the time when the
decision is made. (Section 87103(e).)
• The official's personal finances and those of "immediate family," defined in
Section 82029 as the spouse and dependent children. (Section 87103.)
Fair Political Practices Commission 4 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
IV. Foreseeability of Financial Effect
A. Explicitly Involved
A financial effect on a financial interest is presumed to be reasonably foreseeable if the
financial interest is explicitly involved in the decision. (Regulation (18701 (a).) An
official's financial interest is "explicitly involved" in a decision if the interest is a "named
party in, or the subject of," the decision, and an interest is the "subject of a proceeding"
if the decision involves the issuance, renewal, denial, or revocation of any license,
permit, other entitlement to, or contract with, the interest. 3 Additionally, an official's real
property interest is explicitly involved in any decision affecting the real property as
described in Regulation 187O2.2(a)(1) through (6), discussed further below. (Ibid.)
B. Not Explicitly Involved
When an official's financial interest is not explicitly involved in a decision, the financial
effect of the decision is reasonably foreseeable if the effect can be recognized as a
realistic possibility and more than hypothetical or theoretical. The effect need not be
likely to be reasonably foreseeable. (Regulation 18701 (b).)
Factors to be considered when determining if a decision's effect on an official's not
explicitly involved interest is reasonably foreseeable include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• The extent to which the occurrence of the effect is contingent upon intervening
events (other than future governmental decisions by the official's agency or an
agency subject to the budgetary control of the official's agency). (Regulation
18701 (b)(1).)
• Whether the official should anticipate a financial effect on the financial interests
at issue as a potential outcome under normal circumstances when using
appropriate due diligence and care. (Regulation 18701 (b)(2).)
• Whether the official has an interest of the type that would typically be affected by
the terms of the decision. (Regulation 18701 (b)(3).)
• Whether the decision is of the type that would be expected to have a financial
effect on businesses and individuals similarly situated to those businesses and
individuals in which the official has a financial interest. (Ibid.)
• Whether a reasonable inference can be made that the financial effects of the
decision on the official's financial interest might compromise an official's ability to
fulfill their duty to act in the best interests of the public. (Regulation 18701 (b)(4).)
• Whether the decision will provide or deny an opportunity, or create an advantage
for one of the official's financial interests. (Regulation 18701(b)(5).)
Fair Political Practices Commission 5 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
• Whether the official has the type of financial interest that would cause a similarly
situated person to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the decision on
the official's financial interest in formulating a position. (Regulation 18701(b)(6).)
V. Materiality Standards
Regulation 18702(a) provides that the next step in the analysis is to determine if the
decision's reasonably foreseeable financial effect on the official's financial interest is
material. If the official's interest is in:
• A business entity, then apply the materiality standards of Regulation 18702.1.
(Regulation 18702(a)(1).)
• A real property, then apply the materiality standards of Regulation 18702.2.
(Regulation 18702(a)(2).)
• A source of income, then apply the materiality standards of Regulation 18702.3.
(Regulation 18702(a)(3).)
• A source of a gift or gifts, then apply the materiality standards of 18702.4.
(Regulation 18702(a)(4).)
• Their personal finances or those of immediate family, then apply materiality
standard of 18702.5. (Regulation 18702(a)(5).)
A. Business Entity Interests
Regulation 18702.1 sets forth the materiality standards applicable to a decision's
reasonably foreseeable financial effect on a business in which an official has an
interest, and provides that the effect is material if any of the following standards is met:
• The business is explicitly involved in the decision, meaning that the business is
"a named party in, or the subject of, the decision, including any decision in which
the business:
➢ Initiates the proceeding by filing an application, claim, appeal, or other
request for action concerning the business with the official's agency.
(Regulation 18702.1(a)(1)(A).)
➢ Offers to sell a product or service to the official's agency. (Regulation
18702.1(a)(1)(B).)
Bids on, or enters into, a contract with the official's agency, or is identified as
a subcontractor on a bid or contract with the agency. (Regulation
18702.1(a)(1)(C).)
➢ Is the named or intended manufacturer or vendor of any products to be
purchased by the official's agency with an aggregate cost of $1,000 in any 12 -
month period. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(1)(D).)
Fair Political Practices Commission 6 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
➢ Applies for a permit, license, grant, tax credit, exception, variance, or other
entitlement from the official's agency. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(1)(E).)
➢ Is the subject of any inspection, action, or proceeding under the regulatory
authority of the official's agency. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(1)(F).)
