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MEETING DATE: 1/12/2015
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance Prohibiting Former Elected Officials from Lobbying the City
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This item is presented for Council discussion and direction only.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Mayor Pro Tem Pettis asked staff to prepare a study session agenda item so that Council can discuss whether or not a City ordinance is needed to ban former elected officials from lobbying the city through a contract or employment for a period of time after leaving office.
DISCUSSION:
Staff requested information from the City Attorney's office regarding any state laws that might already be in place providing restrictions on lobbying activity by former elected officials. There is a California law that prohibits specified officials [including elected officials], for one year after leaving local government office or employment, from representing any other person, for compensation, by appearing before or communicating with their former agency in an attempt to influence the agency's decisions in an administrative or legislative action, whether quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial, or any action involving a permit, license, contract, or transaction involving the sale or purchase of property or goods. (Government Code Section 87406.3; Regulations 18746.2 and 18746.3.).
Council will discuss the state prohibition and determine if the state law provides adequate protection at the local level, or if a local regulation of some type is preferable in addition to the state law.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Enacting a local ordinance will have no cost to the city.
ATTACHMENTS:
Memo regarding State Law on Revolving Door Prohibitions