BY ED FELIEN
Did the elected officials and city staff who were so obviously enjoying themselves at the Vikings game on the front page of the Star Tribune last week violate the City Code of Ethics by accepting free tickets from the Wilf brothers?
The ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT Chapter of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances was adopted March 21, 2003.
It says, “Minneapolis government exists to serve the people of Minneapolis. In order to do so effectively, the people must h
ave confidence and trust in the integrity of their city government. They deserve elected and appointed officials, city employees and volunteers who maintain the highest ethical principles and avoid misconduct and conflicts of interest, apparent or real. Effective democracy depends on a government that is fair, ethical and accountable to the people it serves.
“15.20. Ethical aspiration. We put the public interest ahead of our own personal advancement and financial interests. We avoid actions that might impair independence of judgment or give the appearance of impropriety or a conflict of interest. We do not use our positions to gain privileges or special treatment and do not use public property or personnel for private or personal purposes.
“15.50. Soliciting or accepting personal gifts. (a) A local official or employee shall not solicit or accept any gift from an interested person, lobbyist or principal who has a direct financial interest in a decision that the local official or employee is authorized to make.
“15.70. Use of official position to solicit privileges or special treatment. A local official or employee shall not use his or her official position to solicit privileges or special treatment, unless the privileges or special treatment are for the benefit of the city.”
What should someone do if one believes that the Minneapolis city attorney has behaved unethically because she accepted tickets to a Vikings game? The proscribed course of action is to report the behavior to an assistant city attorney who has been appointed by the city attorney.
“15.220. Ethics officer. The city attorney shall designate an assistant city attorney as the city’s ethics officer. The ethics officer shall respond to local official and employee questions about this Code, give opinions on interpretation of this Code, and serve as the staff to the ethical practices board. The ethics officer shall also work to promote the city’s ethics program and high ethical standards in city government.
“15.230. Code of ethics violations. The improper conduct of an elected official must be reported to the ethical practices board.”
So, if someone believes City Attorney Susan Segal has behaved unethically in accepting gratuities and favors from the Wilf brothers, then the only course of action is to bring a complaint to the attention of one of Susan Segal’s employees.
There’s something about all this that doesn’t inspire confidence in the ethical practices of the mayor, the city attorney and members of the City Council.