➢ Is subject to an action taken by the official's agency that is directed at the
entity. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(1)(G).)
• The decision may result in an increase or decrease of the business's annual
gross revenues, or the value of its assets and liabilities, in an amount equal to or
more than:
➢ $1,000,000; or
➢ Five percent of the business's annual gross revenues, and the increase or
decrease is $10,000 or more. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(2).)
• The decision may cause the business to incur or avoid additional expenses or to
reduce or eliminate expenses in amount equal to or more than:
➢ $250,000; or
➢ One percent of the business's annual gross revenues, and the increase or
decrease is at least $2,500. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(3).)
• The official knows or has reason to know that business has an interest in real
property and:
➢ The property is a named party in, or the subject of, the decision under
Regulations 18701(a) and 18702.2(a)(1) through (6); or
There is clear and convincing evidence the decision would have a substantial
effect on the property. (Regulation 18702.1(a)(4).)
Thus, if the decision's reasonably foreseeable financial effect on an official's business
interest meets any of the four standards above, that effect is material, and the official is
disqualified from taking part in the decision.
Small Shareholder Exception: Regulation 18702.1(b) sets forth the "Small
Shareholder Exception," which provides that a decision's reasonably foreseeable
financial effect on an official's financial interest in a business is not material under
Regulation 18702.1(a)(1) or (a)(4)(A) if both:
• The official's only financial interest in the business is an "investment interest"
under Section 87103(a) valued at $25,000 or less; and
• The official's interest in the business is less than one percent of the business's
shares.
If the Small Shareholder Exception applies, the official is not disqualified.
B. Real Property Interests
Fair Political Practices Commission 7 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
Regulation 18702.2 provides the materiality standards applicable to a decision's
reasonably foreseeable financial effect on real property in which an official has an
interest as either an owner or lessee.
Explicitly Involved Real Property Interest: It is reasonably foreseeable a decision will
have a material financial effect on an official's interest in real property any time the
interest is explicitly involved in the decision. Therefore, the decision's reasonably
foreseeable effect is material in any of the types of decisions described in Regulation
18702.2(a)(1) to (6), including a decision that:
• Involves the adoption of or amendment to a development plan or criteria applying
to the property. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(1).)
• Determines the property's zoning or rezoning, other than a zoning decision
applicable to all properties designated in that category; annexation or de -
annexation; inclusion in or exclusion from any city, county, district, or local
government subdivision or other boundaries, other than elective district
boundaries. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(2).)
• Would impose, repeal, or modify any taxes, fees, or assessments that apply to
the property. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(3).)
• Authorizes the sale, purchase, or lease of the property. (Regulation
18702.2(a)(4).)
• Involves the issuance, denial or revocation of a license, permit or other land use
entitlement authorizing a specific use of or improvement to the property or any
variance that changes the permitted use of, or restrictions placed on, the
property. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(5).)
• Involves construction of, or improvements to, streets, water, sewer, storm
drainage or similar facilities, and the property will receive new or improved
services that provide a benefit or detriment disproportionate to other properties
receiving the services. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(6).)
Not Explicitly Involved Real Property Interest: A decision's reasonably foreseeable
financial effect on an official's interest in real property is material if it is of a type
described in Regulation 18702.2(a)(7) through (8), (b) or (c), including a decision that:
• Involves property located 500 feet or less from the official's property unless there
is clear and convincing evidence that the decision will not have any measurable
impact on the official's property. (Regulation 18702.2(a)(7).)
• Involves property located more than 500 feet but less than 1,000 feet from the
official's property, and the decision would change the official's property's:
development potential; income producing potential; highest and best use;
character by substantially altering traffic levels, intensity of use, parking, view,
..� privacy, noise levels, or air quality; or market value (Regulation 18702.2(a)(8)(A)
through (E).)
Fair Political Practices Commission 8 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
• Involves property located 1,000 feet or more from the property line of the official's
property if there is clear and convincing evidence the decision would have a
substantial effect on the official's property. (Regulation 18702.2(b).)
• Involves property leased by the official and the decision will:
➢ Change the termination date of the lease;
➢ Increase or decrease the potential rental value of the property;
➢ Change the official's actual or legally allowable use of the property; or
➢ Change the official's use and enjoyment of the property. (Regulation
18702.2(c)(1) through (4).)
