Record No: CB 118701    Version: 1 Council Bill No: CB 118701
Type: Council Bill (CB) Status: Retired
Current Controlling Legislative Body City Clerk
On agenda: 3/20/2018
Ordinance No:
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Ethics Code; amending Sections 4.16.030 and 4.16.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code to require City Councilmembers to disclose financial interests in legislative matters under consideration by the City Council prior to participating in those matters, and creating a limited exception to the requirement that City Councilmembers disqualify themselves from participating in such matters.
Sponsors: Bruce Harrell
Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note
CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the Ethics Code; amending Sections 4.16.030 and 4.16.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code to require City Councilmembers to disclose financial interests in legislative matters under consideration by the City Council prior to participating in those matters, and creating a limited exception to the requirement that City Councilmembers disqualify themselves from participating in such matters.
body
WHEREAS, in 2013 the City enacted a charter amendment to elect seven members of the City Council by district; and
WHEREAS, disqualifying a Councilmember from participating in a matter because of a conflict of interest may have the effect of denying residents of that Councilmember's district an equal voice in the City's lawmaking process; and
WHEREAS, the Ethics and Elections Commission unanimously recommended the adoption of a robust disclosure requirement for all Councilmembers in tandem with the elimination of the requirement that City Councilmembers disqualify themselves from participating in legislative matters in which they have a financial interest; and
WHEREAS, this limited exception does not permit Councilmembers to participate in quasi-judicial proceedings in which they have a financial interest, or to participate in executive functions in which they have a financial interest; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 4.16.030, which was last amended by Ordinance 123264, is amended as follows:
4.16.030 - Definitions ((.))
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated.
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"Legislative matter" means any enacted or introduced council bill, ordinance, resolution, clerk file, ballot measure, or charter amendment, or a possible future legislative matter if the possible future matter has been discussed on the public record at an open public meeting of the City Counci...

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