Ethics Jeopardy Seattle Planning Commission January 9, 2014

Gifts ConflictsAfterlife? SEEC Process FINAL JEOPARDY 500

CONFLICTS – SUMMARY Members of an ADVISORY board or commission have Special Provisions of the Ethics Code apply to Members of ADVISORY Boards and Commissions.

$ CONFLICTS – SUMMARY “SKIN IN GAME? – DON’T TOUCH!” Commissioners must RECUSE if: 1) They; 2) A business they have an ownership interest in; or, 3) An immediate family member; has a current or reasonably foreseeable financial interest in the matter.

APPEARANCE OF CONFLICT SUMMARY DISCLOSE! Commissioners must DISCLOSE other information that would lead a reasonable person to question the commissioner’s ability to be impartial in a matter, including if a firm they work for has a financial interest in the matter..

Analytical Framework 1.Is this a “matter”? 2.If so, do I have a financial interest that requires recusal? 3. If not, are there any other circumstances that must be disclosed?

Scenario One I am a part owner of a company that design and builds small duplexes. The Planning Commission will be involved in the update of the Citywide Comp. Plan. The update will include goals for Multifamily Residential Areas. What should I do? Recuse? Disclose?

Scenario Two: Your employer currently has a multifamily project in Lake City. The Urban Design Framework for Lake City comes before the Commission. (This document outlines community goals and design ideas but is a guiding document – not actual zoning changes). Recuse? Disclose?

Scenario Three You are a part owner in a firm that is bidding on a project within the Stadium District Transition Overlay. The Commission is reviewing the comprehensive plan amendment that would change the land use designation from Overlay to Stadium District.

Scenario Three (con’t) IF your project could be built regardless, (because it is currently allowed and would continue to be allowed). Recuse? Disclose?

Scenario Three (con’t) IF your project would not be built unless the re-designation goes through and becomes a new allowable use. Recuse? Disclose?

Scenario Four Same as No 3, but you are an employee - not a part owner - of the firm? Recuse? Disclose?

GIFT – SUMMARY GIFTS A commissioner should not accept a gift if a reasonable person would think that the giver is trying to influence the Commissioner’s handling of any City matter. Another “Smell Test”

Gifts Can I accept Seahawks tickets from a local developer? Does it matter if the developer does/does not have anything pending before the Commission?

Gifts Can I accept lunch from a developer as long as we talk Commission business?

Life After the PC? After I leave the Commission, can I share information I learned as a Commissioner with my employer or clients?

Life After the PC? After I leave the Commission, can I represent clients before the Commission or assist them with a Commission matter?

Life After the PC? After I leave the Commission, can I compete for a City contract? What if the Commission recommended the scope of the contract or the selection criteria?

SEEC Process What should I do if I have a question about the Ethics Code?

SEEC PROCESS If I ask the SEEC for advice, can they later decide I violated the Ethics code even if I followed their advice?