Real Property Interest 1,000 Feet or More from Property Involved in Decision: As
mentioned above, Regulation 18702.2(b) sets forth a presumption that the financial
effect of a decision involving property located 1,000 feet or more from the property line
of the official's property is not material. That presumption, however, may be rebutted
with clear and convincing evidence the decision would have a substantial effect on the
official's real property interest.
Exceptions for Planning Objectives or Policy: A decision's reasonably foreseeable
financial effect on an official's real property interest is not material, and therefore the
official is not disqualified from the decision, if the decision solely concerns: "~
• Repairs, replacement or maintenance of existing streets, water, sewer, storm
drainage or similar facilities. (Regulation 18702.2(d)(1).)
• Adoption or amendment of a general plan, as defined in Regulation
18702.2(e)(2), if certain specified conditions are met. (See Regulation
18702.2(d)(2).)
Common Area Exception to the Definition of Interest in Real Property: Regulation
18702.2(e)(4) provides that an "interest in real property," as defined in Section 82033,
does not include "any common area as part of the official's ownership interest in a
common interest development as defined in the Davis -Stirling Common Interest
Development Act (Civil Code Sections 4000 et seq.)"
C. Source of Income Interests
Regulation 18702.3 sets forth the materiality standards applicable to a decision's
reasonably foreseeable financial effect on a source of income to an official, and
provides that the effect is material if any of the following criteria is met:
• The source is explicitly involved in the decision because it is "a named party in,
or the subject of, the decision," including a claimant, applicant, respondent, or
contracting party. (Regulation 18702.3(a)(1).)
• The source is an individual and any of the following applies:
Fair Political Practices Commission 9 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
➢ The decision may affect the individual's income, investments, or other assets
or liabilities by $1,000 or more (excluding an interest in a business entity or
real property). (Regulation 18702.3(a)(2)(A).)
➢ The official knows or has reason to know that the individual has an interest in
a business entity that will be financially affected under the materiality
standards applicable to a business set forth in Regulation 18702.1.
(Regulation 18702.3(a)(2)(B).)
The official knows or has reason to know that the individual: (i) has a real
property interest and the property is explicitly involved in the decision; or (ii)
there is clear and convincing evidence the decision would have a substantial
effect on the property. (Regulation 18702.3(a)(2)(C).)
• The source is a nonprofit organization and any of the following applies:
➢ The decision may result in an increase or decrease of the organization's
annual gross receipts, or the value of the organization's assets or liabilities, in
an amount equal to or more than: (i) $1,000,000; or (ii) five percent of the
organization's annual gross receipts and the increase or decrease is equal to
or greater than $10,000. (Regulation 18702.3(a)(3)(A).)
➢ The decision may cause the organization to incur or avoid additional
expenses or to reduce or eliminate expenses in an amount equal to or more
mom than: (i) $250,000; or (ii) one percent of the organization's annual gross
receipts and the change in expenses is equal to or greater than $2,500.
(Regulation 18702.3(a)(3)(B).)
➢ The official knows or has reason to know that the organization has a real
property interest and: (i) the property is explicitly involved in the decision; (ii)
there is clear and convincing evidence the decision would have a substantial
effect on the property. (Regulation 18702.3(a)(3)(C).)
• The source is a business that will be financially affected under the materiality
standards applicable to a business set forth in Regulation 18702.1 (Regulation
18702.3(a)(4).)
If there is a nexus between the decision and income received by the official or
official's spouse. Otherwise referred to as the nexus test, any reasonably
foreseeable financial effect on an official's source of income interest is material if
the decision "will achieve, defeat, aid, or hinder a purpose or goal of the source
and the official or the official's spouse receive or is promised the income for
achieving the purpose or goal. (Regulation 18702.3(b).)
Exception for Retail Sales: Section 87103.5(a) provides that a retail customer of a
business engaged in retail sales of good or services to the public generally is not a
source of income to an official who owns a 10 -percent or greater interest in the business
if: the retail customers of the business constitute a significant segment of the public
generally, and the amount of income received from an individual customer is not
distinguishable from the amount of income received from its other customers.
Fair Political Practices Commission 10 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
Section 87103.5(b) sets forth a similar retail sales exception for a jurisdiction with a
population of 10,000 or less that is located within a county with 350 or fewer retail
businesses.
For purposes of applying Section 87103.5, Regulation 18702.3(c) provides that the
retail customers of a business entity constitute a significant segment of the public
generally if the business is open to the public and provides goods or services to
customers that comprise a broad base of persons representative of the jurisdiction.
