Memorandum 14-046 Enacting a Time Limit for Ethics Code Complaints

Memorandum 14-046

TO:                      MAYOR WYTHE AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

DATE:                 MARCH 17, 2014

SUBJECT:         ENACTING A TIME LIMIT FOR ETHICS CODE COMPLAINTS

Upon review of the Board of Ethics provisions I discovered there was no time limit for filing a complaint of a violation of the City’s Ethics Code. The current code leaves a retired city official or city manager in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The more time that passes after an individual held office diminishes the benefit of enforcing the ethics code.

The State of Alaska has a five-year limitation from the date of the potential violation to file a complaint of a violation of the Ethics Code.  It is recommended the City of Homer enact a time limit for filing an ethics complaint that is consistent with the State‘s provision.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Ordinance 14-14 to set a time limit for filing a complaint of a violation of the Ethics Code.