1. Providence Code of Ethics Rhode Island Code of Ethics in Government

2. Providence Code of Ethics
Section of the Code of Ordinances
All officers and employees of the City are subject to the City’s Code of Ethics
Goal is to address issues and conduct not covered by the state code of ethics and to hold city officials and employees to the highest possible standards of ethics

3. Prohibited Conduct Coercion for trading with a particular business
Use of public property
City seal
Activities relating to promotion or appointment
Misuse of position
Misuse of information
No show jobs
Outside work during business hours
Representing persons
Advising or consulting
Former Employees/Officials

4. Campaign Ethics
Political activities while on duty = prohibited with exception of voting
No campaigning while on duty
No soliciting contributions from city employees while on duty
No soliciting contributions in city facilities at all!

5. City Ethics Commission
Education and Training
Advisory Opinions
Investigating Complaints

6. Municipal Integrity Officer
Chief Education Officer
Education and Training
Confidential Advice
Liaison to the State Ethics Commission

7. State Code of Ethics Codified beginning at 36-14-1 www.ethics.ri.gov
Informal Advice
Advisory Opinions
Complaints

8. Conflict of Interest Is it reasonably foreseeable that:
A decision I am helping to make
Will result in a financial benefit or detriment to: Me
A member of my family
My outside employer or
Business associate
“Business associates” are any persons or entities that you are joined with to achieve a common financial objective (includes business partners, attorneys, accountants, realtors, contractors, etc.), and any organizations, even not-for-profit, for which you are an officer or director

9. Recusal
If conflict of interest, must recuse/not participate in the action or decision making.
Appearance of Impropriety – if able, should recuse

10. Gifts
No person subject to the Code of Ethics, either directly or as the beneficiary of a gift or other thing of value given to a spouse or dependent child, shall accept or receive any gift(s) or other thing(s) having either a fair market value or actual cost greater than $25 from a single interested person
“Single interested person” includes employees or representatives of an individual, business, organization or entity
Limited exceptions

11. Open Meetings Act

12. OMA: When does it apply?
All three of the following must be present for the OMA to apply:
Public Body
Quorum—simple majority
Meeting—convening of public body to discuss and/or act upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power (includes “work sessions,” “retreats,” etc.)

13. OMA: Notice, Minutes Notice—Annual and Supplemental Minutes
Business to be discussed
Minutes
Members absent/present
Record of votes taken
Other relevant information

14. OMA: Executive Session
Public bodies may hold closed meetings for those purposes set forth in the statute.
Must be properly noticed.
Other statutory requirements.

15. OMA: Rolling/Walking Quorum
Series of meetings, each less than a “quorum” but that collectively represents a “quorum”
ing
Individual conversations—in person or by phone
Social Media
No telephone/electronic communications, other than scheduling.