(Regulation 18702.3(c)(1).)
Income from an individual customer is not distinguishable from the amount of income
received from other customers when the official is unable to recognize a significant
monetary difference between the business provided by the individual customer and the
other customers of the business. (Regulation 18702.3(c)(2).) An official is unable to
recognize a significant monetary difference when the business:
• Is of the type that sales to any one customer will not have a significant impact on
the business's annual net sales; or
• Has no records that distinguish customers by amount of sales, and the official
has no other information that the customer provides significantly more income to
the business than an average customer. (ibid.)
Income from a Government Entity: The materiality standards of Regulation 18702.3 OMM
do not apply where a government entity qualifies as a source of income as defined in
Section 82030, including where an official is paid by the entity as a consultant or
contractor. (Regulation 18702.3(d).) Under Regulation 18703(e)(7), an official with an
interest in such an entity is disqualified from taking part in a decision only if there is a
unique effect on the official. (Ibid.)
D. Source of Gift Interests
Regulation 18702.4 provides the materiality standards applicable to a decision's
reasonably foreseeable financial effect on the source of a gift to an official, and provides
that the decision's effect is material if:
• The source is explicitly involved in the decision because the source "is named or
otherwise identified as the subject of the proceeding," including a claimant,
applicant, respondent, or contracting party. (Regulation 18702.4(a).)
The source is an individual that will be financially affected under the materiality
standard applicable to a decision's reasonably foreseeable financial effect on an
official's personal finances set forth in Regulation 18702.5 or the official knows or
has reason to know that the individual has an interest in a business or real
property that will be financially affected under the materiality standards provided
in Regulation 18702.1 or 18702.2, respectively. (Regulation 18702.4(b))
Fair Political Practices Commission 11 Conflicts Overview
May 2022
• The source is a nonprofit organization that will receive a measurable financial
benefit or loss as a result of the decision or the official knows or has reason to
know that the nonprofit has an interest in real property that will be financially
affected under the materiality standards in Regulation 18702.2. (Regulation
18702.4(c).)
• The source is a business that will be financially affected under the materiality
standards in Regulation 18702.1. (Regulation 18702.4(d).)
E. Interest in Personal Finances
Regulation 18702.5(a) provides the materiality standard applicable to a decision's
reasonably foreseeable financial effect on an official's personal finances, including
those of immediate family. Also known as the personal financial effect rule, a
reasonably foreseeable effect on the official' personal finances is material if the decision
may result in the official or the official's immediate family receiving a financial benefit or
loss of $500 or more in any 12 -month period due to the decision.
Exceptions: Under Regulation 18702.5(b), however, a decision's effect on an official's
personal finances and those of immediate family is not material if the decision would:
• Affect only the salary, per diem, or reimbursement for expenses the official or
their immediate family member receives from a federal, state, or local
�••q government agency, unless the decision is:
➢ To appoint (except as specified), hire, fire, promote, demote, suspend without
pay or otherwise take disciplinary action with financial sanction against the
official or their immediate family; or
➢ To set a salary for the official or a member of their immediate family which is
different from salaries paid to other employees of the government agency in
the same job classification or position, or when the mem of the official's
immediate family is the only person in the job classification or position.
(Regulation 18702.5(b)(1).)
• Appoint the official to be a member of any group or body created by law or
formed by the official's agency for a special purpose. However, if the official will
receive a stipend for attending meeting of the group or body aggregating $500 or
more in any 12 -month period, the effect is material unless the appointing body
posts all of the following on its website:
➢ A list of each appointed position and its term. (Regulation 18702.5(b)(2)(A).)
➢ The amount of the stipend for each appointed position. (Regulation
18702.5(b)(2)(B).)
The name of the official who has been appointed to the position. (Regulation
18702.5(b)(2)(C).)
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➢ The name of any official who has been appointed to be an alternate for the
position. (Regulation 18702.5(b)(2)(D).)
• Appoint the official to be an officer of the governing body of which the official is
already a member (such as a decision to appoint a city councilmember to be the
city's mayor.) (Regulation 18702.5(b)(3).)
• Establish or change the benefits or retirement plan of the official or the official's
immediate family member, and the decision applies equally to all employees or
retirees in the same bargaining unit or other representative group. (Regulation
18702.5(b)(4).)
• Result in the payment of any travel expenses incurred by the official or their
immediate family while attending a meeting as an authorized representative of an
agency. (Regulation 18702.5(b)(5).)
• Permit the official's use of any government property, including automobiles or
other modes of transportation, mobile communication devices, or other agency -
provided equipment for carrying out the official's duties, including any nominal,
incidental, negligible, or inconsequential personal use while on duty. (Regulation
18702.5(b)(6).)
• Result in the official's receipt of any personal reward from their use of a personal
charge card or participation in any other membership rewards program, so long
as the reward is associated with the official's approved travel expenses and is no
different from the reward offered to the public. (Regulation 18702.5(b)(7).)
Effect on Personal Finances and a Business or Real Property Interest: If a decision
would have a reasonably foreseeable financial effect on a business or real property
interest of an official, any related effect on the official's personal finances is not
considered separately, and the effect is only analyzed under the respective materiality
standards for business and real property interests, i.e. Regulations 18702.1 and
18702.2. (Regulation 18702.5(c).)
VI. The Public Generally Exception
Under Section 87103, if a decision's financial effect on an official's financial interest is
indistinguishable from the decision's effect on the public generally, the official is not
disqualified from taking part in the decision. Regulation 18703 sets forth the "Public
Generally Exception."
The General Rule: A decision's financial effect on an official's financial interest is
indistinguishable from its effect on the public generally if the official establishes that a
"significant segment" of the public is affected and the "effect on the official's interest is
not unique" compared to the effect on the significant segment. (Regulation 18703(a).)
A "significant segment" of the public is defined as:
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• At least 25 percent of:
➢ All businesses or nonprofit entities within the official's jurisdiction;
➢ All real property, commercial real property, or residential real property within
the official's jurisdiction; or
All individuals within the official's jurisdiction. (Regulation 18703(b)(1).)
• At least 15 percent of residential real property within the official's jurisdiction if the
only interest the official has in the decision is the official's primary residence.
(Regulation 18703(b)(2).)
A unique effect on an official's financial interest includes a disproportionate effect on:
• The development potential or use of the official's real property, or the income
producing potential of the official's real property or business;
• An official's business or real property resulting from the proximity of a project that
is the subject of a decision;
• An official's interests in business entities or real properties resulting from the
cumulative effect of the official's multiple interests in similar entities or properties
that is substantially greater than the effect on a single interest;
• An official's interest in a business or real property resulting from the official's
substantially greater business volume or larger real property size when a
decision affects all interests by the same or similar rate or percentage;
• A person's income, investments, assets or liabilities, or real property if the person
is a source of income or gifts to the official; and
• An official's personal finances or those of immediate family. (Regulation
18703(c)(1)-(6).)
"Jurisdiction" means:
• The jurisdiction of the state or local government agency as defined in Section
82035;
• The designated geographical area the official was elected to represent; or
• The area to which the official's authority and duties are limited if not elected.
(Regulation 18703(d).)
Specific Rules for Special Circumstances: Regulation 18703(e) also provides seven
Specific Rules for Special Circumstances which govern the Public Generally
Exception's applicability in those special circumstances. Under these rules, a decision's
financial effect is deemed indistinguishable from its effect on the public generally if there
is no unique effect on the official's interest and the official establishes:
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Public Services and Utilities: The decision sets or adjusts the amount of an
assessment, tax, fee, or rate for water, utility, or other similar public services that
is applied equally, proportionally, or by the same percentage to the official's
interest and other businesses, properties, or individuals subject to the
assessment, tax, fee, or rate. However, an official is not permitted to take part in
a decision that would impose the assessment, tax, or fee, or determine the
boundaries of a property or who is subject to the assessment, tax, or fee. An
official is only permitted to take part in setting or adjusting the assessment, tax,
or fee amount, once other related decisions have already been made.
(Regulation 18703(e)(1).)
• General Use or Licensing Fees: The decision affects the official's personal
finances as a result of an increase or decrease to a general fee or charge, such
as parking rates, permits, license fees, application fees, or any general fee that
applies to the entire jurisdiction. (Regulation 18703(e)(2).)
• Limited Neighborhood Effects: The decision affects residential real property
limited to a specific location, encompassing more than 50, or five percent, of the
residential real properties in the official's jurisdiction, and the decision
establishes, amends, or eliminates ordinances that restrict on -street parking,
impose traffic controls, deter vagrancy, reduce nuisance or improve public safety,
provided the body making the decision gathers sufficient evidence to support the
need for the action at a specific location. (Regulation 18703(e)(3).)
• Rental Properties: The decision is limited to establishing, eliminating, amending,
or otherwise affecting the respective rights or liabilities of tenants and owners of
residential rental property, including a decision regarding a rent control ordinance
or tenant protection measures, provided all of the following criteria are met:
➢ The decision applies to all residential rental properties within the official's
jurisdiction other than those excepted by the Costa -Hawkins Rental Housing
Act (Civil Code Sections 1954.50, et seq.). (Regulation 18703(e)(4)(A).)
➢ The official owns three or fewer residential rental units. (Regulation
18703(e)(4)(B).)
➢ Only interests resulting from the official's leasehold interest as a lessor of
residential real property and the lessee or owner of the official's primary
residence are affected by the decision. (Regulation 18703(e)(4)(C).)
• Required Representative Interest: The decision is made by a board or
commission and the law that establishes the board or commission requires
certain appointees have a representative interest in a particular industry, trade, or
profession or other identified interest, and the public official is an appointed
member representing that interest. This provision applies only if the effect is on
the industry, trade, or profession or other identified interest represented.
(Regulation 18703(e)(5).)
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• State of Emergency: The decision is made pursuant to an official proclamation
of a state of emergency when required to mitigate against the effects directly
arising out of the emergency. (Regulation 18703(e)(6).)
• Governmental Entities: The decision affects a federal, state, or local
government entity in which the official has an interest. (Regulation 18703(e)(7).)
VII. Legally Required Participation
Section 87101 provides that the prohibition of Section 87100 does not prevent an
official from making or participating in the making of a decision to the extent the official's
participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. However, the
existence of a tied vote does not make the disqualified official's participation legally
required.
No Alternative Source of Decision: Regulation 18705(a) provides that an official who
is financially interested in a decision may establish that the official is legally required to
make or to participate in the making of a decision within the meaning of Section 87101
only if there exists no alternative source of decision consistent with the purposes and
terms of the statute authorizing the decision.
am" "Quorum" Defined: Regulation 18705(d) provides that a "quorum" is the minimum
number of members required to conduct business. When the vote of a supermajority is
required to adopt an item, a "quorum" is the minimum number of members needed to
adopt the item.
Narrowly Construed: Regulation 18705(c) requires the regulation be narrowly
construed, and specifically provides that the regulation shall not to be construed:
• To permit an official who is otherwise disqualified under Section 87100 to vote to
break a tie. (Regulation 18705(c)(1).)
• To allow a member of any agency who is otherwise disqualified under Section
87100 to vote if a quorum can be convened of other members of the agency who
are not disqualified, whether or not those other members are actually present at
the time of the disqualification. (Regulation 18705(c)(2).)
Random Means of Selection: Regulation 18705(c)(3) requires participation by the
smallest number of officials with a conflict that are "legally required" for the decision to
be made under Section 87101 and permits a "random means of selection" (e.g. drawing
straws) to be used to select only the number of officials necessary to make the decision.
When an official is selected, that official is selected for the duration of the proceedings
in all related matters until their participation is no longer legally required, or the need for
OEM invoking the exception no longer exists. (Regulation 187O5(c)(3).)
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.•m�
Public Identification of an Otherwise Disqualified Official's Financial Interests in a
Decision: Regulation 18705(b) provides that when an official who has a financial
interest in a decision is legally required to make or participate in making that decision,
the official must state the existence of the potential conflict as follows:
• The official must disclose the existence of -the conflict of interest and describe
with particularity the nature of the official's disqualifying financial interest or
interests. This requirement is satisfied if the official discloses:
The type of financial interest or interests involved in the decision, and;
Other specified information identifying the interest depending on the type of
interest at issue.
• The official or another officer or employee of the agency must summarize the
circumstances under which the conflict may arise.
• The official or another officer or employee of the agency must disclose the legal
basis for the determination that there is no alternative source of decision.
Manner of Disclosure: The disclosures required by Regulation 18705(b) must be
disclosed as follows:
• If the decision is made during an open session of a public meeting, the
disclosures must be made orally before the decision is made;
• If the decision is made during a closed session of a public meeting, the
disclosures must be made orally during open session either before the body goes
into closed session or immediately thereafter;
• If the decision takes place outside of a public meeting, the disclosures must be
made in writing; and
• In all three circumstances immediately above, the disclosures must be made part
of the public record, as specified. (Regulation 18705(b)(4).)
VIII. Segmentation
Under the Act's conflict of interest provisions, each governmental decision must be
analyzed independently to determine if the decision will have a disqualifying effect on an
official's financial interest. (In re Owen (1976) 2 FPPC Ops. 77.) Accordingly, an agency
may segment a decision in which an official has a disqualifying conflict of interest to
allow the official to participate in associated decisions which would not have a
disqualifying effect on the official's interests under Regulation 18706.
Required Conditions for Segmentation: Regulation 18706(a) provides that an agency
may segment a decision in which an official is financially interested, to allow the official
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to participate in associated decisions in which the official is not financially interested,
provided all the following conditions are met:
• The decision in which the official is financially interested can be broken down into
separate decisions that are not inextricably interrelated to the decision in which
the official has a disqualifying financial interest;
• The decision in which the official is financially interested is segmented from the
other decisions;
• The decision in which the official is financially interested is considered first and a
final decision is reached by the agency without the disqualified official's
participation in any way; and
• Once the decision in which the official is financially interested has been made,
the official's participation in associated decisions does not result in a reopening
of, or otherwise financially affect, the decision from which the official was
disqualified.
"Inextricably Interrelated": Regulation 18706(b) provides that decisions are
"inextricably interrelated" when the result of one decision will effectively determine,
affirm, nullify, or alter the result of another decision.
Budget and General Plan Decisions Affecting Entire Jurisdiction: Regulation
18706(c) provides that once all separate decisions related to a budget or general plan
affecting the entire jurisdiction have been finalized, the official may participate in the
final vote to adopt or reject the agency's budget or general plan.
IX. Disqualification Requirements
Section 87105 governs the recusal of a public official specified in Section 87200 from a
decision from which the official has been disqualified. Subdivisions (a)(1)-(3) of that
section require the disqualified official to: identify the potential conflict of interest to
publicly identify the official's financial interest or interests at issue; recuse from voting,
discussing or attempting to influence the matter; and leave the room until after the
matter is concluded. Subdivision (a)(4) excludes members of the Legislature from these
recusal requirements.
Regulation 18707 provides further direction and guidance on the recusal requirements
applicable to a public official specified in Section 87200 who is disqualified from a
decision relating to an agenda item noticed for consideration at a public meeting subject
to open meeting laws (i.e. the Bagley -Keene Act (Section 11120 et seq.) or the Brown
Act (Section 54950 et seq.)).
On" Form and Content of Public Identification: The disqualified official must publicly
identify each type of financial interest, identified in Section 87103, held by the official
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that gives rise to the disqualifying conflict of interest. (Regulation 18707(a)(1).) The
identification must be oral and part of the public record (Regulation 18707(a)(1)(B)), and
provide the following information, as applicable:
• For a business interest: the name of the business, a general description of its
activities, and any position held by the official. (Regulation 18707(a)(1)(A)(i).)
• For a real property interest: the property's address, assessor's number, or
identification that the property is the official's personal residence. (Regulation
18707(a)(1)(A)(ii).)
• For a source of income interest: the name of the source of income. (Regulation
18707(a)(1)(A)(iii).)
• For a source of gift interest: the name of the source of gift. (Regulation
18707(a)(1)(A)(iv).)
• For all interests: the nature of the expense, liability, asset, or income affected.
(Regulation 18707(a)(1)(A)(v).)
Timing: The public identification required by Regulation 18707(a)(1) must be made
immediately prior to consideration of the agenda item. (Regulation 18707(a)(2).)
• Partial absence from a meeting does not excuse the disqualified official's public
identification requirement. (Ibid.)
• If the official leaves a meeting in advance of an agenda item from which the
official is disqualified, the official must provide the public identification required by
Regulation 18707(a)(1) prior to leaving the meeting. (Regulation 18707(a)(2).)
• If the official first joins a meeting after consideration of the agenda item, the
official must provide the public identification immediately upon joining the
meeting. (Ibid.)
Recusal and Leaving the Room: The disqualified official must recuse, leave the room
after the public identification required by Regulation 18707(a)(1), and refrain from
participation in the decision. (Regulation 18707(a)(3).) The disqualified official does not
count toward achieving a quorum while the item is discussed. (Ibid.)
• For an agenda item on a consent calendar (uncontested items), the official may
remain in the room during the consent calendar. (Regulation 18707(a)(3)(A).)
• If the official has a "personal interest" in the agenda item, as defined in
Regulation 18704(d)(2) and wishes to speak or appear as a member of the
general public, the official may leave the dais and speak or observe from the
area reserved for members of the public after making the public identification
required by Regulation 18707(a)(1) and recusing. (Regulation 18707(a)(3)(B).)
Special Rules for Closed Session: The public identification required by Regulation
18707(a)(1) must be made orally during the open session before the body goes into
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on"
closed session and may be limited to a declaration that the official's recusal is because
of a conflict of interest under Section 87100. (Regulation 18707(a)(4).) The declaration
must be made part of the official public record. (Ibid.) The official must not be present
when the decision is considered in closed session or knowingly obtain or review a
recording or any other non-public information regarding the decision. (Ibid.)
Other Decisions: For a decision other than an agenda item involving a public official
specified in Section 87200 (governed by Regulation 18707(a)), Regulation 18707(b)
provides the following:
• If the official determines not to act because of a financial interest, the official's
determination may be accompanied by an oral or written disclosure of the
interest.
• The official's presence will not be counted toward achieving a quorum.
• During a closed meeting of the agency, a disqualified official must not be present
when the decision is considered, or knowingly obtain or review a recording or any
other nonpublic information regarding the decision.
• An agency may adopt a local rule requiring the official to step down from the dais
or leave the chambers.
Ono Confidential Information: Regulation 18707(c) expressly provides that nothing in
Regulation 18707 is intended to cause any disclosure that would reveal the confidences
of a closed session or any other privileged information contemplated by law, including
privileged information under Regulation 18740.
The Political Reform Act is contained in Government Code Sections 81000 through 91014. All statutory
references are to the Government Code, unless otherwise indicated. The regulations of the Fair Political
Practices Commission (the "Commission") are contained in Sections 18110 through 18997 of Title 2 of
the California Code of Regulations. All regulatory references are to Title 2, Division 6 of the California
Code of Regulations, unless otherwise indicated.
2 We note that the annual gift limit is adjusted biennially. The current gift limit is prescribed in Regulation
18940.2. The adjusted annual gift limit amount in effect for the period January 1, 2021, to December 31,
2022, is $520.
3 For an official's interest in a business entity or real property, Regulation 18702.1(a) and Regulation
18702.2(a)(1)-(6), provide additional guidance for determining if the interest is explicitly involved.
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Exhibit B
DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES
7
0=0 DESIGNATED POSITIONS DISCLOSURE CATEGORY
Positions listed in Government Code § 87200................................................................. 1
(Including City Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners, City Manager, City Attorney,
City Treasurer, Planning Director)
DepartmentHeads....................................................................................................... 4,5
All interim or acting department heads........................................................................ 4,5
CityClerk..................................................................................................................... 4,5
DepartmentManagers................................................................................................. 4,5
Department Supervisors.............................................................................................. 4,5
Building and Code Inspector........................................................................................ 3,4
Planners/Associate Planners....................................................................................... 3,4
Community Preservation Officers................................................................................ 3,4
am Parking Enforcement Officers...................................................................................... 3,4
Consultants*........................................................................................................ 2, 3, 4, 5
Other boards, commissions and committees................................................................... 5
* Consultants acting in one of the capacities above where consultant is providing
financial, legal or services related to zoning or purchasing. These consultants should
comply with filing of categories 3 and 4.
MI-,
EXHIBIT C
DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES
OMM DISCLOSURE CATEGORIES
The disclosure categories listed below identify the types of investments, business
entities, sources of income, and real property which the designated employee must
disclose for each disclosure category to which he or she is assigned.
Category 1: All investments, interests in real property and income as defined in the
Political Reform Act (PRA) and as limited herein, and management positions in any
business entity (including non-profit corporations and unincorporated associations) in
which the person is a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or holds any position
of management or is a paid consultant. Financial interests are reportable only if located
within or subject to the jurisdiction of the City or if the business entity owns real property
or is doing business or planning to do business in the City or has done business within
the City at any time during the two years prior to the filing of the statement. Form 700,
Schedules A through E.
Category 2: Only investments as set forth in Category 1. Form 700, Schedule A.
Category 3: Only interests in real property as set forth in Category 1. Form 700,
Schedule B.
Category 4: Only income as set forth in Category 1. Form 700, Schedules C, D, E.
Category 5: Only management positions as set forth in Category 1. Form 700,
Schedules B, C and D.